Books featuring characters with ADHD

Abigail is always fidgeting and giggling at school until Miss Butler discovers her love of singing and songwriting. It’s implied that Abigail has ADHD but this beautifully delivered book will resonate with any child who’s ever found it tricky to do what is expected of them.

A joyous story about Bobby, who likes thinking about lots of different things at once, and finds it hard to focus. Full of empathy and warmth.

Cally and Jimmy are 10-year-old twins who couldn’t be more different. While Cally is sensible, clever and hard-working, Jimmy’s ADHD makes it difficult for him to focus or stay calm. But no matter what trouble they get into, they’re always in it together!

When 12 year old Cora meets Adrien, they become inseparable. But when Cora starts to visit Adrien’s dad’s company – which creates realistic holograms of people – she begins to realise that nothing about Adrien’s life is quite what it seems.

In this powerful and stylishly attractive non-fiction book, Cerrie Burnell introduces the reader to 34 disabled role models. 

The author (who has ADHD) sets out to prove to neurodivergent (and all) children that you can overcome any potential limitations of a label. This glorious anthology encourages us to celebrate uniqueness and recognise our potential to achieve.

In this leftfield comic fantasy novel, 12-year-old Percy Jackson discovers that the Greek gods of Olympus are alive and living in modern-day New York.

A touching, light-hearted book about finding confidence and friendship.

11-year-old Vanya is catapulted into a world of magic and monsters when she joins the enchanted school of Auramere. There, she must battle against the forces of the Old Ones and a dark family secret.. 

The complexities of families divided by break-up and reformed as blended versions of themselves will have been experienced by many readers. Elin and Jamie’s story is a compelling and affecting book about acceptance, openness and family dynamics.

12 year old Eddie has hatched a foolproof plan. His mum has told him to take care of his own laundry for the summer – but he doesn’t have time to waste doing chores when the sun’s out, so he’s spent the entire holidays hiding his dirty clothes in the closet when he’s done with them instead.

A powerful book about a neurodivergent protagonist taking a stand against bullying and hypocrisy.