Families who loved We Want to Go to School! The Fight for Disability Rights by Janine Leffler often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child starts asking why some of their friends learn differently or why certain buildings have ramps while others do not. It is a vital tool for explaining that inclusion is not just a kindness, but a hard won civil right. Through the true story of the 1971 Mills v. Board of Education case, the book explains how seven children and their families fought against the systemic exclusion of students with disabilities from public schools. It tackles themes of justice, belonging, and the power of collective action in a way that feels empowering rather than heavy. For parents of children with disabilities, it provides a sense of lineage and pride. For all parents, it serves as a foundational lesson in empathy and the importance of standing up for the rights of others. It is perfectly pitched for elementary schoolers who are beginning to develop a keen sense of fairness.
