Best Books for Disability Inclusion

for all ages

“You are the same person you were five years ago except for the books you have read, the people you have met, and the places you have traveled.”

This is a little outside of my usual travel coverage, but in the journey of creating a world that’s for everyone, literature plays a crucial role in fostering understanding and empathy. When it comes to disability inclusion, books have the power to dismantle stereotypes and promote a more inclusive society. There are a lot of books for raising disability awareness for children, but the lists get shorter as the reader gets older. The following are some great options ensuring that readers of all ages can both explore the experiences of individuals with disabilities, and connect through the common threads that tie us all together. All of these are books that I recommend both for building diversity inclusion and for the disabled reader. From children to adults, these books offer poignant narratives that enlighten, entertain, and inspire.

Children’s Books for Disability Inclusion

1. Image Bearer by Ellie Sanazaro (Ages 4-8): This picture book features real kids with wonderful differences. From communication devices and hearing aids to wheelchairs and feeding tubes, kids are introduced to the beauty in diversity.
2. My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete and Ryan Elizabeth Peete (Ages 4-8): Synopsis: Twins Callie and Charlie narrate a heartfelt story that explores autism, emphasizing love, acceptance, and the unique bond they share despite Charlie’s differences.
3. We’ll Paint the Octopus Red by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen (Ages 4-8): Synopsis: Siblings Emma and Isaac embark on a journey where they discover that having a brother with Down syndrome brings unexpected joys and adventures.
4. What Happened to You by James Catchpole (Ages 3-8): A boy named Joe is playing pirates at the playground, but children keep asking what happened to his leg. He doesn’t feel like telling that story, and eventually, the children learn they don’t need to know what happened and Joe’s game looks more fun anyway.

The children’s genre really has so many options. Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor adds a different perspective. The Able Fables use fun animated animals to tell real stories of kids with a variety of disabilities. A quick google search will bring up hundreds of kids books – and they all look interesting to me! Lotti and the Big Dream is my seven year old’s current favorite.

Adolescent Books for Disability Inclusion

1. Wonder by R.J. Palacio (Ages 8-15): This may be my favorite on the whole list. A boy with facial differences and a medically complex past navigates the challenges of starting fifth grade and teaches his peers the true meaning of acceptance. We see the world through his eyes, then through his sister’s, then his friends’ – it’s a beautiful way for absolutely everyone to connect.
2. Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper (Ages 10-14): Join Melody, an eleven-year-old girl with cerebral palsy, as she battles stereotypes and discrimination to prove her intelligence and capabilities.
3. Rules by Cynthia Lord (Ages 9-12): Twelve-year-old Catherine navigates the challenges of having a brother with autism while discovering the true meaning of friendship and acceptance.
4. El Deafo by Cece Bell (Ages 8-12): This graphic novel recounts Cece’s journey as a deaf child navigating the complexities of school life with her powerful hearing aid, the Phonic Ear.
5. Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt (Ages 9-12): Follow the journey of Ally Nickerson, a dyslexic sixth-grader, as she discovers her strengths and resilience with the help of her supportive teacher and newfound friends.
6. The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (Ages 9-12): A girl with a clubfoot, escapes an abusive home, ashamed of her disability, during World War II evacuations, to find a different world where she is welcomed.
7. Lotti and the Impossible Dream by Charlie Froh (Ages 6-13): Pre-teen version of the children’s book, showing the journey of a girl with a scar taking on the challenges of middle school and achieving her dreams.

Teen Books for Disability Inclusion

Full disclosure, I haven’t read most of these, yet. My kids aren’t teens! After researching, these are the ones on my list.

1. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon (Ages 14 and up): Christopher, a fifteen-year-old with Asperger’s syndrome, investigates the mysterious death of a neighbor’s dog, unraveling family secrets along the way.
2. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (Ages 14 and up): In this fantasy novel, disabled sharpshooter Jesper is part of a diverse group of misfits planning a daring heist, proving that disability is not a limitation to courage and skill.
3. Far from the Tree by Robin Benway (Ages 14 and up): Follow the interconnected stories of three siblings separated at birth, one of whom has been adopted by a family that embraces his Down syndrome, illustrating the complexities of family and identity.
4. The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen (Ages 12 and up): After losing her leg in a tragic accident, high school runner Jessica faces physical and emotional hurdles as she strives to redefine her identity and pursue her dreams.
5. Disability Visibility by Alice Wong (Ages 12 and up): This is the adapted teen version of an adult favorite, sharing the narratives of a diverse group of story tellers.

Adult Books for Disability Inclusion

This was the hardest category for me! If you have suggestions to add, please send them my way! It seems many books about disability are written by people with no disability experience.

1. Disability Visibility by Alice Wong (Adults): A powerful collection of essays and narratives that amplifies the diverse voices and experiences of disabled individuals, offering a profound exploration of disability culture and activism.
2. Sitting Pretty by Rebekah Taussig (Adults): A candid and insightful memoir that navigates the complexities of life as a disabled woman, challenging societal norms and sharing personal stories with humor, grace, and a call for greater inclusivity.
3. My Body is Not a Prayer Request by Amy Kenny (Adults): Controversial and convicting. Amy Kenny dives into the history of the church and ableism, and shares how real healing is not what strangers keep praying over her.

A Few Notes

I’m not a fan of book banning, but I am a fan of knowing what your children are reading and maintaining open dialogue. There are some things in these books that make me uncomfortable and that I’m unsure about. There are some things that I flat out I don’t agree with. In fact, these books don’t even all agree with each other! Isn’t that part of the joy of diversity?

Seek to understand and connect. This is a great selection of books, providing a diverse range of perspectives and stories, allowing readers of all ages to better understand, appreciate, connect, and belong.

Also, I make a small percentage off of any Amazon links, but local book shops make a great addition to any accessible trip!

Let me know if I missed anything extraordinary!