ST. LOUIS — The regular schedule of the Wheelchair Travel Newsletter will resume next week following the return of John Morris from leading group trips in Europe, where he is also preparing to announce a brand-new Summer 2027 tour. Ahead of that return, the publication turned its focus to an essential travel companion and a cornerstone of family life: reading.
Whether spending hours on trains, waiting anxiously at boarding gates, or managing unexpected air travel delays, transit periods offer prime opportunities to dive into a good book. The connection between travel and reading runs deep for many families, serving as a reliable pastime during transit and a staple of daily life. For the Morris family, reading is an almost nightly habit, supplemented by a book group shared with close friends for nearly five years.
This deep-rooted appreciation for literature recently found a striking home in St. Louis, where the family moved near the grand, historic Saint Louis Central Library. The architecture and atmosphere embody the classic spirit of a traditional library, complete with inspiring literary quotes etched across its exterior. Among them is a quote by 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.”
Motivated by a desire to share impactful stories, the publication compiled a curated selection of top disability literature titles, categorized across early childhood picture books, middle grade novels, and selections for young adults and adults. Having explored hundreds of books over the years, the selection highlights works that serve as vital "mirrors" reflecting lived experiences, addressing a long-standing void in children’s literature for disabled youth.
Early Childhood Picture Books
The early childhood selection opens with What Happened to You? by James Catchpole, released in the United States in 2023. The book tackles the unspoken, often awkward experiences disabled children frequently encounter in public spaces. Through its main character, Joe, the story addresses ingrained ableism in a manner that young minds can easily grasp, offering language and validation for experiences that many families previously struggled to articulate.
Marilyn Singer’s Best Day Ever offers a different approach, presenting a joyful story about a puppy and a boy who happens to use a wheelchair. Illustrated by Leah Nixon, the book provides seamless disability representation without centering the plot entirely on the disability itself. It functions as a classic "mirror" book, validating the everyday experiences of children with mobility devices.
Jordan Scott’s award-winning I Talk Like a River explores the experience of a boy navigating a stutter with the guidance of his father. Through poetic text and evocative illustrations, the book draws a parallel between the flow of speech and the movement of a river, offering a realistic and wholesome portrayal that resonates across generations.
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 introduces young readers to disability history through the lens of a child participant in the historic Capitol Crawl, demonstrating that youth can actively contribute to making the world more accessible.
Middle Grade Novels
Transitioning to middle grade novels, Dusti Bowling’s Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus emerges as a family favorite. The story follows Aven, who was born without arms, as her family relocates to a new state. Blending humor, mystery, and themes of friendship—including a secondary character with Tourette Syndrome—the novel provides a realistic, multifaceted portrayal of disability that sparks meaningful family discussions.
Rob Harrell’s Wink draws on the author’s personal experiences with a rare form of eye cancer during his youth. The protagonist, Ross, navigates middle school following a sudden diagnosis. The narrative blends quirkiness, music, and valuable life lessons, offering a relatable narrative for any young reader who has felt like an outsider.
Judith Heumann and Kristen Joiner’s Rolling Warrior, adapted for a younger audience from Heumann’s adult memoir, chronicles the life of a pioneering disability rights activist. Subtitled The Incredible, Sometimes Awkward, True Story of a Rebel Girl on Wheels Who Helped Spark a Revolution, the book introduces readers to genuine disability history and the persistence required to dismantle systemic barriers.
Cerrie Burnell’s I Am Not a Label profiles more than 30 disabled artists, thinkers, performers, and activists. By showcasing diverse role models, the book challenges conventional limitations and encourages young readers to imagine expansive possibilities for their own futures.
Titles for Young Adults and Adults
For older readers, Rebekah Taussig’s memoir Sitting Pretty offers a collection of personal essays exploring disability through a nuanced lens. Taussig examines her own life and broader societal structures with honesty and grounded hope, prompting readers to reconsider their own perspectives on accessibility and human experience.
Ariel Henley’s A Face for Picasso provides a raw, thought-provoking look at growing up with Crouzon Syndrome, a condition involving the premature fusion of cranial bones. Henley explores themes of identity, beauty, and societal expectations with unvarnished candor.
Judith Heumann’s adult memoir, Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist, written with Kristen Joiner, details her decades-long leadership in the disability rights movement. From organizing the historic 504 Sit-In and advocating for the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act to serving as the Special Advisor on Disability Rights for the U.S. State Department under the Obama administration, Heumann shares unflinching accounts of pivotal historical milestones.
Haben Girma’s memoir, Haben: The Deafblind Woman who Conquered Harvard Law, highlights the author’s journey of adaptation and advocacy in an unaccommodating world. Girma’s childhood anecdotes and overarching perspective frame disability not as a personal deficit, but as a powerful catalyst for innovation.
As readers visit local public libraries to check out these recommended titles, community members are encouraged to inquire about additional library card benefits. Many public library systems across the United States extend cardholders access to free and discounted tickets for local museums and tourist attractions, bridging the gap between literary exploration and community engagement.
