Autism in
MG Books
Welcome!
This site shares information about autism in Middle Grade books.
Here, you can find:
an introduction to autism and neurodiversity
a list of recommended MG books by autistic authors
a list of websites about autism and writing autistic characters
Teachers and librarians can visit the Educators page for more resources!
What is Autism?
Autism and Neurodiversity
Autism falls under the umbrella of something called “neurodiversity,” which kind of means "different brains." People with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other conditions have brains that work a little differently than most people's.
The idea behind neurodiversity is that just because someone's brain is different, it doesn't mean it's broken or bad!
Autism is a developmental disability that changes the way a person communicates, and changes the way they experience the world.
Ask an Autistic #23 - What is Autism? by Amythest Schaber
Ask an Autistic #19 - What is Neurodiversity? by Amythest Schaber
Recommended Books with Autistic Characters
Get a Grip, Vivy Cohen! by Sarah Kapit
12-year-old Vivy really wants to play baseball, but her mom thinks she shouldn't, because she's a girl and she's autistic. Vivy’s mom spends a lot of time worrying about how Vivy doesn’t fit in, and she wants Vivy to act like everyone else, instead of being herself. Vivy has to figure out how to prove herself to her mom, and everyone else who doubts her.
Read more on Sarah Kapit's website.
Me and Sam-Sam Handle the Apocalypse by Susan Vaught
Jesse wants to clear her father’s name after he is wrongfully accused of stealing, but nobody believes in her (except her Pomeranian dog, Sam-Sam). Jesse isn’t even sure if she believes in herself. But when a tornado hits her town, Jesse gets a chance to prove that she can be a hero (and Sam-Sam can, too!).
Read more on Susan Vaught's website.
The Someday Birds by Sally J. Pla
Charlie must endure a cross-country road-trip in a tiny RV with his three loud and messy siblings. They are driving to a hospital to see their dad, who was injured in Afghanistan, and Charlie’s goal is to see every bird on the “Someday Bird” list that he made with his dad. Charlie thinks that maybe if he finishes the list before they arrive in Washington DC, it will make his dad feel better, and maybe everything will be okay.
Read more on Sally J. Pla's website.
More MG Books by Autistic Authors
A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll
Addie wants her town to create a memorial to women accused of witchcraft!
Planet Earth is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos
The main character in this story, Nova, is a nonspeaking autistic girl who loves space!
Rogue by Lyn Miller-Lachmann
Kiara loves comic books, especially the X-Men!
The State of Grace by Rachael Lucas
Grace has a big crush on Gabe, but doesn't know what to do about it!
Nonfiction Books by Autistic Authors
The Awesome Autistic Go-To Guide: A Practical Handbook for Autistic Teens and Tweens by Yenn Purkis & Tanya Masterman
The Spectrum Girl’s Survival Guide: How To Grow Up Awesome and Autistic by Siena Castellon
Middle School: The Stuff Nobody Tells You About by Haley Moss
Recommended Websites
Understanding Autism Comic (Rebecca Burgess)
Writing Autistic Characters: Behaviorizing vs. Humanizing Approaches (Disability in KidLit)
More coming soon!