December 3rd was International day of persons with disabilities and in true fashion I’m late. I’ve decided to make up for it by including a list of books about disabilities of all types that I’ve read or want too! This list is to help anyone interested in expanding the perspectives and voices on their bookshelves. An inclusive world can be achieved with an inclusive bookshelf.
Classic(s)
Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck is one of my favorite classics. I’ve read this book back in my high schools AP Literature class and loved every second of it. This Novella follows the trials of George Milton and Lennie Small, who move from place to place along California in search of job opportunities during the Great Depression that plagued the United States. Lenny Smalls, one of the main characters, is mentally disabled.
This Novella does have offensive and racist language along with vulgarity. It also appears on the American Library Association‘s list of the Most Challenged Books of the 21st Century.
Young Adult Fiction
The Six Of Crows Duology which consists of Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo! This Fantasy epic is about six dangerous outcasts and an impossible heist. Comprising of a world full of magic, mayhem and a fight for survival this duology is for those that are fans of George R. R. Martin, Laini Taylor and Holly Black. Kaz, the leader of the heist crew, has a physical disability; He has a bad leg from a previous break that never healed right. He moves primarily with a cane!
I will say this book does contain violence (racial and gang), classism, and real world social struggles. This type of suspense and fun world building of this magical society will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. I rated Six of Crows four stars out of five and have yet to read Crooked Kingdom.
Any list wouldn’t be complete without John Green. The Fault in Our Stars is a beautiful and poignant example of how happiness, laughter and romance can come even during the darkest of times. This contemporary love story is about two teens Hazel and Augustus Waters that are both in a Cancer Kid Support Group. If you couldn’t already guess the disability part of this novel is Cancer (illness).
This coming of age story touches on life, death, illness, and love. It’s about coming to terms with dying young and helping those around you cope as best you can. I read this book in one sitting back in high school and still find myself thinking about it.
Turtles All The Way Down by John Green is also making this list! The story begins when a fugitive billionaire goes missing. A promising cash reward has Aza Holmes and her fearless best friend Daisy officially on the case. Aza Holmes suffers from anxiety and OCD. I’ve yet to read this book but from the few pages I’ve flipped through I’m excited to cross this off my list. It’s been hard to find a book that I can see myself in, Anxiety can be crippling so If you suffer from this you might enjoy this read.
Same But Different by Holly Robinson Peete is one I’ve wanted to read for a few years now. Holly Robinson Peete pairs with her twins in this narrative about the challenges and triumphs of being a teen with autism. This a book meant for a truly one of a kind social minefield.
This story covers the affects autism has on family, school, friends and life in general. Misunderstood social cues, cruel jokes and the hunt for understanding. This is a book about perspective that needs to go on your TBR immediately.
Yolk by Mary H.K Choi is about estranged sisters that switch places to commit insurance fraud in order to save their lives. Jayne Baek is barely getting by while her sister June is dazzling rich. They both live together and find sisterly obligations become important when one of them is dying.
This story contains mental illness, eating disorders and a cancer diagnosis. It also does have themes of racism and parental abuse so fair warning if these are triggering for you. A self destructive familial struggle where you can’t help but root for the both of them to get better.
Adult Fiction
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert is the first of the Brown sister’s series. Chloe Brown is a chronically ill computer geek with a goal, a plan and a list. This romance is super cute, stable and swoon worthy. Chloe Brown and Redford Morgan are a match made in heaven. Our main heroine has chronic pain and enough attitude to try to mask it. Full of fluff and good feelings. An easy read to get through in one sitting.
This romance is between two people with real issues. Contains smut.
Everything Here Is Beautiful by Mira T. Lee is about two Chinese-American sisters, Miranda and Lucia that struggle through a life changing event. Lucia starts to hear voices but attempts to keep on with her life, leaving Miranda stuck trying to reach her and pick up the pieces. This is a story about the bonds of sisterly devotion and the sacrifices we make when we really love someone.
This story contains chronic mental illness. It’s a beautiful book about the misunderstandings and misinformation around mental illness.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr follows the life of Marie-Laure who lives in Paris near the Museum of Natural History, where her father works. Marie-Laure is completely blind and to help her learn the city, her father builds a perfect miniature for her. At the age of 12 the Nazis occupy Paris and father and daughter flee to the walled citadel of Saint-Malo.
Overall the story parallels the lives of two children: a young girl in France and a young boy in Germany. It does contain violence, war and loveable Nazi trope (eck).
Biographies
The Pretty One: On Life, Pop Culture, Disability, and Other Reasons to Fall in Love With Me by Keah Brown is a collection of essays exploring what it means to be black and disabled. In a mostly able-bodies white America, her greatest desire used to be normalcy and refuge from the self-hate society gave her.
Although the disabled are often portrayed as mute, weak or isolated, Brown gives a contemporary and relatable voice. Contains fresh and light-hearted prose, these essays explore relationships, media and self-love.
Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law by Haben Girma herself. Born deaf-blind, Girma grew up with enough vision to know when someone was in front of her and enough hearing to know when someone close to her was talking; She had diffculty reading facial features or picking out different voices in groups.
Haben Girma is a role model of the ages: she developed new mthods of communication and found her calling in advocating for the deaf and blind communities! She advocates for more accessible communication, education and employment opportunities. Beauty and Brains. Nothing can stand in your way if you don’t want it too.
Children’s Books
When Life Gives You Mangos by Kereen Getten is technically a YA but is appropriate for the 11-13 age range IMO. If you are a parent please use your own discretion with what you want to allow your child to read! This story follows twelve year old Clara who lost her memory of a storm that happened the summer before. What happened to Clara to alter her memory? This summer is going to different with a new girl in the village whose making big waves on the island.
An atmospheric children’s contemporary with a twist. About facing your fears as well as strong themes of family and community. Deals with Mental Illness
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever The Courage To dream tells the story of Assata, a young Wakandan who hopes to become one of the Dora Milaje. Because she’s confined to a wheelchair, Assata lets go of her dream.
A beautifully drawn picture book about what it means to dream. Empowering and motivational. Absolutely adored this!
That’s All!
These are the books I’ve read or had my eye on that I think lend themselves to disability awareness in powerful ways. I hope I’ve managed to excite you about adding a new book or two to your bookshelf! Lastly, I myself am working on collection of short horror stories that focus on disability and what it means to be human; You can keep up with my progress here. I’ll also be sure to post a few excerpts as I remove them or before refining them. Happy reading everyone!
