"Best of" Lists

Get age-appropriate ideas and inspiration for every interest:

Books with Characters Who Have Learning and Attention Issues

Last updated: February 19, 2025

Dyslexia can make reading really challenging, but it can't stop a kid from being a hero. Just ask Percy Jackson! And having ADHD can make school tough, but Joey Pigza manages to navigate his academic and family troubles with humor and courage. These books about kids and teens with learning disabilities can mirror the reader's experience or help readers understand what friends, classmates, and relatives may be going through. For other compassionate stories, check out our lists of Books That Teach Empathy, Books with Characters Who Have Physical Disabilities, and Coming-of-Age Books.

Filter by:
Sort by:
Ben and Emma's Big Hit Poster Image
BOOK

Ben and Emma's Big Hit

age 4+

Empathy, friendship for baseball-loving kid with dyslexia.

Gavin Newsom , Ruby Shamir Picture Book (2021)
See full review
I Am a Mastepiece! book cover: Young girl with a blonde hair wearing blue glasses and red and white striped shirt and pink polka dot pants holds large white paper banner with title of book; buckets full of colors and markers beside her
BOOK

I Am a Masterpiece!: An Empowering Story About Inclusivity and Growing Up with Down Syndrome

age 4+

Spunky heroine shares her experiences with Down syndrome.

Mia Armstrong Picture Book (2024)
See full review
Bookmarks Are People Too!: Here's Hank, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Bookmarks Are People Too!: Here's Hank, Book 1

age 6+

Boy finds smart ways to overcome challenges in fun story.

Henry Winkler , Lin Oliver Friendship (2014)
See full review
Honestly Elliot-TV Image
BOOK

Honestly Elliott

age 8+

Upbeat, tender, informative story about boy with ADHD.

Gillian McDunn Coming of Age (2022)
See full review
May B. Poster Image
BOOK

May B.

age 8+

Riveting and moving account of girl's struggle for survival.

Caroline Starr Rose Historical Fiction (2012)
See full review
Eleven Poster Image
BOOK

Eleven

age 9+

Poignant tale of dyslexic boy seeking clues to his past.

Patricia Reilly Giff Mystery (2008)
See full review
Freak the Mighty Poster Image
BOOK

Freak the Mighty

age 9+

Outcasts join forces and conquer readers' hearts.

Rodman Philbrick Friendship (1993)
See full review
The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1

age 9+

Greek myths meet fast-paced adventure in boy-demigod tale.

Rick Riordan Fantasy (2005)
See full review
Wrath of the Triple Goddess book cover: Goddess Hecate as three animal heads (horse, lion, dog) holding torches above mansion
BOOK

Wrath of the Triple Goddess: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Senior Year Adventures, Book 2

age 9+

Exciting misadventures at Percy's pet-sitting gig gone wild.

Rick Riordan Fantasy (2024)
See full review
Fish in a Tree Poster Image
BOOK

Fish in a Tree

age 10+

Big-hearted book about overcoming dyslexia inspires.

Lynda Mullaly Hunt School (2015)
See full review
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key Book Cover: Illustration of young White man's face as he holds up a key
BOOK

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

age 11+

Realistic portrait of boy with ADHD has mature themes.

Jack Gantos Coming of Age (1998)
See full review
My Thirteenth Winter Poster Image
BOOK

My Thirteenth Winter

age 13+

Honest story of life with learning disability.

Samantha Abeel Autobiography (2005)
See full review
Dying to Know You Poster Image
BOOK

Dying to Know You

age 14+

Compelling friendship carries tale of author and teen boy.

Aidan Chambers Coming of Age (2012)
See full review
Fangirl Poster Image
BOOK

Fangirl

age 14+

Beautiful coming-of-age story about fandom and first love.

Rainbow Rowell Contemporary Fiction (2013)
See full review
Common Sense Media

About the Author

Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media offers the largest, most trusted library of independent age-based ratings and reviews. Our timely parenting advice supports families as they navigate the challenges and possibilities of raising kids in the digital age.

Other great lists from our editors

Articles