What do you think?


Wired Different: A Neurodivergent Tale
In a post-human world where psychology has been banned, four robot students accidentally start a neurodivergence acceptance club...and spark a revolution.
Quirk never wanted friends. But when he discovers an old pink hoodie from the extinct human civilization, his world turns inside out. He stumbles into a group of robots like him: a nervous bot obsessed with human artifacts, a hyperactive giant who never stops talking, and a frantic bot plagued by sensory issues.
In a society that has outlawed all knowledge of psychology, these four have no words for what makes them different. They've never heard of autism, ADHD, anxiety, OCD, or sensory processing disorders. But together, they inadvertently create the Wired Different club-a safe space where being different doesn't mean being broken.
As their small support group grows, so does the backlash. More students find hope and community. More parents push back with fear and misinformation. And when the cost of ignorance becomes painfully clear, the club must decide: Is acceptance worth the fight?
A graphic novel about neurodivergence, belonging, and learning that different doesn't mean defective.
Perfect for:
School libraries and SEL curriculum (grades 5-10)
Counseling offices and support groups
Families with neurodivergent children
Readers who loved New Kid, Guts, El Deafo, and Smile
136 pages, full-color. Includes mental health resources, crisis hotlines, and glossary.
Content notes: Bullying, suicide, grief, parental conflict
Quirk never wanted friends. But when he discovers an old pink hoodie from the extinct human civilization, his world turns inside out. He stumbles into a group of robots like him: a nervous bot obsessed with human artifacts, a hyperactive giant who never stops talking, and a frantic bot plagued by sensory issues.
In a society that has outlawed all knowledge of psychology, these four have no words for what makes them different. They've never heard of autism, ADHD, anxiety, OCD, or sensory processing disorders. But together, they inadvertently create the Wired Different club-a safe space where being different doesn't mean being broken.
As their small support group grows, so does the backlash. More students find hope and community. More parents push back with fear and misinformation. And when the cost of ignorance becomes painfully clear, the club must decide: Is acceptance worth the fight?
A graphic novel about neurodivergence, belonging, and learning that different doesn't mean defective.
Perfect for:
School libraries and SEL curriculum (grades 5-10)
Counseling offices and support groups
Families with neurodivergent children
Readers who loved New Kid, Guts, El Deafo, and Smile
136 pages, full-color. Includes mental health resources, crisis hotlines, and glossary.
Content notes: Bullying, suicide, grief, parental conflict
136 pages, Graphic Novel
Published June 15, 2026
About the author
D.C. London
19 books5 followersD.C. London is an author and illustrator with ten published graphic novels for middle grade and young adult readers. He is the co-founder of Parliament Studios and Creative Director of the Emmy-nominated PBS television series START UP. A U.S. Army veteran who served in the 101st Airborne Division, London is a tireless advocate for veterans and works to help end veteran suicide. He is the father of three sons and lives in Michigan.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
June 21, 2026
A patient, empathetic graphic novel that will resonate with middle school readers who may be beginning to understand their own differences or coping mechanisms —or hoping to better understand classmates who may be struggling to fit in. The artwork is simple inviting cartoon work, and the pink hoodie serves as a wonderful symbol of comfort, identity, and belonging. Without giving anything away, the story takes some surprisingly heartbreaking turns that add real emotional weight to its message of acceptance and understanding, so be ready. Thoughtful, accessible, and ultimately hopeful, this would be an excellent addition to any school library.
June 2, 2026
What a spectacular reflection of neurodivergence and the isolation that can develop as a side effect. The metaphorical storytelling was extremely creative and presented heavy topics in such a lighthearted and educational manner. The illustrations and structure were so creative, allowing you to be completely immersed in the world of robots. I also commend the wordplay, such as "shift" or "switch" in place of curse words - it's an age appropriate element that adds comedic relief, as well.
Each character is extremely loveable and relatable in some way, finding comfort in one another after realizing they're unique but in similar ways was so touching. I adore the principal's character and feel that his position will teach readers that there is always an adult you can trust and confide in when you are feeling such heavy emotions. I highly recommend this book - to neurodivergent readers so they know they are not alone, and to neurotypical readers to better understand the internal struggles of many of their friends and peers! **I strongly advise reading trigger warnings prior to reading**
Each character is extremely loveable and relatable in some way, finding comfort in one another after realizing they're unique but in similar ways was so touching. I adore the principal's character and feel that his position will teach readers that there is always an adult you can trust and confide in when you are feeling such heavy emotions. I highly recommend this book - to neurodivergent readers so they know they are not alone, and to neurotypical readers to better understand the internal struggles of many of their friends and peers! **I strongly advise reading trigger warnings prior to reading**
May 26, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Parliament Publishing Group for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This comic was beautiful. This story follows a post-human world where robots act just how the humans used to. Just like humans, there are robots who feel they are not normal, or as they put it “wired differently.” There is a robot who is on the spectrum, one who has bipolar, two with ADHD, anxiety, PTSD, and many other diagnoses. The representation of all of these disorders was so well-written and easy to understand. The comic deals with real world issues that can help others who feel they are alone and suffering in silence.
I personally struggle with depression, anxiety, and ADHD, and I felt so seen and represented in this comic. This would be wonderful for middle grade (and adults) who are going through the same thing as these characters.
Although the intended audience was middle grade, as an adult, this made me tear up and touched me.
This comic was beautiful. This story follows a post-human world where robots act just how the humans used to. Just like humans, there are robots who feel they are not normal, or as they put it “wired differently.” There is a robot who is on the spectrum, one who has bipolar, two with ADHD, anxiety, PTSD, and many other diagnoses. The representation of all of these disorders was so well-written and easy to understand. The comic deals with real world issues that can help others who feel they are alone and suffering in silence.
