Readers of the Wheelchair Travel Newsletter can expect a brief hiatus in the regular publication schedule as John returns from leading group tours across Europe. Alongside his return, organizers have announced that a brand-new Summer 2027 tour will be officially unveiled to the public, offering new opportunities for accessible group travel adventures.
In the interim, the publication has turned its focus to one of the most reliable constants of travel and daily life alike: reading. Whether enduring lengthy delays at airport boarding gates, watching the landscape pass from the window of a train, or simply spending a quiet evening at home, books provide an essential escape and a vital connection to the world. Travel logistics frequently involve long stretches of waiting, making literature an indispensable companion for families on the move. For many households, the habit of reading is a daily ritual, deeply embedded in routine and shared through long-standing book clubs and family read-aloud sessions.
The appreciation for literature recently found a fitting backdrop at the St. Louis Central Library, a grand, historic building that embodies the classic atmosphere of traditional public libraries. Etched into the exterior of the facility are enduring quotes about the value of literature, including a notable observation by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie: "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 years of reading hundreds of titles, the newsletter editors curated a specialized selection of disability literature. Divided into loose age groupings ranging from early childhood picture books to complex memoirs for adults, the selections aim to highlight authentic representation, historical movements, and diverse lived experiences.
Early Childhood Picture Books
Introducing children to diverse perspectives early in life is widely viewed as essential for building empathy and understanding. Among the highlighted early childhood titles is What Happened to You? by James Catchpole. Released in the United States in 2023, the book tackles the pervasive issue of ingrained ableism through the experiences of its main character, Joe. The narrative addresses the unspoken, often overwhelming encounters that many disabled children face, providing young readers and their families with the language needed to articulate and confront everyday assumptions.
Another prominent selection for younger readers is Best Day Ever by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Leah Nixon. The book follows an upbeat puppy and her human companion, a boy who happens to use a wheelchair. Offering seamless disability representation without heavy-handed exposition, the book serves as what literary critics often describe as a "mirror"—a story reflecting a child’s own lived experience—helping to bridge a long-standing gap in children’s literature where authentic reflections for disabled youth have historically been scarce.
Rounding out the early childhood selections are Jordan Scott’s I Talk Like a River and Annette Bay Pimentel’s All the Way to the Top. Scott’s award-winning book draws on his personal experiences with a stutter, following a young boy who finds solace and understanding by relating his speech pattern to the flow of a river. Pimentel’s illustrated biography introduces young readers to disability history through the true story of Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins, who participated in the historic Capitol Crawl as a child, demonstrating that individuals of any age can contribute to making the world more accessible.
Middle Grade Novels
As children transition into middle-grade readers, narratives often expand to encompass complex themes of identity, friendship, and self-discovery. Dusti Bowling’s Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus has emerged as a favorite among young readers in the community. The story follows Aven, a protagonist born without arms who moves with her family to a new state. The novel weaves humor, mystery, and personal growth together, offering a realistic and multifaceted characterization of disability while also highlighting friendships with individuals facing other conditions, such as Tourette Syndrome.
Similarly, Rob Harrell’s Wink draws on the author’s personal childhood experience with a rare form of eye cancer. The protagonist, Ross, attempts to navigate the social minefield of middle school following a cancer diagnosis. The narrative blends quirkiness, music, and genuine reflection, creating a relatable story for any young reader who has ever felt outside the traditional social boundaries of school.
Historical perspective and activism also feature prominently in the middle-grade category through Rolling Warrior by Judith Heumann and Kristen Joiner, and Cerrie Burnell’s I Am Not a Label. Adapted from Heumann’s adult memoir, Rolling Warrior recounts her journey as a young activist on wheels who helped spark a national revolution in civil rights. Meanwhile, Burnell’s I Am Not a Label profiles more than 30 disabled artists, thinkers, performers, and activists, pushing back against limiting stereotypes and offering expansive role models for developing minds.
Titles for Young Adults and Adults
For older audiences, memoirs and essay collections provide deeper analytical frameworks regarding the human experience and societal structures. Rebekah Taussig’s Sitting Pretty offers a series of candid essays exploring disability both personally and within the broader context of modern culture. Taussig’s writing avoids overly sanitized narratives, presenting a nuanced view of reality that challenges readers to examine their own preconceptions.
Ariel Henley’s memoir, A Face for Picasso, delivers a raw and poignant look at growing up with Crouzon Syndrome, a rare condition causing premature fusion of the skull bones. Henley’s reflections challenge underlying societal biases regarding beauty, identity, and public perception.
The list also revisits Judith Heumann’s adult publication, Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist, co-written with Kristen Joiner. Often regarded as the mother of the disability rights movement, Heumann details her frontline involvement in historical milestones such as the 504 Sit-In, the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and her subsequent tenure as the Special Advisor on Disability Rights for the U.S. State Department under the Obama administration.
Concluding the adult selections is Haben: The Deafblind Woman who Conquered Harvard Law by Haben Girma. The memoir chronicles Girma’s journey navigating and adapting to a world largely unaccustomed to accommodating diverse sensory needs, emphasizing an outlook that treats disability as a powerful catalyst for innovation rather than an obstacle to be overcome.
Beyond the literary recommendations, the newsletter notes that public libraries often provide broader community benefits. Cardholders at many public library systems across the country can access free or discounted admission tickets to local museums, botanical gardens, and tourist attractions, turning a routine library visit into an opportunity for accessible local exploration.
