List of Fictional Books for Students

Fictional Books for Students with Learning Disabilities

Compiled by: Marie Dillon, Transition Specialist Blue Valley School District Overland Park, KS 66223-0901

 Adler, C.S. - KISS THE CLOWN - 1986 - gr. 8-12

Viki, who is troubled by unresolved problems with her parents;
her boyfriend, Marc, who is self-centered; and his dyslexic
brother, who fear rejection; learn to accept themselves
and each other. (178 pages)

Adler, C.S. - EDDIE'S BLUE-WINGED DRAGON - 1988 - gr. 4-7

A sixth grader with cerebral palsy becomes the owner of a
brass dragon which helps him out in some of the battles he
faces due to his handicap. (144 pages)

Aiello, Barbara - SECRETS AREN'T ALWAYS FOR KEEPS - 1988-gr.3-6

After successfully hiding her learning disability problems from
her Australian pen pal, Jennifer becomes very apprehensive
when her friend announces she is coming for a visit and
wants to spend a day at her school. (48 pages)

Albert, Louise - BUT I'M READY TO GO - 1976 - gr. 5-8

Fifteen year old Judy Miller has trouble learning in school as
her mind wanders when her teachers are talking. She gets Ds
in all her classes except English. Judy does not know
why she has trouble paying attention, but she does know
that she feels different from other people. (230 pages)

Andrews, Jean F. - HASTA LUEGO, SAN DIEGO -1991 - gr.4-6

Donald Dunbar is thrilled when, for his birthday, his mother
takes him and his boyfriend, Matt, to San Diego along with his
sister, Susan. During their stay at the hotel, they meet
a new friend, Hector, who has unexplained bumps and bruises.
This is a funny tale of intrigue that shows shrewd thinking by
Donald, who has trouble learning in school. (94 pages)

Banks, Jacqueline Turner - EGG DROP BLUES - 1995 - gr. 4-6

Twelve-year old Judge Jenkins has a low science grade because
of his dyslexia, so he convinces his twin brother Jury to
work with him in a science competition in order to earn
extra credit. (120 pages)

Barrie, Barbara - ADAM ZIGZAG - 1994 - gr. 9-12

Adam, who is dyslexic and has great difficulty with his homework,
struggles to find the right school, resist the lure of drugs,
and endure the jealousy of his older sister, Caroline.(181 pages)

Betancourt, Jeanne - MY NAME IS BRAIN BRIAN - 1993 - gr. 5-7

Brian is a terrible student. His family thinks he is lazy; his friends
think thats just fine. In fact, they think some of the things
Brian does are really funny - like writing his name as Brain
instead of Brian. Brian is helped by his new sixth grade
teacher after being diagnosed as dyslexic, but he still has
some problems with school and with people he thought were
his friends. (128 pages)

Bezzant, Pat - ANGIE - 1994 - gr. 9-12

Sixteen year old Angie is bright, cute and has a learning
disability. Her shyness is overcome when Steven, the best
looking guy in school takes an interest in her. (170 pages)

Blue, Rose - ME & EINSTEIN BREAKING THROUGH THE READING BARRIER 1979 - gr. 3-6

Having tried for years to hide the fact that he cannot read, a
nine year old boy finally discovers the reason for
his problem. (64 pages)

Brown, Kay - WILLY'S SUMMER DREAM - 1989 - gr. 7-9

Fourteen year old Willy, slow in school and ridiculed by other
boys in his Brooklyn neighborhood, faces
another dull summer with his mother until tutoring from
an older girl and other special experiences help him develop
a sense of self confidence. (132 pages)

Bunting, Eve - SIXTH GRADE SLEEPOVER - 1986 - gr. 5-7

Janey worries that the sixth grade Rabbit Reading Clubs
all night sleepover will expose her fear of the dark, but it
turns out that she is not the only member with
a secret. (96 pages)

Byars, Betsy - THE SUMMER OF THE SWANS - 1979 -gr. 5-9

Sara's fourteenth summer was turning out to be the most
confusing time of her life. Up until then, things
had flowed smoothly, like the gliding swans on the lake.
She gains new insight into herself and her family when her
brother gets lost. (142 pages)

Carris, J. - AUNT MORBELIA & THE SCREAMING SKULLS - 1990-gr. 4-6

The moment Great Aunt Morbelia marched into their home
to stay, ToddÕs life changed. Black-dressed Aunt Morbelia
helps Todd a great deal with the problems caused by his
dyslexia by turning his difficulties into a game. Her tales of
hellhounds and screaming skulls attracts his friends, but
the nightmares the stories creates causes problems. (134 pages)

