Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin

Rose Howard is obsessed with homonyms. They dominate her thoughts and her conversation. With Rose’s obsessions, her need to follow rules, and her difficulty making conversation, Rose doesn’t have many friends. So when her father brings home a lost dog, Rain (Reign, Rein) the dog becomes Rose’s whole life. Only Rose’s uncle and her dog seem to understand and care about her. Then Rose’s father lets Rain out during a storm and she doesn’t come home. In spite of Rose’s fears, she will do anything to help Rain get home.

This powerful story of a girl and her dog is full of courage, struggle, and triumph. Ann Martin does an excellent job of letting readers into the mind a fifth grade girl with Asperger’s Syndrome. Rose struggles to fit in and it is both painful and inspiring to read about her efforts. The characters are well-developed and the story excellently crafted. Rain Reign is a compelling and eye-opening book for both children and adults.

Recommended ages--9 and up

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Ally Nickerson hates school. Although she works hard, she just can't learn. The letters on the page won't hold still and schoolwork takes her hours longer than expected. Feeling like the dumb student in a new school leaves Ally lonely and frustrated. But when Mr. Daniels replaces Ally's old teacher, life begins to change.

Mr. Daniels recognizes that Ally learns differently than other students. He teaches her in new ways and helps the whole class realize there are many different types of intelligence. With Mr. Daniels to help, and with her new found friends, Ally learns that opportunities she thought were impossible are suddenly very possible.

Fish in a Tree is a powerful look at the difficulties as well as the possibilities of living with dyslexia. Ally's strength and amazing kindness and Mr. Daniels's optimistic encouragement will uplift and inspire readers. This is a heartwarming story with important perspectives about learning differences. This is a perfect book to follow with family or classroom discussion.

Recommended for ages 9 and up.

El Deafo by Cece Bell

When Cece Bell was four years old she developed meningitis. She recovered but soon realized she could no longer hear. El Deafo is Bell's autobiographical account of growing up deaf. With endearing bunny characters and a clever graphic novel format, Bell tells a powerful story about friendship and the struggle for acceptance.

Cece struggles to fit in and describes the loneliness of what she calls 'living in a bubble.' Attempts at friendship are difficult and often end in disappointment and sadness. It is only when Cece accepts herself and shares her experience with others that she reveals her inner superhero, El Deafo.

When I ordered this book for my school library, I was skeptical about how many kids would actually read it. They love graphic novels, but would they be put off by a more serious topic? I brought it home with amazing success. Both my third and first grader read it twice and my seventh grader enjoyed it as well. It paved the way for wonderful family discussions and I can't wait to introduce it in the library.

Recommend ages -- 8 and up