Hello Everyone,
Here is my special book list about our special friends. Who are these special friends? Well, in your community or school, you must have seen some kids who look different than you and need more help for doing things, but in fact, we are all the same from inside. This difference makes them unique and special. For people who are wondering, why am I talking about it here? Well, I very well know how it is like to be in someone else’s shoes and how it feels to be different. I have someone special in my life who falls into that category of being different. Although I know I have a lot to learn, I really understand the challenges and struggles of being different, and that has made me more empathetic. There are several conditions, physical and mental, that make our friends different. Reading several books, I have learned a lot about the world of children with disabilities. April is Autism Awareness Month, and April 2 is the annual World Autism Awareness Day. This day is celebrated to encourage awareness about autism, as there are roughly 4 million autistic individuals around the world*. On this occasion, I want to share my book list that will help you understand our differently-abled friends and change your perspective. Here through this blog, I will share some books that talk about characters with disabilities.
- Rules By Cynthia Lord
Catherine and her eight-year-old autistic brother David get along quite well, but life can be embarrassing at times. Catherine has had trouble making friends, but this summer would be different. When she goes to her brother’s therapy session, she becomes friends with a non-verbal boy in the wheelchair. When a new girl comes to her neighborhood, Catherine isn’t as shy as she used to be. When Catherine has pet peeves about things, she quickly changes her mind. What will happen next? To learn more about the challenges of David and his sister, read this book. Recommended for (for Ages:9+)
- Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin: Rose isn’t a typical girl. She has Aspergers, which is a form of autism, and it means that it is hard to socialize with others and find a way out of situations. Rose loves homonyms, prime numbers, and rules that she is very strict about. Her mother is long gone, and her father is an alcoholic and comes home late from the bar. Rose cooks dinner for her father and herself. She has many preferences, otherwise known as a picky person. When her father comes home late, he brings a dog from the back of the bar, who was stuck in the rain. Rose calls the dog Rain, which is a homonym. Rose becomes closer with Rain, and their bond is inseparable. When Rain goes missing in a deadly storm, what happens next? Read this book to find out. Recommended for Ages:10+.
- A Corner of the Universe by Ann M Martin
It is 1960, and Hattie Owen is a typical girl enjoying her summer with her grandparents. Her grandparents own a boarding house around a not-so-big town, but things change when Hattie is told a secret, she has an uncle. Not a typical uncle, but a special uncle who lives in a mental institution far from home. When the boarding school shuts down, Uncle Adam comes home after years. Hattie then has a special bond with her uncle and even makes a new friend in a circus. Adam is a nice person but has trouble with things. He likes the show, I Love Lucy, and uses quotes from the show to express his thoughts and feelings. Adam has a big crush on Angel Valentine. Although he is considered “weird” by others, Hattie develops a strong friendship with him. When things go bad, everything ends up in a tragedy. What will happen next? Read this book to find the secret of Uncle Adam.
- The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman
The bridge home is about two girls Viji and Rukku (who is differently-abled) run away to the city from their abusive father. As Viji and Rukku look for a place to stay, they run into a stray dog, Kutti, which means dog in Hindi. They then become friends with two homeless boys named Arul and Muthu. They pick trash from the heap of the junk instead of begging on the streets. As fall comes, Rukku gets very sick and gets dengue and pneumonia. Viji uses the money for medications and food. They sleep in a tent under the bridge instead of staying in the orphanage school a few blocks from there. Viji, Rukku, Arul, Muthu, and Kutti have fun together. The girls find a family under the bridge away from their home. Will it be too late to help sick Rukku? Will the kids find a new home? Read to find out. This book is very heartbreaking and it is sad to learn that even to this day there are many homeless children on the streets. After reading this book, I am very thankful for everything I have. This story is very close to my heart as it shows strong bonding between sisters. The journey of these girls was filled with challenges. This is a story of poverty, loss, and grief. This book is written in an appropriate manner that describes the difficult scenarios in simple words. I highly recommend this book.
- Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Chodlenko
This book was inspired by Al Capone. Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Chodlenko is a fiction story about a twelve-year-old boy named Moose and his older sister Natalie who is mentally challenged (possibly autistic). Natalie is obsessed with counting rocks and has emotional meltdowns. Their family moves to Alcatraz (a prison on an island near San Francisco) where there were dangerous prisoners. Moose’s father, Mr. Flanagan, is an electrician and guard who works for the prison and moves to this island with his family. Natalie needs to get into a special school in San Francisco but the family has to face many challenges to get her into that school. While reading this book, I learned about life in Alcatraz and the challenges of having a sibling that is differently-abled. When Moose hears about Al Capone locked up in the prison, he hopes that Capone might help to get Natalie into the special school. It was known that Al Capone worked in the laundry section of the prison. Somehow, Moose manages to send a note to Al Capone asking for a favor for his sister. Will Al Capone help? Read to find out.
This book is very interesting and is told in very simple language. I highly recommend it for ages 10 and up. You can buy it on Amazon, borrow from the library or try listening to audiobooks.
