One of summer’s great pleasures is the opportunity it often provides to catch up on one’s reading. If you or your kids are in the market for some book recommendations, Enabling Devices can help. In this week’s blogpost, we share some of the year’s best books on disability.
For Young Children:
“The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Temple Grandin”
By Julie Finley Mosca, Illustrated by Daniel Rieley (The Innovation Press, 2017), hardcover, 40 pages, $11.09
A Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award Recipient, this book for children grades K- 5, tells the amazing story of Temple Grandin. Diagnosed with autism at an early age, and at a time when little was known about the condition, Grandin went on to become a renowned animal psychologist who designed animal husbandry techniques that led to more humane treatment of animals. Grandin is also a respected spokeswoman for the autism community. Rhyming verse and colorful cartoon illustrations make this biography easily accessible for young students.
For Middle School-aged Children:
“Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess”
By Shari Green (Pajama Press, 2017), paperback, 240 pages, $9.56
Winner of the 2018 Schneider Family Book Award in its Middle Grades category, this book tells the story of 6th grader Macy McMillan, who is deaf, and her transformational friendship with an 86-year-old neighbor.
For Teens and Young Adults:
“Queens of Geek”
By Jen Wilde (Swoon Reads, 2017), paperback 288 pages, $8.79
This young adult novel explores the world of sci-fi and fantasy fan conventions, through the friendship of two high school seniors from Australia — one with autism and one who’s bisexual. According to Teen Vogue, “The book deals head on with issues of mental health, body shaming, sexuality and internet celebrity, handling them with a delicate and skillful touch.”
Adult Fiction:
“The Color of Bee Larkham’s Murder: A Novel”
By Sarah J. Harris, (Touchstone, 2018), hardcover, 368 pages, $26
Often compared to Mark Haddon’s “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” Harris’ debut adult novel tells the story of a 13-year-old boy named Jasper with synesthesia, a rare neurological condition that makes him see colors when he hears sounds. Publisher’s Weekly calls this suspenseful mystery, ‘sparkling” and “fantastic!”
Adult Nonfiction:
“Navigating the Transition From High School to College for Students with Disabilities”
By Meg Grigal, Joseph Madaus, Lyman Dukes III and Debra Hart (Routledge, 2018), paperback, 224 pages, $39.95
Transitioning from high school to college is challenging for all students, but especially for students with disabilities. This new text provides strategies, options, resources and activities to help streamline the process and help students to be more successful.
