Autism-Positive Books for Teachers to Read During April

April is Autism Acceptance Month. As an educator, you might be looking for a few good books to read with your class. There are hundreds – if not thousands – of titles to choose from! Unfortunately, not all books about autism spread the same message. We want to make sure the books we choose promote inclusion and accessibility. We don’t want to share books that stigmatize, pathologize, or infantilize our autistic students. I know teachers are busy and might not have time to sift through every title. This list will help you take the guess work out of choosing a few fabulous books!

These titles were carefully selected in That Au-Some Book Club – a group dedicated to discussing books about autism and neurodiversity.

Some of the titles are autism-specific while others promote inclusion and diversity in a broader sense. All of them would be fantastic additions to your classroom or school library, and perfect for reading aloud with your class!

Notes: Titles with (*) behind the listing indicate the author is autistic. The absence of a (*) does not mean the author is not autistic.

I included Accelerated Reading information for the books I could find.

This list is not all-inclusive. There are plenty of other titles that promote inclusivity and neurodiversity. These are the titles I stand behind as the author of this article.

Picture Books

Just Right for You: A Story About Autism by Melanie Heyworth, Illustrated by CeART – I am Cadence Do You Want to Play? Making Friends with an Autistic Kid by Daniel Share-Strom, Maxine Share, Illustrated by Naghmeh Afshinjah Wiggles, Stomps, and Squeezes Calm My Jitters Down by Lindsey Parker, Illustrated by Rebecca Burgess Sensory Seeking Sebastian by Christia DeShields, Illustrated by Marissa Nelson Benji, the Bad Day, and Me by Sally J Pla et al. Illustrated by Ken Min * Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, Illustrated by David Roberts AR Book Level: 3.4 Points: 0.5 My Wandering Dreaming Mind by Merriam Saunders, Illustrated by Tammie Lyon (ND Author) Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall, Illustrated by Michael Hall AR Book Level: 1.6 Points: 0.5 Too Sticky! :Sensory Issues with Autism by Jen Malia et al. Illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff * Come Meet Drayden by Dana Young-Askew, illustrated by Cameron Wilson My Whirling, Twirling Motor by Merriam Saunders, Illustrated by Tammie Lyon (ND Author) A Friend for Henry by Jenn Bailey, Illustrated by Mika Song * AR Book Level: 2.4 Points: 0.5 Suzi Spins by Emma Dalmayne and Illustrated by her son Raphelle * Benny Doesn’t Like to Be Hugged by Zetta Elliott, Illustrated by Purple Wong Not Your Typical Dragon by Dan Bar-el, Illustrated by Tim Bowers AR Book Level: 2.9 Points: 0.5 The Masterpiece: One Big Canvas by Jay Miletsky, Illustrated by Luis Peres The Perfect Fit by Naomi Jones, Illustrated by James Jones Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima, Illustrated by Jessie Sima AR Book Level: 3.3 Points: 0.5 A Tiger Called Thomas by Charlotte Zolotow and Diana Cain Bluthenthal AR Book Level: 3.1 Points: 0.5 Swing by Michael Hall, Illustrated by Michael Hall The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates and Juniper Bates illustrated by Amy June Bates AR Book Level: 1.4 Points: 0.5 Be Who You Are by Todd Parr, Illustrated by Todd Parr It’s Okay to be Different by Todd Parr, Illustrated by Todd Parr AR Book Level: 1.7 Points: 0.5 Rosalee the Seeker by Nicole Filippone * The Little Senses Series by Samantha Cotterill, Illustrated by Samantha Cotterill*

Novels

Trouble with a Tiny T by Merriam Saunders ND Author The Someday Birds by Sally J. Pla * AR Book Level: 4.8 Points: 9 Stanley Will Probably be Fine by Sally J. Pla * AR Book Level: 4.2 Points: 7 A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll * A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold AR Book Level: 4.6 Points: 3 Get a Grip, Vicky Cohen! by Sarah Kapit * AR Book Level: 4.6 Points: 8 Moojag and the Auticode Secret by N.E. McMorran* Planet Earth is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos * AR Book Level: 5.0 Points: 7 Can You See Me? by Libby Scott & Rebecca Westcott * AR Book Level: 5.6 Points: 11 Do You Know Me? by Libby Scott & Rebecca Westcott (sequel ) * Underdogs Series by Chris Bonnello In Two Worlds by Ido Kedar * More Titles to Explore

Nonfiction Titles Including Biographies

Diary of a Young Naturalist by Dara McAnulty * Leaders Around Me: Autobiographies of Autistics who Type, Point, and Spell to Communicate edited by Edlyn Vallejo Peña, PhD * Anatomy of Autism: A Pocket Guide for Educators, Parents, and Students by Diego Pena * The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida * AR Book Level: 5.8 Points: 3.0 Fall down Seven Times Get Up Eight by Naoki Higashida * The Spectrum Girl’s Survival Guide: How to Grow Up Awesome and Autistic by Siena Castellon * Odd Girl Out by Laura James * Ido in Autismland by Ido Kedar * The Awesome Autistic Go-To Guide: A Practical Handbook for Autistic Teens and Tweens by Yenn Purkis and Tanya Masterman * The Autism-Friendly Guide to Periods by Robyn Steward * a resource for older elementary students More Titles to Explore

Must-Reads for Educators of Neurodivergent Students

Inclusive Education for Autistic Children: Helping Children and Young People to Learn and Flourish in the Classroom by Dr. Rebecca Wood* Beyond Behaviors by Mona Delahooke PhD War on Autism: On the Cultural Logic of Normative Violence by Anne McGuire Understanding and Evaluating Autism Theory by Nick Chown Communication Alternatives in Autism: Perspectives on Typing and Spelling Approaches…by Edlyn Vallejo Peña * Lost At School: Why Our Kids With Behavioral Challenges Are Falling Through The Cracks And How We Can Help Them by Dr. Ross Greene Ph. D Avoiding Anxiety in Autistic Children: A Guide for Autistic Wellbeing by Dr. Luke Beardon (ND Author) More Titles to Explore