High School

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.

Daniel, Deconstructedby James Ramos
Published: 2021
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Representation: Autism
The Easy Part of Impossibleby Sarah Tomp
Published: 2020
Genre: Sports Fiction
Representation: ADHD & Autism
The Extraordinaries (series)by TJ Klune
Published: 2020
Genre: Fantasy
Representation: ADHD
Funny, You Don't Look Autistic: A Comedian's Guide to Life on the Spectrumby Michael McCreary
Published: 2019
Genre: Autobiography
Representation: Autism
Lakeloreby Anna-Maria McLemore
Published: 2022
Genre: Fantasy
Representation: ADHD & Dyslexia
Audiobook Available

Let's Call It a Doomsdayby Katie Henry
Published: 2020
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Representation: Anxiety
Audiobook Available
The Luis Ortega Survival Clubby Sonora Reyes
Published: 2023
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Representation: Autism
Audiobook Available
The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvesterby Maya MacGregor
Published: 2022
Genre: Supernatural / Fantasy
Representation: Autism
Maybe an Artistby Liz Montague
Published: 2022
Format: Graphic Novel
Genre: Memoir
Representation: Dyslexia
The Secret Life of Kitty Grangerby G.D. Falksen
Published: 2021
Genre: Mystery / Historical Fiction
Representation: Autism
Six Goodbyes We Never Saidby Candace Ganger
Published: 2019
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Representation: Anxiety & OCD
Summer Peopleby Sara Hosey
Published: 2023
Genre: Mystery / Suspense
Representation: Autism & ADHD
Tilly in Technicolorby Mazey Eddings
Published: 2023
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Representation: Autism & ADHD
Unseelieby Ivelisse Housman
Published: 2023
Genre: Fantasy
Representation: Autism
Audiobook available
The Weight of Our Skyby Hanna Alkaf
Published: 2021
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Representation: OCD

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.