If You Like Wonder

Absolutely Almost Absolutely Almost / Lisa Graff

Ten-year-old Albie has never been the smartest, tallest, best at gym, greatest artist, or most musical in his class, as his parents keep reminding him, but new nanny Calista helps him uncover his strengths and take pride in himself.

Al Capone Does My Shirts Al Capone Does My Shirts / Choldenko, Gennifer

A twelve-year-old boy named Moose moves to Alcatraz Island in 1935 when guards' families were housed there, and has to contend with his extraordinary new environment in addition to life with his autistic sister.

Anything but Typical Anything but Typical / Nora Raleigh Baskin

Jason, a twelve-year-old autistic boy who wants to become a writer, relates what his life is like as he tries to make sense of his world.

Because of Anya Because of Anya / Margaret Peterson Haddix

While ten-year-old Anya faces the difficulties of losing her hair to alopecia, her classmate Keely learns how to stand up for what she knows is right.

Calvin Coconut : The Zippy Fix Calvin Coconut : The Zippy Fix / Graham Salisbury

Calvin tries to earn money to buy Stella, the babysitter, a present for her sixteenth birthday because he feels guilty for taking advantage of her allergy to cats.

Firegirl Firegirl / Tony Abbott

A middle school boy's life is changed when Jessica, a girl disfigured by burns, starts attending his Catholic school while receiving treatment at a local hospital.

Freak the Mighty Freak the Mighty / Rodman Philbrick

At the beginning of eighth grade, learning disabled Max and his new friend Freak, whose birth defect has affected his body but not his brilliant mind, find that when they combine forces they make a powerful team. An established writer of adult suspense makes a stunning entry into children's literature with this extraordinary novel about two boys--a slow learner too large for his age, and a tiny, crippled genius--who pair up to create on formidable human force.

Hound Dog True Hound Dog True / Linda Urban

Mattie, a shy fifth-grader, wants to hide out at her new school by acting as apprentice to her Uncle Potluck, the custodian, but her plan falls apart when she summons the courage to speak about what matters most and finds a true friend.

Introducing--Sasha Abramowitz Introducing--Sasha Abramowitz / Sue Halpern

When eleven-year-old Sasha tries to ignore the fact that her brother has Tourette's Syndrome, it takes a classmate to help her understand and accept the situation.

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key / Jack Gantos

To the constant disappointment of his mother and his teachers, Joey has trouble paying attention or controlling his mood swings when his prescription medications wear off and he starts getting worked up and acting wired.

Kevin Keeps Up Kevin Keeps Up / Ann Whitehead Nagda

When his teacher is replaced by a substitute nicknamed Beezer the Buzzard, and each student has to do a report on an African animal, Kevin, who struggles with attentional difficulties, is not sure he will survive the year.

The Lions of Little Rock The Lions of Little Rock / Kristin Levine

In 1958 Little Rock, Arkansas, painfully shy twelve-year-old Marlee sees her city and family divided over school integration, but her friendship with Liz, a new student, helps her find her voice and fight against racism.

Loser Loser / Jerry Spinelli

Even though his classmates from first grade on have considered him strange and a loser, Daniel Zinkoff's optimism and exuberance and the support of his loving family do not allow him to feel that way about himself.

Melonhead Melonhead / Michael de Guzman

Tired of living with his uncaring, divorced parents, Sidney, a twelve-year-old boy with an unusually large head, takes a bus trip across the United States which becomes a journey of self-discovery.

Mockingbird (Mok'ing-bûrd) Mockingbird (Mok'ing-bûrd) / Kathryn Erskine

Ten-year-old Caitlin, who has Asperger's Syndrome, struggles to understand emotions, show empathy, and make friends at school, while at home she seeks closure by working on a project with her father.

The Odd Squad : Bully Bait The Odd Squad : Bully Bait / Michael Fry

When his school counselor insists that he needs better socialization skills after being stuffed into a locker by a bully, middle-schooler Nick finds himself, along with two other misfits, joining the school's lamest club: Safety Patrol.

One for the Murphys One for the Murphys / Lynda Mullaly Hunt

After heartbreaking betrayal, Carley is sent to live with a foster family and struggles with opening herself up to their love.

Out of My Mind Out of My Mind / Sharon M. Draper

Considered by many to be mentally retarded, a brilliant, impatient fifth-grader with cerebral palsy discovers a technological device that will allow her to speak for the first time.

Rules Rules / Cynthia Lord

Frustrated at life with an autistic brother, twelve-year-old Catherine longs for a normal existence but her world is further complicated by a friendship with an young paraplegic.

Sahara Special Sahara Special / Esmé Raji Codell

Struggling with school and her feelings since her father left, Sahara gets a fresh start with a new and unique teacher who supports her writing talents and the individuality of each of her classmates.

Schooled Schooled / Gordon Korman

Homeschooled by his hippie grandmother, Capricorn (Cap) Anderson has never watched television, tasted a pizza, or even heard of a wedgie. But when his grandmother lands in the hospital, Cap is forced to move in with a guidance counselor and attend the local middle school. While Cap knows a lot about tie-dyeing and Zen Buddhism, no education could prepare him for the politics of public school.

So B. It So B. It / Sarah Weeks

After spending her life with her mentally retarded mother and agora phobic neighbor, twelve-year-old Heidi sets out from Reno, Nevada, to New York to find out who she is.

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda The Strange Case of Origami Yoda / Tom Angleberger

Sixth-grader Tommy and his friends describe their interactions with a paper finger puppet of Yoda, worn by their weird classmate Dwight, as they try to figure out whether or not the puppet can really predict the future. Includes instructions for making Origami Yoda.

The Thing about Georgie The Thing about Georgie / Lisa Graff

Georgie's dwarfism causes problems, but he could always rely on his parents, his best friend, and classmate Jeanie the Meanie's teasing, until a surprising announcement, a new boy in school, and a class project shake things up.

Travel Team Travel Team / Mike Lupica

After he is cut from his travel basketball team--the very same team that his father once led to national prominence--twelve-year-old Danny Walker forms his own team of cast-offs that might have a shot at victory.

Where I Belong Where I Belong / Mary Downing Hahn

Alienated, bullied, a classic underachiever, 12-year-old Brendan retreats into his fantasy world and then faces the long and demanding journey to a real world where he belongs.