Books for feelings and life
Books about ADHD and dyslexia
Children with ADHD or dyslexia often need to see that a smart child can learn in a different way. These include picture books, chapter books and one workbook for parents.
Picks drawn from long-standing children's-librarian lists, ALSC notable and award records, and Common Sense Media age ratings, with each title and author checked against Open Library, Oct 2026. Checked 2026-10-25. Nobody paid to be here. The buy links are plain search links, not affiliate links, so Peabody earns nothing from them.
Thank You, Mr. Falker
Patricia Polacco · Ages 6-10
The author's own story of dyslexia and the teacher who saw her.
Watch for: Bullying about reading.
Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon
Fish in a Tree
Lynda Mullaly Hunt · Ages 9-12
Ally hides her dyslexia until a teacher finds it. Realistic and warm.
Watch for: Bullying.
Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key
Jack Gantos · Ages 10-14
A boy with ADHD and a home life that makes it harder. Funny and rough.
Watch for: Dark humor, a violent grandmother, a troubled home. A 1998 National Book Award finalist.
Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon
My Brain Needs Glasses: Living with Hyperactivity
Annick Vincent · Ages 6-10
A first-person guide for kids with ADHD.
Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon
Eagle Eyes: A Child's Guide to Paying Attention
Jeanne Gehret · Ages 5-9
A young boy learns to focus. A well-known counselor book.
Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
Rick Riordan · Ages 9-13
Percy has dyslexia and ADHD, which become powers in the novel. A 2005 adventure with a lot of kids as fans.
Watch for: Monsters, peril; some violence.
Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon
Hank Zipzer: The World's Greatest Underachiever
Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver · Ages 7-11
Hank is smart but struggles with reading. By an actor who has dyslexia himself.
Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon
The Alphabet War: A Story About Dyslexia
Diane Burton Robb · Ages 5-9
Adam can't read until a teacher finds out how he learns best.
Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon
More lists
Books about autism and neurodiversity
Look for books by autistic authors or reviewed by them.
Books about disability and different bodies and minds
Books where a child with a disability is a person first.
Books about anger for kids
Anger is one of the first big feelings children need words for.
Books about sadness and sad days
Children are often told to cheer up.
Books about fear, the dark and monsters
Fear of the dark, of monsters, and of being left is normal between ages 3 and 7.
Books about worry and anxiety
Worry can show up as stomachaches, clinging or perfectionism.
Books about shyness and quiet kids
Shy and quiet are not problems to fix.
Books about loneliness and finding a friend
Loneliness is different from being alone.