‘But Now I Yearn for a … Story About a Cripple Who Isn’t Cured’: Representations of Disability in Middle Grade and Young Adult Literature

Disabled youth and teens, like those from other marginalized identities, need authentic and honest representations of themselves in books, but disability has long been excluded from many calls for more diverse books. This critical analysis examines 10 middle grade and young adult books for stereotypical portrayals of disabled people and how the authors cultivate or subvert those tropes. It also discusses how disability is viewed in society, the language of disability, and the necessity of critically engaging with literature.Master of Science in Library Scienc