Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love (ages 3 to 8)

Beautiful book about a young boy with mermaid aspirations. Love’s gorgeous illustrations provide endless opportunities for discussion and discovery. Wonderful “point of entry” text to examine gender roles and expectations with young children.

Sparkle Boy by Leslea Newman (ages 3-8)

The author of the well-known Heather Has Two Mommies, Leslea Newman has several books about LGBTQ families. This one takes a somewhat heavy-handed approach about a gender non-conforming character, but the book’s clear, unwavering messages of support and acceptance are heartening.

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos (ages 8-12)

In this antic yet poignant new novel, Jack Gantos has perfect pitch in capturing the humor, the off-the-wall intensity, and the serious challenges that life presents to a kid dealing with hyperactivity and related disorders.

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger (ages 8 and up)

Socially awkward Dwight shows up to school one morning waving a green finger puppet. Strange enough, but then Dwight starts talking in a funny voice and doling out advice. Is it the puppet, or is it Dwight? And will paper Yoda be able to help Dwight convince the girl of his dreams to go to […]

A Friend Like Simon by Kate Gaynor (ages 4-8)

Kate Gaynor’s “A Friend Like Simon” serves as a helpful introduction to autism for neurotypical peers or siblings. This is the story about an autistic child who joins a “typical” classroom and faces a number of challenges. Young readers will learn how to be mindful of and patient with their autistic peers, while also learning […]

Why Does Izzy Cover Her Ears? By Jennifer Veenendall (ages 4-8)

Izzy is a fun and feisty first grader who is often misunderstood because of her seemingly odd behavior. This vibrantly illustrated book tells the story of how Izzy attempts to cope with sensory overload in surroundings that are new to her, while simultaneously promoting the acceptance of peers with sensory modulation difficulties.