I personally struggle with depression, anxiety, and ADHD, and I felt so seen and represented in this comic. This would be wonderful for middle grade (and adults) who are going through the same thing as these characters.
Although the intended audience was middle grade, as an adult, this made me tear up and touched me.
August 18, 2026
It's a future robot world, where Covid-30 has hit and wiped out the humans, even those in the 51st State of the Union. When a young robot finds his way into a human bunker, and purloins a hoodie that provided some kind of shell-like succour for the kid who once lived there, he's only visually exaggerating his own distaste for company, friendship and contact. But when it makes him stand out, it's proven that a lot of the school-robots are wired different(ly), and might want to stand out with him…
This proved a very successful, if unusual, look at neurodivergency. I certainly got it – that if humans are all weird and wacky and wonderful, then AI, being based on human intelligence, will ergo by default provide weird, wacky and wonderful characteristics for these robots. What I did not get the import of while reading, from my standpoint, was how the restrictions they faced on learning from old human knowledge were leaving them all undiagnosed, or mis-diagnosed. And very much in a position of threat from non-believing parent robots, and robots who take a very Trumpian line towards the MMR vaccine, among others.
There's a lot about this that, as it drops in and out of personal logs and specific individual case files, proves to be very much a 'disease of the week' effort. New character? Why, here's a new condition just sat waiting! But actually this is a lot more subtle than that, especially with the self-unaliving, or whatever the filter-caused neologism for it is this month. It asks everyone to be more inclusive, too, whether that be the 'standard' or the divergent character.
If anything is simplified (apart from the delightful visuals, unfussy and full of clarity and life and, er, humanity), it is the one-size-fits-all success of the club, where everyone can feel it right for them and everyone can feel OK with joining, which doesn't seem to me to be the reality of such things. But in much the same way a certain trash-moving robot helped a generation understand the need for tidier, less wasteful consumerism, so this collective of bots could certainly help many young readers gel with the differently-minded. Plus, finally, it's certainly one of those Mindful Books With An Issue that are actually fine fun to enjoy for pleasure. I think it all makes it as close to five stars as makes no divergence.
This proved a very successful, if unusual, look at neurodivergency. I certainly got it – that if humans are all weird and wacky and wonderful, then AI, being based on human intelligence, will ergo by default provide weird, wacky and wonderful characteristics for these robots. What I did not get the import of while reading, from my standpoint, was how the restrictions they faced on learning from old human knowledge were leaving them all undiagnosed, or mis-diagnosed. And very much in a position of threat from non-believing parent robots, and robots who take a very Trumpian line towards the MMR vaccine, among others.
There's a lot about this that, as it drops in and out of personal logs and specific individual case files, proves to be very much a 'disease of the week' effort. New character? Why, here's a new condition just sat waiting! But actually this is a lot more subtle than that, especially with the self-unaliving, or whatever the filter-caused neologism for it is this month. It asks everyone to be more inclusive, too, whether that be the 'standard' or the divergent character.
If anything is simplified (apart from the delightful visuals, unfussy and full of clarity and life and, er, humanity), it is the one-size-fits-all success of the club, where everyone can feel it right for them and everyone can feel OK with joining, which doesn't seem to me to be the reality of such things. But in much the same way a certain trash-moving robot helped a generation understand the need for tidier, less wasteful consumerism, so this collective of bots could certainly help many young readers gel with the differently-minded. Plus, finally, it's certainly one of those Mindful Books With An Issue that are actually fine fun to enjoy for pleasure. I think it all makes it as close to five stars as makes no divergence.
June 28, 2026
Die Graphic Novel sollte es unbedingt auch bei uns auf deutsch geben! Es ist ein emotionales und tiefgründiges Werk, das das Thema »Neurodivergenz« behandelt in einer SciFi-Welt, in der es nur Roboter gibt und Informationen von Menschen illegal sind. Den jungen Bots wird immer wieder eingeredet, dass sie kaputt sind, einfach faul oder sich zusammenreißen sollen.. Roboter haben zu funktionieren und sowas wie psychische Probleme gibt es da nicht, Punkt! Doch genau hier setzt die GN an.. denn genauso passiert es doch auch in unserer Gesellschaft. Viele leiden unter Autismus, ADHS, Angststörungen und mehr - oft ohne es selbst zu wissen. Meist kennen sie die Begriffe auch gar nicht erst oder kommen nicht auf die Idee, diesbezüglich nachzuforschen. Neurodivergenz hat so viele unterschiedliche Facetten und leider ist es heutzutage oft immer noch ein Tabuthema.. auch hier fehlt sehr oft die Akzeptanz und Hilfe, vor allem von den erwachsenen Bots. Bei einem läuft es leider darauf hinaus, dass er sich selbst »abschaltet« und daraufhin gerät alles weiter außer Kontrolle.
Die Graphic Novel spiegelt wunderbar unsere aktuelle Gesellschaft wider und zeigt, wie man am besten damit umgehen sollte. Aufklärung und Beistand, schon in der Schule! Und dass ein jeder es absolut wert ist, auf dieser Welt zu wandeln! 🫶 Mich hat's sehr tief getroffen und daher hoffe ich, dass der Titel es sich zu uns schafft. Meiner Meinung nach wäre es definitiv ein Thema, das viel mehr Aufmerksamkeit erhalten sollte und das schon möglichst früh im Leben.
Die Graphic Novel spiegelt wunderbar unsere aktuelle Gesellschaft wider und zeigt, wie man am besten damit umgehen sollte. Aufklärung und Beistand, schon in der Schule! Und dass ein jeder es absolut wert ist, auf dieser Welt zu wandeln! 🫶 Mich hat's sehr tief getroffen und daher hoffe ich, dass der Titel es sich zu uns schafft. Meiner Meinung nach wäre es definitiv ein Thema, das viel mehr Aufmerksamkeit erhalten sollte und das schon möglichst früh im Leben.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Today is #review day!🥰
From me, #wireddifferent by D.C.London gets 5⭐! 🥳
First of all, I want to thank NetGalley and Parliament Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for a honest review!
