Small Steps by Louis Sachar

The sequel to Holes, focuses on Armpit, an African-American former resident of Tent D at Camp Green Lake. It's two years after his release, and the 16-year-old is still digging holes, although now getting paid for it, working for a landscaper in his hometown of Austin, TX. He's trying to turn his life around, knowing that everyone expects the worst of him and that he must take small steps to keep moving forward. When X-Ray, his friend and fellow former detainee at the juvenile detention center, comes up with a get-rich-quick scheme involving scalping tickets to a concert by teenage pop star Kaira DeLeon, Armpit fronts X-Ray the money. He takes his best friend and neighbor, Ginny, a 10-year-old with cerebral palsy, to the concert and ends up meeting Kaira, getting romantically involved, and finally becoming a hero... I won't say much being I don't want to give the story away... except that I was disappointed by the ending. It seemed a little far-fetched and unrealistic making it hard for kids to relate. However, Armpit's relationship with Ginny, the first person to care for him, look up to him, and give his life meaning, is a compassionate one. Like Holes, Small Steps is a story about redemption, friendship, self-sacrifice, and doing the right thing. Recommend reading various parts of the book as a read aloud (Ch. 3, Ch. 7) which focus on Armpit and Ginny's friendship.

Little Smudge by Lionel Le Neouanic

The story of a little black smudge who searches for friends. He finds some colorful shapes, but they reject him. Encouraged by his parents to show them what he can do, he displays his remarkable shape-changing abilities. And then he teaches the other shapes how they can do the same. It is a great book about acceptance and friendship. Little Smudge is a perfect example of why you should never judge a person based on first impressions (or ability) because you never know what they can do once you get to know them. We can always learn from others that appear different than us.

The Hallo-Wiener by Dav Pilkey

Oscar the dachshund is a dog with a problem: it's hard to win doggy respect when your mother calls you "my little Vienna Sausage." Mom's idea of a Halloween costume is a bun with mustard, but Oscar makes the most of the outfit, defeating a monstrous pair of masquerading cats to get his nickname changed from Wiener Dog to Hero Sandwich. Dav Pilkey's wacky humor comes out in both story and pictures--a recalcitrant pupil at school writes on the chalkboard, "I will not sniff my neighbor." Set against a series of vivid, clearly painted skies, the pictures promise a world in which menace is only artificial and underdogs can become wonderdogs. - Mary Harris Veeder - Booklist

The Illustrated Mum by Jacqueline Wilson

I felt that the story was very real, however, I wished it addressed more than a few paragraphs about the character's disabilities… specifically, Dolphin’s dyslexia. It seemed like it was mentioned very briefly once or twice and then that was it. Given my teaching project is about books that address disabilities, I feel that this book should be added to the list because both Doiphin and Marigold's disability is only one characteristic of who they are as indivduals. And with what I have learned from the readings, characters should not be defined by his or her disability, but portrayed with the same human traits as others. A character's disability is merely one characteristic, thus there is not a need for it to be the entire focus of the book.

Crow Boy by Taro Yahima

Chibi is a young boy who displays characteristics of autism. He is different from the other children and is often left alone while his classmates study and play. After five years of school, a friendly new teacher discovers that Chibi can imitate the sounds of crows and lets Chibi participate in the talent show. His classmates realize they have misjudged Chibi. Since being published in 1955, the views regarding Special Education inclusion and Autism have changed. Such information should be discussed with children if you choose to read this book to your class.

Mama Zooms by Jane Cowen-Fletcher

A young boy describes his mama's "zooming machine" as he rides on her lap and pretends she is his racehorse, ship, car, airplane, train, buckboard wagon, wave, and spaceship. The boy has fanciful experiences and sees no limitations in his mother, who uses a wheelchair.

Hooway For Wodney Wat by Helen Lester

Rodney Rat cannot say his name properly because he can't pronounce his r's. When a new student bullies Rodney's classmates, Rodney becomes the hero because of his speech impediment. Unfortunately, the story ends with the new student walking west never to be seen again. The book is great for teaching acceptance of communication disorders, just not solving issues regarding bullying. If you plan to use this book in your classroom, it is recommended that you discuss alternatives to addressing bullying at school.

Rules by Cynthia Lord

"No toys in the fish tank" is one of many rules that 12-year-old Catherine shares with her autistic younger brother, David, to help him understand his world. Lots of the rules are practical. Others are more subtle and shed light on issues in Catherine's own life. Torn between love for her brother and impatience with the responsibilities and embarrassment he brings, she strives to be on her parents' radar and to establish an identity of her own. At her brother's clinic, Catherine befriends a wheelchair-bound boy, Jason, who talks by pointing at word cards in a communication notebook. Her drawing skills and additional vocabulary cards--including "whatever" (which prompts Jason to roll his eyes at his mother)--enliven his speech. The details of autistic behavior are handled well, as are depictions of relationships: Catherine experiences some of the same unease with Jason that others do in the presence of her brother. In the end, Jason helps Catherine see that her rules may really be excuses, opening the way for her to look at things differently. A heartwarming first novel. - Cindy Dobrez - Copyright © American Library Association

Leo the Lop by Stephen Cosgrove

Leo the rabbit whose ears are different from all the other rabbits learns that "normal is whatever you are." Each Serendipity series book teaches children a different social skill. Written on the front of every new cover is the moral of the story. One thing I really like about these books is that they can also be used to teach more than just acceptance and social skills. They are also great for teaching mini-lessons during writing. This particular book uses great word choice and imagery to to describe the setting beginning with the very first sentence. "Beyond the horizon, farther than far, in the middle of the Crystal Sea, was a beautiful island called Serendipity."

Teaching About Disabilities Through Children's Literature by Mary Anne Prater & Tina Taylor Dyches

This book is written to provide teachers, social workers, school psychologists, counselors, and other professionals who work with children a comprehensive guide to selecting and using children's books to teach about disabilities. With the support of this book readers will be able to: * Select appropriate children's literature that includes characters with disabilities; *Use children's books to teach awareness, knowledge, understanding, and acceptance of individuals with disabilities; * Follow unit and lesson plans for recommended books that include characters with disabilities; * Implement standard lesson plans and discussion guides for self-selected books that include characters with disabilities; and Recognize what books are available and recommended in this genre. The book includes reproducible lesson and unit plans and extensive annotated bibliographies of over 100 books. Grades K-12