31 Great Summer Reads that Embrace Differences and Disabilities

Last Updated: August 7, 2025

Ah, summer. Perfect time for diving into a good book and squeezing in some extra page-turning.

Lately, though, I’ve been hitting the play button more than flipping pages. Audiobooks have become my latest obsession. Thanks to listening to books, I’ve been flying through stories these days! And that makes me sooooo happy 🥰

Audiobooks are also the multi-tasker’s dream. I can tackle my daily to-do lists while getting lost in a great book. Who wouldn’t love that? Um, yes, please!

I see you, die-hard (physical) book lovers, squirming at the thought of an audiobook — I was once in that camp too. I get it!

But trust me when I say that once you experience the freedom of listening to stories on the go, you’ll have a hard time returning to that stack of books on the nightstand (that seems to never go away).

Thanks for indulging me in my latest obsession…now, on to my book list.

For your next summer read, check out these authors who do an amazing job skillfully weaving differences and disabilities into their stories. I hope you enjoy them!

Non-Fiction Reads

Non-fiction books about differences and disability

#1 Forever Boy: A Mother’s Memoir of Autism and Finding Joy by Kate Swenson

Forever Boy takes us on a mother’s emotional rollercoaster through her raw and uplifting journey of parenting a child with autism.

#2 Common Man, Extraordinary Call: Thriving as a Dad of a Child with Special Needs by Jeff Davidson

An ultimate survival guide for dads facing the epic quest of raising a child with special needs.

#3 Unbroken Faith: Spiritual Recovery for the Special Needs Parent by Diane Dokko Kim

Unbroken Faith offers support to parents of children with special needs, addressing fears, guilt, and feelings of inadequacy. The book helps reconcile faith with the challenges of raising a child with a disability.

#4 Thinking in Pictures: My Life with Autism by Temple Grandin

This groundbreaking book, published in 1995, is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025! Thinking in Pictures offers insights into autism from both a scientific and personal perspective. Grandin introduces a model that contrasts thinking in pictures versus words, providing a unique view into the world of autism.

Fiction Reads

#5 The Maid: A Novel by Nita Prose

The Maid follows Molly Gray, a unique hotel maid who struggles with social skills, misreads the intentions of others, and has a passion for cleaning. After her grandmother’s death, Molly navigates life independently, finding solace in her work and attention to detail at the Regency Grand Hotel.

I read this one a while back and fell in love with Molly. The author has a way of writing about Molly’s unique take on her world without labeling it and taking the focus off who Molly is as a person. A must-read for all you whodunit lovers out there!

#6 Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

Flowers for Algernon follows Charlie Gordon, a man with a low IQ, who undergoes an experimental surgery to enhance his intelligence, mirroring the success seen in a mouse named Algernon. As Charlie’s intelligence grows, surpassing his creators’, concerns arise when Algernon’s condition declines, prompting questions about Charlie’s fate. This is definitely on my Want to Read list, but I have a feeling I’m going to need to grab a tissue before I dive in.

#7 Alone With You in the Ether by Olivie Blake

Alone With You in the Ether is a love story involving two people who see the world differently than most. I’ve been told that this is an amazing take on how ADHD, autism, and anxiety in adults can affect a relationship. I’m looking forward to giving this one a listen!

#8 A Room Called Earth by Madeleine Ryan

A Room Called Earth follows a young woman in Melbourne experiencing a transformative night out. The novel explores human connections, communication challenges, and the beauty of being alive. Written by a neurodiverse author, it celebrates love, acceptance, and a unique way of relating to others.

#9 Wonder by R.J. Palacio

This touching story follows Auggie Pullman, a boy with facial differences, as he navigates school for the first time. It’s a beautiful tale about kindness, acceptance, and the strength of the human spirit. Even if you saw the movie, the book is a must-read.

Julia Heaberlin crafts a captivating tale in this intricate psychological thriller, showcasing a woman and a girl who challenge conventional notions of beauty and resilience.

#10 We Are All the Same in the Dark by Julia Heaberlin

I just finished listening to this one and enjoyed the plot twist halfway through. Also, I came away with a couple of great quotes worth remembering. “Wouldn’t you be happier if what defined you to the world was not what you are missing?” – Odette, and “[Should] the word ‘disabled’ not exist since all of us are both broken and whole?” – Angel

Children Reads

Books for children about differences and disability

#11 A Very Special Critter by Mercer Mayer

Mercer Mayer’s Little Critters books are one of my favorite Children’s series. I used to read them to Ian all the time. A Very Special Critter doesn’t disappoint. It’s a story about friendship and acceptance, featuring Little Critter befriending a new student in a wheelchair.

#12 All the Way to the Top: How One Girl’s Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything by Annette Bay Pimentel

Discover the inspiring true story of activist Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins and her involvement in the Capitol Crawl through this autobiographical picture book. Featuring illustrations, a foreword by Jennifer, and insights into her life and the disability rights movement. This is a great book for teaching littles early on about self-advocacy.

#13 The Beach is Loud! (Little Senses Book Series) by Samantha Cotterill

The Beach is Loud! is one of four books in the Little Senses Series. It showcases how patience and soothing activities help a child on the autism spectrum navigate sensory overload at the beach, making it ideal for children with sensory sensitivities. The other three in the series are definitely worth the read as well: Can I Play Too?, Nope. Never. No For Me!, and It Was Supposed to Be Sunny.

Teen and Young Adult Reads

Books for teens about differences and disability

#14 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night by Mark Haddon

I’m listening to this one now, and it has been interesting following a mystery through the lens of a young teen with autism. This modern classic mystery novel follows a boy with autism investigating a neighbor’s dog’s murder, leading to self-discovery and revelations.

#15 The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism by Naoki Higashida

The Reason I Jump offers a unique insight into the mind of a thirteen-year-old boy with autism, helping readers understand how individuals with autism think, feel, and perceive the world. It provides a way for parents and family members to connect with their loved ones on the autism spectrum.

#16 The Silence Between Us by Alison Gervais

A contemporary Young Adult novel tackles real-life issues within the Deaf culture, relationships, communication, and family challenges.

#17 Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper (Trilogy: Book One)

Eleven-year-old Melody, with cerebral palsy, has a photographic memory but cannot communicate. Despite being dismissed as intellectually challenged, she strives to prove her intelligence and not be defined by her disability. Book Two: Out of My Heart and Book Three: Out of My Dreams continue to follow Melody as she ages and deals with other adolescent struggles as a young girl with a disability.