General info: a graphic novel about young robots discovering that being different doesn't mean they are broken; a story perfect for the middle graders / young adults in your life that might need a little encouraging and support ; neurodivergence rep and careful discussions of sensitive topics;
CW: bullying, parental conflict, suicide (off-page), grief
BOOK THOUGHTS
So…lately I've been #reading more and more graphic novels, and when I saw the cover for this one🤩…I immediately knew I had to read it!😆
As you can see from the CW, the subject is difficult and needs extra care, and I'm very happy to say that D.C.London knew what they were doing.😌
As per the introduction, the world you're seeing it's one ruled by robots, where humanity has long died out. Everything related to us, even useful information like mental health knowledge, has been banned. That has repercussions in this new society where robots have developed a similar psychology to us, and Quirk, Glitch, Fidget and Trig feel them very acutely. 🥺
I really, really loved this one! It's perfect for the intended audience to read it by themselves or with a parent/ guardian. I think that we really need more such #books and that people , worryingly, tend to either dismiss the difficulties neurodivergent people face daily or downplay them, especially when it comes to children.
The formative years are the most important in someone's life, and positive messages like this graphic novel DO have an enormous impact!☺️
Back to the book…I loved the art ( though I'm not picky in that department😅), the pacing was perfect and the information spread throughout the pages was well done!.
The robots's shapes and sizes feel like a deliberate choice for readers to connect with them! We have symbolism ( like with Glitch who's egg-like and is very fragile mentally…>..>..like an egg🤭), and a little irony ( Trig has a bell torso😶) baked into the designs.
The school setting was well-done, felt very immersive and I really enjoyed how great a role it played in our story.In fact, from the first moment we see Quirk discovering the hoddie, you get the feel for the rest of the story.
The plot is tight (expected for this format), but not rushed or half-baked! It gives you just enough to connect with the MCs and understand every situation they face, without lingering over them uselessly.
The author included not only the children's experiences, but also positive and negative approaches to them. We have various responses from teachers, other kids, the headmaster ( who's a dear) and from parents! But they didn't stop there! They actually gave a realistic solution for the protagonists to find not only help and understanding from others, but also friendship! All this is accompanied by actual information on the disorders that is very well integrated with the plot.
Loved that we got to see how someone with a neurodivergence ( or simply different) is treated by others…the bullying, the unfair anger or annoyance people have with them, the excuses others make and how lonely everything feels at times…all beautifully drawn.🥺 But fear not! This isn't all dark and gloomy! We see budding friendships, people trying, we see change and complexity where we initially only saw bad intentions, and this elevates the whole story!🤩
I really hope this little book has many readers, and , even if it has a darker, more serious topic, I believe seeing an anxious child with OCD and depression trying to make a friend will give them a push in the right direction. ( and yes…my favorite is Glitch 🤭..his role and perspective is extremely important!)
Side note: I also liked the subtle irony regarding people who don't believe that mental health should be taken seriously!😁…iykyk😏
Now…the elephant in the room…the suicide😢.
As I said…all CW are treated with utmost care, this not being any different...especially with the personal connection the author has with it.😔
It's not graphic, not done to manipulate the reader emotionally, or be a shock factor…it's making a point that it can very well be someone's reality, while also addressing how the people left behind may start processing this unfortunate outcome.
Overall, I highly recommend everyone pick this one up! I bet you can find something to appreciate about it, and who knows…maybe someone in your life may benefit from you reading it!
From me, #wireddifferent by D.C.London gets 5⭐! 🥳
First of all, I want to thank NetGalley and Parliament Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for a honest review!
General info: a graphic novel about young robots discovering that being different doesn't mean they are broken; a story perfect for the middle graders / young adults in your life that might need a little encouraging and support ; neurodivergence rep and careful discussions of sensitive topics;
CW: bullying, parental conflict, suicide (off-page), grief
BOOK THOUGHTS
So…lately I've been #reading more and more graphic novels, and when I saw the cover for this one🤩…I immediately knew I had to read it!😆
As you can see from the CW, the subject is difficult and needs extra care, and I'm very happy to say that D.C.London knew what they were doing.😌
As per the introduction, the world you're seeing it's one ruled by robots, where humanity has long died out. Everything related to us, even useful information like mental health knowledge, has been banned. That has repercussions in this new society where robots have developed a similar psychology to us, and Quirk, Glitch, Fidget and Trig feel them very acutely. 🥺
I really, really loved this one! It's perfect for the intended audience to read it by themselves or with a parent/ guardian. I think that we really need more such #books and that people , worryingly, tend to either dismiss the difficulties neurodivergent people face daily or downplay them, especially when it comes to children.
The formative years are the most important in someone's life, and positive messages like this graphic novel DO have an enormous impact!☺️
Back to the book…I loved the art ( though I'm not picky in that department😅), the pacing was perfect and the information spread throughout the pages was well done!.
The robots's shapes and sizes feel like a deliberate choice for readers to connect with them! We have symbolism ( like with Glitch who's egg-like and is very fragile mentally…>..>..like an egg🤭), and a little irony ( Trig has a bell torso😶) baked into the designs.
The school setting was well-done, felt very immersive and I really enjoyed how great a role it played in our story.In fact, from the first moment we see Quirk discovering the hoddie, you get the feel for the rest of the story.
The plot is tight (expected for this format), but not rushed or half-baked! It gives you just enough to connect with the MCs and understand every situation they face, without lingering over them uselessly.
