{"id":4756,"date":"2021-01-08T10:41:49","date_gmt":"2021-01-08T15:41:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/?p=4756"},"modified":"2021-02-04T10:02:28","modified_gmt":"2021-02-04T15:02:28","slug":"books-that-embrace-what-makes-us-unique","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/books-that-embrace-what-makes-us-unique\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Books That Embrace What Makes Kids Unique"},"content":{"rendered":"

R.J. Palacio\u2019s extraordinary book Wonder<\/em><\/a>\u00a0started a small revolution in children\u2019s and young adult literature. Finally, books for kids and teens are including characters with physical, educational, or psychological challenges and doing so in ways that celebrate both their unique strengths and struggles. These stories are about kindness, strength, bravery, fear, tragedy, and humor, and deserve a spot on everyone\u2019s bookshelves.<\/p>\n

no no 9781524770563 We\u2019re Different, We\u2019re the Same<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/90043\/were-different-were-the-same-sesame-street-by-bobbi-kates-illustrated-by-joe-mathieu\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Bobbi Kates, illustrated by Joe Mathieu <\/p>\n

In this bright and upbeat book, the gang from Sesame Street \u2014 along with a diverse group of kids and grown-ups \u2014 celebrates our differences and the common human connection that underpins them all.
\n(Ages 3 \u2013 7)<\/i><\/p>\n

9780525514121 Just Ask!<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/562056\/just-ask-by-sonia-sotomayor-illustrated-by-rafael-lopez\/ by Sonia Sotomayor, illustrated by Rafael L\u00f3pez <\/p>\n

Taking her own experience of childhood diabetes as inspiration, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor explores other differences and disabilities \u2014 ADHD, autism, and Down syndrome, among them \u2014 against the backdrop of a group of children building a community garden. She encourages readers to simply ask one another about their differences, in order to foster understanding and friendship.
\n(Ages 4 \u2013 8)<\/i><\/p>\n

9781524766498 We\u2019re All Wonders<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/555247\/were-all-wonders-by-written-and-illustrated-by-r-j-palacio\/ by R. J. Palacio <\/p>\n

Younger readers no longer have to wait until their chapter book days to get to know Auggie! R. J. Palacio\u2019s picture book is written from a younger Auggie\u2019s perspective, highlighting the ways in which he\u2019s just like every other kid his age \u2014 which is to say, a wonder.
\n(Ages 4 \u2013 8)<\/i><\/p>\n

9781984815163 Wink<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/609678\/wink-by-rob-harrell\/ by Rob Harrell <\/p>\n

Like Wink<\/i>\u2019s starring character, author-illustrator Rob Harrell was also diagnosed with a rare eye cancer as a middle schooler, which lends to the authenticity of this novel. Everyone\u2019s bodies are changing in the seventh grade, but Ross Maloy\u2019s even more so, and he navigates the hallways of both hospitals and middle school with wry humor and candidness.
\n(Ages 8 \u2013 12)<\/i><\/p>\n

9780525646600 Planet Earth Is Blue<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/586118\/planet-earth-is-blue-by-nicole-panteleakos\/ by Nicole Panteleakos <\/p>\n

While her previous foster families and teachers were all quick to write off Nova because she\u2019s nonverbal, Nova knows who she really is, and so does her big sister, Bridget. The trouble is, Bridget\u2019s disappeared, tired of the foster care system. As Nova waits for her sister\u2019s return, she begins to make friends on her own and develop a relationship with her new foster family.
\n(Ages 8 \u2013 12)<\/i><\/p>\n

9780375869020 Wonder<\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/208913\/wonder-by-r-j-palacio\/ by R. J. Palacio <\/p>\n

Wonder<\/i> takes readers back to the uncertainty and awkwardness of middle school, with its fragile friendships and quicksand-like social structures. And at the center of the hormonal maelstrom is August Pullman, a boy born with facial deformities so severe he won’t even describe what he looks like because, as he says, “Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.” August is plucky and funny and vulnerable and charming, so he’s hard not to like. But what you\u2019ll love more is Palacio\u2019s glorious exploration of the nature of friendship, tenacity, fear, and, most important, kindness.
\n (Ages 8 – 12)<\/i><\/p>\n

9780307931511 Paperboy<\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/217043\/paperboy-by-vince-vawter\/9780307931511\/ by Vince Vawter <\/p>\n

This coming-of-age story of a young boy with a significant stutter is masterful. The summer Vince takes over his friend\u2019s paper route will change his life forever as he comes to terms with the realities of the segregated South and the relationships in his small community.
\n(Ages 10+)<\/i><\/p>\n

9780142426425 Fish in a Tree<\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/312871\/fish-in-a-tree-by-lynda-mullaly-hunt\/ by Lynda Mullaly Hunt <\/p>\n

Ally has been fooling people for a long time, hiding what she thinks is stupidity behind disruptions and distractions. But when she changes schools, a new teacher sees through her fa\u00e7ade and helps Ally discover that she shouldn\u2019t be ashamed of her dyslexia \u2014 and that she shouldn\u2019t let it hold her back, either.
\n(Ages 10+)<\/i><\/p>\n

9780553507898 The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B<\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/221676\/the-unlikely-hero-of-room-13b-by-teresa-toten by Teresa Toten <\/p>\n

Adam is a teenager who just wants to marry the most beautiful girl he\u2019s ever seen. A girl he met in his Young Adult OCD Support Group, which, of course, complicates things. An insightful and authentic look into the realities of living with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
\n(Ages 13+)<\/i><\/p>\n

9781984829986 Full Disclosure<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/598143\/full-disclosure-by-camryn-garrett\/ by Camryn Garrett <\/p>\n

Simone Garcia-Hampton is the new girl at school, a bona fide theater kid, and Miles\u2019s new crush. She\u2019s also HIV-positive and was bullied because of it at her last school. As Simone and Miles grow closer, Simone knows she needs to share her status, but she\u2019s worried about things turning ugly again, even as she longs to be her truest self. An inclusive coming-of-age love story you don’t want to miss.
\n(Ages 13+)<\/i><\/p>\n

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2016 and updated in 2021.<\/i><\/small><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

These books for kids and teens celebrate the unique strengths and struggles of characters with physical, educational, or psychological differences.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":17286,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[72,85,102,488,737,954,1287],"coauthors":[26],"class_list":["post-4756","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-friendship","tag-family","tag-social-issues","tag-confidence","tag-diversity","tag-educators","tag-differences","ages_stages-pre-k","ages_stages-growing-reader","ages_stages-tween","ages_stages-teen"],"yoast_head":"\n10 Kids' and YA Books That Embrace What Makes Us Unique<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"These books for kids and teens celebrate the unique strengths and struggles of characters with physical, educational, or psychological differences.\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/books-that-embrace-what-makes-us-unique\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"10 Kids' and YA Books That Embrace What Makes Us Unique\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"These books for kids and teens celebrate the unique strengths and struggles of characters with physical, educational, or psychological differences.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/books-that-embrace-what-makes-us-unique\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Brightly\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-01-08T15:41:49+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2021-02-04T15:02:28+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/assets.readbrightly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/books-on-uniqueness-feat.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"850\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"607\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Devon A. 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