- Superstar by Mandy Davis
Lester has a hard way navigating through things when he finally goes to public school after being homeschooled Lester Musselbaum loves science, especially space, more than anything, but since his astronaut father died in a shuttle accident five years ago, the 10-year-old’s mother refuses to talk about the stars with him. When Mom goes back to work, his challenges start at school where nobody understands him. The noise in the lunchroom makes his head feel like it will explode, and last-minute changes in the schedule throw him off course.
When Lester becomes more interested in a science project at school, he faces many challenges and bullying. Finally, Lester gets diagnosed with autism. Will he win the science contest and survive the challenges of bullying at school? To understand Lester and his life at school, please read this book.
- Wonder by RJ Palacio
Auggie is a typical 5th-grade boy. He loves video games, Star Wars, and most of all, ice cream. But there is something that separates him from other kids. His face. He was born with a cleft palate which makes your face look disfigured. When his mother decides that he has to go to a public school, things become hard. People making fun of him, family crisis, and his dog getting sick. But luckily, he has his friends to help him along the way. There is a movie based on this book. This is an emotional journey of a boy with facial deformity.
- Auggie and Me by RJ Palacio
Auggie now has so many supporters, this is kind of like the perspective of the other kids’ story. It starts with Julian, who had a sudden fear of Auggie calling him “Freak” and having trauma about it. Next, is Auggie’s best friend since toddlers, Christopher, who talks about his side of being closer to Auggie. Last is Charlotte, Charlotte talks about her school life and her close friendship with Auggie. This is a book that I recommend you read after watching or reading wonder. This book shows how August (Auggie) changed their lives. The lesson of this book is that you don’t judge a book by its cover and a basic act of kindness can make a difference.
- A Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Ally has trouble reading and writing and is constantly bullied by 2 girls Shay and Jessica. When her teacher goes on leave, another teacher, Mr. Daniels arrives and he recognizes Ally’s challenges as part of dyslexia. He then helps Ally improve on things and gives lots of advice to her. Ally then finds 2 friends that support her no matter what. Ally is a talented artist and named her sketchbook after “Alice in Wonderland” her favorite story her Grandpa read to her. With the help of Keisha and Albert, Ally changes into a strong person with lots of courage from people that support her. Albert is a creative and intelligent boy with Aspergers and has his share of challenges. To learn more about Ally and her challenges due to dyslexia, please read this book. There is a movie coming up soon based on this book.
- Out of my Mind by Sharon Draper
Melody has cerebral palsy, which means that Melody has trouble moving physically and is set in a wheelchair. Melody’s teachers think that she’s not smart and needs to be listening to the ABCs at 10, but Melody is a smart girl who deserves to be treated like others. When Melody gets a new computer that helps her communicate with others, Melody is finally understood. And when Melody finally goes to a school with normal people what happens next? Will Melody get to show her abilities to do things that people say she can’t do? Read this book to find out.
- Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Muñoz Ryan
It is a story of a 12-year-old half Latino girl who has been abandoned by her parents and lives with her great grandmother and a physically disabled brother named Owen in a trailer park in California. Naomi’s past life made me feel sad and sorry for Naomi and her brother Owen because their mother had left them and their father had been missing. Many years later the mother comes back with her boyfriend. Naomi has mixed feelings about her mother. Should Naomi go with her mother? Will she ever meet her Dad? Will Naomi find the courage to stand for herself?
- The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor
While reading The Truth As Told By Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor, I noticed that Mason the main character had dyslexia and the dragon that he talked about was actually a computer program used by teachers for kids with learning problems to help them share their story. Mainly, I felt sorry for Mason as I learned that he was grieving the loss of his best friend who had mysteriously died in his orchard. The early part of the story made me feel upset and sad about Mason’s challenges but later I was anxious to learn about the truth behind his friend Benny’s death.
- The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
This is a historical fiction based on the life of Ada, a ten-year-old girl born with a clubfoot. Her mother hates her and keeps Ada locked in her house and treats her like how a mother shouldn’t. She has a brother named Jamie. When World War 2 begins, children are moved to the countryside of England and have someone look after them. When Ada escapes her house with her brother to live with Miss Susan, her life changes. What happens next? Read this book to find out about the life of a girl with a disability.
- The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
(Spoiler Alert) It is a sequel to The War That Saved My Life.
After terrible events, Ada finally gets her foot surgery, but unexpected deaths happen and terrible events happen, Susan’s house gets taken down due to the war, they move in with Maggie’s family. When Ruth, a Jewish girl wanting to study in Oxford moves in, the family isn’t sure that Ruth is a good person, and when Susan gets terribly ill, what will happen next?
- The Thing about Jellyfish By Ali Benjamin
Some people say that middle school can be the “worst experience” ever. Suzy Swanson, a seventh-grader, is different from girls of her age and has a hard story to talk about. Suzy’s best friend Franny had always been by her side. But ever since Franny changed in sixth grade, their friendship was kind of over. But when Franny suddenly drowns during vacation and dies. When Suzy finds out about her passing, she is confused. Franny was an excellent swimmer and found it impossible that Franny would drown. Suzy believes that her friend died because of a poisonous sting by jellyfish. With the help of scientists, Suzy tries to find out what happened to Franny. What happens next? Read this book to find out.