The author included not only the children's experiences, but also positive and negative approaches to them. We have various responses from teachers, other kids, the headmaster ( who's a dear) and from parents! But they didn't stop there! They actually gave a realistic solution for the protagonists to find not only help and understanding from others, but also friendship! All this is accompanied by actual information on the disorders that is very well integrated with the plot.
Loved that we got to see how someone with a neurodivergence ( or simply different) is treated by others…the bullying, the unfair anger or annoyance people have with them, the excuses others make and how lonely everything feels at times…all beautifully drawn.🥺 But fear not! This isn't all dark and gloomy! We see budding friendships, people trying, we see change and complexity where we initially only saw bad intentions, and this elevates the whole story!🤩
I really hope this little book has many readers, and , even if it has a darker, more serious topic, I believe seeing an anxious child with OCD and depression trying to make a friend will give them a push in the right direction. ( and yes…my favorite is Glitch 🤭..his role and perspective is extremely important!)
Side note: I also liked the subtle irony regarding people who don't believe that mental health should be taken seriously!😁…iykyk😏
Now…the elephant in the room…the suicide😢.
As I said…all CW are treated with utmost care, this not being any different...especially with the personal connection the author has with it.😔
It's not graphic, not done to manipulate the reader emotionally, or be a shock factor…it's making a point that it can very well be someone's reality, while also addressing how the people left behind may start processing this unfortunate outcome.
Overall, I highly recommend everyone pick this one up! I bet you can find something to appreciate about it, and who knows…maybe someone in your life may benefit from you reading it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
We follow a group of robots in this book. They are all struggling in some way with being different. They form a club at their high school for anyone who feels this way. It is an exploration of different kinds of mental health/neurodivergence and friendship and support.
I am a neurodivergent adult and I did find that I related to some of these characters although they are each a very textbook representation of what their diagnosis would be. Although in real life most people have more nuance, I think it does make sense in a kid's book that is introducing mental health topics to stick to a more basic portrayal. I did think it was both didactic and enjoyable but that it leaned too much on the didactic at times.
I did love these characters, especially the main group of 4. I love that they started so separate but learned how to support each other. I love that there was a portrayal of a supportive adult.
I think the fact that I was so connected to them(and maybe felt represented by them) is what made part of it so devastating. The author does give a trigger warning of suicide at the start of the book. Please heed this warning. I am not a person that is triggered often but I really struggled with this part of the book. I understand why it was included. It's important to have these conversations with everyone. But is was still so hard to read. I put off writing this review because just thinking about it still makes me cry.
I'm giving it 4 stars because I have mixed feelings about it. There may be a time where I change it 5 stars. It has definitely left its mark on me. But I still would have liked it to be a better mix of story and educational.
one tiny note: I am a huge baseball fan and I love that baseball was included, even though it was a very small mention! ❤️
We follow a group of robots in this book. They are all struggling in some way with being different. They form a club at their high school for anyone who feels this way. It is an exploration of different kinds of mental health/neurodivergence and friendship and support.
I am a neurodivergent adult and I did find that I related to some of these characters although they are each a very textbook representation of what their diagnosis would be. Although in real life most people have more nuance, I think it does make sense in a kid's book that is introducing mental health topics to stick to a more basic portrayal. I did think it was both didactic and enjoyable but that it leaned too much on the didactic at times.
I did love these characters, especially the main group of 4. I love that they started so separate but learned how to support each other. I love that there was a portrayal of a supportive adult.
I think the fact that I was so connected to them(and maybe felt represented by them) is what made part of it so devastating. The author does give a trigger warning of suicide at the start of the book. Please heed this warning. I am not a person that is triggered often but I really struggled with this part of the book. I understand why it was included. It's important to have these conversations with everyone. But is was still so hard to read. I put off writing this review because just thinking about it still makes me cry.
I'm giving it 4 stars because I have mixed feelings about it. There may be a time where I change it 5 stars. It has definitely left its mark on me. But I still would have liked it to be a better mix of story and educational.
one tiny note: I am a huge baseball fan and I love that baseball was included, even though it was a very small mention! ❤️
July 6, 2026
4.25
This little book was a lot heavier than I was expecting. I legit had to take a week break before starting and ending it because the opening triggered me so badly. I even talked about it in therapy this past week. So, warning if you have Long Covid, or have lost someone to Covid, the first 10-15 pages may be a lot. Other TWs are covered in the intro, but most people don't think about those of us who are still living day in and day out with the effects of Covid.
Tbh, that's my only real critique of this book. I think it's a wonderful way to introduce middle and high school kids to neurodivergence, whether they need to understand their classmates or themselves. As someone who didn't receive my neurodivergent diagnosis until my mid-30s, I wish I'd had a book like this growing up. I probably would have gotten help sooner.
I really like that London emphasizes to the readers in his outro not to self diagnose and to get the appropriate testing and help. Overall, he does a great job between the text and illustrations of showing the complexity and diverse range of neurodiversities and some other related mental health issues. I'm interested to see if this becomes a series or remains a stand-alone book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Parliament Publishing Group/Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) for access to this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
This little book was a lot heavier than I was expecting. I legit had to take a week break before starting and ending it because the opening triggered me so badly. I even talked about it in therapy this past week. So, warning if you have Long Covid, or have lost someone to Covid, the first 10-15 pages may be a lot. Other TWs are covered in the intro, but most people don't think about those of us who are still living day in and day out with the effects of Covid.
Tbh, that's my only real critique of this book. I think it's a wonderful way to introduce middle and high school kids to neurodivergence, whether they need to understand their classmates or themselves. As someone who didn't receive my neurodivergent diagnosis until my mid-30s, I wish I'd had a book like this growing up. I probably would have gotten help sooner.
