For young adults and teens with dyslexia, finding stories that resonate and inspire can be truly transformative. Here at Empowering Books Publishing, we believe in the profound power of literature to shape young minds, foster resilience, and illuminate pathways to self-discovery.
We hope this ever growing list of YA and teen fiction novels with dyslexic characters will help to inspire and encourage.
This curated list of the top empowering teen and young adult books, have been voted by our team. Novels that highlight stories that go beyond entertainment, offering young adults and teens vital life lessons, a sense of purpose, and the courage to navigate their own unique coming-of-age adventures.
If you buy through the links on this page, a small commission is paid at no extra cost to you. Empowering Books only recommend empowering Teen & YA books we truly believe in.
1
OSU
Sub Title: A coming-of-age novel – an empowering book of self-acceptance & resilience
Author: Sensei Sarhn
Publisher: Empowering Books
Recommended Reading Age: 12+
Description: In the dojo, Olive discovers her empowering strength. Outside, she faces her greatest challenge.
Sixteen-year-old Olive has always been an outsider and when her family uproots her from the bustling city
to sleepy Buxton, she’s sure her life is over. That is, until she stumbles upon a local karate school.
The dojo becomes Olive’s sanctuary, and her natural talent catches everyone’s eye—especially Boyan, the enigmatic son of her sensei. As Olive and Boyan’s connection deepens, she realises he’s fighting battles of his own.
But just as Olive begins to find her footing, a devastating secret threatens everything she’s built. Now, she must summon every ounce of her newfound strength to fight for her place in a world that seems determined to push her out.
Osu is a gripping, empowering coming-of-age-tale of self-acceptance, resilience, and the transformative power of finding where you belong. In this unforgettable debut, Sensei Sarhn reminds us that the stories we tell ourselves can be our
greatest enemy—or our most powerful ally.
2
Fish in a Tree
Author: Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Recommended Reading Age: 10+
Description: Ally has been smart enough to fool a lot of smart people. Every time she lands in a new school, she is able to hide her inability to read by creating clever yet disruptive distractions. She is afraid to ask for help; after all, how can you cure dumb? However, her newest teacher Mr. Daniels sees the bright, creative kid underneath the trouble maker.
With his help, Ally learns not to be so hard on herself and that dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of. As her confidence grows, Ally feels free to be herself and the world starts opening up with possibilities. She discovers that there’s a lot more to her-and to everyone-than a label, and that great minds don’t always think alike.
3
Counting to D
Author: Kate Scott
Publisher: Elliott Books
Recommended Reading Age: 13-17
Description: A contemporary young adult novel about a bright dyslexic teen struggling to find her place in a literate world. Counting to D is sure to resonate with anyone who has struggled with learning disabilities, young love, or just being a teen!
The kids at Sam’s school never knew if they should make fun of her for being too smart or too dumb. That’s what it means to be dyslexic, smart, and illiterate. Sam is sick of it. So when her mom gets a job in a faraway city, Sam decides not to tell anyone about her little illiteracy problem. Without her paradox of a reputation, she falls in with a new group of highly competitive friends who call themselves the Brain Trust. When she meets Nate, her charming valedictorian lab partner, she declares her new reality perfect. But in order to keep it that way, she has to keep her learning disability a secret. The books are stacked against her and so are the lies. Sam’s got to get the grades, get the guy, and get it straight-without being able to read.
4
Whittington
Author: Alan Armstrong
Publisher: Yearling Books
Recommended Reading Age: 8-12
Description: An inspirational Newbery Honor winner about hope, friendship, and the power of storytelling.
A scruffy barn cat tells the legend of Dick Whittington, a child who rose from the streets to become the mayor of London, inspiring rescued animals and a struggling young boy. This Newbery Honor winner blends history, fantasy, and heart into an unforgettable journey of hope and resilience.
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