In the past two years, readers have been spoiled by own-voices, middle grade books with disabled main characters from British writers. Authors including Lisette Auton and Laura Noakes are paving the way for disabled authors in mainstream publishing. Their characters have a range of physical and neurological disabilities as well as neurodiversities.
Here are a few recommendations of brilliant middle grade books;
The Secret of Haven Point (2022) and The Stickleback Catchers (2023) by Lisette Auton, Puffin Books
My favourite thing about these two books are that they fit into my new favorite genre of book; disabled kids having adventures. Both books are magical explorations of disability and family.
The main character of The Secret of Haven Point, Alpha, has facial burn scars and monocular vision. Her family of ‘wrecklings’ have different disabilities and are a beautiful cast of diverse characters. Auton’s second novel, The Stickleback Catchers protagonist uses crutches and is neurodiverse. Auton authentically uses humour to talk frankly about disability in a way I’m in awe of.
Cosima Unfortunate Steals A Star by Laura Noakes (2023), HarperCollins
A historical adventure set in a home for disabled girls. The protagonist, Cosima, has hypermobile spectrum disorder and the other girls in the home have a range of disabilities. Cosima and her friends go on a quest across London to solve the mystery of who Cosima’s mother was. I love how this book is explicitly anti-eugenics and teaches young readers about ableism.
Jayben and the Golden Torch by Thomas Leeds (2023), Hodder
Leeds’ protagonist Jayben has a brain injury and epilepsy. He wakes up in a magical world with no memories and goes on a quest to save the world. This book is inspired by the authors experiences with his brain injury and memory loss.
Vivi Conway and the Sword of Legend (2023) by Lizzie Huxley-Jones
Vivi is an autistic main character who discovers Excalibur and gains magical powers. The book is a perfect example of having a neurodivergent main character without making it an ‘issue book’.
The books I’ve recommended include representation of facial differences, autism, brain injuries, cerebral palsy, hypermobility spectrum disorder and even more. I wholeheartedly recommend them for all readers but they certainly mean something more to disabled readers. Where were these books when I was ten?! It has been so refreshing to see these writers excel and I hope this trend continues.
I can’t wait to see what the future holds for these disabled authors!
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