I really like that London emphasizes to the readers in his outro not to self diagnose and to get the appropriate testing and help. Overall, he does a great job between the text and illustrations of showing the complexity and diverse range of neurodiversities and some other related mental health issues. I'm interested to see if this becomes a series or remains a stand-alone book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Parliament Publishing Group/Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) for access to this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 7, 2026
Ahh this book is so good! Bittersweet but very good!
Sci-fi with dystopia vibes but it's robots that survived, not human. Along the time, the robots' processors evolved and created different types of robots that 'wired different' or "wired differently" if it was up to Fidget. IYKYK.
Ironically, even the 'nowadays humans' still think like some of the bots' parents in this book. Labeling kids lazy just because they are different. This book is actually kinda a slap in the face for modern day people that refuse to acknowledge the existence of mental disorders.
I said bittersweet because it needed something very sad to make the bots in this book to finally accept that some of them indeed "wired differently". Please check trigger warnings before you read this graphic novels.
I loved that almost every mental disorders were discussed in this book. And how the explanations about each one were easy to understand. I would definitely recommend this book to my son when he is older. In 1 or 2 years for now maybe. He is only 5 years old now.
The illustrations were so good. Each character had their own signature(s) which perfectly fit their personalities.
Thank you to D.C. London, Parliament Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the ARC.
Sci-fi with dystopia vibes but it's robots that survived, not human. Along the time, the robots' processors evolved and created different types of robots that 'wired different' or "wired differently" if it was up to Fidget. IYKYK.
Ironically, even the 'nowadays humans' still think like some of the bots' parents in this book. Labeling kids lazy just because they are different. This book is actually kinda a slap in the face for modern day people that refuse to acknowledge the existence of mental disorders.
I said bittersweet because it needed something very sad to make the bots in this book to finally accept that some of them indeed "wired differently". Please check trigger warnings before you read this graphic novels.
I loved that almost every mental disorders were discussed in this book. And how the explanations about each one were easy to understand. I would definitely recommend this book to my son when he is older. In 1 or 2 years for now maybe. He is only 5 years old now.
The illustrations were so good. Each character had their own signature(s) which perfectly fit their personalities.
Thank you to D.C. London, Parliament Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the ARC.
June 18, 2026
I was fortunate enough to get an advance copy of this book. It is very thoughtfully written and expertly illustrated by the author. It addresses numerous common misconceptions about people who are neurodivergent and oddly enough uses robots to humanize the approach to having serious discussions about various neurodivergent behaviors.
I think the book rightly shows that these kids are normal, awkward and just as confused as any other teen dealing with making friends, the pressures of school and perceptions that they can’t control. It also shows kids that it is not a dead end street and that neurodivergent kids can grow up to be successful, contributing neurodivergent adults. It doesn’t have to be the one thing that defines you, it’s just one color on the palette.
I think this is a must read for any neurodivergent kid, friend or family member of one. I have it on good authority that there will be more books in this series, and I look forward to reading them as soon as they are available!
I think the book rightly shows that these kids are normal, awkward and just as confused as any other teen dealing with making friends, the pressures of school and perceptions that they can’t control. It also shows kids that it is not a dead end street and that neurodivergent kids can grow up to be successful, contributing neurodivergent adults. It doesn’t have to be the one thing that defines you, it’s just one color on the palette.
I think this is a must read for any neurodivergent kid, friend or family member of one. I have it on good authority that there will be more books in this series, and I look forward to reading them as soon as they are available!
August 18, 2026
I really enjoyed this and think it will do a world of difference for middle school and young adult readers. This is a graphic novel set in a post-human world where robots are living similarly as humans did but human knowledge is off limits.
It isn't until one of these robots finds a bunker and the remains of a human who talks about being autistic that the robot realizes that that's what he is too. It then becomes this really charming story of this group of kids getting together who all realize they have different nuerodivergences and they are wired differently. There is a lot of different representation in this including but not limited to autistic, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, bipolar, depression, anxiety and more.
It isn't until one of these robots finds a bunker and the remains of a human who talks about being autistic that the robot realizes that that's what he is too. It then becomes this really charming story of this group of kids getting together who all realize they have different nuerodivergences and they are wired differently. There is a lot of different representation in this including but not limited to autistic, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, bipolar, depression, anxiety and more.
September 4, 2026
This is a story set in a world where only robots live. Humanity is extinct (no surprises there) but robot society struggles with difference and acceptance of others.
Quirk is very different to most of the robots in his school but he comes across others like him who don’t fit and they inadvertently form a club for robots who are weird and different. The young robots find that they have to seek change and full inclusion and acceptance. The book is innovative in the way it seeks to explore neurodivergence, belonging, and inclusion.
It is a great story with excellent artwork and I enjoyed reading it. This is one for everybody.
Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
Quirk is very different to most of the robots in his school but he comes across others like him who don’t fit and they inadvertently form a club for robots who are weird and different. The young robots find that they have to seek change and full inclusion and acceptance. The book is innovative in the way it seeks to explore neurodivergence, belonging, and inclusion.
It is a great story with excellent artwork and I enjoyed reading it. This is one for everybody.
Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
June 23, 2026
I am not the target audience for this book.
I wish I were at the age where I would have been, but also that this book had already existed for me then.
The artwork is amazing throughout the book, the characters are very relatable, (Too relatable in some caes!) and while the plot of this first book isn't unusually deep, "Wired Different" still tells a very important story that all kids of the Young Adult demographic could stand to learn, whether they have "Noodle Vengance" in them or not.
I'm about to hand this book off to my children, and I cant wait for Book 2.
I wish I were at the age where I would have been, but also that this book had already existed for me then.
The artwork is amazing throughout the book, the characters are very relatable, (Too relatable in some caes!) and while the plot of this first book isn't unusually deep, "Wired Different" still tells a very important story that all kids of the Young Adult demographic could stand to learn, whether they have "Noodle Vengance" in them or not.
