4th-5th Grade

Berkeley Unified School Libraries, in partnership with the Special Education Department and Mental Health Services, proudly recognizes Neurodiversity Celebration Week (the 3rd week in March). The term neurodiversity is often used to describe alternative thinking and learning styles such as Autism, ADHD and Dyslexia; neurodiversity also describes the varied ways that people think, move, process information and communicate. Everyone’s brain is unique and should be celebrated; there is no one "right" way of thinking, learning, and behaving.


These reading lists, organized by grade level, represent recently published books that celebrate the strengths and talents of our neurodivergent community.

A Bird Will Soarby Allison Green Myers
Published: 2021
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Representation: Autism
Audiobook available

Can You See Me?by Libby Scott & Rebecca Westcott
Published: 2021
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Representation: Autism
Audiobook available

A Different Kind of Normal: My Real-Life COMPLETELY True Story About Being Uniqueby Abigail Balfe
Published: 2022
Genre: Nonfiction - Autobiography
Format: Illustrated Nonfiction
Representation: Autism
Each Tiny Sparkby Pablo Cartaya
Published: 2019
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Representation: ADHD
Fifty-Four Things Wrong with Gwendolyn Rogersby Caela Carter
Published: 2021
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Representation: ADHD
Audiobook available

Figure It Out, Henri Weldonby Tanita S. Davis
Published: 2023
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Representation: Dyscalculia
Audiobook available

Flipping Forward Twisting Backwardby Alma Fullterton
Published: 2022
Format: Novel in Verse
Genre: Sports Fiction
Representation: Dyslexia

Frankie's Worldby Aofie Dooley
Published: 2022
Format: Graphic Novel
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Representation: Autism

Get a Grip, Vivy Cohenby Sarah Kapit
Published: 2020
Genre: Sports Fiction
Representation: Autism


Growing Pangsby Kathryn Ormsbee
Published: 2022
Format: Graphic Novel
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Representation: OCD


Honestly Elliottby Gillian McDunn
Published: 2022
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Representation: ADHD
Audiobook available
Just Roll With Itby Lee Durfey-Lavoi
Published: 2021
Format: Graphic Novel
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Representation: OCD
A Kind of Sparkby Elle McNicoll
Published: 2021
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Representation: Autism
Audiobook available
Like a Charmby Elle McNicoll
Published: 2022
Genre: Fantasy
Representation: Dyspraxia
Lost Inside My Headby David W. Vigg
Published: 2023
Format: Picture Book
Genre: Fiction
Representation: ADHD
The Many Mysteries of the Finkel Familyby Sarah Kapit
Published: 2021
Genre: Mystery
Representation: Autism / Nonverbal Communication
New From Hereby Kelly Yang
Published: 2022
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Representation: ADHD
Audiobook available
Not if I Can Help Itby Carolyn Mackler
Published: 2019
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Representation: Sensory Differences
Stepping Stonesby Lucy Knisely
Published: 2020
Format: Graphic Novel
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Representation: Dyscalculia

Stuntboy, in the Meantimeby Jason Reynolds
Published: 2021
Format: Illustrated Chapter Book
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Representation: Anxiety
Audiobook available
Welcome Back, Maple Mehta-Cohenby Kate McGovern
Published: 2021
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Representation: Dyslexia

How do I read these books?

Many of these books are available through Berkeley school libraries as a physical and/or ebook. For more information about any of these books, or to check one of them out, ask your school librarian.

For more information and instructions on accessing ebooks and audiobooks, visit our Digital Books page.

At a time when so many small businesses are struggling to keep their doors open, we also encourage folks to support our local bookstores: 

Ashay by the Bay, Bandung Books, Eastwind Books, Marcus Books, Moe’s Books, Mr. Mopps, Books Inc., Pegasus Books and Mrs. Dalloways.