Neurodivergent characters are important for tweens and teens. It’s important for young readers with autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia and ADHD to see themselves represented in literature. And it’s just as important for neurotypical friends and family to see the world from their perspective.
These middle grade and young adult books feature neurodivergent characters. Some are written by neurodivergent authors, too.
For even more books about neurodivergent people, check out our cloudLibrary shelf.
Middle Grade Books
A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll
Reading age: 8 to 12
After she learns her small Scottish town used to burn witches, 11-year-old Addie campaigns for a memorial to be built in town. This debut book is written by a neurodivergent author and features a main character with autism.
Me and Sam-Sam Handle the Apocalypse by Susan Vaught
Reading age: 8 to 12
Jesse’s dad is arrested for a crime she knows he didn’t commit, so she sets out to investigate. But she can’t shake the feeling that she’s not cut out for solving crimes because she has a neuro-processing disorder. Nevertheless, Jesse takes the opportunity to help her dad and prove what she’s made of.
Mighty Jack by Ben Hatke
Reading age: 8 to 12
A graphic novel version of Jack and the Beanstalk! Every summer, Jack watches his younger sister, Maddy, who has autism. It’s a lot of responsibility, and Maddy doesn’t talk. But one day at the flea market, she does talk, prompting Jack to get a box mysterious seeds. Adventure ensues!
Team Players by Mike Lupica
The fourth book in the Home Team series! When a talented softball player with autism joins Cassie’s softball team, Cassie tries to reach out to the new girl. The more Cassie tries to unite the team, the worse things seem to get.
Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin
Reading age: 9 to 12
Rose is so fascinated by homonyms that she gave her dog a name with two homonyms: Rain and Reign. When a storm hits, Rain goes missing, and Rose must set out to find her dog, even though her search disrupts her routines.
Rules by Cynthia Lord
Reading age: 9 to 12
Catherine offers her autistic brother “rules” that other people know instinctively. But as much as she cares for him, she wants a less complicated life. When she tries to make new friends with a next door neighbor and a boy at her brother’s therapy clinic, she finds herself wondering about her own rules and what’s considered normal.
Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine
Reading age: 10 to 12
Because Caitlin has autism spectrum disorder, she leans on her older brother for support. But after he’s killed in a school shooting, Caitlin’s dad can’t help her as much. Though Caitlin wants things to return to the way they were, she must find a way to heal and move forward.
Planet Earth is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos
Reading age: 10 to 12
A tender and hopeful story! Nova is so excited for the launch of the Challenger space shuttle. She and her big sister love astronomy and plan to watch the launch together. But when Bridget disappears, Nova is placed in a foster home, and her new family doesn’t understand how intelligent and special she is. She holds out hope that she can still watch the Challenger launch with her big sister.
Welcome Back, Maple Mehta-Cohen by Kate McGovern
Reading age: 10 to 12
Maple has a secret: she can’t read very well. Although she dictates stories into her recorder, printed words don’t make sense to her. When she’s required to repeat fifth grade, she uses her special skills to convince her peers that she’s staying back on purpose. But the deception becomes harder and harder to keep up. Will she find acceptance among her friends and herself?
Young Adult Books
Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig
After years in foster care, 14-year-old Ginny, who has autism, is finally living with a family that loves her. But as her family prepares to welcome a new baby, she’s confronted with trauma from her past.
The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily by Laura Creedle
Lily stops taking her ADHD medication and finds herself in detention with Abelard, who has autism spectrum disorder. When Abelard posts a quote from an ancient love letter online, Lily realizes how much they have in common, and a romance begins to blossom.
The Luster of Lost Things by Sophie Chen Keller
Walter is amazing at finding things, but he often feels lonely because of his motor speech disorder. When an important item goes missing from his mother’s enchanted dessert shop, Walter sets out with his golden retriever to find it.
Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson
Claudia and her best friend Monday have been inseparable for years. When Monday isn’t at school on the first day, Claudia knows something is wrong. Her friend would never abandon her to struggle through school alone, which is difficult with dyslexia. Monday’s family doesn’t offer any answers, and Claudia discovers that nobody remembers the last time they saw her best friend.
The State of Grace by Rachael Lucas
A slice-of-life tale by an author with autism spectrum disorder. Fifteen-year-old Grace feels like everyone except her was given a rule book for life. She lives in England with her younger sister, her mother, and occasionally her father, who is a wildlife filmmaker. Between kissing a boy at school and new tension at home, Grace’s life feels like it’s going off the rails.
Under Shifting Stars by Alexandra Latos
Twin sisters Audrey and Clare have grown apart as they got older. Clare blames Audrey for the death of their brother, and she’s questioning her gender identity and status at school. Audrey attends an alternative school and wants to return to public high school and fit in with her neurotypical peers. Will their questions of identity drive them farther apart than ever before?
