Everyone needs books that can act as mirrors, allowing them to see themselves, or windows, allowing them to see the world through someone else’s point of view. Whether these books featuring characters with dyslexia are mirrors or windows for you, they are sure to deepen your understanding of this common language processing condition!
Celebrate Dyslexia!: Books Featuring Characters with Dyslexia
Compiled by:
Kim B.
Picture Books and Younger Elementary
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Ale)
While the rest of the class makes birthday cards for the principal, Stan struggles with his words and letters. Recommended for ages 3-5.
(Juvenile Graphic Novels - J-GN Johnson Emiline Knight In Training)
Emiline is learning how to be a knight, but when fixing a dangerous situation means Emiline must read some magic words, can she improve at reading and save the day? Recommended for ages 6-9.
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Esh)
The main character discovers her father is dyslexic, as is one of her classmates—and she tries to make sense of it. Recommended for ages 6-9.
(Juvenile Nonfiction - J 616.8553 Moo)
A young girl is unhappy with school until her teacher explains that she has dyslexia and with special help, she can overcome her difficulties with language. Recommended for ages 6-9.
(Juvenile Nonfiction - J 616.8553 Tou)
A story of a girl who has dyslexia and her friend. The story is accompanied by information about topics related to dyslexia. Recommended for ages 6-9.
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Po)
At first, Trisha loves school, but her difficulty learning to read makes her feel dumb, until, in the fifth grade, a new teacher helps her understand and overcome her problem. Recommended for ages 6-9.
Older Elementary
(Juvenile Nonfiction - J 811.54 Woo)
In poems, Woodson shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s and the joy of finding her voice through stories, despite the fact that she struggled with reading. Recommended for ages 8-12.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Bauer)
Foster McFee and her mother end up in the small town of Culpepper, West Virginia, where Foster is determined to not let her inability to read keep her from achieving her dreams! Recommended for ages 8-12.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Draper)
Three eighth-grade friends, preparing for the International Double Dutch Championship jump rope competition, cope with their situations together. Recommended for ages 8-12
(Juvenile Fiction - J Hunt)
Sixth-grader Ally excels at covering the fact that she cannot read, but at her seventh school in as many years, she is challenged to admit she needs help. Recommended for ages 8-12.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Ja)
Josh, who has dyslexia, spends the summer on an island off the coast of Maine and finds that he has much to prove to his gruff grandfather and his older brother. Recommended for ages 8-12
(Juvenile Fiction - J Oelschl)
A fourth-grade boy struggles with his learning disability, dyslexia, but he earns the respect of his peers when he discovers he is good at basketball and makes the school team. Recommended for ages 8–12.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Riordan)
Series: Percy Jackson & the Olympians
After learning that he is the son of a mortal woman and Poseidon, god of the sea, Percy is sent to a summer camp for demigods and goes on a quest to prevent a war between the gods. Recommended for ages 8-12.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Rose)
When a failed wheat crop nearly bankrupts the Betterly family, Pa pulls twelve-year-old May from school and hires her out to a couple new to the Kansas frontier. Recommended for ages 8-12.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Winkler)
Series: Hank Zipzer, the mostly true confessions of the world’s best underachiever
Hank, Ashley, and Frankie are preparing for a magic show at the Rock 'N Bowl when Hank's creative alternative to an English essay lands him in detention and grounded the week of the show. Recommended for ages 8–12.
(Juvenile Fiction - J De)
Helen fears that lack of improvement in her reading may leave her stuck in the sixth grade forever, until a good teacher recognizes her reading problem. Recommended for ages 8–12.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Angelin)
Annie is learning that it's difficult to be Annie––and not just because her clothes are hand-me-downs and she suffers from a crippling case of dyslexia. Recommended for ages 8-12.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Lupica)
Series: Comeback Kids
Brainy Scott, a great kicker who otherwise struggles with football, and star quarterback Chris, who has dyslexia, team up to help each other succeed in both football and school. Recommended for ages 8–12.
(Juvenile Fiction - J Engle)
In early twentieth-century Cuba, bandits terrorize the countryside as a young farm girl struggles with dyslexia. Based on the life of the author's grandmother. Recommended for ages 8-12.