Jessica, a serious, bookish sixteen-year-old from New Brunswick, places a Personals ad in the newspaper. She is looking for her father, a drug-dealing philanderer who has recently taken off with the local hairdresser, leaving her mother distraught, and Jessica shouldering the responsibility for her autistic younger brother, Timmy. Seventeen-year-old Sween — a pool-playing, authority-defying drop-out — responds to the ad. Over time they establish an intense but long-distance relationship in which they provide each other with advice and support … Eventually Sween travels east to help Jess stop her father from putting Timmy in an institution. The resulting encounter is a surprise to them both as they find reality at odds with the images they have of each other.

Autism and Me: Sibling Stories. Ousie Shapiro, photos by Steven Vote, $19.95

Acceptance, wisdom and love are all present in these inspiring essays and war, rich photos.

In the third edition of this classic resource, families and professionals will deepen their understanding of sibling relationships and learn how to support positive, lifelong bonds between brothers and sisters. Readers will get specific ideas, illuminating research, ready-to-use strategies, and personal anecdotes from sibling … Reflecting the dramatic advances in research in the 10 years since the second edition was published, this book gives readers the most up-to-date information on genetic counseling, expanded discussion of multicultural issues and financial planning, and an extended focus on family members beyond parents, including grandparents and other extended family members who interact with siblings. Brimming with inspiring stories, facts and wisdom from the literature, and practical advice to share with parents, this book will help you and the families you work with understand and celebrate the special bond between siblings.

Fasten Your Seatbelt: a Crash Course on Down Syndrome for Brothers and Sisters. Brian Skotko & Susan Levine, $23.95 (ages 12 and up)

With nearly 100 questions and answers on a broad range of issues, Fasten Your Seatbelt is a complete guide to the joys and challenges of growing up with a brother or sister who has Down syndrome.

French Fries. Lilli Mayerson, $18.95

The fact that there are so many children diagnosed with ASDs means there are many more siblings living with autism – siblings who may feel alone, angry, or afraid. French Fries is a sibling’s story and a tool that families can use to discuss their feelings.

Having a sibling with autism can be hard, especially at school. Maybe if the other kids knew more about autism they’d stop teasing Billy and just be nice!

My Brother Charlie. Holly Robinson Peete & Ryan Elizabeth Peete, $8.99 (ages 10-14)

Callie is very proud of her twin brother Charlie. He’s so good at so many things — swimming, playing the piano, running fast. And Charlie has a special way with animals, especially their dog Harriet. Charlie is in many ways just like any other boy — and he has autism.

My Friend Has Down Syndrome. Jennifer Moore-Mallinos, illustrations by Marta Fàbrega, $8.50

My Little Brother. Suemee Lee, $12.95 (ages 4 to 8)

Yoonie is excited when her baby brother is born — so many of her friends also have younger brothers and sisters to play with! But as time passes she notices that her brother isn’t like her friends’ siblings. Dylan doesn’t talk, or want to play. Why did she get the brother who is different?

The Sandwich Kid: a Film about Siblings & Disabilities. Created by Keri Bowers, Featuring Jace King, $36.95 DVD format

The Sandwich Kid gives voice to siblings of people with disabilities — those who are impacted by daily living with a brother or sister having a developmental or other disability. The film is narrated by 12 year old Jace King who we first met in big brother Taylor Cross’ film, Normal People Scare Me. Jace uses wit, charm and keen insights in the interviews he conducts with dozens of “sibs”, ranging in age from 6 to 59. Along the way, he shares his own struggles and challenges to building a relationship after years of estrangement with his quirky brother.

Siblings: the Autism Spectrum through Our Eyes. Edited by Jane Johnson & Anne Van Rensselaer, $12.95

Growing up with a sibling on the autistic spectrum can be difficult, and the needs of a child with autism often overwhelm a family. Here, siblings of all ages candidly recount how being 'the neurotypical one' can be tiring, frustrating, and lonely, but equally rewarding. This book is insightful reading for siblings and parents of children with autism.

Sibshops: Workshops for Siblings of Children with Special Needs, Revised Edition. Don Meyer & Patricia Vadasy, $40.95

When it comes to organizing workshops for siblings of children with special health and developmental needs, the enormously popular Sibshop model has been used in more than 200 communities in eight countries, and the long-awaited revision of this exemplary guide makes it easier than ever to create and run successful, cost-effective sibling support group programs.

Sibshop programs provide opportunities for brothers and sisters of children with special needs to obtain peer support and education within a highly recreational context. Organizers and families appreciate that the workshops take a wellness approach, and the siblings who attend the workshops appreciate that they're fun and engaging. Highly practical and user-friendly, Sibshops is filled with straightforward instructions, photocopiable forms, more than 100 fun games and activities, and sage guidance on how to start, fund, and run a Sibshop.

Essential for agencies that serve families of children with disabilities, social workers, parent-to-parent programs, early intervention programs, developmental disability councils, child life specialists, and parents, this guidebook offers an inexpensive and easy-to-implement solution to addressing siblings' needs in a way everyone can enjoy.

Supporting Siblings & Their Families During Intensive Baby Care. Linda Rector, $37.95

An infant's NICU stay is a high-stress time for both parents and siblings. Supporting Siblings & Their Families During Intensive Baby Care helps clinicians, child life specialists, social workers, and other professionals guide parents as they:

• provide their older children with accurate information during a high-risk pregnancy
• discuss the new baby's NICU stay with siblings in sensitive, age-appropriate ways
• make sibling visits with the baby a success
• understand and address the particular needs of siblings of multiple newborns
• ease the transition period when an infant comes home
• include siblings in the baby's care
• explain a baby's death to an older brother or sister

Designed for all practitioners who work with NICU families, this easy-to-read book is also a lifeline for parents, who can use the advice and strategies to address the needs and concerns of their older children. Enhanced with photos and true stories from the author's experience as a neonatal child life specialist, this invaluable book will ensure better support for new siblings and help make a stressful, emotional time much easier for everyone involved.

These DVDs are designed to help children of different ages understand and support their siblings on the autism spectrum. One DVD applies to siblings diagnosed with autism, and the other applies to siblings diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. Each DVD contains four programs; three for siblings of different ages and developmental levels, and one for their parents. The sibling programs are for children ages 4 to 7; ages 7 to 12 and ages 12 to adult. They explore a range of ways the kids interviewed have learned to get along with and enjoy their brothers and sisters. The DVDs also help parents understand the special needs of their neurotypical children. Overall, the members of 24 families were interviewed to create these unique videos.