When you work in a school, there are some topics that permeate conversations and crop up in every
corner of life as an educator. Usually, they’re tangled up with buzzwords: engagement, data-driven instruction, differentiation… you could make a pretty long list. My fellow teacher-authors are probably making one even now as they read these words.
Sometimes we get so deep into the weeds on topics like this that we forget why we’re talking about them in the first place. That can definitely happen with my all-time favorite buzzword: inclusion.
There’s a lot to unpack in that word. As a special educator, I’ve been a part of panels, focus groups, school-wide initiatives—and I have at least three t-shirts (because if you don’t get a t-shirt, did it even really happen?). But the human side of inclusion—the story—can sometimes get lost in all the planning and coordinating.
That’s when the author in me turns back to the books that, in recent years, have tackled this delicate subject so beautifully and honestly. It’s a long list, but I’ve pared it down to my current top five. Whether you work in education, have a child with special needs, or just like being a good human, these are all worth a look (even if you don’t get a t-shirt).
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl, by Stacy McAnulty
What it’s about: After a lightning strike grants Lucy Callahan genius-level math abilities and obsessive-compulsive tendencies, she’s been homeschooled and is ready for college at 12. However, her grandmother insists she attend middle school for a year to experience life beyond numbers. Lucy navigates the challenges of public school, friendships, and a community service project at a dog shelter, all while managing her OCD and hiding her extraordinary intellect. Through these experiences, she learns that some problems can’t be solved with equations alone.
Why it’s great for inclusion: This story explores the incredibly challenging landscape of social interactions in school and the nature of friendship. There are a lot of layers, and in some ways, the book raises more questions than it answers—but that’s exactly why it’s such a strong choice for sparking conversation about inclusion.
Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
What it’s about: Melody Brooks is an 11-year-old with cerebral palsy who cannot walk or speak, but she possesses a photographic memory and a brilliant mind. Despite her intelligence, she’s often underestimated due to her physical limitations. When she gains access to a communication device, Melody finally has the opportunity to express herself and prove her capabilities.
Why it’s great for inclusion: There’s an idea in the special education world we often call presumed competence. At its core, it’s the belief that, regardless of how someone presents or the assumptions others make about them, it’s always best to operate on the assumption that they’re just as capable as anyone else. It also pushes back against the notion that if someone can’t communicate, they must not have anything to say. There are so many kids still learning how to use their voice effectively, and Melody’s transformation in this book is a case study in the power of expression and self-advocacy.
Stuntboy, in the Meantime by Jason Reynolds
What it’s about: Portico Reeves, a spirited and imaginative boy, adopts the alter ego “Stuntboy” to navigate the challenges of his daily life. Living in a bustling apartment complex he views as a castle, Portico uses his superhero persona to protect those around him, especially as he grapples with his parents’ escalating arguments and the anxiety they cause. With the support of his best friend Zola, Portico learns coping mechanisms to manage his “frets” and discovers that true heroism lies in resilience and empathy. This illustrated novel combines humor, heart, and a unique narrative style to explore themes of family, mental health, and community.
Why it’s great for inclusion: In many respects, schools across the country are just beginning to grapple with the growing needs related to anxiety and other mental health challenges in children. Jonathan Haidt’s recent book The Anxious Generation is one of many that explore this issue in depth, backed by compelling research on the rise of mental health struggles in young people.
Recognizing these challenges in the classroom—and building supports to effectively include kids who are navigating them—isn’t easy. But Jason Reynolds introduces the topic with a fun, accessible tone that still deals honestly with the struggle.
Another great read on this subject is Carla Naumburg’s How to Stop Freaking Out: The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Cool When Life Feels Chaotic. I actually interviewed her about the book last year—check that out here if you’re interested in digging a little deeper!
Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt
What it’s about: Selah Godfrey has always followed her personal “rules for being normal,” masking her true self to fit in. But when sensory overload leads to an outburst at school, her carefully constructed world begins to unravel. Told in poignant verse, this novel explores Selah’s journey toward self-acceptance and advocacy, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of embracing one’s neurodivergence. An empowering read that underscores the importance of understanding and inclusion.