Cassedy, Sylvia - M.E. AND MORTON - 1987 - gr. 4-6

Eleven year old, Mary Ella, ashamed that her older brother,
Morton, is a slow learner and longing for a friend of her own,
is astonished when the flamboyant new girl on the block picks
Morton for a friend. (312 pages)

Cheatham, Karyn F. - THE BEST WAY OUT - 1982 - gr. 5-7

Thirteen year old Haywood has difficulty adjusting to the
large junior high school he must be bused to from his
inner-city home. (168 pages)

Cleary, Beverly - MUGGIE MAGGIE - 1990 - gr. 3-6

Maggie resists learning cursive writing in the third grade
until she discovers that knowing how to read and write cursive
promises to open up an entriely new world of knowledge
for her. (70 pages)

Cooper, Melrose - LIFE MAGIC - 1996 - gr. 4-6

Crystal's strong family helps her deal with being put in
a remedial reading class and discovering that
Uncle Joe is dying of AIDS. (116 pages)

Corcoran, B. - AXE-TIME, SWORD-TIME - 1976 - gr. 4-7

On the eve of World War II, a young girl handicapped by
a reading disability, tries to cope with family problems
and the question of her future. (204 pages)

Costello, Emily - MEGAN'S NUTCRACKER PRINCE - 1994 - gr. 3-6

Megan is picked to dance Clara, the best role in The
Nutcracker Ballet. She worries that her learning disability
will cause her to scramble her steps the same way she
mixes up letters when she reads. (130 pages)

Cutler, Jane - SPACEMAN - 1997 - gr. 4-6

Ten-year-old Gary, who is failing the fifth grade and has
trouble getting along with the other students, tries to adjust
to his learning disability and his assignment to a
special education class. (138 pages)

DeClements, Barthe-SIXTH GRADE CAN REALLY KILL YOU-1985-gr.4-6

Helen struggles to deal with her teacher in sixth grade while
living up to her nickname of "Bad Helen". Being bad is fun,
till Helen finds out she might have to stay back a year.
What will it take to get herself out of trouble when she has
been in it for so long? (146 pages)

DeWitt, Jamie- JAMIE'S TURN - 1984 - gr. 3-6

Young Jamie grows up in a hurry when his stepfather is
badly injured and Jamie must take his place on the farm.
This is a true story of a quick-thinking, persevering boy who
is both a hero of the moment and a hero for the long term.
This account was written by Jamie himself, who was
twelve when he won first prize in the 1984 national
"Publish-a-Book Contest". (32 pages)

Evernden, Margery - THE KITE SONG - 1984 - gr. 6-9

After his mother's death, eleven year old Jamie is put in the
care of his half brother and with the help of a special
education teacher begins to come to terms with the things that
have made it difficult for him to speak up and love. (186pages)

Fassler, Jean - ONE LITTLE GIRL - 1969 - gr.2-4

While Laurie was slow at doing some things, she was fast
at others. When the grown ups around her finally realized
that fact, Laurie was at last happy to be herself. (24 pages)

Foley, June - FALLING IN LOVE IS NO SNAP - 1986 - gr. 6-10

A photography loving fifteen year old and a Greek grocery
clerk in Manhattan meet and help each other assert
themselves with their parents. (139 pages)

Froelich, Margaret - REASONS TO STAY - 1986 - gr. 6-9

Three children grow up in poverty in 1906. The oldest girl,
Florence does not like to go to school because she cannot
read. The three siblings are raised by loving and caring
foster parents who accept them for what and
who they are. (181 pages)

Fullen, Dave - THE MOUNTAIN SONG - 1992 - gr. 2-6

This is a story about the courage to try and how the ability to
climb and reach are essential. It is about how self esteem can
grow with each step in the climb to the peak of the mountain.
(book, audio, and parent/teacher activity guide)

Fullen, Dave - A NEST IN THE GALE - 1993 - gr. 3-6

A story about finding a safe harbor in the midst of change.
This lesson in nature encourages parents and teachers to create
a secure foundation for children so that the uncertainty
of change won't keep them from growing, learning and building
their own nests in the gale. book and audio tape)