- Counting By Sevens by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Willow Chance has so many abilities. She is a clever girl who likes science, numbers, and facts. When Willow’s adopted parents get into a car accident and don’t make it, Willow’s life changes forever. Willow is different from other girls of her age, and counting to seven is comforting to her. She finds support in some friends and counselors. What happens to Willow’s life when it’s time to move on during tough times?
Read this book to find out!
PS I am still reading this book.
- So Much to Tell You by John Marsden
Marina is a fourteen-year-old girl with a dark past. This book is based on a true story.
Her parents fought often and then, it got too far, Her father accidentally threw acid on Marina’s face making it disfigured. Her father was arrested and Marina was sent to a boarding school. Marina became speechless after the accident. Marina writes in a diary where she expresses her feelings. It is very difficult to live as an acid attack survivor. Will Marina get over her trauma? Read this book to find out.
- Dear Evan Hansen by Benj Pasek, Val Emmich, Steven Levenson, Justin Paul
Evan Hansen is a typical teenage boy but has trouble managing situations in a social way. He has Social anxiety. His doctor suggests that he writes himself letters on positivity and his life. When something goes terribly wrong with one of his letters, he gets to know more about a boy who had committed suicide. What will happen to Evan’s life next?
PS I’m still in the process of reading this book.
- Anything but Typical By Nora Raleigh Baskin
People say that Jason Blake is strange just because he has autism, but on the inside, he has an inspiring story and is a great writer who writes on an online site where he makes an internet friend named PhoenixBird. But Jason has trouble adjusting at school. His art teacher thinks he isn’t trying and his other teachers don’t expect anything of him. When Jason wants to know who Phoenix Bird is and her identity, what will happen next? Will Jason finally make a true friend? Read this book to find out.
- Save Me a Seat By Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan
The book, Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan, is about two 5th grade boys and their perspectives about school and life. Ravi is a new student at Albert Einstein School in New Jersey. He had moved to New Jersey from Bangalore India, he has trouble making friends and gets made fun of for his accent. Things get worse when he is the only Indian at school and has to get special help for his English.
Joe, a boy with APD (Auditory Processing Disorder), a sensory disorder who also attends the same school, has trouble making friends. He is always made fun of for his appearance and his Mom being a lunch monitor. Joe is also bullied by the mean kid Dillon Sumreen. This story is about friendship, family, immigration, cultural acceptance, bullying, empathy, and kindness.
Read this book to learn more about the journey of Ravi and Joe.
- Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya
This book is written by Pablo Cartaya. The main character Marcus Vega is an eighth-grade boy. He is 160 pounds and 6 feet. The biggest kid in eighth grade gets into many challenges at school. His brother, Charlie, has Down syndrome and gets bullied often. Marcus Vega has to take care of his brother when his mom is working.After being suspended from school as a result of a huge fight with a student who calls Charlie a slur, he goes to Puerto Rico in search for his father who had abandoned the family. In this journey, he learns about his family and Hispanic heritage. He cannot speak Spanish. Will he find his dad? To learn more about the life of Marcus and his brother, please read this book to find out.
In my opinion, this book should be rated 5 stars. I loved it, and it taught me a lot about Hispanic culture. I would recommend this book for all ages but mostly 9 and up.
22. White Bird by R J Palacio
This book is the sequel to Auggie and Me. It talks about Julian and the life story of Julian’s grandmother during the second world war when she was younger. This story talks about Grandmere’s story on how Julian, a boy with paralyzed legs because of polio, saved her life and how she survived attacks by the nazis. It covers important themes like friendship and bullying because of a disability. This story is very inspiring and shows that you should never judge a book by its cover because Sara (Julian’s Grandma) had judged Julian because of his disability. This is an amazing graphic novel and has beautiful illustrations.
I want to dedicate this blog to all the special education teachers, therapists, and assistants who help our special friends every day. I think more authors should write books about differently-abled characters.
Here I end my blog with some quotes from the books on my list.
“Everyone is smart in different ways. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life thinking that it’s stupid.”
Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Fish In A Tree
“One thing’s for sure. We’re not gonna fit in, but we’re gonna stand out” -Keish
Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Fish in a Tree
“I believe that the things we put numbers on are not necessarily the things that count the most. you can’t measure the stuff that makes us human.”
Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Fish in a Tree
“When I write, I can be heard. And known. But nobody has to look at me. Nobody has to see me at all.”
Nora Raleigh Baskin, Anything But Typical
“A person is so much more than the name of a diagnosis on a chart.”
Sharon M. Draper, Out of My Mind
“When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.” – Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
R.J. Palacio, Wonder
“You see, Julian, it always takes courage to be kind.”
-Grandmere
R.J. Palacio, White Bird
Credits * Wikipedia, google