Learning how children might see the world differently is important in understanding the many unique types of people they will encounter throughout their lives. Read these books to or with your children to help them understand different perspectives and celebrate differences.
Picture Books
“I Think I Think a Lot”
by Jessica Whipple
A young girl notices and wonders about the ways she and her classmates approach doing good work, caring about people’s feelings and showing they’re grateful. She comes to accept herself just as she is and celebrates the differences between herself and her classmates. Inspired by the author’s experience with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), “I Think I Think a Lot” can be a starting point for discussions about overthinking or obsessive thought and about the many ways individuals see and experience the world.
“Benji, the Bad Day, and Me”
by Sally J. Pla
Sammy is having the absolute rottenest, worst day ever. His little brother, Benji, knows exactly what that’s like. This is the story of how a younger sibling who is autistic helps his older sibling feel better; also available as a video through Kanopy at kanopy.com/en/fcpl.
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Early Readers
“Henry, Like Always”
by Jenn Bailey
Henry, a first-grader on the autism spectrum, attempts to navigate friendships and sudden changes in classroom routines in this first book of a new early chapter book series based on the award-winning picture book, “A Friend for Henry.” This book is also available as a downloadable ebook through Libby by Overdrive: Kids at maryland.overdrive.com/maryland-frederickcounty/kids.
“West Meadows Detectives: The Case of the Snack Snatcher”
by Liam O’Donnell
Myron’s unique perspective from the autism spectrum makes him a top-notch sleuth. Black-and-white spot illustrations accompany the text in this fun and accessible page-turning series for independent readers.
Middle Readers
“Anybody Here Seen Frenchie”
by Leslie Connor
A big-hearted, beautiful and funny novel told from multiple viewpoints about neurodiversity, friendship and community, this book introduces Aurora as bouncy, loud and impulsive. Making friends has never come easily for her. When Frenchie, who is autistic, silently chose Aurora as his person back in third grade, she chose him back. When Frenchie goes missing, Aurora must figure out how to use her voice to help find him and lift him up when he is found; also available as a downloadable e-audiobook and ebook through Libby by Overdrive: Kids at maryland.overdrive.com/maryland-frederickcounty/kids.
“Good Different”
by Meg Eden Kuyatt
Seventh-grader Selah Godfrey knows that to be “normal” she has to keep her feelings tightly controlled when people are around, but after hitting a fellow student, she needs to figure out just what makes her different—and why that is OK. This story is told in verse and is also available as a Playaway, as well as a downloadable e-audiobook and ebook through Libby by Overdrive: Kids at maryland.overdrive.com/maryland-frederickcounty/kids.
Teen Readers
“The Secret Life of Kitty Granger”
by G.D. Falksen
Both a suspenseful thriller and a nuanced portrayal of neurodivergence, this literary page-turner features a unique heroine facing formidable and still-relevant enemies. Sixteen-year-old Kitty Granger’s keen observation and quick thinking help her survive a dangerous encounter and the attention of two secret agents working for Her Majesty’s government who offer her a job in their espionage operation; also available as a downloadable ebook through Libby by Overdrive at maryland.overdrive.com/maryland-frederickcounty/content.
“Finding Jupiter”
by Kelis Rowe
For Ray and Orion, it’s love at first sight when they meet at a roller rink, but some long-kept family secrets threaten to tear them apart before their love story even begins. Found poetry, grief and fate collide in this powerful novel.
These titles are thoughtfully selected by Frederick County Public Libraries. You can find these books and more by visiting fcpl.org.
