Rules by Cynthia Lord. Scholastic, 2006. 200 pages

Saw Cynthia Lord at MLA once, years ago. Loved her and resolved to read RULES. She has a daughter who is sister to a sibling with autism. A great and quick read, I have been recommending it- and telling Lord's story-- for years. only just read it now. Wow! and it was the first of a whole slew of excellent books with main characters having disabilties, Rules was the first.

El Deafo by Cece Bell. Amulet Books, 2014. 233 pages

I love a graphic memoir. How many times can I say it but it is so true. When a childhood illness leaves future author and illustrator Cece Bell deaf, her whole life changes. She navigates elementary school issues like best friends and liking boys and wanting to look cute and fit in-- all universal-- as a deaf person in a hearing world. Honest and funny-- think Smile or Sisters or To Dance or Relish. Loved it immediately.

Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman. HarperTeen, 2000. 112 pages.

14 year old Shawn McDaniel is paralyzed totally-- unable to even move his eyes. But unknown to his family, his mind sharp and he is fully aware of what goes on around him. He thinks his father is trying to kill him, but he has no way to tell anyone.
Fast paced and well done, this HILO is told in the voice of Shawn himself. a winner for boys and reluctant readers and everyone else. several in series, great for bookclubs.