March 28, 2022
It is that time of year again when people are encouraged to not only raise awareness but also accept and embrace autistic people. Autism is a lifelong condition that affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people, and how they experience the world around them. More than 700,000 people in the UK are affected by autism, including children.
At Renaissance, we are proud to showcase books quizzed on AR that feature autistic characters. It’s important that all children see themselves in books to help nurture a love for reading. These books will also help non-autistic children understand their peers and adults who are autistic.
Since last year, we have changed how you can find books on autism. To find these books, you can use the subtopic Autism on the Learning Difficulties topic on AR Bookfinder If you’d like to learn more about this year’s World Autism Acceptance Week and how to participate, please visit the National Autistic Society’s website here.
Lower Years
Meesha Makes Friends by Tom Percival
Quiz # 240059 | BL 2.6 | Bloomsbury Publishing
Making things comes naturally to Meesha, but what she’d really like to make is a friend!
Looking after Louis by Melanie Walsh, illustrated by Polly Dunbar
Quiz # 210838 | BL 2.8 | Frances Lincoln
When a new boy with autism joins their classroom, the children try to understand his world and to include him in theirs.
Middle Years
A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll
Quiz # 238422 | BL 4.3 | Knights of
When she discovers that her small Scottish town once burnt people as witches simply because they were different, a neurodivergent girl refuses to let them be forgotten. Themes include ableism and bullying.
The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd
Quiz # 213549 | BL 4.1 | Corgi Yearling
When Ted and Kat’s cousin Salim disappears from the London Eye, the two siblings must work together, Ted with his brain that is “wired differently” and impatient Kat, to try to solve the mystery of what happened to Salim.
Ways to Be Me by Libby Scott
Quiz # 241000 | BL 5.5 | Scholastic Children’s Books.
In this prequel to Can You See Me?, things aren’t going well for Tally at home. She feels misunderstood and frustrated. Then her parents tell her about something called autism and everything changes. Co-author is Rebecca Westcott.
After the Worst Thing Happens by Audrey Vernick
Quiz # 241481 | BL 4.6 | Farrar, Straus, Giroux
Twelve-year-old Army is reeling after her thoughtlessness leads to her dog’s death but channels her grief into a plan to help keep the new neighbours’ daughter, who has autism, safe.
Middle Years Plus
How to Look for a Lost Dog by Ann M. Martin
Quiz # 229863 | BL 4.3 | Usborne
When Rose’s dog Rain goes missing during a storm, the implications for her family are greater than any of them imagined.
Car Wash Wish by Sita Brahmachari
Quiz # 229664 | BL 4.6 | Barrington Stoke
Hudson deals with the news of his mum’s pregnancy while also having to cope with attending the funeral of his grandad.
Upper Years
Last Pick by Jason Walz
Quiz # 240894 | BL 2.7 | First Second
Twins Sam and Wyatt were children when the aliens took everyone between the ages of 16 and 65. Wyatt sees the world differently than his sister, and together, the two try to discover where the invaders have taken their parents.
Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork
Quiz # 221100 | BL 4.6 | Scholastic Ltd
Marcelo Sandoval, a seventeen-year-old boy on the autistic spectrum, faces new challenges, including romance and injustice, when he goes to work for his father in the postroom of a corporate law firm.
The Boy Who Steals Houses by C.G. Drews
Quiz # 237921 | BL 4.5 | Watts Publishing Group
Sam and his brother have been betrayed and abused throughout their lives. One day, Sam breaks into Moxie’s house and gets swept up in the life of her big, noisy family. When Sam’s past catches up with him, he needs help to find a new way to live.
