Community Reading Room
Your new favorite reads, chosen by the type 1 diabetes community
Welcome to our Community Reading Room
We believe in the power of the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community’s stories, and that every one of them can educate, inspire, and remind us that we’re not alone. The Community Reading Room is a digital library of book recommendations curated for people living with T1D and the people who love and support them, creating a shared experience with every page.
Love to talk books? Join the conversation over at the Community Reading Room on the Breakthrough T1D Community Forum!
Books can be purchased through your preferred bookseller or borrowed for free through your local library, including digitally through resources like the Libby app.
Parenting and Type 1 Diabetes
Education, support, and perspectives that meet you and your family where you are.
What Happened to Normal?
By Lori Schur
Jessie’s world implodes when her eight-year-old son is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. This life-threatening, incurable illness sends Jessie reeling into a “new normal” that feels anything but normal. This sudden halt to life as she knew it leaves Jessie questioning everything she once believed in, from her faith to her friendships. Determined to raise her son to be strong and independent in the face of adversity, Jessie refuses to back down from the challenges forced upon her. Along the way, she discovers an inner strength and resolve she didn’t know she possessed.
Insights and Inspiration for Living with T1D
Every person’s experience with T1D is their own. These T1D thought leaders may help you find what works best for you.
More Than My Numbers: A Teen’s Journey Through Type 1 Diabetes, Identity, and Finding Strength Beyond the Diagnosis
By Lila Kate Robinson
Lila Kate invites readers into an honest, heartfelt, and deeply personal journey of learning to live with a disease that never takes a day off. From emergency room fears and sleepless nights to swim practice, school, friendships, family life, and even a Taylor Swift concert, she shares what it’s really like to grow up with type 1 diabetes—the moments most people never see.
Bright Spots and Landmines: The Diabetes Guide I Wish Someone Had Handed Me
By Adam Brown
In this highly actionable guide, Adam Brown shares the food, mindset, exercise, and sleep strategies that have had the biggest positive impact on his diabetes! Bright Spots & Landmines is filled with hundreds of effective diabetes tips, questions, and shortcuts, including what to eat to minimize blood sugar swings; helpful strategies to feel less stressed, guilty, and burned out; and simple ways to improve exercise and sleep. Along the way, Adam argues that when you focus on problems and mistakes in diabetes (Landmines) you miss the bigger Bright Spots. By identifying what’s working and finding ways to do those things more often, we can all live healthier, happier, and more hopeful lives.
Just for Kids
Fun, educational, and engaging books about T1D for young readers.
Rosie Sparkle Fin: The Mermaid Who Found Her Sparkle With Type 1 Diabetes
By Catalina Rose
When Rosie’s mermaid tail begins to sparkle too brightly, she learns from Dr. Aquashell that she has type 1 diabetes. With the help of her sidekick, Sparkles the Seahorse, and a kingdom full of sea friends, Rosie discovers that having T1D doesn’t mean the magic has to stop. Through courage, curiosity, and a lot of sparkle, Rosie learns how to care for herself and still live her most adventurous mermaid life.
Intended for children ages 4-9
Shia Learns About Insulin
By Shaina Hatchell, Illustrated by Candice Bradley
This book follows a young girl, Shia, as she learns about her diabetes diagnosis, daily routines, and self-care with the support of her family and medical team.
The Adventures of Rhodes and Alana: School Bus Secret
By Rhodes and Alana Ritenour
Come along as eight-year-old Rhodes and his best friend Alana set out on their first adventure! Missing the school bus leads to an exciting journey and an opportunity for Rhodes to tell Alana about living with type 1 diabetes. As a result, a new friendship is formed between these two spirited and confident kids.
The Kinetix and The Glowing Orb of Gorthon
By Austin Basis, David Maulbeck, and Joshua Taub
Meet The Kinetix: a team of unlikely tweenage heroes. When they discover the mysterious glowing orb hidden beneath their school, these sixth graders discover they’ve been chosen to defend Earth from the evil overlord, Gravitron. No pressure.
Now, Joules, Bobby, Rosario, and Daryl must balance homework, crushes, bullies and saving the world. Together, they’ll uncover hidden strengths, face their fears, and learn that being different isn’t a weakness, it’s what makes them super.
Bursting with humor, heart, and high-powered adventure, this full-color graphic novel is perfect for fans of The Last Kids on Earth, Epic Zero, and The Goonies. Because every kid deserves a hero they can see themselves in.
Share Your Book With Us
Are you an author of a book about type 1 diabetes and want the opportunity to be featured in the Breakthrough T1D Reading Room? Contact us!
The books on this page were submitted as recommendations by Breakthrough T1D community members. Breakthrough T1D has not comprehensively vetted these titles and makes no representations regarding their content. Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement of or affiliation with the books, their content, or their authors. These books are being listed for informational purposes only, and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
