Books About Afghanistan

The Best Afghanistan Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about afghanistan? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Afghanistan

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2010

Shadow

By Michael Morpurgo

A boy's quest to reunite with his lost dog amidst war and captivity.

FCBG Children’s Book Award (2011)

192 pages· 29,021 words· Est. 3 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 9,419 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In war-torn Afghanistan, Aman clings to hope through his loyal dog, Shadow. Fleeing to England, Aman faces heartbreak when Shadow disappears. Now imprisoned, his only hope lies with a classmate, Matt, and the dream of finding his lost companion. Can friendship and determination overcome the barriers of war and separation?

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2012

Semper Fido

By C. Alexander London · Book #1 in the Dog Tags series

A Marine and his playful dog must bond to survive war's dangers.

224 pages· 41,078 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 606 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Gus Dempsey, a new Marine Corps recruit, is confident in his dog-handling skills. But his partner, Loki, is more playful pet than disciplined bomb-sniffer. As they deploy to Afghanistan, Gus and Loki must forge an unbreakable bond to navigate the perils of war. Can they transform their unlikely partnership into a life-saving alliance, or will their differences put them in danger? In a world where trust is crucial, their survival depends on learning to work together.

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2009

Nasreen's Secret School

By Jeanette Winter

A silent girl in Afghanistan finds hope in a secret school.

Jane Addams Children's Book Award (2010)

40 pages· 563 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,091 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In Afghanistan, young Nasreen hasn't spoken since her parents vanished. Her grandmother, desperate to help, enrolls her in a secret school for girls. Can a caring teacher, a new friend, and the magic of books bring Nasreen back to life? This true story explores the transformative power of education and love.

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

The Library Bus

By Bahram Rahman, Gabrielle Grimard (Illustrator)

A young girl helps her mother bring books to villages where girls were once forbidden to learn.

32 pages

4.2/5 Goodreads · 649 ratings

$18.95Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In the early morning of Kabul, Pari embarks on her first journey as her mother's library bus helper. As they visit villages and refugee camps, Pari hands out notebooks to girls learning English, while she dreams of her own education. Once, girls like her were denied the chance to read. Now, Pari stands at the brink of a new future, where literacy and hope are within reach. Will she find the courage to embrace her own path to knowledge?

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 12–+ · 2015

The Edge

Book #2 in the Peak series

A teen climber must rescue his mother from captors in the Hindu Kush Mountains.

240 pages· 55,904 words· Est. 6 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,762 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Fifteen-year-old Peak Marcello faces his toughest climb yet when his mother is kidnapped during a high-stakes expedition in the Hindu Kush Mountains. As part of a global team filming a peace documentary, Peak's mission turns perilous when the camp is attacked. With his mother's life hanging in the balance, Peak must navigate treacherous terrain and outsmart dangerous foes. Will he succeed in his daring rescue, or will the mountains claim another victim? This gripping adventure tests the limits of courage and determination in a race against time.

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 13–18 · 2013

Navy SEAL Dogs

By Mike Ritland

A SEAL discovers his calling training elite military dogs on life-saving missions.

208 pages· 62,437 words· Est. 6 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 1,169 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Bullied as a child, Mike Ritland finds solace with dogs, leading him to become a Navy SEAL. Witnessing a military dog in action during combat, he discovers his true passion: training elite K9 warriors. From explosive detection to high-stakes missions, these dogs are unmatched in skill and intelligence. Ritland's journey from a small, picked-on kid to a top trainer of military dogs is a tale of resilience and dedication. As he builds a company and foundation for retired dogs, Ritland's story reveals the powerful bond between man and dog in the face of danger.

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2021

Ground Zero

By Alan Gratz

Two kids, two eras, one fateful day. Can they survive the chaos and danger surrounding them?

336 pages· 60,218 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 28,415 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Brandon is trapped in the World Trade Center on 9/11, facing terror and uncertainty. Eighteen years later, Reshmina, living amidst Afghanistan's turmoil, finds a wounded soldier. As their worlds collide across time, both must navigate life-threatening choices. Will they find hope in the chaos, or will fear prevail? Discover the powerful connections between past and present in this gripping tale of survival and courage.

Sale price

$1139

Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2000

The Breadwinner

By Deborah Ellis · Book #1 in the Breadwinner series

A girl disguises as a boy to save her family under Taliban rule.

152 pages· 28,510 words· Est. 3 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 32,853 ratings

$11.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, young Parvana faces a dire choice when her father is arrested. With her family on the brink of starvation, she must disguise herself as a boy to become their sole provider. As Parvana navigates a world of danger and deception, will her courage be enough to keep her family alive? Discover a tale of resilience and hope in the face of oppression.

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2016

One Half from the East

By Nadia Hashimi

A girl disguised as a boy seeks freedom in a world of constraints.

288 pages· 53,627 words· Est. 7.5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 2,856 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In modern-day Afghanistan, young Obayda is transformed into a bacha posh, a girl living as a boy, to bring her family luck. Navigating this new identity, she meets another bacha posh, sparking a friendship that challenges their world. As they taste freedom, they must find a way to make it last. Can they defy tradition and keep their newfound independence?

Sale price

$1139

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2003

Mud City

By Deborah Ellis · Book #3 in the Breadwinner series

A refugee girl risks everything on the streets to chase her dream of freedom.

168 pages· 26,734 words· Est. 3 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 5,672 ratings

$11.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Shauzia escapes Kabul's misery only to find herself in a refugee camp in Pakistan. Dreaming of a new life in France, she braves the dangerous streets of Peshawar. With her loyal dog Jasper and a disguise, she navigates a world of poverty and peril. Can her determination and courage lead her to freedom, or will the harsh realities of street life shatter her dreams? This is a gripping tale of resilience and hope as Shauzia fights to control her destiny.

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