First Posted: 6/30/2014
Editor’s note: July 26 celebrates the 24th anniversary of the signing of the Americans With Disabilities Act, a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all categories of public life, including schools. Below is a list of children’s books available at the Abington Community Library that can help kids better understand various disabilities some of their peers may face.
“Zoom” is a lively adventure by Robert Munsch and illustrated by Michael Martchenko. It tells the colorful story of Lauretta, who tries a new wheelchair and finds out just how fast she can go.
Though Louis is blind, he feels he can see Gran since he knows her and her molasses voice so well. “The Hickory Chair” by Lisa Rowe Fraustino and illustrated by Benny Andrews is about Louis, his Gran, and the stories they share in the hickory chair.
Moses goes to a school for the deaf and hard of hearing, but he and his friends still have much to say to each other. Follow along with American Sign Language in “Moses Goes to School by Isaac Millman.”
In “My Brother Sammy,” by Becky Edwards and David Armitage, read the story of a boy and his autistic brother who find out how to really love each other.
Children learning how to read will enjoy the “Some Kids” series by Lola M. Schaefer, including titles like “Some Kids Wear Leg Braces” and “Some Kids Are Blind.”
“Ten Turtles on Tuesday” by Ellen Flanagan Burns and illustrated by Sue Cornelison is a short novel about Sarah, a girl with OCD. Sarah wants to learn how to stop counting and worrying, but will she really be able to take charge of her fears?
Middle-schoolers will love the “Hank Zipzer” series by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver. In “Summer School! What Genius Thought That Up?” Hank, a bright boy with learning challenges, is determined to have fun, even in summer school.