Every kid has hopes and dreams, and every kid achieves those dreams differently from each other. Everyone has different abilities, and no two people are exactly alike! Here are a variety of books where kids make friends, experience new things, and work hard to achieve their goals. Some of these kids are blind, or have Autism, or need sensory accommodations for noisy places. Try out some of these books and explore how you’re similar and different! (Some books are also available from our digital collections.)

Early Readers

Can Bears Ski? by Raymond Antrobus

Out Into the Big Wide Lake by Paul Harbirdge (Axis 360)

Lucas at the Paralympics and Lucas Makes a Comeback by Igor Plohl

Hello Goodbye Dog by Maria Gianferrari

My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

This Beach is Loud! By Samantha Cotterill

The Black Book of Colors by Menena Cottin

Older Readers

El Deafo by Cece Bell (Axis 360, Overdrive)

A Boy Called Bat by Elana Arnold (Axis 360)

Wink: A Novel by Rob Harrell (OverDrive)

Get a Grip, Vivy Cohen! By Sarah Kapit

The Chance to Fly by Ali Stroker (Axis 360)

The Many Mysteries of the Finkel Family by Sarah Kapit (Axis 360)

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling (Axis 360, Overdrive)

True Stories

Unbound: The Life and Art of Judith Scott by Joyce Scott (Axis 360)

Fauja Singh Keeps Going by Simran Jeet Singh

Dark was the Night by Gary Golio

Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson (Axis 360)

Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship by Jessica Kensky (Overdrive)

Brayden Speaks Up by Brayden Harrington

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin by Julia Finley Mosca

General Books about Inclusion

Lovely by Jess Hong

Bodies are Cool by Tyler Feder

Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor (Axis 360, Overdrive)

Don’t Hug Doug (He Doesn’t Like It) by Carrie Finison (Axis 360)

– Alice Mitchell, Youth Services Manager