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By: Alison Rodgers

Illustrated by: Michael Middleton

Teaser: Luke Has Asthma, Too allows children with asthma to see the world from the perspective of a child with a similar condition. The young boy in the story is comforted by the knowledge that his cousin suffers from asthma as well. Drawing parallels for himself gets the young boy through doctors' visits, medications, and hospital stays. The child receives much support from hospital staff, his parents and most of all, his cousin Luke. (Teaser by Susie Wilde, Barnes and Noble)

Publication Date: May 1987

Genre: Non-Fiction

Grade level: 1st-4th

Interest level: Young Elementary

Lexile: N/A

Guided reading: N/A

DRA: N/A

Text level: Juvenile Easy Reader

Teaching Idea: Using a KWL chart to have students right what they know about asthma, what questions they have about asthma, and what they want to learn about asthma. I will have the students create the chart before we read the story together then have a chance to go back to their chart and add more.

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By: Joan Fassler

Illustrator: Joe Lasker

Teaser: Howie is a little boy who enjoys life with his family and attends school. He is happy all the time and loves to do things independently. Howie has cerebral palsy and wants more than anything else to be able to move his wheelchair by himself.

Publication Date: January 1975

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level:  Pre-school-3rd

Interest level: Early Elementary

Lexile: 6

Guided reading: N/A

DRA: 27

Text level: Juvenile Easy Reader

Teaching Idea:

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By: Alenka Klemenc

Photographs by: Ursa Rozic

Teaser: Join Greg, a young boy with Asperger's syndrome, as he tells us all about the world as he sees and experiences it. Learn about all the things he loves, including his routine and numbers, as well as his special interest in batteries. Greg also tells us about the things that he finds challenging, from a change in his beloved routine to reading facial expressions, and how these things can sometimes leave him upset and overwhelmed. By explaining the way he feels and how best to calm him down when it all gets too much, Greg helps us to understand AS and how it affects the way he views the people and objects around him. (Teaser from Amazon)

Publication Date: March 28, 2013

Genre: Non-Fiction

Grade level: 3-8

Interest level: Late Elementary

Lexile: N/A

Guided reading: N/A

DRA: N/A

Text level: Juvenile Moderate Reader

Teaching Idea:  I will break down reading this book into 4 segments since it is a longer novel. Each day will have a different message/theme according to which chapters we discuss in class. The main goal of this lesson will ultimately lead students to creating an "What It's Like To Be Me" poster on the 5th day of the lesson to present to their peers. Their posters will include similar things as the novel, such as their routines and special things they enjoy.

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By: Virginia Fleming

Illustrator: Floyd Cooper

Teaser: Christy's mother always tells her to be good to Eddie Lee, a neighborhood child with Down's Syndrome. But Christy wants to run and play -- and not worry about Eddie Lee tagging along. One hot summer day, though, Eddie Lee takes Christy to a secret place in the woods and teaches her that beautiful things can be found in unexpected places.

Publication Date: 1993

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level:  Pre K-2nd

Interest level: Early Elementary

Lexile: N/A

Guided reading: N/A

DRA: N/A

Text level: Juvenile Easy Reader

Teaching Idea: http://teacherlink.ed.usu.edu/tlresources/units/byrnes-literature/MINIUNIT/lesson4.htm

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By: Nan Holcomb

Illustrated by: Virginia Lucia

Teaser:  Danny is a young boy who has cerebral palsy. One day on a visit to the park, he gets surprised by making friends with a little girl named Liz who see's past his disability. With the help of Liz's father, Danny gets to ride the merry go round for the very first time.

Publication Date: 1988

Genre: Fiction

Grade level: 1-3

Interest level: Young Elementary

Lexile: N/A

Guided reading: N/A

DRA: 12

Text level: Juvenile Easy Reader

Teaching Idea: Working with the school's physical education teacher and physical therapist, I would set up activities in the school's gymnasium where students can experience what it is like to use a wheelchair. Students can play basketball, go through obstacle courses, and more.

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This video from The National Down Syndrome Society shows that we share many of the same life styles and qualities as people with down syndrome. It emphasizes that having a disability makes someone unique, it does not define or limit them.

