My favorites are Planet Earth is Blue, Rules, Mockingbird, The Someday Birds, and Counting by 7s but they all are incredible choices. These all are great choices for a book study, a book club, or a read-aloud. I LOVE this list of middle grade books with autistic characters because they really give readers such insight into the worlds of the neurodiverse characters. The author skillfully shows Bat’s unique perspective on the skunk situation, his sister, and his weekend visits to his dad. Bat wants his mom to let him keep the skunk as a pet. His mom is a vet who brings home a baby skunk who lost his mother. Arnold tells the story of a boy with divorced parents. The artwork is ADORABLE.Ī Boy Called Batby Elana K. This is a joyful celebration of being yourself, starring a neurodivergent ( autistic) bat who helps her classmates see what makes them special, too. Soon all the children are making stars describing what makes them special. The next day, Bitsy adds sunglasses and headphones and shares an idea with her teacher. Her parents remind her that it’s okay to be different than her classmates. *originally published 2/18, updated 7/23 Incredible Children’s Books with Autistic Characters Picture Booksīitsy Bat is excited about school…but once she’s there, her differences (sitting upside down, painting with her feet, eating different foods) feel overwhelming, and she has a meltdown. Look Me in the Eye by John Elder Robinson Reading memoirs also is very helpful memoirs like these: I would encourage you to ask a mom or dad friend to share their story of parenting a child on the spectrum –and then really listen as they share. Since I believe it’s life-changing to put yourself in someone else’s shoes.
Please consider this when you read these books. Which is why I think we still have a ways to go in showing characters on the full autism spectrum. There’s a saying that when you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism, meaning that autism looks differently for each person. I hope these books help you have rich conversations and a new understanding of autism. I love using books to inform and spark conversation. Reading children’s books with autistic characters like these picture books, chapter books, and middle grade books validates, educates, and develops empathy.
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