9 Children’s Books About Dyslexia
by Denise Schipani
Children with dyslexia, whose brains take longer than typical kids’ to decode what’s on a page and understand it as a story, find reading a chore. And why wouldn’t they? Chances are, what they’re most often given to read in school are books that feel more homework-y than heavenly. Many dyslexic children give up before they get to the end, and a story not fully told is never going to engage them. So how do you choose books that have a chance to hook readers who struggle to, well, read? One approach is to find books about kids with their same difficulties, having marvelous adventures despite their issues. Here are a few we found that can be read independently or together with a parent:
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Hank Zipzer Series
Buy from:Humor, friendship, and hijinks combine in this laugh-out-loud funny series based on Henry Winkler’s real-life experiences. Hank struggles with dyslexia, which affects everything he does, from cooking and class trips to summer school and sports. Young readers looking for a giggle-worthy story featuring a relatable main character will enjoy this series. Early chapter book readers will love the companion series, Here’s Hank, starring the same character.
(Ages 8 - 12)Buy from: -
Welcome Back, Maple Mehta-Cohen
Buy from:Maple’s struggles with reading mean she has to repeat fifth grade while the rest of her friends go to middle school. As the year progresses, it gets increasingly difficult to hide her reading issues from her teacher and friends. After being diagnosed with dyslexia, Maple learns to embrace her unique qualities and lean into her strengths. This heartwarming story is a must-read for kids who don’t fit in academically.
(Ages 9 - 12)Buy from:
RELATED: 7 Early Signs Your Child May Have a Reading Issue
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A Walk in the Words
Buy from:When the author and illustrator of this gorgeous picture book was a young boy, he struggled to read quickly. However, even though his slow reading speed frustrated him, he refused to give up. Instead, he decided to read at his own pace and not compare himself to his friends and classmates. This decision allowed him to grow into the beloved storyteller he is today.
(Ages 4 - 8)Buy from: -
Thank You, Mr. Falker
Buy from:Children learning to read will appreciate this beautiful, true story based on the author’s experiences. Trish struggled to read as a child, and her teacher realized she had dyslexia. With Mr. Falker’s encouragement, Trish learned to read. This classic book is a love letter to dedicated teachers like Mr. Falker, who give their students the help they need to succeed.
(Ages 5 - 8)Buy from: -
Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series
Buy from:As the child of a human and a god, Percy faces many unusual challenges at school, including dyslexia. But when he attends Camp Half-Blood, he discovers that every demigod struggles with reading because they are hard-wired to read Ancient Greek. While the demigods struggle to read modern English, it doesn’t stop them from fighting monsters, challenging gods, and saving the world.
(Ages 10+)Buy from: -
Eleven
Buy from:Imagine finding, in a box in your grandfather’s attic, a newspaper clipping that reveals something shocking about your past — that you’d been kidnapped as a child — but you can barely read it thanks to a learning issue. That’s the story of Sam in Patricia Reilly Giff’s Eleven. Lovers of mysteries and psychological suspense will dive into this story — and kids with a similar disability will love that the author highlights Sam’s non-reading talents (he’s a master woodworker).
(Ages 8 - 12)Buy from: -
Fish in a Tree
Buy from:Ally’s creativity is boundless; she sees art and moving images in everything and everyone around her. But when it comes to reading, the world stops. Time freezes. Panic sets in. With her dad in the military, Ally’s moved around a lot, and each time she lands at a new school, she’s able to create enough of a distraction to mask her reading difficulties. That changes when she meets Mr. Daniels, a teacher who sees past Ally’s antics and helps her make sense of reading and herself.
(Ages 8 - 12)Buy from:
RELATED: 6 Tips to Make Reading Fun, Not Frustrating
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Two-Minute Drill
Buy from:As the star of the football team, Chris is popular and confident about everything except his grades. His dyslexia makes schoolwork extra challenging. When he meets the smart, nerdy new kid, Scott, they decide to help each other out. Even though the two boys seem like opposites, they become an excellent support system for each other.
(Ages 8 - 12)Buy from: -
A Kids Book About Dyslexia
Buy from:This issue in the A Kids Book About series explores the author's personal journey with dyslexia, including self-advocacy, adaptability, and the value of unconventional thinking.
(Ages 5 - 9)Buy from:
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2016 and updated in 2024.