Summer Reading List

This book flips the conversation about the differences between neuro-diverse and neuro-typicals on its head! It's written from the point of view of an autistic little boy who can't understand why his best friend can't seem to arrive on time, stick to a routine, or express himself in the same ways. It teaches that differences are welcome and important and that both NT and ND are okay!! Friendships can flourish between all kinds of people! We loved this book, and it comes with a helpful Parent's Guide for reading and explaining the book's concepts to little ones. It's the exact kind of children's book we need today!

"Rescue and Jessica" tells the true story of a couple who was injured in the Boston Marathon bombing and their journey through healing with their service dog named Rescue. After Jessica and Patrick's experience, they found a lot of kids asking them candid questions about their new life and special pet when they were out in public. They decided they wanted to help educate children on disability and service animal awareness. The illustrations in the book feature beautiful and accurate depictions of prosthetics, adaptive equipment and people with disabilities living life. It's a great way to teach children about all the different people and tools out in the world. All around wonderful and so needed!

Living through teenage years is already hard, add a disability to growing up and the challenges are varied and complex. "Unbroken" features 13 short stories written by disabled teens focusing on topics like first love, friendship, war, travel and more. These authors write nuanced engaging stories about characters who reflect their experiences and feelings. There's many different genres and topics, and something for everyone to love! It's a great inclusive YA novel that tells stories of everyday super heroes

"Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask About Having a Disability" is candidly written by Shane Burcaw, a disability rights activist with Spinal Muscular Atrophy who shares information about his life with honesty, humor and grace. He wants to help kids grow up normalizing disability from a young age so he frames questions from a child's point of view. He talks about how he hangs out with friends, performs daily tasks and tackles awkward situations. It's funny, engaging and great for people of all ages. Shane has written other books including a Young Adult memoir, an essay collection, and keeps a blog and YouTube channel with his fiancé! He's a wonderful advocate who promotes using humor and positivity to overcome adversity. Give him a follow to find out how you can support his work!