Provo Library Children's Book Blog

  All the Ways We Learn Written by Chloe Ito Ward Illustrated by Yaroslava Apollonova New York: Rise x Penguin Workshop. 2026. Picture Book. How do you learn best? Can you sit quietly and still, ready to watch the teacher give the lesson? Or do you learn another way? This empowering book highlights all the ways to learn, showing that it's alright to need more than other kids when they're learning. Whether it's tapping their feet, drawing, building, or going to a quiet corner to do their work, all are perfect ways to learn. This book is a joyful celebration for the students whose minds work in different and amazing ways.  This book is created by a neurodivergent team, who each know that not everyone can learn the same way. The colorful illustrations showcase different kinds of students in a celebration to learning in all the forms that are needed. I myself am someone who learns differently, with Dyscalculia: a mathematic learning disability, just like one of the students in ...

  Wiggling Words   By Kate Rolfe  Sommerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2026. Picture Book. Every now and again a book comes along that really captures something that is important to me. As a person who often has letters or numbers shift around when I’m trying to read or write, this book really spoke to me. It is about a girl who gets really frustrated when trying to read due to words moving, jumping, and wiggling around on the page. In the story, the protagonist gets overwhelmed when all the letters fall out of the book and she can’t make sense of anything. Eventually with when just a few letters are pulled out and looked at on their own, things start to slowly make sense.  This is a great book to help readers who have dyslexia realize that their experience with reading is valid and hard. I love how the illustrations—with the vibrant (yet limited) colors, the beautifully hand-printed letters, the striking layout—all bring to light the feeling of what is happening to re...

Books that highlight characters with disabilities help young readers see the world through many different perspectives. They affirm that there is no single “right” way to move, think, communicate, or experience life. These stories center the disabled characters as full, complex people—friends, family members, and problem-solvers—rather than focusing only on challenges. By sharing everyday moments, emotions, and relationships, these books build empathy and understanding for all readers. Most importantly, they offer representation that allows disabled children to see themselves reflected with respect, joy, and possibility. Signs of Friendship By Annie Silvestro New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025 Signs of Friendship explores how friendships change when new people are introduced. Two close friends who communicate using sign language must work through feelings of jealousy and misunderstanding when a new neighbor joins their world. With patience and honest communi...

Every month we have two book clubs for kids here at the Provo City Library! These book clubs are just for kids ages 9-12 and a caregiver. This month, our  Girls Read book club  will meet September 23 and our  Guys Read book club  will meet September 25. You can register now, using the library's online calendar! Girls Read is reading: El Deafo By Cece Bell New York: Amulet Books, 2014. Comic. 233 pages. As a 4-year-old, Cece Bell contracted meningitis which left her severely deaf. This graphic novel memoir shares her experiences as a child at school in the 70s wearing a Phonic Ear - with a large receiver strapped to her chest and a microphone worn by her teacher. A microphone that lets her hear her teachers anywhere in the school - even the bathroom. Cece decides that this super hearing is basically a superpower, and she takes on the alter-ego of El Deafo. Cece's signature comic humor makes for a charming comic book, that also reflects on the loneliness Cece felt tryi...

  Henry and the Something New Written by Jenn Bailey Illustrated by Mika Song San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books, 2024. Easy Reader. 48 pages. Henry is back with new challenges to face in this second installment of Jenn Bailey's beginning chapter book series featuring a main character on the autism spectrum. This time Henry's class is headed to the museum, everyone is really excited, but Henry is not-so-sure. He knows he'll face differences in his routine, however his love of dinosaurs motivates him to try something new. Will he be able to find his beloved dinosaurs amidst all the changes and experiences he'll encounter in a new place? Will it be worth it? Come along, and find out! A gentle story about trying new things in the face of adversity, Henry and the Something New , deals compassionately with some of the unique challenges faced by those on the autism spectrum. Relatable scenarios and characters make this a book a win for all --whether you are personally on the ...

The Lumbering Giants of Windy Pines By Mo Netz New York: Clarion Books, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2024. Fiction. 199 pages. Eleven-year-old Jerry and her mother are still grieving the loss of Jerry's father and the upheaval it has caused in their everyday lives. Now, they travel from small town motel to small town motel, as Jerry's mother picks up work as a housekeeper and so Jerry has ground floor access for her wheelchair. But, there is something mysterious going on in the woods surrounding their latest motel stop, The Slumbering Giant. Not only are there blinking lights among the trees, there is also a history of disappearances and a radio channel that sporadically turns on with confusing messages. So, when Jerry's mom doesn't come home one night, Jerry knows something is wrong. She's determined to set off into the forest she's been strongly warned against entering. Upon entering the woods, she's joined by her pocket-sized imaginary dragon, P...

