Picture Books and Younger Elementary
Back to Front and Upside Down

Claire Alexander
(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.


Emiline: Knight in Training

Kimberli Johnson
(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.


If You’re So Smart, How Come you Can’t Spell Mississippi

Barbara Esham
(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.


It’s Called Dyslexia

Jennifer Moore-Mallinos
(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.


My Friend Has Dyslexia

Amanda Doering Tourville
(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.


Thank you, Mr. Falker

Patricia Polacco
(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
Brown Girl Dreaming

Jacqueline Woodson
(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.


Close to Famous

Joan Bauer
(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.


Double Dutch

Sharon M. Draper
(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


Fish in a Tree

Lynda Mullaly Hunt
(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.


How Many Days Until Tomorrow?

Caroline Janover
(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


Knees: The Mixed Up World of a Boy with Dyslexia

Vanita Oelschlager
(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.


The Lightning Thief

Rick Riordan
(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.


May B

Caroline Starr Rose
(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.


Niagara Falls, Or Does It?

Henry Winkler, Lin Oliver
(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.


Sixth Grade Can Really Kill You

Barthe DeClements
(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.


Snow Lane

Josephine Angelini
(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.


Two-Minute Drill: A Comeback Kids Novel

Mike Lupica
(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.


The Wild Book

Margarita Engle
(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.