Mar 27, 2025 Staff Reads: Three Picks for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Three Picks for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Reviewed by Charity C., Youth Services Librarian
In honor of March’s Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, we’re highlighting three great chapter books for kids featuring protagonists with developmental disabilities. The authors of all these books write from personal experience with disability, which gives the books authenticity and empathy. While the protagonists in these books are forced to confront the challenges of their differing abilities, they also experience the ups and downs of friendship, sibling rivalry, parents who struggle to let go, and dreams that feel just out of reach—making the books relatable and enjoyable for kids—and adults—of all abilities! Consider reading one of these books with your child for some great bookish conversation.
Nothing Is Little by Carmella Van Vleet for ages 8 – 12
Felix, who takes nightly shots for his Growth Hormone Deficiency, doesn’t mind being the shortest kid in his class. In fact, he kind of likes it, especially when he learns that his dad, whom he’s never met, also was short. Finding out that one clue sets Felix on an investigation to discover who his dad really is, even though his mom, who’s remarried and expecting Felix’s new half-sister, doesn’t want to talk about it. When Felix joins the Forensic Science Club with his friend Ray, he learns lots of techniques to take his investigation to the next level. But just how far is he willing to go?
This book is definitely a favorite now. I was happy to see Felix’s acceptance of his height, and I loved that the author gave us a different look at middle school without all of the usual stereotypes. Of course, friendship is never easy, and rivalries are real. Both of these are important themes in this story. There’s also the reality that sixth graders often have areas of their lives that their parents know little about, which is never easy for parents. Van Vleet writes about parent-child relationships with a lot of insight and humor. Mostly, she makes the reader want to root for Felix, even when—maybe especially when—he doesn’t make the right choices and learns important lessons in the meantime. Read in print or as an eBook.
Hummingbird by Natalie Lloyd for ages 9 – 12
Homeschooled Olive doesn’t want to be known as “fragile,” defined by her osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease. When she convinces her mom to let her go to the local public middle school, where Olive secretly hopes to finally meet a best friend, she knows she has to be careful or her mom will never let her try new things again. But then she learns about try-outs for the school play. And when feathers start dropping from the sky, Olive hears about a magical, wish-granting hummingbird that shows up every few years. If Olive could be the first to find the bird, she could wish that her bones were strong and unbreakable. But is that what she really wants most in the world?
This heart-warming book of magical realism is filled with quirky characters, great scenery, and lots of humor. It’s a larger-than-life story that made me want to work harder at accomplishing my own dreams. Children will relate to Olive, who has big hopes, wears her heart on her sleeve, and is easily disappointed. Parents will certainly connect with Olive’s parents who want to protect her but also want to see her thrive. Read in print or as an eBook.
A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold for ages 8 – 11
Bixby Alexander Tam, also known as Bat, doesn’t usually like surprises, especially like discovering his sister has eaten all the vanilla yogurt, spilling hot chocolate on his shirt, or realizing his mom is 15 minutes late coming home from work. But sometimes, surprises are really, really good, like when his veterinarian mom brings home a baby skunk that Bat gets to help take care of until a spot opens up at the animal rescue. But Bat decides he should raise the skunk at home until it’s old enough to be released into the wild. Now all he has to do is convince his mom that it’s a good idea.
I loved getting to know Bat, who is on the autism spectrum. His methodical way of asking questions and gathering information was an inspiration! In fact, Arnold developed all the characters, and their relationships with each other, with a lot of honesty and compassion. Kids will enjoy seeing the lengths Bat goes to to make his case to his mother about keeping the skunk. And as a parent, I really appreciated how many kind-hearted adults invested in Bat and his well-being. These are the kinds of people I wanted my own sons to be surrounded by when they were Bat’s age. Read in print or as an eBook.