Children's Book List: 'Am I the Only One Who...?' Books About Feeling Different

During these Interesting Times, the Children's Department has been hard at work updating our book lists. Whether you're looking for a book on a particular topic (like feeling different) or want to read something similar to that series that you just finished up (and now have that empty, lost feeling), we've probably got a book list for that. You can find the full list of our children's book lists on our website. We've also put all of these awesome lists on Beanstack. If you haven't had a chance to check out Beanstack, you really should. It makes signing up for and monitoring summer reading a breeze! We'll be highlighting some of our book lists in these blog posts throughout the summer. Happy reading!

Everyone feels different at one time or another, even adults. Here are some books with characters you may be able to relate to.

The Proudest Blue
by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali
New York City: Hachette Book Group, 2019

It's Faizah's first day of school, and her older sister Asiyah's first day of hijab. Author and Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad weaves a beautiful story of brand new experiences and learning who you are.







El Deafo

by Cece Bell
New York: Amulet Books, 2014

Based on the author's own experience, the main character loses her hearing at age four due to illness. She struggles to connect with her classmates and make friends while wearing bulky hearing aids with long cords (it's the 70s). In her imagination, she's 'El Deafo' and has superpowers, but these don't quite transfer over to the real world.

Wonder
by R.J. Palacio
New York City: Alfred K. Knopf, 2012
 
However you're imagining Auggie's (August) face, it's worse than that. In his own words, and those of his family and friends, Auggie begins his journey in the public school system after being home schooled all his life.