Books with Characters on the Autism Spectrum

Last updated: February 20, 2025

Whether you have someone in your family or school who's on the spectrum or are just looking for a compelling read, these books deliver. Some focus on kids who are dealing with the challenges of having an autistic sibling. In others, a young person on the spectrum drives the action, fighting desperados in the Wild West, solving a mystery in London, or trying to win a basketball game in fifth grade. These novels not only tell riveting stories but also can help build empathy and understanding. And for similar books, try our list of Books That Teach Empathy.

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The Boy Who Said Wow book cover: Boy and grandfather sit in red concert hall seats, musical instruments arranged on stage.

BOOK

The Boy Who Said Wow

age 3+

Joyful music inspires a nonverbal boy to speak.

Todd Boss Picture Book (2024)

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A Day With No Words book cover: A Black boy with glasses, yellow tee, plaid pants sits in grass in a park with trees

BOOK

A Day With No Words

age 4+

Intimate day in the life of an autistic boy and mother.

Tiffany Hammond Picture Book (2023)

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How to Build a Hug: Temple Grandin and Her Amazing Squeeze Machine Poster Image

BOOK

How to Build a Hug: Temple Grandin and Her Amazing Squeeze Machine

age 4+

Moving tale of Temple Grandin's girlhood pursuit of a hug.

Amy Guglielmo , Jacqueline Tourville Picture Book (2019)

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Girls looking at a woman petting cattle

BOOK

She Persisted: Temple Grandin

age 6+

Inspiring biography of brave woman with autism.

Lyn Miller-Lachmann , Chelsea Clinton Biography (2022)

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The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin Poster Image

BOOK

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin

age 6+

Upbeat rhymes tell amazing tale of scientist with autism.

Julia Finley Mosca Biography (2017)

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A Boy Called Bat Poster Image

BOOK

A Boy Called Bat

age 7+

Gentle tale of animal-loving boy on the autism spectrum.

Elana K. Arnold Family Life (2018)

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A Whole New Ballgame: Rip and Red, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

A Whole New Ballgame: Rip and Red, Book 1

age 8+

Fun, gentle story about kids gaining confidence and empathy.

Phil Bildner Emotions (2015)

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Just My Luck Poster Image

BOOK

Just My Luck

age 8+

Touching fourth-grade story of empathy and kindness.

Cammie McGovern Family Life (2016)

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A Kind of Spark Poster Image

BOOK

A Kind of Spark

age 9+

Powerful book about autism propelled by authentic voice.

Elle McNicoll Coming of Age (2021)

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A girl with curly hair hovers over iconic sites of Barcelona

BOOK

Ellen Outside the Lines

age 9+

Touching story of girl with autism navigating change.

A. J. Sass Friendship (2022)

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Good different book cover: Middle school girl half-smiles, holds journal; words, doodles form dragon's wings behind her

BOOK

Good Different

age 9+

Girl with autism embraces her truth in great novel in verse.

Meg Eden Kuyatt Coming of Age (2023)

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Rain Reign Poster Image

BOOK

Rain Reign

age 9+

Poignant tale of autistic girl and her dog.

Ann M. Martin Coming of Age (2014)

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Rules Poster Image

BOOK

Rules

age 9+

Girl connects with brother who has autism in moving tale.

Cynthia Lord Family Life (2006)

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The London Eye Mystery Poster Image

BOOK

The London Eye Mystery

age 9+

Gripping mystery told by kid on the autism spectrum.

Siobhan Dowd Mystery (2008)

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Anything But Typical Poster Image

BOOK

Anything But Typical

age 10+

Realistic look inside the world of a tween with autism.

Nora Raleigh Baskin Emotions (2009)

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The Someday Birds Poster Image

BOOK

The Someday Birds

age 10+

Unlikely hero of family adventure delivers hopeful message.

Sally J. Pla Family Life (2017)

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Weirdo book cover: Young Black boy in superhero cape and glasses stands with confidence

BOOK

Weirdo

age 10+

Boy overcomes darkness to be his own hero in moving story.

Tony Weaver Jr. Graphic Novel (2024)

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Al Capone Does My Shirts: A Tale from Alcatraz, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Al Capone Does My Shirts: A Tale from Alcatraz, Book 1

age 11+

Boy stands up for sister with autism in compassionate tale.

Gennifer Choldenko Coming of Age (2005)

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P.K. Pinkerton and the Deadly Desperados: P.K. Pinkerton, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

P.K. Pinkerton and the Deadly Desperados: P.K. Pinkerton, Book 1

age 11+

Tween boy hunts killers in funny, violent Wild West saga.

Caroline Lawrence Historical Fiction (2012)

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What to Say Next Poster Image

BOOK

What to Say Next

age 12+

Irresistible story of teens finding unexpected connection.

Julie Buxbaum Contemporary Fiction (2017)

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