Gehret, Jeanne - THE DON'T GIVE UP KID - 1991 -gr. 1-3

What's a kid to do when reading problems get him in trouble
and make him the target of teasing? As Alex becomes aware
of his different learning style, he realizes that his hero,
Thomas Edison, faced similar problems. Together they try
new solutions until they succeed at their dream to create
things that no one ever thought of before. (26 pages)

Giff, Patricia R. -THE BEAST IN MS. ROONEY'S ROOM-1984-gr.2-4

Held back for a year in second grade, Richard can't seem
to help getting into trouble, until he gets really interested in
reading and helps his class in a special way. (76 pages)

Gilson, Jamie- DO BANANAS CHEW GUM? - 1980 - gr. 4-6

Just when Sam is about to give up on his fifth school in seven
treasure underneath Mrs. Glass's tree and taking all those
weird tests. For the first time in his life, Sam Mott-not
Dumbhead, Tinselteeth or Cutie-is learning to read and spell. (158 pages)

Greenwald, Sheila - WILL THE REAL GERTRUDE HOLLINGS PLEASE STAND UP? - 1983 - gr. 4-6

An eleven year old child with a learning disability spends
several weeks with an overachieving cousin. They learn
a lot about themselves and each other. (162 pages)

Hall, Lynn - JUST ONE FRIEND - 1985 - gr. 7-9

Just as sixteen year old Doreen who has learning
disabilities, is about to be mainstreamed into a regular
school, the loss of her best friend to another girl drives
her to a desperate act. (118 pages)

Hansen, Joyce - YELLOW BIRD AND ME - 1986 - gr. 4-6

Doris becomes friends with Yellow Bird as she helps him with
his studies and his part in the school play and discovers
that he has a problem known as dyslexia. (155 pages)

Herold, Ann B. -THE HARD LIFE OF SEYMOUR E. NEWTON-1990-gr.2-5

A third grader with learning difficulties is heartened by a
spider he names Seymour, who rebuilds his web as
necessary and by finding out his father has a problem
similar to his own. (95 pages)

Janover, Caroline - JOSH-A BOY WITH DYSLEXIA - 1988 - gr.2-5

Josh struggles to live down the stigma of his learning
disability,dyslexia, and receive both respect and
friendship from his peers. The book includes information
on the characteristics of dyslexia and a list of
organizations that deal with learning disabilities. (99 pages)

Janover, Caroline - THE WORST SPELLER IN JR. HIGH-1995-gr.6-9

Starting out in the seventh grade, Katie Kelso finds herself
trying to cope with her dyslexia and forms a friendship with
a very bright boy at school. She also has to cope with
problems at home caused by her mother's illness. (200 pages)

Kennemore, Tim - WALL OF WORDS - 1982 - gr. 6-9

When Mr. Tate had announced that he must leave home so
he can have peace and quiet to write his great novel,
his eldest daughter, Kim, was upset. Meanwhile,
Mrs. Tate, worked full time to support her four daughters.
Their worst anxiety was over the third child, Kerry,
who suffered from a panic fear of school and spent more
time being questioned by psychiatrists than learning to read
and write. (173 pages)

King, Clive - ME AND MY MILLION - 1976 - gr. 4-7

When Ringo, a young Londoner, finds himself in sudden
possession of a stolen painting worth a million pounds,
his life turns into a series of wild adventures. (180 pages)

Kirby, Susan - CULLIGAN MAN CAN - 1988 - gr. 4-6

Competing with older brothers who are more talented and
surrounded at school by others who seem to excel where he
cannot, Eli finds friendship with his neighbor, Mr. Murphy
and his rabbits, especially the buck rabbit,
Culligan Man. (126 pages)

Kline, Suzy - HERBIE JONES - 1985 - gr. 4-6

Herbie's experience in the third grade include finding bones
in the boy's bathroom, wandering away from his class on
their field trip, and being advanced to a higher
reading group. (95 pages)

Konigsburg, E. L. - ALTOGETHER, ONE AT A TIME - 1971 - gr. 9-11

"Inviting Jason", the first narrative in this collection of
four short stories, introduces Stanley, whose mother tells
him he must invite Jason to his birthday party. Stanley
fears that Jason, who has learning disabilities, will
ruin the games he had planned. A guest with some
influence improves everybody's understanding and tolerance
of dyslexia. All four short stories show that even a good
situation may have its bad aspects, and that good can
come from bad situations. 79pages)

