January 13, 2025
The Content Team is excited to start the year with an update on the Neurodiverse Content Review led by Senior Content Assistant, Lee Burkwood.
In November, the project team finished reviewing Accelerated Reader and myON titles featuring neurodiversity and neurodiverse characters. While their results showed that most Accelerated Reader and myON titles accurately and positively represent neurodiversity, they also found exciting opportunities for Renaissance to feature titles representing different types of neurodiversity going forward. They are also hoping to add content warnings to any titles featuring outdated information or harmful depictions of neurodiversity.
As the Neurodiverse Content Review team continues to work with their findings to enhance the Accelerated Reader and myON products, the Content Team would like to highlight some of the positive titles they found during their review.
For an in-depth look at the project, have a look at this earlier blog post.
Greta Thunberg by Jaclyn Jaycox
LY | Quiz # 244250 | BL 3.3 | Raintree
In this book, readers will learn about the childhood, challenges and accomplishments of Greta Thunberg, who is diagnosed with Autism.
Anxious Adam Braves the Test by Marne Ventura, illustrated by Leo Trinidad
LY | Quiz # 231424 | BL 3.6 | Raintree
Adam, who is dyslexic, is artistically talented, but he has a lot of trouble with writing. Unfortunately, the upcoming test involves writing an essay, so he turns to his three friends, the Worry Warriors, to help prepare him for the test.
My Whirling, Twirling Motor by Merriam Sarcia Saunders, illustrated by Tammie Lyon
LY | Quiz # 244203 | BL 2.4 | Magination Press
Charlie has ADHD and feels like he has a whirling, twirling motor running inside him all the time. Sometimes he just can’t settle. When his mum wants to talk to him, he figures he’s in trouble…but she has a surprise for him instead!
I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott, illustrated by Sydney Smith
LY | Quiz # 239370 | BL 3.1 | Walker Books
When a boy who stutters feels isolated, alone, and incapable of communicating in the way he’d like, it takes a kindly father and a walk by the river to help him find his voice.
Gina Kaminski Saves the Wolf by Craig Barr-Green, illustrated by Francis Martin
LY | Quiz # 244502 | BL 2.4 | Little Tiger Press
Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf? Certainly not Gina Kaminski! This retelling of Little Red Riding Hood challenges the traditional narratives we are told, with a confident, autistic character at its heart.
A Different Sort of Normal by Abigail Balfe
MY | Quiz # 243155 | BL 6.9 | Puffin
Abigail grew up feeling different and didn’t know she was autistic until she was an adult. In this book, readers will discover memories from her life as well as useful information about autism.
Wider than the Sea by Serena Molloy, illustrated by George Ermos
MY | Quiz # 244561 | BL 5.3 | Hodder Children’s Books
Ró finds school impossible. But when she goes to the bay each afternoon to watch the dolphin leap through the water, she finds the strength to keep going. Then the dolphin disappears, and everything starts falling apart.
A Flash of Fireflies by Aisha Bushby
MY | Quiz # 243278 | BL 5.8 | Farshore
Hazel moves to her Great Aunt’s cottage in England, with a magical garden and whispering fireflies promising adventures. But as Hazel struggles to deal with her OCD and the challenges of the everyday world, she learns that every fairy tale has a dark side.
Funny, You Don’t Look Autistic: A Comedian’s Guide to Life on the Spectrum by Michael McCreary
UY | Quiz # 244459 | BL 6.7 | Annick Press Ltd.
Diagnosed with ASD at age five, McCreary got hit with the performance bug not much later. During a difficult time in junior high, he started journaling, eventually turning his pain into something empowering—and funny.
To find more books featuring neurodiversity and neurodiverse characters, use Bookfinder’s advanced search page. These titles can be found under the topics “Disabilities”, “Learning Difficulties”, “Mental Health” and “Neurodiversity”. Are we missing any? You can request titles using the Suggest Quizzes page. Happy reading!