Making Neurodiversity Visible

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Karina and Matthew talk about representation of neurodiverse individuals, giving authentic voice in children’s literature, and building empathy for all students. Joining is special guest Elana K. Arnold, author of A Boy Called Bat and its sequels. This episode is sponsored by our Book Riot Blind Dates with Books contest, by OwlCrate Jr, a subscription box for middle grade readers, and by Naked Mole Rat Saves the World by Karen Rivers, new from Algonquin Young Readers. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter!

RELEVANT LINKS:

National Symposium on Neurodiversity at Syracuse University NeuroWonderful – Ask an Autistic vlog with Amethyst Schaber Voices of Autism – Panel 1: Young Adults on the Spectrum (Seattle Pacific University) The Schneider Family Book Award Elana K. Arnold

BOOKS DISCUSSED ON THE SHOW:

Picture Books:

The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh by Supriya Kelkar; illustrated by Alea Marley This Beach Is Loud! by Samantha Cotterill (Little Senses series) Nope. Never. Not for Me! by Samantha Cotterill (Little Senses series) Why Johnny Doesn’t Flap by Clay Morton and Gail Morton; illustrated by Alex Merry My Brother Otto by Meg Raby and illustrated by Elisa Pallmer Benji, the Bad Day and Me by Sally J. Pla and illustrated by Ken Min A Friend for Henry by Jenn Bailey and illustrated by Mika Song How to Build a Hug: Temple Grandin and Her Amazing Squeeze Machine by Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville; illustrated by Giselle Potter

Middle Grade:

The Someday Birds by Sally J. Pla See You in the Cosmos by Jack Cheng My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich by Ibi Zoboi The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida, translated by KA Yoshida Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World by Sy Montgomery and Temple Grandin Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling Let us know what books or topics you’ve been sharing this week, or if you have a suggestion or book recommendation for an upcoming episode. Find us on email (kidlitthesedays@bookriot.com), Twitter (@KarinaYanGlaser and @MatthewWinner), or Instagram (@KarinaIsReadingAndWriting and @MatthewCWinner).