2e Resources: Books for Kids
This is the place to find out more about books mentioned or reviewed in 2e Newsletter. See a booklist for adults here.
Title |
Author |
Description |
Adam Buehrens |
An adventure/fantasy story that gives a clear picture of the difficulties individuals with Tourette Syndrome and cerebral palsy face and of the courage and insight that children with disabilities can have; written by a 10-year-old boy with TS |
|
Eoin Colfer |
A fast-pace tale with adventure and an interesting story line for grades 7 and up; may be challenging for some readers |
|
Mel Levine |
The story of a fictitious group of five friends who discover their own learning strengths and weaknesses and come to appreciate all kinds of minds; aimed at children from 7-11 years old |
|
Ask and Tell: Self-Advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum |
Stephen M. Shore (ed.) |
A guide to self-advocacy for children and adults at school and work, and in personal life, written by people with autism |
Baj and the Word Launcher |
Pamela Victor |
The story of an extraterrestrial with Asperger's who receives a magical communication kit that helps him learn the complex rules of the social world |
Rick Riordan |
Book 4 in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians adventureseries, which places a new twist on dyslexia and Greek mythology |
|
College Planning for Gifted Students: Choosing and Getting Into the Right College |
Sandra Berger |
Guides readers through the college-planning process, moving from self-exploration, to college matching, to applying; includes useful timelines for grades 7 through 12. [Especially note the section on underachieving students, pp 36 – 45.] |
Peterson’s Guides |
A guide to more than 750 institutions in the U.S. and Canada that offer programs for special needs students; includes information on how to gain entrance to the learning disability programs |
|
Colleges that Change Lives: 40 Schools You Should Know About Even If You’re Not a Straight-A Student |
Loren Pope |
Focuses on schools that are often a good fit for students who are “outside the box.” [Note the chapter titled “The Learning Disabled of Today will Be the Gifted of Tomorrow.”] |
Mark Haddon |
A novel that does an excellent job of offering readers insight into the mind of Christopher, an intelligent 15-year-old boy with Asperger Syndrome (AS); better suited to teen and adult readers |
|
Susan Cooper |
A novel set in London during World War II that can help middle schoolers in their efforts to develop a sense of identity |
|
E. L. Konigsburg |
A sophisticated mystery for middle schoolers |
|
E. L. Konigsburg |
A Newbury award-winning book for upper elementary and older readers |
|
Judy Galbraith & James Delisle |
A guide to help gifted young people understand their giftedness, value it, and use it make the most of who and what they are |
|
Janet Tashjian |
A novel for teens that considers big questions – materialism and idealism, celebrity worship and privacy, alienation and family loyalty – plus offers a complex plot and intelligent humor |
|
Gloria Whelan |
The story of a blind girl living in northern Michigan in the 1880s, for grades 3 through 5 |
|
Avi |
Historical fiction that offers readers fast-paced action and adventure along with quality writing in a format that will keep even struggling readers involved; aimed at readers aged 9-12 |
|
Kirby Larson |
A 2007 Newbury Honor book that tells the story of an orphaned 16-year-old girl who becomes a homesteader in early 20th century Montana |
|
Haze |
Kathy Hoopmann |
A mystery story about a teenage boy with undiagnosed Asperger’s who’s advanced computer skills and knowledge lead him to become suspected of international computer fraud |
Norton Juster |
A 2006 Caldecott Medal winner that tells the story from a child’s point of view of the everyday, but wonderful, visits to her grandparents’ house |
|
William Sleator |
A science fiction classic in which five sixteen-year-olds are involuntarily placed in a house of endless stairs as subjects for a psychological experiment on conditioned human response |
|
Caroline Janover |
A story for grades 4-8 about a boy with dyslexia and an older gifted brother who keeps reminding him of his learning problems; offers character development and story line that will capture readers’ interest and short chapters that will appeal to struggling readers |
|
Suzanne Collins |
An exciting award-winning science fiction tale for older readers in which two teen-aged girls must make decisions that pit their survival against humanitarian ideals and love |
|
Jack Gantos |
One of three delightful novels that describe the adventures and misadventures of a wonderful little guy who takes control of his life while attempting to deal with AD/HD and a rather dysfunctional family |
|
Jack Gantos |
One of three delightful novels that describe the adventures and misadventures of a wonderful little guy who takes control of his life while attempting to deal with AD/HD and a rather dysfunctional family |
|
Mel Levine |
A book that helps children 11 years and up understand and appreciate their own distinct learning profiles |
|
Cynthia Kadohata |
A Newbery Medal winner set in the 1950s about a girl of 12 who moves with her Japanese-American family to Georgia in order for her father to find work |
|
Terry Spencer Hesser |
