Books About Chicago · 73 titles considered

The Best Chicago Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about chicago? 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.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Chicago

Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 11–15 · 1978

The Westing Game

By Ellen Raskin · Puffin Modern Classics series

Sixteen heirs must solve a cryptic puzzle to claim a fortune. But what is the real game?

Newbery Medal (1979)
182 pages· 50,662 words· Est. 4.5 hour read
5.3/7 Bookroo experts·4.0/5 Goodreads · 240,043 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2010

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Two teens named Will Grayson meet, altering their lives forever.

352 pages· 74,277 words· Est. 7 hour read
3.7/5 Goodreads · 414,883 ratings
$21.80Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 1954

Lord of the Flies

Stranded boys' paradise turns to chaos as order collapses.

219 pages· 60,305 words· Est. 5.5 hour read
3.7/5 Goodreads · 3,286,830 ratings
$12.00Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 1984

The House on Mango Street

A young girl navigates harsh realities and dreams of escape in a Chicago neighborhood.

110 pages· 18,014 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
3.7/5 Goodreads · 247,062 ratings
$12.95Save 4%
Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2015

The House That Jane Built

By Tanya Lee Stone, Kathryn Brown (Illustrator)

A woman transforms a Chicago neighborhood with a community center, impacting thousands.

32 pages· 1,243 words· Est. 10 min read-aloud
6.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.3/5 Goodreads · 1,254 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2012

Love, Amalia

A girl navigates loss and discovers her heritage's power to heal.

127 pages· 21,203 words· Est. 3 hour read
5.8/7 Bookroo experts·3.6/5 Goodreads · 354 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2016

Horse Diaries #13: Cinders

By Kate Klimo, Ruth Sanderson (Illustrator) · Book #13 in the Horse Diaries series

A horse recounts her life from her idyllic childhood on a farm to her work as a fire horse in Chicago during the Great Fire of 1871

176 pages· 15,095 words· Est. 2 hour read
4.4/5 Goodreads · 278 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

Finding Langston

A boy finds solace in a library and a poet's legacy amidst the chaos of a new city.

112 pages· 22,883 words· Est. 3 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 5,226 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2015

I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871

By Lauren Tarshis · Book #11 in the I Survived series

Can Oscar escape the inferno consuming Chicago?

112 pages· 12,245 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 8,354 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2018

Ghost Boys

A boy's ghost seeks justice and understanding after a tragic police shooting.

214 pages· 20,182 words· Est. 2.5 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 34,107 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
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Browse by age

Chicago Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

Sturdy, inviting books about chicago for the youngest readers and listeners.

123 Chicago

Ages 0–4 · 2009

Count to ten with Chicago's iconic landmarks and symbols.

Larry Loves Chicago!

Ages 0–3 · 2014

A lost pup explores Chicago's iconic landmarks.

Chicago

Ages 3–5 · 2020

Explore Chicago's landmarks and culture through a child's eyes.

View all chicago board books
Browse by age

Chicago Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about chicago for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Fiona's Lace

Ages 4–8 · 2014

A family's bond is tested by separation, but a unique lace leads them back together.

Coming on Home Soon

Ages 5–8 · 2004

A girl and her grandma await a letter during wartime, hoping for Mama's return.

I'm Fast!

Ages 4–8 · 2012

A freight train races against time and obstacles to reach Chicago.

The Littlest Bunny in Chicago

Ages 4–7 · 2015

A tiny bunny with a big secret races to hide eggs before Easter morning ends.

Chicago Bears

Ages 8–11 · 2010

Explore the Chicago Bears' legendary highs and lows in NFL history.

Michelle Obama

Ages 5–8 · 2018

Discover how a determined girl from Chicago became a trailblazing First Lady.

Illinois

Ages 8–13 · 2021

Discover Illinois beyond Chicago, exploring its landscapes, history, and unique culture.

Chicago ABC

Ages 2–5 · 2016

Explore Chicago's iconic sites from A to Z with a curious pup.

Larry Gets Lost in Chicago

Ages 4–8 · 2010

A curious pup gets lost in Chicago. Can he find his way back to his family?

Edward and Annie

Ages 4–8 · 2022

Penguins explore their aquarium home, discovering new friends and surprises.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Ages 4–8 · 2022

A daring day off in Chicago tests friendship and freedom. Can they outsmart the watchful teacher?

Browse by age

Chicago Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about chicago for developing and independent readers.

The Windy City

Ages 10–13 · 2013

Teens race to stop a deadly plot in Chicago while avoiding boarding school.

Dog Diaries #9: Sparky

Ages 8–11 · 2016

A fire dog and a rescue horse face Chicago's greatest blaze.

Who Is Michelle Obama?

Ages 8–12 · 2013

A biography of Michelle Obama, from her childhood to her time as First Lady of the United States

The Wrigley Riddle

Ages 6–9 · 2013

Ivy is missing at Wrigley Field. Is it sabotage or treasure hunting?

The World Series Curse

Ages 6–9 · 2016

A World Series mystery threatens the Cubs. Can it be solved before the final game?

Leaving Lymon

Ages 8–12 · 2020

A boy's journey from the South to the North tests his resilience and love for music.

Becoming

Ages 10–13 · 2021

From Chicago roots to the White House, discover a journey of resilience and self-discovery.

Being Clem
Sale price
$899

Being Clem

Ages 8–12 · 2021

Clem's world unravels after his father's death. Can he uphold his legacy?

What Was the Great Chicago Fire?
Sale price
$799

What Was the Great Chicago Fire?

Ages 8–12 · 2016

A fire breaks out in Chicago in 1871, destroying much of the city and leaving thousands of people homeless.

Firestorm!

Ages 8–12 · 2010

An orphaned pickpocket and a jeweler's son face the Great Chicago Fire. Can they survive and find a new life?

Simon B. Rhymin'

Ages 8–10 · 2021

A shy kid must rap his way to confidence and community change.

The Ambrose Deception

Ages 9–12 · 2018

Three unlikely students uncover a mysterious truth behind a scholarship competition in Chicago.

Keep exploring
Books about codes, ciphers and puzzlesBooks about identityBooks about inheritancesBooks about LGBTQBooks about Mexican cultureBooks about movingBooks about povertyBooks about problem solving

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