  Out of My Heart  By Sharon Draper  Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2021. 342 p.  Melody that readers came to know and love in Out of My Mind is back with another story—this time she is going to summer camp. Although Melody has cerebral palsy and needs a lot of help in her day-to-day life, she still wants to head off to camp just like many of the other kids her age. However, her fears of sinking while swimming, riding horses, and if others will accept her all make her a little anxious when it is time for her big adventure. This is a great sequel for readers who have come to love Melody already or those who want to read a book about a great girl who just happens to have a body that doesn’t work as well as others.

Song In A Rainstorm: The Story of Musical Prodigy Thomas "Blind Tom" Wiggins Written by Glenda Armand Illustrated by Brittany Jackson Albert Whitman & Company, 2021. Biography. Thomas Wiggins was born into a life of slavery on a Georgia plantation in 1849. He was born blind and dismissed as a "useless burden" to everyone but his family. From a young age Tom had an uncanny ability to hear sounds around him and copy them and this gift transformed his life as he went from being a blind former slave to one of the greatest living musicians. When Tom was six-years-old he composed his first composition on the piano and by the time he was eleven years-old he was invited to perform as the first Black artist at the White House for President James Buchanan. Tom began wowing audiences throughout the south and southerners lined up to see and hear for themselves the talent of this extraordinary young musician. Tom soon became an international celebrity and when he was sevente...

I feel like it's important to understand that everyone is different and books can help us understand and appreciate those differences. They can also help us be more compassionate towards others who may face challenges we can not comprehend. Lately, I have noticed a lot more books that talk about physical disabilities and show that people with disabilities are just like you and me. Here are a few of my favorite books about amazing kids with physical disabilities. Marshmallow & Jordan Written and Illustrated by: Alina Chau First Second, 2021. Comic. Jordan loves basketball but when an accident leaves her paralyzed, her competition days seem like they are a long ago dream. Then, one afternoon she meets a mysterious white elephant who she takes home and names Marshmallow. Jordan and Marshmallow quickly become fast friends. Marshmallow discovers that Jordan is still a competitive athlete and a strong swimmer, so she encourages Jordan to try out a brand new sport. Will this new exper...

  Three By: Stephen Michael King Holiday House, 2021. Picture Book. A Three-legged dog wanders around the city, homeless. With an optimistic attitude, he is grateful for his three legs when he compares it to his other-legged friends around the city. One day he meets a little girl who takes him in and loves him wholly, even if physically he is missing something. This Australian import is a DELIGHT of a book. It is one you will want to read over and over again. Dotted lines mark the dog's path along the city and his positive attitude is contagious throughout the entirety of the story. Reading this book will fill you with love and gratitude for all that you have. This has easily slipped in to be a new favorite of mine! 

  I Am Not a Label By Cerrie Burnell, Illustrated by Lauren Baldo Beverly, MA: Wide Eyed Editions, an imprint of The Quarto Group, 2020. Not all disabilities are obvious and the taboo nature of talking about issues has been waning over the last few years. It is this wonderful area of open discussion that Cerrie Burnell writes about the experiences of some well-known people with disabilities and some that may surprise you. She features such famous people as artist Frida Kahlo, who was left with limited mobility from polio and a bike accident, and actor Peter Dinklage, who was born with achondroplasia which restricts his bone growth. Shedding light on not so obvious disabilities, Burnell also includes people like President Abraham Lincoln, who suffered from clinical depression, and rapper Lil Wayne who suffers from epilepsy. Back matter that includes a glossary of terms and helpful websites allow readers to understand the many debilitating conditions that many people deal with. How w...

  Show Me a Sign   By Ann Clare LeZotte  Scholastic Press, 2020. 269 p.  Mary Lambert lives on Martha’s Vineyard in 1805 and there is a lot going on. She and her parents are trying to survive the grief that came when Mary’s older brother was tragically killed. Mary and the rest of the islanders are trying to figure out the land disputes between white settlers and the Wampanoag people. And finally, there is a new scientist that has come to the island to study the fact that the island is home to quite a number of deaf community members—including Mary and her father. When the “scientist” decides that Mary might make a perfect “live specimen” he decides to kidnap her and it will take all that Mary has to figure out how to return home to her family. This is a fascinating heroine that doesn’t shy away from who she is amidst the early 19th century background and lifestyle. Readers who like strong characters who overcome a lot (and do it all while not having the sense of hea...

