Books for kids with ADHD: short, fast and funny
Good books for kids with ADHD include Dog Man, The Bad Guys and Captain Underpants. They share what helps a restless reader stay with a story: short chapters, plenty of pictures, fast plots and a series to carry on with. Every child with ADHD is different, so let your child’s interests lead.
12 books, checked for age-appropriate content.
Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken.
- 1
Ages 6–11
Dog Man
by Dav Pilkey
When a police officer and his loyal police dog are injured on the job, a life-saving surgery creates Dog Man—part dog, part policeman, and wholly dedicated to justice. While struggling with doggy habits like chasing balls, he must protect the city from the scheming villain Petey the Cat. Its playful humor makes reading aloud and sharing a laugh enjoyable.
- 2
Ages 6–8
The Bad Guys
by Aaron Blabey
Mr. Wolf is tired of being seen as a scary villain, so he rounds up a crew of other misunderstood predators—including Mr. Snake, Mr. Piranha, and Mr. Shark—to do good deeds. A lighthearted choice for sparking laughter and lively conversation.
- 3
Ages 6–11
Captain Underpants
by Dav Pilkey
Fourth-grade pranksters George and Harold spend their days creating comic books and driving their mean principal, Mr. Krupp, completely crazy. When they accidentally hypnotize him with a 3D Hypno-Ring, he transforms into their greatest superhero creation: the enthusiastic, wedgie-powered Captain Underpants. Brings a little silliness to reading time and invites shared smiles.
- 4
Ages 9–11
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
by Jeff Kinney
Greg Heffley is starting middle school, where undersized weaklings like him share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner, and already shaving. To survive, he records his daily misadventures, family annoyances, and flawed plans for popularity in an illustrated journal. Offers space for thoughtful conversations about empathy and difficult choices.
- 5
Ages 6–8
A to Z Mysteries
by Ron Roy
Join young sleuths Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose as they team up to crack cases in their small town of Green Lawn. From stolen treasures and mysterious footprints to strange happenings, each story features clever clues, gentle suspense, and fun teamwork. Invites readers to spot clues, make guesses, and think carefully.
- 6
Ages 6–8
Real Pigeons Fight Crime
by Andrew McDonald
Rock Pigeon is a master of disguise who joins an elite squad of crime-fighting pigeons. Together, the feathered detectives tackle odd neighborhood mysteries, from vanished breadcrumbs to kidnapped park bats. Its playful humor makes reading aloud and sharing a laugh enjoyable.
- 7
Ages 9–11
Big Nate
by Lincoln Peirce
Nate Wright is an energetic middle-schooler who is completely convinced he is destined for greatness. Armed with a sketchbook and big ideas, he spends his days navigating detentions, dodging his strict social studies teacher Mrs. Godfrey, and hanging out with his best friends Francis and Teddy. A lighthearted choice for sparking laughter and lively conversation.
- 8
Ages 6–8
Magic Tree House
by Mary Pope Osborne
Siblings Jack and Annie discover a mysterious tree house full of books in the woods near their home. Whenever they open a book and make a wish, the magic tree house whisks them away to different times and places throughout history, from ancient lands to distant eras. Helps young readers connect with history through people and places.
- 9
Ages 6–8
Narwhal and Jelly
by Ben Clanton
Meet happy-go-lucky Narwhal and slightly cynical Jellyfish in this delightful early graphic novel. Despite their opposite personalities, the two sea creatures bond over a shared love of waffles, imaginative make-believe, and playful underwater adventures. A lighthearted choice for sparking laughter and lively conversation.
- 10
Ages 9–11
Secret Coders
by Gene Luen Yang
Hopper enters Stately Academy, an odd school filled with creepy four-eyed birds and mysterious secrets. Teaming up with fellow student Eni, she uncovers puzzles left behind by the school's eccentric founder. Invites readers to reflect on classmates, choices, and belonging.
- 11
Ages 6–8
Rosie Revere, Engineer
by Andrea Beaty
Quiet by day, young Rosie loves spending her nights inventing brilliant gadgets from scraps and castaways. When her beloved Great-Great-Aunt Rose visits and wishes she could fly, Rosie sets out to build a contraption to make her dream come true. A friendly starting point for exploring science through everyday questions.
- 12
Ages 9–11
The Lemonade War
by Jacqueline Davies
Siblings Evan and Jessie have always gotten along, but when Jessie skips a grade to join Evan's class, their rivalry explodes into an all-out summer business war. Each sibling sets up a lemonade stand to see who can earn one hundred dollars first, using clever marketing, price wars, and underhanded tactics. A relatable way to explore family bonds and everyday experiences.
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