I'm about to hand this book off to my children, and I cant wait for Book 2.
July 2, 2026
I absolutely loved this graphic novel. It was a beautiful story, underpinned by an important message for the perceived future we are creating. The characters that London has created are endearing and personable. Their growth and understanding of each other is heart-warming. It was just like a giant hug and I savoured every page.
June 28, 2026
The author has created endearing characters who carry this accessible story with heart and hope. I cannot wait for more in this series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book depicted many forms of neurodivergence well. I liked that it included how the characters were feeling about what was going on with them and it also gave a more clinical viewpoint. This book is great reminder to every one out there that we aren’t broken, we’re just wired different(ly)
Thank you NetGalley and Parliament Publishing Group | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles.
Thank you NetGalley and Parliament Publishing Group | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wired Different is an intense and emotional graphic novel. It explores neurodivergence in a unique way because, yes, all of the main characters are robots.
The messages this story delivers definitely leave you with a lot to reflect on. Through its characters and their experiences, it reminds us that there is no single "right" way to think, feel, or exist.
And in the end, I’m left with one simple thought: yes, we are all wired different(ly), and that’s perfectly okay.
The messages this story delivers definitely leave you with a lot to reflect on. Through its characters and their experiences, it reminds us that there is no single "right" way to think, feel, or exist.
And in the end, I’m left with one simple thought: yes, we are all wired different(ly), and that’s perfectly okay.
May 26, 2026
four robots accidentally start a revolution. by forming a support group. 🤖💛
quirk: never wanted friends. finds an old human hoodie. world tilts sideways. 👀
meets three other bots like him —
artifact-obsessed nervous bot. talks-nonstop hyperactive giant. sensory-overwhelmed frantic bot. 🔌
psychology is banned in this world.
none of them have words for what they are.
no autism. no ADHD. no anxiety. no OCD. no language for any of it. 😶
so they make their own space. 🌟
wired different club — where different doesn't mean broken.
the club grows.
the backlash grows faster. 😤
parents push fear. misinformation spreads.
is acceptance worth fighting for? 🔥
Wired Different(ly) casts robots in a post-human world as stand-ins for neurodivergence, and somehow it just clicks. Each bot is built differently, navigating a world made for one "standard model" — ADHD, autism, dyslexia, bipolar disorder, misophonia, anxiety, depression, PTSD all get a character, and none of it feels like a lecture in disguise.
The plot is simple, and that's by design. This book isn't trying to out-twist anyone — it's trying to look a neurodivergent kid in the eye and say you're not broken, you're not alone. That takes heart, not plot armor.
The bullying scenes hit hardest: quiet, ordinary, the kind nobody calls out. Heavier topics (family strain, suicide) get real care here, sad but never hopeless.
The glossary alone makes this worth keeping on the shelf.
quirk: never wanted friends. finds an old human hoodie. world tilts sideways. 👀
meets three other bots like him —
artifact-obsessed nervous bot. talks-nonstop hyperactive giant. sensory-overwhelmed frantic bot. 🔌
psychology is banned in this world.
none of them have words for what they are.
no autism. no ADHD. no anxiety. no OCD. no language for any of it. 😶
so they make their own space. 🌟
wired different club — where different doesn't mean broken.
the club grows.
the backlash grows faster. 😤
parents push fear. misinformation spreads.
is acceptance worth fighting for? 🔥
Wired Different(ly) casts robots in a post-human world as stand-ins for neurodivergence, and somehow it just clicks. Each bot is built differently, navigating a world made for one "standard model" — ADHD, autism, dyslexia, bipolar disorder, misophonia, anxiety, depression, PTSD all get a character, and none of it feels like a lecture in disguise.
The plot is simple, and that's by design. This book isn't trying to out-twist anyone — it's trying to look a neurodivergent kid in the eye and say you're not broken, you're not alone. That takes heart, not plot armor.
The bullying scenes hit hardest: quiet, ordinary, the kind nobody calls out. Heavier topics (family strain, suicide) get real care here, sad but never hopeless.
The glossary alone makes this worth keeping on the shelf.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for this eArc!!
3.25 stars.
This graphic novel is a unique depiction of neurodiversity and I think will be great for teaching younger audiences on the topic. I liked the writing style and the artwork!
3.25 stars.
This graphic novel is a unique depiction of neurodiversity and I think will be great for teaching younger audiences on the topic. I liked the writing style and the artwork!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This graphic novel was different then what I was expecting it to be. Basically its about a group of "different robots" in school that decide to start a group called "wired different" It's about a group that is accepting no matter what may be different with you. When a new robot joins and his mom flips her lid. Everything changes. Life is precious and you should grow into your differences not be shunned away from them.
May 15, 2026
I received this book through NetGalley.
This is a graphic novel intended for middle-school-aged children. It is decidedly not for young children, based on subject matter (I would recommend paying attention to the disclaimer at the start of the book), but it doesn't assume that the reader knows much of anything about neurodivergence. Having discovered my own neurodivergence late in life, that is a fairly safe assumption, since people don't know much about it, myself included up until a little over a year ago. This goes over the basics, covering a lot of different kinds of neurodivergent experiences, though each one is covered independently, not covering that they often occur together.
The story features robots, which is a bit of a weird choice, but I think it is meant to make the material more engaging to children because of the novelty, and to use the titular metaphor more easily. It is also a method for explaining why the information is actually restricted, and not just generally unknown.
The characters' actions are generally pretty real, apart from the principal being a bit more heroic than I expect most principals would be in real life, including, unfortunately, a very unsupportive parent (because apparently robots have parents... it works if you don't think about it too hard. Neurodivergent people are known for not thinking about things too much, naturally /s). I might have preferred if the single female main character didn't end up in a suggested relationship with the first male main character at the end (suggested by holding hands). The gender-styling itself is a bit odd now that I think about it, but with it as a given, having more female-coded characters might have helped that not undermining the story a bit.
