Four masked people of color discuss books in an art-filled bookstore. Take a look at our comprehensive reading list compiled by Pip Jackson, UCL’s Head of Inclusive Environments. Think something’s missing’ Make your own recommendation!
UCL Library Services are compiling a list of book recommendations from across the UCL community to mark UK Disability History Monty 2024, which runs from 14 November - 20 December.
If you need inspiration, this year’s national theme is Disability, Livelihood and Employment, exploring the factors influencing the employment of disabled people now and in the past to illuminate a more equitable way forward.The book(s) you recommend don’t have to follow the national theme. We are looking for books that explore the rich legacy and contributions of people with disabilities.
Recommend your book(s) here!
In the meantime Pip Jackson, our Head of Inclusive Environments, has compiled a comprehensive list of recommended inclusive reading (and listening!) for adults, teens and kids, covering disability as well as other subjects like race and sexuality. We’ve featured a few of her top picks below, but you can see the full list on the Inclusive Environments SharePoint.
Sipping Dom Pérignon Through a Straw: Reimagining Success as a Disabled Achiever, by Eddie Ndopu
A memoir, penned with one good finger, about being profoundly disabled and profoundly successful. In Sipping Dom Pérignon Through a Straw, we follow Ndopu, sporting his oversized, bejewelled sunglasses, as he scales the mountain of success, only to find exclusion, discrimination, and neglect waiting for him on the other side. As he soars professionally, sipping champagne with world leaders, he continues to feel the loneliness and pressure of being the only one in the room. Determined to carve out his place in the world, he must challenge bias at the highest echelons of power and prestige. Searing, vulnerable and inspiring, Ndopu’s remarkable journey to reach beyond ableism, reminds us never to let anyone else define our limits.
Disfigured: On fairy tales, disability and making space, by Amanda Leduc
Fairy tales shape how we see the world, so what happens when you identify more with the Beast than Beauty’ If every disabled character is mocked and mistreated, how does the Beast ever imagine a happily-ever-after’ Amanda Leduc looks at fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm to Disney, showing us how they influence our expectations and behaviour and linking the quest for disability rights to new kinds of stories that celebrate difference.
Dispatches from Disabled Country, by Catherine Frazee
"Disability is not our worst-case scenario - our worst-case scenario would be its annihilation." This is the starting point for this powerful collection of writing by and about Catherine Frazee, disability activist, Officer of the Order of Canada, and poetic scholar of justice. For Frazee, disability is not something to be dreaded or overcome but a force to be reckoned with - a prism of insight and experience that refracts new light upon our fundamental ideals of justice, beauty, and community. Taken together, these writings chronicle the rising consciousness of a social movement of disabled people staking their claim in public policy and popular culture, a claim that is overdue for honest recognition.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
Christopher John Francis Boone knows all the countries of the world and their capitals and every prime number up to 7,057. He relates well to animals but has no understanding of human emotions. He cannot stand to be touched. And he detests the colour yellow. Although gifted with a superbly logical brain, for fifteen-year-old Christopher everyday interactions and admonishments have little meaning. He lives on patterns, rules, and a diagram kept in his pocket. Then one day, a neighbour’s dog, Wellington, is killed and his carefully constructive universe is threatened. Christopher sets out to solve the murder in the style of his favourite (logical) detective, Sherlock Holmes. What follows makes for a novel that is funny, poignant and fascinating in its portrayal of a person whose curse and blessing are a mind that perceives the world entirely literally.
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse. August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid - but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. Wonder begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others.
Amazing by Steve Anthony
A joyful book that celebrates friendship, play and acceptance. The story features ’incidental’ inclusion: the central character uses a wheelchair, which features prominently in the illustrations but is not mentioned in the text.
Isaac and His Amazing Asperger Superpowers! By Melanie Walsh
This appealing picture book written in simple language suitable for young children is narrated by Alex, who describes his many ’superhero powers’ (later on in the story Alex admits that he’s not really a superhero, but has Asperger’s which means his brain works a little differently). Alex describes himself, what things he likes to do and what he finds challenging, in the hope that the reader will have a better understanding of Asperger’s Syndrome.
The Deaf Musician by Pete Seeger and Paul Dubois Jacobs
When a jazz musician begins to lose his hearing he must find a new way of making music. Together with other deaf musicians he forms a new band, including Ellie, who is the sign language interpreter.
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