Readers of the Wheelchair Travel Newsletter will find a brief pause in the regular publication schedule this week as founder John Morris leads group trips in Europe. However, the hiatus brings a preview of upcoming travel offerings, including a brand-new Summer 2027 tour announcement slated for his return. In the meantime, the publication’s latest dispatch turns its focus from transit logistics and flight delays to the enduring value of reading, exploring a curated selection of disability literature across multiple age groups.
Whether navigating train platforms, waiting at boarding gates, or managing air travel delays, literature remains one of the most reliable tools for travelers of all ages. The connection between travel and reading runs deep for families on the move, serving as an effective boredom buster for children and a nightly routine for adults. This appreciation for books is anchored in a new home base in St. Louis, Missouri, where the grand architecture of the Saint Louis Central Library serves as a literary backdrop. Inscribed on the exterior of the historic building are words by Andrew Carnegie that capture the philosophy of public access to knowledge: "I choose free libraries as the best agencies for improving the masses of the people because they only help those who help themselves. They never pauperize. A taste for reading drives our lower tastes."
Drawing from hundreds of books read over the years, the publication has compiled a foundational reading list focusing on disability literature, divided into early childhood picture books, middle grade novels, and titles for young adults and adults. This selection emphasizes the dual importance of books acting as "windows" to understand different perspectives and "mirrors" to reflect one’s own lived experiences—a category that has historically seen a void for disabled children.
Early Childhood Picture Books
The early childhood selection begins with James Catchpole’s What Happened to You?, released in the United States in 2023. The book addresses the common, often awkward social encounters disabled children face, using the main character, Joe, to articulate the subtle impacts of ingrained ableism in a manner that young readers can readily grasp. It provides children and families with a clear vocabulary to address everyday interactions that previously lacked formal framing.
Marilyn Singer’s Best Day Ever offers an upbeat narrative about a puppy and a young boy who uses a wheelchair. Illustrated by Leah Nixon, the book provides natural representation without explicitly centering the narrative on disability, allowing young readers to see diverse lived experiences naturally integrated into everyday stories.
Jordan Scott’s award-winning I Talk Like a River explores a young boy’s experience with a stutter, drawing a parallel between his speech patterns and the flow of a river with the guidance of his father. Its poetic prose and evocative illustrations bridge generational divides, making it a compelling read for families to share together.
Rounding out the early childhood category is Annette Bay Pimentel’s All the Way to the Top, an illustrated biography of Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins. The book chronicles Keelan-Chaffins’ participation in the historic Capitol Crawl as a child, introducing young readers to the disability rights movement through the lens of a peer who demonstrated that individuals of any age can contribute to a more accessible world.
Middle Grade Novels
Transitioning to middle-grade readers, Dusti Bowling’s Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus follows Aven, a protagonist born without arms who moves with her family to a new state. The novel balances themes of humor, mystery, and friendship, while weaving in additional representation through a supporting character with Tourette Syndrome. It offers readers a character-driven story where a disability is part of the protagonist’s life without defining the entirety of the narrative.
Rob Harrell’s Wink draws on the author’s personal experiences with a rare form of eye cancer during his youth. The story follows Ross, a middle schooler navigating a new diagnosis amidst the typical social complexities of adolescence. Infused with humor and music, the novel resonates with any reader who has experienced the feeling of not fitting in.
Judith Heumann and Kristen Joiner’s Rolling Warrior, the young reader adaptation of Heumann’s memoir, introduces children to foundational disability history. Subtitled The Incredible, Sometimes Awkward, True Story of a Rebel Girl on Wheels Who Helped Spark a Revolution, the book documents Heumann’s advocacy work and provides young readers with a historical perspective on the fight for civil rights.
Cerrie Burnell’s I Am Not a Label profiles over thirty disabled artists, thinkers, performers, and activists. The collection challenges conventional limitations often placed on children with diagnoses, expanding their sense of possibility and offering diverse role models.
Titles for Young Adults and Adults
For older readers, Rebekah Taussig’s memoir-essay collection Sitting Pretty offers a nuanced examination of disability through personal reflection and broader cultural context. The book explores the realities of navigating the world in a wheelchair without glossing over systemic barriers, prompting readers to reexamine their own perceptions.
Ariel Henley’s A Face for Picasso provides a raw, thoughtful account of growing up with Crouzon Syndrome, a condition involving the premature fusion of cranial bones. Henley explores themes of identity, beauty, and societal expectations with direct honesty.
Judith Heumann’s adult memoir, Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist (co-written with Kristen Joiner), details her decades-long involvement in the disability rights movement. From organizing the historic 504 Sit-In to helping pass the Americans with Disabilities Act and serving as Special Advisor on Disability Rights under the Obama administration, Heumann recounts the pivotal moments of modern disability history.
Haben Girma’s memoir, Haben: The Deafblind Woman who Conquered Harvard Law, chronicles her journey through higher education and professional advocacy. Girma highlights the necessity of adapting and advocating within a society that often lacks basic accommodations, reframing disability as a catalyst for innovation.
Beyond local libraries serving as repositories for these titles, travelers are reminded that standard public library cards frequently unlock additional community benefits, including free or discounted admission to local museums and cultural attractions.