Teaching idea: First, I would show my students this video and have a discussion on their thoughts. Then, through the program FND Manasota, you can hire a professional speaker to come into your classroom and facilitate a more alike than different workshop. For this teaching idea, I would hire a speaker to come into my classroom and present their workshop. The workshop includes: Tower of London (Experience a form of visual impairment), What’s All the Confusion? (Experience life with ADHD or autism), Mirror (Writing with one type of learning disability), and Trying So Hard (Experience daily activities with a simulated physical impairment). I think that it is important for my students to experience hands on activities to help understand how we're more alike than different. http://www.fndmanasota.org/more-alike-than-different/

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What Do You Mean I Have A Learning Disability? 

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What Do You Mean I Have A Learning Disability? 

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By: Kathleen M. Dwyer

Photographs by: Barbara Beirne

Teaser: This book is about a young boy who feels that he is "dumb" because he is unable to do the things his older brothers do, especially in school. Jimmy, who is 10, has one friend and a cat that he likes to spend time with. However, Jimmy tends to be uncomfortable around people, doesn't always do his homework, and has outbursts and generally unhappy in class. Finally, testing reveals that Jimmy has a learning disability. He works hard and feels relief knowing that there was a reason behind his behaviors. he goes for tutoring and in the end he is proud to take home a good paper.

Publication Date: July 1991

Genre: Non-Fiction

Grade level: 3-6

Interest level: Late Elementary

Lexile: 6

Guided reading: N/A

DRA: N/A

Text level: Juvenile Moderate Reader

Teaching Idea: Pages 8-9 in this activity packet contain different activities that can be done in the classroom that help students understand what it is like to have a learning disability. I especially enjoy activity 1, say what?, where students have to read the color of the word rather than the word itself. After the lesson, I will ask student to write a short reflection on how they felt trying to complete the activity. http://www.dvusd.org/cms/lib011/AZ01901092/Centricity/Domain/1318/Disability%20Awareness%20Packet%202.pdf

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By:  Gary Shulman

Publication Date: August 2013

Parents of children with disabilities want their children to be accepted, included and appreciated for their abilities while being shown compassion. They are often faced with rejection and fear. This poem speaks to the need that we all have to be accepted fro who we are. We all have more in common that we think.

Teaching idea: ???

Poem Link: http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/about-children-with-disabilities-come-touch-his-cheek

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By: Mary Thompson

Illustrated by: Kristen Ritz

Teaser:  Andy is a boy with autism. Like many children with autism, Andy has a fascination with objects in motions. It's Andy's special talent for spinning is frisbee combined with a new classmate's curiosity about his behavior that sets this story in motion. Rosie, the watchful and protective sister, supplies background on Andy and autism, as well as a sibling's perspective.

Publication Date: January 28th 1996

Genre: Fiction

Grade level: 1-3

Interest level: Young Elementary

Lexile: N/A

Guided reading: N/A

DRA: N/A

Text level: Juvenile Easy Reader

Teaching Idea: Using a KWL chart to have students right what they know about autism, what questions they have about autism, and what they want to learn about autism. I will have the students create the chart before we read the story together then have a chance to go back to their chart and add more.

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This songs sings about how everyone is different and wonderful. It is a music video that shows people with disabilities working in their communities.

Teaching idea: Once a week during carpet time, have students sing and freestyle dance to this song, expressing how they are all different and wonderful!

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"When you find the wonderful in others, you find the wonderful in you." Share this song to encourage diversity and inspire people to always look for the wonderful in others. Those with developmental disabilities deserve and want a full life, and with your support we can make it happen!

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By: Clifford L. Corman and Esther Trevino

Illustrated by: Richard A. DiMatteo

Teaser: Leo the tiger struggles with keeping up with his friends. His friends can eat, write, read, and speak clearly. Leo hasn’t mastered those skills yet and feels sad. However, Leo realizes that falling behind isn’t such a bad thing, everyone grows at their own pace. With patience and a lot of hard work, Leo eventually blooms and learns that it is okay to take a little longer to get caught up.