Why it’s great for inclusion: The concept of masking is generating a lot of conversation right now—especially around how much an autistic child should be expected to change in order to fit into the world around them. Selah’s story offers a powerful lens on that topic. It encourages discussion about the nature of acceptance, neurodivergence, and what true inclusion can (and should) look like in a school setting.
Planet Earth Is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos
What it’s about: Set in 1986, this story follows twelve-year-old Nova, a nonverbal autistic girl with a deep passion for space exploration. Recently placed in a new foster home, Nova eagerly anticipates the launch of the space shuttle Challenger, a moment she and her missing sister, Bridget, had planned to watch together. As the countdown to the launch progresses, Nova’s new foster family and teachers begin to recognize her intelligence and potential, challenging their initial perceptions. Through Nova’s perspective, the story explores themes of understanding, resilience, and the profound impact of being truly seen and valued.
Why it’s great for inclusion: For many years, I’d spend part of September visiting classrooms and showing neurotypical students how to use AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication). My goal was to help them understand that different methods of communication are equally valid—and that students who use them deserve to be heard.
Planet Earth Is Blue is a powerful example of this idea in action. Nova is a thoughtful and passionate girl who happens to be nonverbal. In my opinion, nonverbal characters are still underrepresented in books about neurodivergent kids, so it’s refreshing to see a story so fully centered on someone like her.
For more great recommendations on the broader topic of diversity in middle grade, absolutely check out our diversity series, which is full of great recommendations, many of which address themes like neurodiversity and inclusion (check out this recent list, for example!).
What are you reading on this topic? Feel free to leave a comment, and let’s keep the conversation going!
Just in time for the 2024 Summer Olympics, here is a dramatic and inspiring autobiographical tale of overcoming odds by Native American gold medalist Billy Mills, with stunning illustrations by acclaimed Lakota artist SD Nelson.
Thirteen-year-old Maddie just wants her classmate Lucas to leave her alone. He keeps asking her out—as if she hasn’t already said no a thousand times! Focusing on her competitive swim team, the Electric Eels, Maddie tries to ignore him, hoping he’ll stop harassing her.
An adaptation of the well-reviewed adult title, this is the true story of an inspiring American crew team and their quest to win at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
The Summer Olympics are chock full of epic athletic achievements across hundreds of disciplines, especially Track and Field, Gymnastics, and Swimming. These are the sports that gave us Jesse Owens and Carl Lewis, Wilma Rudolph and Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Olga Korbut and Mary Lou Retton — tremendous athletes whose Olympic accomplishments thrill us now just as much as they did when they occurred. Now readers can relive those moments in this fact-filled volume just right for young sports enthusiasts.
Why does a football spiral? How do some athletes jump so high? The answer is science! The Secret Science of Sports helps kids better understand concepts of science, technology, engineering, and math through the sports they love to play and watch.
Back in 775 BC, athletes from all over Ancient Greece came together to compete in various games. The contests were held every four years and winning athletes brought honor and respect to their homelands.
A close-up look at sports and nanotechnology, the cutting-edge science that manipulates objects at the atomic level.
Simone Biles has been called the greatest gymnast of all time, winning five Olympic and 25 World Champion medals by age 22. Before she wowed the world with her incredible gymnastics skills, Simone was an energetic young girl who dreamed of becoming a top gymnast. She trained for hours every day and made many sacrifices to pursue her goals. Explore how Simone Biles went from being a kid growing up in Texas to an Olympic athlete who has won more gymnastics medals than anyone in history.
![The House With a Clock In Its Walls (Lewis Barnavelt Book 1) by [John Bellairs, Edward Gorey]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/513d+s3b15L.jpg)
In your story, Clara is thirteen years old, and she’s moved more than once in the past few years. At the beginning of the book, she and her mother move from California to a very small village in Illinois, into a house they inherited from her grandmother. What was important about having Clara go to places she’d never been and work with people she didn’t know?