Kraus, Robert - LEO, THE LATE BLOOMER (a picture book) - 1971

Leo, a young tiger, finally blooms under the anxious eyes
of his parents. (32 pages)

Lasker, Joe - HE'S MY BROTHER - 1974 - gr. 1-3

A young boy tells about his brother, Jamie, who has a
learning disability. Jamie has trouble at school and on
the playground. However, his brother tells about the
support Jamie receives from his family who value him
for what he can do as well as what he is. (40 pages)

Levinson, Marilyn - AND DON'T BRING JEREMY - 1985 - gr. 4-6

New in the neighborhood and eager to be part of a new
crowd, sixth grader Adam finds it difficult to come to
terms with the needs of his older brother who has a
learning disability and often seems younger himself.
(122 pages)

Lewis, Marjorie - WRONGWAY APPLEBAUM - 1984 - gr. 3-6

A boy with a learning disability that makes him physically
awkward and uncoordinated finds that because of his
tremendous effort he does have athletic ability, even if
his family's beloved baseball isn't his sport. Readers will
delight in his efforts, sympathize with his feelings, and
appreciate his triumph at discovering that even if he runs
in the wrong direction, he runs fast. (63 pages)

Lowry, Lois - US AND UNCLE FRAUD -1984 - gr. 4-7

Mysterious things begin to happen after Uncle Claude comes
to stay with his sister's family. Is Uncle Claude a thief,
an impostor, or just a dream weaver? (148 pages)

Mark, Jan - THUNDER AND LIGHTNINGS - 1976 - gr. 3-6

Shortly after his family moves to the Norfolk countryside,
Andrew is befriended by a local boy with a passion
for airplanes. (181 pages)

Mark, Jan - HANDLES - 1983 - gr. 6-9

Erica, a lover of motorcycles, finds her country holiday
dreary until she runs into a cat with false teeth, new
friends with interesting names, and a lot of
motorcycles. (162 pages)

Martin, Ann M. - YOURS TURLY, SHIRLEY - 1988 - gr. 3-6

Shirley Basini hates school. She always does poorly - no
matter how hard she tries. So Shirley fools around in
class and makes everyone laugh. When her adopted
sister from Vietnam turns into a super student, school
isn't the only thing Shirley hates. ( 133 pages)

Martin, Ann M. - CLAUDIA'S FREIND FRIEND - 1985 - gr. 6-8

If Claudia fails one more English test, she is not going to
pass the class. No one seems to understand how hard
it is for Claudia to do well. No one except Shea; Shea
has a learning problem which makes schoolwork extra
frustrating for him. Shea hates feeling stupid just as much
as Claudia does. But together, they're going to show
those teachers how smart they can be! (151 pages)

Matthews, Ellen - PUTTING UP WITH SHERWOOD - 1980 - gr. 4-7

Young Diane has trouble fitting in and making friends, and
for a while she is convinced that other people are at fault.
But a lonely boy who has learning disabilities, shows her
the error of her ways. Learning to accept others and to
cooperate puts her well on her way to a happier life.
(137 pages)

Morton, Jane - RUNNING SCARED - 1979 - gr. 5-8

Dave Miller is fifteen and is frustrated by his learning
disabilities and inability to communicate. An
understanding counselor discovers and encourages
Dave's running ability which gives Dave new feelings
of pride and purpose. (118 pages)

Nelson, Theresa - AND ONE FOR ALL - 1989 - gr. 7-12

Geraldine's close relationship with her older brother Wing
and his friend, Sam, changes when Wing joins the Marines
and Sam leaves for Washington and joins a peace march.
(182 pages)

Nesbitt, Barbara - THE TWO QUARTERS - 1989 - gr. 7-10

The friendship of two boys begins with two quarters. Both
boys have problems at school and think of themselves
as adolescent misfits. (150 pages)

Peterseil, Tehila - THE SAFE PLACE - 1996 - gr. 4-7

Kinneret, a fourth grader with learning problems, struggles
with the tension and shame that make everyday in school
a neverending disaster. She meets a special education
teacher in fifth grade who changes her life. (143 pages)

Pevsner, Sheila-KEEP STOMPIN TILL THE MUSIC STOPS-1977-gr.4-6

Twelve year old Richard struggles to achieve independence
in spite of a learning disability, while his great
grandfather defies the family's plans to curtail his
independent lifestyle. (136 pages)

