Reading books written by or about people on the autism spectrum is a fantastic way to talk to your kids about empathy, acceptance, and why being different is a great thing. Here are a few options available at the New Orleans Public Library.
Children
My Friend Julia: A Sesame Street Book About Autism is a wonderful celebration of our differences. With full-color photos and accessible text, Abby, Elmo, and the Sesame Street friends introduce young readers to autism in this age-appropriate resource.
In A Day with No Words by Tiffany Hammond & Kate Cosgrove, readers are invited into the life of a family who communicates just as their child, Aiden, does — without spoken language. Instead, they utilize tools to embrace nonverbal methods, such as tablets, gestures, and facial expressions, challenging the idea that speech is the only way to connect.
Middle Grade
Go-Man: Champion of Earth is an action-packed, middle grade adventure about how one kid overcomes the differences that set him apart from his classmates to make friends and save his city. But, this is not just any superhero story. It’s also a metaphor for autism, drawing from author Hamish Steele’s own childhood experiences.
In Izzy at the End of the World by K. A. Reynolds, an autistic girl and her dog are faced with disaster. When they set out to discover the truth behind humanity’s disappearance, they’re met with the world’s greatest mysteries, as they uncover the true endurance of the human spirit to save the world.
Teen
CG Drew’s Hazelthorn is a great pick for horror-loving teens. The story follows a reclusive autistic boy who inherits his murdered guardian’s estate — including a sentient, carnivorous garden. The book explores trauma, identity, obsession, and toxic family dynamics, blending botanical body horror with a murder mystery.
The Young Person’s Guide to Autistic Burnout is an informative and supportive guide by autistic author and advocate, Viv Dawes. Alongside artwork from an autistic teen illustrator, Dawes gently presents information about autistic burnout — what causes it, how to prevent it and what helps with recovery — to show teens you’re not alone.
Bonus: Parenting
Parenting any child comes with unique challenges. For families of autistic children, check out these books from the Library to develop skills, strategies, and perspectives.
Your Kid Belongs Here: An Insider’s Guide to Parenting Neurodiverse Children by Katie Rose Guest Pryal is a practical and empathetic guide for neurodivergent parents raising neurodivergent children. It offers strategies for advocacy, emotional support, navigating education systems, and embracing neurodiversity to foster resilience and inclusivity.
Part storytelling, part self-inquiry, Parenting at the Intersections: Raising Neurodivergent Children of Color by Jaya Ramesh & Priya Saaral situates parenting children of color with neurodivergence within the context of various interlocking systems of oppression including settler colonialism, White supremacy, ableism, and capitalism. Using the voices of parents on the front lines and other experts, Parenting at the Intersections offers an invitation to parents to slow down and reflect on their own parenting journeys.