A story, based on the author's life, of a bright girl with obsessive-compulsive disorder that helps readers focus on the person first and the label only very secondarily |
|
Jonathan Mooney and David Cole |
An inside account of what it takes to succeed at a prestigious university when you’re a twice-exceptional student; offers plenty of learning tips and strategies that are useful to younger students as well. |
|
Robert Byrd |
A lush presentation of the life of Leonardo da Vinci for children from seven to ten |
|
Rick Riordan |
Book 1 in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians adventureseries, which places a new twist on dyslexia and Greek mythology |
|
The London Eye Mystery |
Siobhan Dowd |
A classic mystery tale told from the point of view of Ted, a boy with “a funny brain that runs on a different operating system from other people” |
Francisco W. Stork |
A novel about a 17-year-old boy with high-functioning autism that treats disability with sensitivity and intimacy; best suited to older teen readers |
|
Lisa Yee |
The story of Millie, a profoundly gifted 11-year-old girl who learns that being smart is not the only important thing in her life; she must make room for friendship as well |
|
Gloria Whelan |
Historical fiction for grades 3 to 5 that suggests questions about how friendships are made |
|
Trenton Lee Stewart |
A delightful, often humorous, adventure story of four highly gifted misfits that literally swims in mystery, danger, spies, and the threat of a world takeover |
|
Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver |
One of an entertaining series of children's books that feature Henry Zinzer, the "World's Best Underachiever" |
|
Sharon M. Draper |
The story of a 10-year-old girl whose cerebral palsy masked her abilities until assistive technology gives her a voice and an opportunity to show the bight and capable person within the physically challenged body |
|
E. L. Konigsburg |
A prequel to Silent to the Bone for upper elementary and older readers |
|
Beverly Cleary |
A book for children in grades K through 2 that parents might use to explore the issues of peers and friendship and, for girls, spunkiness and independence |
|
Rules |
Cynthia Lord |
A Newbery Honor Book in which the 12-year-old protagonist wants a normal life but feels it's impossible because of her brother's autism |
Gordon Korman |
A story of middle-school life told with sensitivity and humor in which issues like homeschooling, bullying, acceptance, and friendship play a part |
|
Rick Riordan |
Book 2 in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians adventureseries, which places a new twist on dyslexia and Greek mythology |
|
E. L. Konigsburg |
A New York Times Notable Book and American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults |
|
The Survival Guide for Teenagers with LD* (*Learning Differences) |
Rhoda Cummings and Gary L. Fisher |
Provides information especially useful to younger 2e adolescents in the first three chapters: “Understanding LD,” “The Law and Your Rights,” and “How to Advocate for Yourself” |
Stephanie Tolan |
The story of how two young teens search for their own worth and identity amid the chaos of an artistic, temperamental, and wacky homeschooling family |
|
Rebecca Greene |
An eye-opening guide to alternative learning experiences for high schoolers, from mentorships to internships to study abroad programs; described as a book for kids “feeling boxed in by high school” |
|
Patricia Polacco |
A book for ages 5 and up that recounts the author's own experiences with dyslexia |
|
Mary Calhoun Brown |
The unique story — part historical fiction, part fantasy, and part realistic novel — of a bright girl, both autistic and mute, who finds herself drawn back in time for a special purpose |
|
Rick Riordan |
Book 3 in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians adventureseries, which places a new twist on dyslexia and Greek mythology |
|
Sharon Creech |
A magical story aimed at readers in grades 4-6 with short chapters and a fast moving pace suitable for reluctant or struggling readers |
|
E. L. Konigsburg |
A Newbery award-winning book for upper elementary and older readers |
|
Eileen Christelow |
An appealing cartoon presentation of the election process for children from 4 to 8 |
|
Jack Gantos |
One of three delightful novels that describe the adventures and misadventures of a wonderful little guy who takes control of his life while attempting to deal with AD/HD and a rather dysfunctional family |
|
| Rebecca Stead | A Newbery award-winning book for middle schoolers with a sophisticated plot and characters that challenge and engage readers |
|
Alan Armstrong |
A barnyard fantasy and Newbery Honor book that also tells the story of eight-year-old Ben’s struggle to learn to read |
|
Jacqueline Wilson |
Connected short stories for the middle elementary grades that focus on a much loved teacher and the way he helps his students deal with their worries |
|
Carol Fenner |
A book that provides middle schoolers with a chance to explore aspects of giftedness beyond academic ability |
|
Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman and Robin Preiss Glasser |
A visual tale with a clever story-line about a young girl who visits the National Gallery in Washington D.C. with her grandmother and little brother; one of a series of three books that includes You Can’t Take a Balloon Into the Metropolitan Museum and You Can’t Take a Balloon Into the Museum of Fine Arts |