Recs if you like Good Different...
Baby's First Political Theory
Middle Grade books that show kids bucking the system, resisting empire, and learning critical community values. Even if no direct political commentary is made, these stories model anti-capitalist/white supremacist culture. Recommendations welcome!
But you don’t look autistic
Middle grade, YA and Adult fictional books with canon autistic main characters
MG Verse Books
A compilation of MG books that are written in verse.
Disability in Kidlit (YA, middle grade, children)
Winners and honorees of the American Library Association’s Schneider Family Book Award: https://www.ala.org/awards/books-media/schneider-family-book-award. The award honors “an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.”
Autistic Reps You Wish You Had as a Kid
Mostly children, middle grade, and ya books with autism representation. Strongly featuring autistic characters that aren’t only young white boys. It’s also strongly concentrated on own voices works, as much as possible, although that’s private information if the authors do not choose want to share publicly.
"Give Me A Chance To Bleed, I Can't Be Hercules"
Inspired by the song "Hercules" by Livingston! :) These are books with characters that realized they couldn't be the "Hercules" or the strong and/or "perfect" person that everyone, even themselves, wanted them to be. My interpretation includes, but isn't limited to: breaking societal standards, coming out as lgbtq+, fighting being misunderstood by family and friends, both external and internal pressure to be the best, and the battle of physical and mental illness.
middle-grade and YA with strong representation
YA books featuring characters with diverse backgrounds / sexualities / gender identities / ethnicities / religions / disabilities / neurodiversities
Neurodivergent main characters (autism, adhd,...)
Books featuring neurodivergent main characters (autism, ADHD, dyslexia, sensory processing disorder, etc.), where neurodivergence is not just mentioned but plays a significant role or is central to the story. Any suggestions for additional books are appreciated!
Back to School- Middle Grade
Back to school books aimed at middle graders- gr 4-7 or 8-12yo. Mostly fiction, but a mix of nonfiction too.
Neurodivergent Middle Grade Books