Publication Date: September 1995

Genre: Fiction

Interest level: Young Elementary

Grade level: K-1st

Lexile: N/A

Guided reading: N/A

DRA: N/A

Text level: Adult Read to Children

Teaching Idea: I will give my students different distractions throughout the day. They will not be able to ask questions or know what is going on, because often times students with ADHD do not ask questions because they feel so behind. I will then ask them how they felt about the distractions and why they think that I did that activity. Once we finish the discussion, we can talk about how some of their peers feel like this everyday because they have ADHD. I will provide my students who have ADHD to talk to their peers about how they feel, that way their peers can assist them when needed.

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By: Robert Kraus

Photos by: Jose Aruego

Teaser: Leo the tiger struggles with keeping up with his friends. His friends can eat, write, read, and speak clearly. Leo hasn’t mastered those skills yet and feels sad. However, Leo realizes that falling behind isn’t such a bad thing, everyone grows at their own pace. With patience and a lot of hard work, Leo eventually blooms and learns that it is okay to take a little longer to get caught up.

Publication Date: January 1971

Genre: Fiction

Interest level: Young Elementary

Grade level: Preschool-2nd

Lexile: 120L

Guided reading: l

DRA: 16

Text level: Adult Read to Children

Teaching Idea: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Readers-Response-to-Leo-the-Late-Bloomer-502369

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By: Janet Elizabeth Rickert

Photos by: Pete McGahan

Teaser: Russ, a young boy with Down Syndrome, gets a job at the fire station for the day. His Uncle Jerry, is a fire man at the Chicago Police Department. Throughout the day. Russ gets to help the fire men with all of their chores and even give the Dalmatians a bath! Join Russ and learn about how he got involved helping his community.

Publication Date: January 28th, 2000

Genre: Nonfiction

Grade level: Preschool-1st

Interest level: Young Elementary

Lexile: N/A

Guided reading: N/A

DRA: N/A

Text level: Adult Read to Children

Teaching Idea: Discuss with students what a speech balloon is. Explain that the words inside a speech balloon is called dialogue. On page 4 Russ says, “Hi, I’m

Russ.” Ask students what else might he say? Model on a chart paper speech balloons with

dialogue. Create a word bank of words Russ may use in his dialogue. Have students complete their own speech balloon of what Russ or Uncle Jerry could have said. Have them draw a picture that relates to the dialogue. When the students are finished have them share it to the class.

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By: Laurie Lears

Illustrated by: Kristen Ritz

Teaser: Do you have a younger sibling who annoys you sometimes? Do you ever wonder why they do the things that they do? Julia has a younger brother, Ian, who has Autism. She struggles to understand why Ian does the things differently than she does and sometimes gets annoyed with him. She worries about what other people think while she goes on a walk with Ian and her sister. While they are at the park, Julia loses Ian and must look through his eyes to try and find him.

Publication Date: January 1998

Genre: Fiction

Grade level: PreK-K, 1-2

Interest level: Young Elementary

Lexile: N/A

Guided reading: N/A

DRA: N/A

Text level: Adult Read to Children

Teaching Idea: While reading the book, ask students questions from this discussion list so that they can deeply analyze the story and make their own theories.
http://museumofdisability.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/5.-LESSON-PLAN-Ians-Walk-Apples-for-Cheyenne.pdf

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By: Shirley Becker

Illustrated by: Todd Fargo

Teaser: Have you ever saved your money for a long time? For something that you really really want to buy? Buddy, a five-year-old with Down Syndrome, knew he wanted to save up and buy something that he really wanted. Turns out, by saving his money, Buddy gains a new furry best friend and realizes that when it comes to friends, its okay to be a little different.

Publication Date: January 1991

Genre: Fiction

Grade level: K-3

Interest level: Young Elementary

Lexile: N/A

Guided reading: N/A

DRA: N/A

Text level: Juvenile Easy Reader

Teaching Idea: I could read the book right up to the part where Buddy reveals what he saved up all his money for. I would pause, have the students go back to their desks, and write down something that they want to save up their money for and how much it costs. Once they do that, they could come back to the circle and share with their peers what they want to save for. I would then continue reading the book. This would teach students that sometimes if they really want something, they can save up for it.