In recognition of Autism Awareness/Acceptance Month, I’d love for you to meet a few of my favorite neurodivergent, bookish characters.

5 Books With Neurodivergent Characters

I’m linking up today with Meeghan @ Meeghan Reads for Top Five Tuesday.

Meeghan’s topic this week is Neurodivergent Characters. I have five wonderful reads for you, but first I need to mention a book that will not be on my list that you might find on many others: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. This might be difficult to explain without revealing spoilers, but Eleanor’s quirkiness and social awkwardness could be attributed to her upbringing and severe childhood trauma. There is new research that shows how PTSD can affect individuals who are on the spectrum. So, Eleanor might be neurodivergent as well as traumatized with PTSD. The author states that she did not intentionally write Eleanor as neurodivergent (but traumatized). Because of the ambiguity and the author’s intent, I am not including Eleanor on this list. I highly recommend reading this memorable and poignant story of bravery and friendship if you haven’t already. It’s on my lifetime favorites list and, certainly, brave Eleanor deserves a mention in this post.

Stepping off my soapbox now to present my list of wonderfully fascinating bookish characters in recognition of Autism Awareness/Acceptance Month.

***Titles are Amazon Affiliate links or links to my reviews which contain Amazon Affiliate links.

Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig

Ginny is fourteen, adopted, a child on the spectrum, and is committed to saving her “baby doll.” In her fourth home since having been removed from her biological mom’s care, she has now been adopted by her “forever mom” and “forever dad.” For years, Ginny has been troubled about something that happened the night she was taken away from her biological mom and cannot think about anything else until she makes it right. Her “forever” parents and her counselor don’t seem to understand the extent of Ginny’s commitment or her concern, so Ginny is left with no choice but to attempt an escape. 

House Rules by Jodi Picoult

When your son can’t look you in the eye…does that mean he’s guilty?

Jacob Hunt is a teen on the Autism Spectrum. He’s hopeless at reading social cues or expressing himself well to others, though he is brilliant in many ways. He has a special focus on one subject—forensic analysis. A police scanner in his room clues him in to crime scenes, and he’s always showing up and telling the cops what to do. And he’s usually right.

But when Jacob’s small hometown is rocked by a terrible murder, law enforcement comes to him. Jacob’s behaviors are neurodivergent, but they look a lot like guilt to the local police. Suddenly the Hunt family, who only want to fit in, are thrust directly in the spotlight. For Jacob’s mother, it’s a brutal reminder of the intolerance and misunderstanding that always threaten her family. For his brother, it’s another indication why nothing is normal because of Jacob.

And for the frightened small town, the soul-searing question looms: Did Jacob commit murder?

Love and Lavender by Josi S. Kilpack

Love and Lavender is a story of two people who face many challenges and obstacles and have limited choices. Hazel is independent and brilliant; however, she was born with a clubbed foot. As a child, her parents sent her away and now as a young woman, she has resigned herself to the unlikelihood of marriage and has embraced a teaching career. Duncan is brilliant and has a neurodiverent mind. He is employed as an accountant and has carved out a predictable life for himself living alone with his beloved cat. The private school where Hazel teaches may be up for sale (which would jeopardize her job) and Duncan is unhappy with his employers and would love to establish his own accounting firm. Neither of them have the finances to remedy their situations. Hazel and Duncan have the same uncle….one relationship is biological and the other is through guardianship. This uncle offers both Hazel and Duncan an inheritance with the condition that they must each be married. Duncan has the brilliant idea that they should marry each other which would technically fulfill the conditions, but the uncle is reluctant to be tricked into giving them their inheritances. After much convincing, the uncle agrees to their plan, but under the condition that they must live together for one year after the ceremony. This sets up a marriage of convenience. Will this arrangement lead to love and a true relationship? Or will they fulfill the agreement, gain their inheritance, and go their separate ways? Will they even survive the year?

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

Keiko Furukura grows up labeled a “strange child,” and her parents worry about her ability to function in the real world and about her future success. While at university, Keiko begins a job at a local convenience store. After eighteen years, her parents and friends worry that she doesn’t have a real career and has never had a boyfriend. Even though Keiko is successful as a convenience store worker and enjoys her job, she feels the pressure to live up to her parents’ cultural expectations. What will she do?

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth

Fern avoids crowds, bright lights, and loud noises. She has a strict schedule and routine, and she’s a popular librarian who cares for the patrons. Rose watches out for her sister, is protective, and a bit controlling. She’s trying desperately to get pregnant. Fern thinks she has a solution for Rose but this plan shakes up both of their lives. Who is the good sister?

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QOTD:

Who are your favorite neurodivergent characters?

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Happy Reading Bookworms!

“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke

“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes

“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection! Books take us to places we’ve never been, teach us about our world, and help us to understand human experience.”
~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text

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***Blog posts may contain affiliate links. This means that at no extra cost to you, I can earn a small percentage of your purchase price.

All books I review are purchased or borrowed from the library unless explicitly stated that the book is free (arc).

Amazon or an author’s (or publisher’s) website receives all credit for book covers and author photos.

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