The Space We're In By Katya Balen New York : Margaret Ferguson Books, Holiday House, 2019. Fiction. Frank's whole life, everything has always been about his autistic brother, Max. Being a big brother is nothing like what he imagined and Frank has a difficult time understanding Max's behavior. Despite his struggles with his relationship with Max, life seems to be going great for Frank, until tragedy strikes. While Frank and his family are working to heal after a difficult year, Frank learns to love Max for who he is and they become closer than ever.  This story shows the struggles and the joys of having a family member with autism. Watching the relationship between Frank and Max evolve as they come to understand each other is truly beautiful. This book is very raw and tackles some tricky topics such as death & grief, autism, and bullies. While there are some heavy moments, the author brings a wonderful contrast by adding many moments of hope and joy. 

A Boy Called Bat  By Elana K. Arnold Pictures by Charles Santoso Walden Pond Press, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2017. 198 p. Bixby Alexander Tam is called Bat (for his initials and due to the fact that he really, really likes animals). One day Bat’s mom (a veterinarian) brings home a baby skunk kit that she needs to take care of until it can be taken to a wild-animal shelter. Bat is smitten and he knows that he has a lot to do in order to prove to his mom that they should keep the kit forever. Even though Bat is the star of the show in this beautifully written story, there are a few other details that make this book memorable. First of all, Bat is somewhere on the autism spectrum. He wears earmuffs to keep loud noises out, he sometimes sucks the front of his shirt if he is upset or thinking, he processes everything very literally, etc. The thing that I love about this is that Bat is Bat and how he thinks and acts is just part of who he is and is not the main fo...

Get a Grip, Vivy Cohen! Written by: Sarah Kapit New York: Dial Books, 2020. Fiction. All Vivy Cohen wants to do is to play baseball but she already has two strikes against her, she is a girl and she is autistic. Ever since she met her baseball hero, VJ Capello, and he showed her how to grip a knuckleball she has been perfecting her pitch. Her older brother Nate says she throws a wicked knuckleball and she wants a chance to prove that she, Vivy Cohen, can pitch in a real baseball game. But her mom doesn't think Vivy should play baseball because it's to dangerous, even though her brother has played for years. Her mother thinks she should play softball because softball is safer for girls. But you can't grip a softball in a good knuckle grip, the ball is to big and Vivys hands are to small. Vivy tries to explain to her mom how she feels but she just can't seem to find the right words. How do you share a dream that no one believes in but you? Get a grip, Vi...

Planet Earth is Blue By Nicole Panteleakos Wendy Lamb Books, 2019. Fiction. Twelve-year old Nova is used to being bounced around - she and her older sister Bridget have lived in 11 foster homes in 7 years - and even though the situation changes a little every time, the diagnosis Nova gets at school is always the same: "Cannot read. Cannot speak. Severely mentally retarded." Nova is autistic and mostly nonverbal and so she can't find the words to explain to her teachers and social worker that she can read and understand them - she just doesn't have the words to explain. Now, Nova is living with her new foster parents Billy and Francine and waiting for the launch of Challenger Space Shuttle and the return of Bridget who ran away from their last foster home but promised she would return to watch the first teacher go to space. Nova is an instantly likable character who comes to life through her letters to Bridget in a very satisfying way. Her fascination with ...

Song for a Whale By: Lynne Kelly New York : Delacorte Press, 2019. Fiction, pp. 303 This is a magical story about twelve year old Iris who is deaf.  However being unable to hear doesn't define her as a person but it does set her apart. At school and at home she is the only deaf person, with the exception of her grandmother, which makes life very lonely for Iris. If you have ever felt like nobody is listening to you then you can sympathize with Iris. One day in science class her teacher shows a movie about a real whale named Blue 55 who is unable to speak. His voice was different from the other whales which meant they couldn't understand him. Iris is drawn to Blue 55 because she understands how he must feel not being able to communicate. She decides to make a song for him so he will know someone is listening. The challenge comes in finding a way to play the song for him to hear, seeing how he is thousands of miles away. As she begins her journey to reach Blue 55 ...

Slug Days Written by Sara Leach Illustrated by Rebecca Bender Pajama Press Inc., 2017. J Intermediate. 116 p. Lauren has trouble reading social cues. She often misunderstands her classmates, and they often misunderstand her, too. On “butterfly days” Lauren gets the approval of her teacher and can make other kids laugh. But on “slug days” nothing seems to go right for her. Lauren’s motivations and reasoning are different from other people’s because she is on the autism spectrum. This J Intermediate chapter book follows Lauren through a week of ups and downs, using the lens of her unique perspective to describe her thought processes, coping mechanisms, and routines. Slug Days is a sensitive invitation into another way of experiencing the world. The gentle, thoughtful, and funny story would be good for encouraging empathy in any young reader.