YA Books with Disabled Protagonists / Middle Grade Fiction with Disability Representation

Representation in literature matters. As educators, we have the opportunity to build classroom libraries that help our students feel seen and increase empathy by learning more about the experiences of others. In this post, I'll be sharing some middle grade books that feature disabled characters. 

Important note: If you see any books on this list that you feel misrepresent a disability or lack nuance, please leave a comment to let me know. I'd be happy to remove that book from the list. I welcome your feedback. 

• Wonder by R. J. Palacio
• Real by Carol Cujec and Peyton Goddard
• The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen
• Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
• Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott, Mikki Daughtry, Tobias Iaconis
• Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly
• Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
• The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall
• The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty
• Each Tiny Spark by Pablo Cartaya
• Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
• Forget Me Not by Ellie Terry
• Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte
• Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez
• Not If I Can Help It by Carolyn Mackler
• El Deafo by Cece Bell 
• Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
• The Chance to Fly by Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz 
• Mascot by Antony John 
• Wink by Rob Harrell

Please leave a comment below to share any suggestions you'd recommend adding to this list!