Books About Iowa

The Best Iowa Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about iowa? 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.

Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Iowa

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 12–15 · 2004

Kira-Kira

By Cynthia Kadohata

A sister's illness challenges Katie to find hope in a world that seems to dim without her light.

Newbery Medal (2005)Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature (2006)

291 pages· 44,276 words· Est. 4 hour read

4.0 Goodreads · 28,557 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Katie Takeshima's world is illuminated by her sister Lynn's unique perspective, making everything seem glittering. But when Lynn falls gravely ill, Katie must navigate the challenges of their new life in Georgia and hold her family together. Can she find the kira-kira, the sparkle, in a future that seems uncertain? As Katie learns to see beyond the immediate struggles, she discovers the enduring power of hope and resilience. Will she succeed in reminding her family of the beauty that still exists, even in the darkest times?

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 1990

Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express

By Margaret K. Wetterer, Karen Ritz (Illustrator) · On My Own History series

A storm-damaged bridge, a midnight train, and a race against time to save lives.

48 pages· 1,556 words· Est. 13 min read

4.3 Goodreads · 238 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Fifteen-year-old Kate faces a perilous journey across a storm-battered bridge to stop a speeding train. With lives hanging in the balance, her courage and quick thinking are the only hope. Can she reach the station in time, or will disaster strike? This gripping true story of bravery unfolds in the heart of Iowa, where one girl's determination becomes a beacon of hope against the odds.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2020

Ten Beautiful Things

By Molly Beth Griffin, Molly Griffin, Maribel Lechuga (Illustrator)

A journey reveals unexpected beauty and love amidst life's changes.

32 pages· 630 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

4.4 Goodreads · 1,146 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Lily embarks on a journey to her new home with her grandmother, searching for beauty in the mundane Midwest landscape. Initially, the April slush and cloudy skies seem devoid of charm, but as they travel, Lily discovers beauty in unexpected places—a swan-shaped cloud, the scent of spring mud, and more. A storm reflects her inner turmoil, yet as it passes, she finds the most beautiful thing of all: the bond with her grandmother. This poignant tale explores how love and perspective can transform life's challenges into something beautiful.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

Field of Screams

By Wendy Parris

A girl uncovers a family ghost mystery that threatens to repeat a tragic past.

256 pages

3.7 Goodreads · 670 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Twelve-year-old Rebecca, a ghost-hunting enthusiast, is stuck in Iowa for the summer. When she encounters a ghost haunting an abandoned farmhouse, she discovers a chilling connection to her late father. As Rebecca delves deeper, the ghost's presence grows more menacing. Racing against time, she must unravel the mystery to prevent a family tragedy from repeating. Can Rebecca piece together the past before it's too late?

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair

By Amy Makechnie

A girl searches for her missing friend, uncovering unexpected truths and confronting her past.

336 pages· 72,781 words· Est. 10 hour read

4.1 Goodreads · 1,009 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Ten-year-old Guinevere St. Clair is on a mission to find her missing friend in Crow, Iowa. As she investigates, she unravels secrets about her mysterious neighbor and her own family. With her mother's memory loss haunting her, Gwyn's quest for answers leads to unexpected discoveries about the past she's tried to forget. Will solving the mystery bring her closer to the truth she's been avoiding?

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2002

Old Town in the Green Groves

By Cynthia Rylant · Little House series

The Ingalls family must pause their journey west. Can they save enough to continue?

192 pages· 24,987 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

4.1 Goodreads · 5,625 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: The Ingalls family's journey west is unexpectedly halted in Burr Oak, Iowa, where Pa must find work in a hotel. As they struggle to save money, the dream of a new home hangs in the balance. Will they overcome this setback and continue their quest for a better life, or will their pioneer spirit be tested beyond its limits? Discover the challenges and hopes of a family determined to forge their path in the American frontier.

Sale price

$858

Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 1997

Tomás and the Library Lady

By Pat Mora, Raúl Colón (Illustrator)

A young migrant worker discovers endless stories in a library, changing his life forever.

40 pages· 1,205 words· Est. 10 min read-aloud

5.0/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,877 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Tomás, a young son of migrant workers, spends his days in the fields and nights listening to his grandfather's tales. When he meets a librarian, a new world of stories unfolds, offering him hope and inspiration. As Tomás explores the library, he discovers the power of education and imagination, setting him on a path that could change his future. What possibilities will he uncover in the pages of books?

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2004

The Clue in the Corn Maze

Book #101 in the The Boxcar Children series

A corn maze is vandalized, threatening a festival. Can the kids solve the mystery?

144 pages

4.0 Goodreads · 451 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In the heart of Iowa, the Alden children face a puzzling mystery. The beloved Corn King Days festival is at risk as a mysterious vandal targets the famous corn maze. With the festival's future hanging in the balance, the kids must unravel the clues and catch the culprit before it's too late. Will they save the day, or will the festival be lost forever?

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2014

The Ride of Your Life

By P.J. Night · You're Invited to a Creepover series

A carnival's eerie secrets trap Gabby and Sydney. Can they escape before it's too late?

160 pages· 26,354 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

3.8 Goodreads · 154 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Gabby visits her friend Sydney in a quiet Iowa town, only to find a mysterious carnival. As rides spin wildly and painted eyes seem to follow her, Gabby senses danger. But Sydney refuses to leave. Can Gabby persuade her friend to escape the carnival's haunting grip before they uncover its chilling secrets?

Sale price

$1498

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2010

Dewey the Library Cat

By Vicki Myron, Bret Witter

A kitten abandoned in a library book drop wins over a struggling small town.

224 pages

3.9 Goodreads · 63,479 ratings

$15.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: On the coldest night of the year, a tiny kitten was stuffed into the book drop of the public library in Spencer, Iowa. The librarians named him Dewey Readmore Books, and for nineteen years he greeted visitors and comforted a farm town through hard times. This middle-grade adaptation of the bestselling memoir Dewey tells his true story, with an eight-page photo insert.

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