Overall, this book is not without issues, but it does a good job on its main point, which is helping the reader to learn about the basics of symptoms and varieties of neurodivergence, and understanding that they are a different way to be, and not being broken.
This is a graphic novel intended for middle-school-aged children. It is decidedly not for young children, based on subject matter (I would recommend paying attention to the disclaimer at the start of the book), but it doesn't assume that the reader knows much of anything about neurodivergence. Having discovered my own neurodivergence late in life, that is a fairly safe assumption, since people don't know much about it, myself included up until a little over a year ago. This goes over the basics, covering a lot of different kinds of neurodivergent experiences, though each one is covered independently, not covering that they often occur together.
The story features robots, which is a bit of a weird choice, but I think it is meant to make the material more engaging to children because of the novelty, and to use the titular metaphor more easily. It is also a method for explaining why the information is actually restricted, and not just generally unknown.
The characters' actions are generally pretty real, apart from the principal being a bit more heroic than I expect most principals would be in real life, including, unfortunately, a very unsupportive parent (because apparently robots have parents... it works if you don't think about it too hard. Neurodivergent people are known for not thinking about things too much, naturally /s). I might have preferred if the single female main character didn't end up in a suggested relationship with the first male main character at the end (suggested by holding hands). The gender-styling itself is a bit odd now that I think about it, but with it as a given, having more female-coded characters might have helped that not undermining the story a bit.
Overall, this book is not without issues, but it does a good job on its main point, which is helping the reader to learn about the basics of symptoms and varieties of neurodivergence, and understanding that they are a different way to be, and not being broken.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Since the dawn of computers, humans have attempted to create artificial intelligence. Our films and novels are full of tragic warnings about general artificial intelligence, often ending in AI-driven robots taking over and wiping out humanity. But what if training AI with human speech, human behavior, and human intelligence inadvertently creates a system where robots have the same psychological issues that we humans do? Since we can't even agree on a definition of what human intelligence is, why would we assume artificial intelligence would be any better if it's based on our own?
Overall, this is a good book with great representation and a super interesting premise, but it did fall a bit flat for me. I wish we had a bit more worldbuilding, especially about why everything to do with humans is so taboo/illegal when those robots don't even reject the social norms surrounding gender or nuclear families. I loved the character pages that went into more details about those specific characters' conditions and how they manifest for them; but in the story itself, the introduction of all of these different neurodivergences sometimes felt a bit inorganic.
thank you to netgalley + parliament publishing group for this advanced review copy ◡̈
Overall, this is a good book with great representation and a super interesting premise, but it did fall a bit flat for me. I wish we had a bit more worldbuilding, especially about why everything to do with humans is so taboo/illegal when those robots don't even reject the social norms surrounding gender or nuclear families. I loved the character pages that went into more details about those specific characters' conditions and how they manifest for them; but in the story itself, the introduction of all of these different neurodivergences sometimes felt a bit inorganic.
thank you to netgalley + parliament publishing group for this advanced review copy ◡̈
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75
August 4, 2026
Trigger warnings for Wired Different include: discussions around mental health & neurodivergent conditions; as well as discussions around suicide & grief.
☆
☆
I really enjoyed the way the character profiles were set out. It felt very unique and honestly perhaps gave me more information than I might have obtained from a prose novel.
~
I liked the way Quirk used the hoodie. It felt very genuine to the way neurodivergent humans use them, or at least how I use them.
~
It was also nice to see a diverse range of conditions shown throughout the story. As well as the very human response to grief and loss, especially within a school community, where it can sometimes be felt more intensely.
~
The parental reactions to their acceptance club felt a little too real at times. It felt reminiscent of the way parts of society react to LGBTQ+ clubs and people, which I wasn't expecting.
•
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC copy of this book.
☆
☆
I really enjoyed the way the character profiles were set out. It felt very unique and honestly perhaps gave me more information than I might have obtained from a prose novel.
~
I liked the way Quirk used the hoodie. It felt very genuine to the way neurodivergent humans use them, or at least how I use them.
~
It was also nice to see a diverse range of conditions shown throughout the story. As well as the very human response to grief and loss, especially within a school community, where it can sometimes be felt more intensely.
~
The parental reactions to their acceptance club felt a little too real at times. It felt reminiscent of the way parts of society react to LGBTQ+ clubs and people, which I wasn't expecting.
•
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“We’re all different, not broken”
as someone who grew up feeling like there was something inherently wrong with them, only to find out at age 24 that i was autistic and had ADHD, i found this really resonated with me!
the story was very heartwarming and did a good job showing the different types of neurodivergence and i enjoyed the cast of characters.
i honestly wish this had been around when i was a teenager because i feel like it would have helped me a lot and given me comfort knowing i wasn’t alone in my experiences and the way i was feeling. i really hope this makes it’s way into the hands of some neurodivergent young people and helps them to feel less alone!
thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for sending me this arc in exchange for an honest review
as someone who grew up feeling like there was something inherently wrong with them, only to find out at age 24 that i was autistic and had ADHD, i found this really resonated with me!
the story was very heartwarming and did a good job showing the different types of neurodivergence and i enjoyed the cast of characters.
i honestly wish this had been around when i was a teenager because i feel like it would have helped me a lot and given me comfort knowing i wasn’t alone in my experiences and the way i was feeling. i really hope this makes it’s way into the hands of some neurodivergent young people and helps them to feel less alone!
thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for sending me this arc in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I'll say this first: I wish I had this book when I was a kid.