Philbrick, W.R. - FREAK THE MIGHTY - 1993 - gr. 7-10

At the beginning of eighth grade, learning disabled Max and
his new friend, Freak, whose birth defect has affected
his body but not his brilliant mind, find that when they
combine forces, they make a powerful team. (169 pages)

Quinn, Patrick - MATTHEW PINKOWSKI'S SPECIAL SUMMER-1991-gr.5-8

Personal challenges such as learning disabilities and
deafness do not prevent thirteen year old Matthew and
his friends from having a summer filled with adventure.
(188 pages)

Rylant, Cynthia - EVERY LIVING THING: STORIES - 1985 - gr.5-7

Twelve stories in which animals change people's lives for
the better. (81 pages)

Sachar, Louis - THERE'S A BOY IN THE GIRLS' BATHROOM-1987-gr.4-6

Bradley Chalkers is the oldest kid in the fifth grade, and
he tells outrageous lies. He picks fights with girls and
the teachers say he has serious behavior problems.
No one likes him - except the new school counselor.
Carla knows that Bradley can change, but Bradley isn't
so sure. (195 pages)

Shreve, Susan - THE FLUNKING OF JOSHUA T. BATES-1985-gr.2-5

This is the story of Joshua T. Bates who was held back in
the third grade even though he was a lot smarter than Billy
Joel or Tommy Aiken. It is also about a teacher who knew
that was unfair and did something about it. (90 pages)

Sinykin, Sheri Cooper - ALISON WALKS THE WIRE - 1996

After Allison discovers that her problems with reading are
due to a learning disability, she travels through the attic
and learns tightrope walking with a circus. (74 pages)

Smith, Doris B. - KELLY'S CREEK - 1979 - gr. 2-5

Nine year old Kelly can't ride a bike, catch a football or
even write his own name because his learning disabilities
make it hard for his eyes, hands, and brain to coordinate.
Kelly's parents and teacher think he isn't trying. Only at
the creek does Kelly, with the help of his friend, Phillip,
study the fascinating creatures who live there. When he
has to prove the importance of what he has learned
in the marsh, Kelly is able to take an important step in
conquering his problems. (71 pages)

Smith, Mark - PAY ATTENTION, SLOSH - 1997 - gr. 3-5

Eight-year-old Josh hates being uhnable to concentrate
or control himself, but with the help of his parents, his
teacher, and a doctor, he learns to deal with his
condition, known as ADHD.

Suzanne, Jamie -DANNY MEANS TROUBLE - 1990 - gr. 3-6

Jessica Wakefield can't wait to get to class to see what
Danny Jackson will do next. He's only been at Sweet
Valley Middle School for a couple of months, but he's
already well known as the best runner on the track team
and as a major troublemaker. His sister, Elizabeth,
is worried that Danny's behavior will get him thrown
off the team, but then she discovers the real reason he's
been getting into trouble. (138 pages)

Swarthout, Glendon F. - WHALES TO SEE THE - 1975 - gr. 5-9

A group of children with learning disabilities have
problems coping with the many social pressures they face
everyday. (121 pages)

Thomas, Ruth - THE RUNAWAYS - 1987 - gr. 4-9

Having found an enormous sum of money and having been
threatened with punishment by their parents for not
turning it in to the police, gawky eleven year old Julia
and her bad tempered friend, Nathan, flee London for
Brighton and the open countryside. (297 pages)

Voigt, Cynthia - SEVENTEEN AGAINST THE DEALER - 1989 - gr. 8-12

Dicey struggles to make a go of a boatbuilding business
while facing family concerns, romantic problems, and
the uncertainties of a drifter who offers to help her
in her work. (181 pages)

Waldorf, M. - JAKE McGEE AND HIS FEET - 1980 - gr. 4-7

A ten year old with a reading disability takes an
important step toward dealing with his problem on the
day he runs away from school. This tale of where
Jake's feet led him is filled with excitement and
humor as well as an understanding for a very real
boy's concerns. (82 pages)

Wolff, V. E. - PROBABLY STILL NICK SWANSEN - 1988 - gr. 6-12

Sixteen year old Nick has a learning disability and
struggles to endure life in which the other kids make
fun of him. He has to take special classes, his date for
the prom makes an excuse not to go out with him, and he
is haunted by the memory of his older sister who drowned
while he was watching. (144 pages)

NOTE: Some of these titles are out of print so are
unavailabe for purchase; they may be available at
your public library.

 

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