Wired Different(ly) uses robots in a post-human world as a metaphor for neurodivergence, and honestly it works better than it has any right to. Different robots are wired differently and the story follows them navigating a world that was designed for a "standard model" that most of them don't fit. ADHD, autism, dyslexia, bipolar disorder, misophonia, anxiety... the book covers a lot of ground without ever feeling like a textbook, this doesn't feel like a lesson. It feels like a story that happens to make you understand things better.
The plot itself is pretty straightforward. It's not going to blow anyone's mind with twists or reinvent the graphic novel format. And that's fine, because that's not what this book is trying to do. What it IS trying to do is look a neurodivergent kid in the eye and say: you're not broken. You're not alone. Your feelings are valid. And for that? It doesn't need a complicated plot. It needs heart, and it has plenty.
Where the book really got me was the bullying scenes. They're not overdone or dramatic for the sake of drama. They're quiet and realistic in a way that honestly made my stomach turn, because I recognized them. The casual cruelty, the exclusion that nobody calls out, the moment where a character just... stops trying. If you've been the weird kid (hi, that was me, that IS me), you know exactly what those panels feel like. And the book doesn't shy away from the darker consequences either.
I docked a star because some of the secondary characters feel a bit thin, and there are moments where the dialogue gets a little after-school-special. But book does something really important: it gives neurodivergent kids a mirror, and it gives neurotypical kids a window. Both of those things matter a lot.
If you're a parent, a teacher, or just someone who wants to understand what it's like to move through the world with a brain that doesn't come with the standard manual, read this. Give it to your kids. Give it to their friends. Give it to that one family member who still thinks ADHD means "just try harder." Four stars and a lot of gratitude for books like this existing.
TW: bullying, suicide, Social isolation
I'll say this first: I wish I had this book when I was a kid.
Wired Different(ly) uses robots in a post-human world as a metaphor for neurodivergence, and honestly it works better than it has any right to. Different robots are wired differently and the story follows them navigating a world that was designed for a "standard model" that most of them don't fit. ADHD, autism, dyslexia, bipolar disorder, misophonia, anxiety... the book covers a lot of ground without ever feeling like a textbook, this doesn't feel like a lesson. It feels like a story that happens to make you understand things better.
The plot itself is pretty straightforward. It's not going to blow anyone's mind with twists or reinvent the graphic novel format. And that's fine, because that's not what this book is trying to do. What it IS trying to do is look a neurodivergent kid in the eye and say: you're not broken. You're not alone. Your feelings are valid. And for that? It doesn't need a complicated plot. It needs heart, and it has plenty.
Where the book really got me was the bullying scenes. They're not overdone or dramatic for the sake of drama. They're quiet and realistic in a way that honestly made my stomach turn, because I recognized them. The casual cruelty, the exclusion that nobody calls out, the moment where a character just... stops trying. If you've been the weird kid (hi, that was me, that IS me), you know exactly what those panels feel like. And the book doesn't shy away from the darker consequences either.
I docked a star because some of the secondary characters feel a bit thin, and there are moments where the dialogue gets a little after-school-special. But book does something really important: it gives neurodivergent kids a mirror, and it gives neurotypical kids a window. Both of those things matter a lot.
If you're a parent, a teacher, or just someone who wants to understand what it's like to move through the world with a brain that doesn't come with the standard manual, read this. Give it to your kids. Give it to their friends. Give it to that one family member who still thinks ADHD means "just try harder." Four stars and a lot of gratitude for books like this existing.
TW: bullying, suicide, Social isolation
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC
Loved this! First of, the drawings were absolutely beautiful. Loved all the colours and all the details. The graphic novel was set up very well. I think it was great that we had the story and in between a little character chart. The story itself was very well done. I liked all the themes a lot. The information that was given about all the wiredly different people was clear and easy to understand. I think this is a great graphic novel for every teenager. Highly recommend!
Loved this! First of, the drawings were absolutely beautiful. Loved all the colours and all the details. The graphic novel was set up very well. I think it was great that we had the story and in between a little character chart. The story itself was very well done. I liked all the themes a lot. The information that was given about all the wiredly different people was clear and easy to understand. I think this is a great graphic novel for every teenager. Highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I think this book will be useful for some neurodivergent teens who are new to their diagnoses or haven't found like-minded people yet, but I personally did not find use in it. 3/5 ★
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you, NetGalley and the publishers for an eARC of this book.
Pros:
-Great message about acceptance
-Very informative about neurodivergent individuals and mental disorders
-Character designs are unique.
Meh:
-The artwork was okay. Backgrounds varied from technically detailed to literally nothing.
-I had so many questions about the robots. They age? They change with age? I know we wanted to remove humans from the message, but I struggled with not having the background of how this robot society began.
-The font is difficult to read. For a book about acceptance, I'd like to see a dyslexia-friendly font.
I would recommend this to a neurodivergent student for the message.
Pros:
-Great message about acceptance
-Very informative about neurodivergent individuals and mental disorders
-Character designs are unique.
Meh:
-The artwork was okay. Backgrounds varied from technically detailed to literally nothing.
-I had so many questions about the robots. They age? They change with age? I know we wanted to remove humans from the message, but I struggled with not having the background of how this robot society began.
-The font is difficult to read. For a book about acceptance, I'd like to see a dyslexia-friendly font.
I would recommend this to a neurodivergent student for the message.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
OMC, this is such a powerful graphic novel about neurodivergence and mental health! I started tearing up towards the middle. It's a beautiful story of being different and finding your community.
I wish I'd been able to read something like this in high school. I'm going to have my kids read this.
Thank you to Parliament Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review.
Content warning for abusive parent, suicide, and bullying.
I wish I'd been able to read something like this in high school. I'm going to have my kids read this.
Thank you to Parliament Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review.
Content warning for abusive parent, suicide, and bullying.
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