Books About Southern Africa

The Best Southern Africa Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about southern africa? 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

Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Southern Africa

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 2009

Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

By Paddy Bouma (Illustrator)

Journey from village boy to a nation's leader against apartheid.

64 pages· 2,937 words· Est. 25 min read

4.3 Goodreads · 367 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Follow Nelson Mandela's incredible journey from a humble village boy to a pivotal leader in the fight against apartheid. Experience his trials, imprisonment, and eventual triumph as he rises to lead a nation. What shaped his destiny and fueled his unwavering resolve for freedom?

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

Railway Jack

By KT Johnston, César Samaniego (Illustrator)

A legless inspector and a baboon must prove their teamwork to skeptical authorities.

40 pages· 1,887 words· Est. 15 min read-aloud

4.5 Goodreads · 148 ratings

$18.95Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In the late 1800s, Jim, a legless railway inspector, finds an unlikely partner in Jack, a baboon. Together, they navigate the challenges of proving their worth to skeptical railway authorities. As Jim trains Jack to assist him, their unique bond faces public scrutiny. Can this extraordinary duo convince everyone of their capabilities and redefine the role of service animals? Discover a heartwarming tale of resilience and friendship that defies expectations.

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 8–11 · 2019

Hector

By Adrienne Wright

A boy's tragic death during a protest sparks change in apartheid-era South Africa.

48 pages· 1,127 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud

4.3 Goodreads · 226 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In 1976 South Africa, young Hector Pieterson becomes a symbol of resistance after a protest turns deadly. Through the eyes of Hector, his sister, and a photographer, this graphic novel captures the struggle against a law forcing students to learn in Afrikaans. As tensions rise, the story reveals the personal and political stakes of a fight for justice, shedding light on a pivotal moment in the battle against apartheid. Will Hector's sacrifice ignite change, or will it be lost in the chaos?

Sale price

$574

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2013

Who Was Nelson Mandela?

By Pam Pollack, Who HQ, Stephen Marchesi (Illustrator) · Who Was . . . ? series

A biography of Nelson Mandela, from his childhood to his presidency of South Africa, highlighting his fight against apartheid and his efforts to bring about equality and justice to his country.

112 pages· 7,623 words· Est. 1 hour read

4.2 Goodreads · 994 ratings

$5.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Nelson Mandela, a visionary from childhood, dedicates his life to dismantling apartheid in South Africa. Despite enduring twenty-seven years in prison, he emerges as a beacon of hope, becoming the nation's first black president. Mandela's journey from prisoner to president is a testament to resilience and the power of peaceful revolution. How did he transform his dream into reality, and what challenges did he overcome to unite a divided nation? Discover the inspiring story of a leader who changed the world.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2018

Grandad Mandela

By Ambassador Zindzi Mandela, Zazi and Ziwelene Mandela, Zondwa Mandela, Sean Qualls (Illustrator)

Two children discover their great-grandfather's legacy as a freedom fighter and global icon.

40 pages· 1,299 words· Est. 10 min read-aloud

4.1 Goodreads · 213 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Zazi and Ziwelene, curious about their great-grandfather, ask their grandmother 15 questions about Nelson Mandela. Through their eyes, we learn of Mandela's journey from freedom fighter to President and Nobel laureate. As they uncover his story, they realize they can continue his legacy of peace and forgiveness. This unique perspective celebrates Mandela's life and inspires a new generation to carry on his work.

Sale price

$1135

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2009

Elizabeti's Doll

By Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen · Elizabeti series

A girl discovers the depth of her love when her cherished doll goes missing.

Ezra Jack Keats Award (1999)

32 pages· 577 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

4.1 Goodreads · 340 ratings

$11.95Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Elizabeti, a young Tanzanian girl, finds a special doll named Eva to care for, mirroring her mother's nurturing of her new baby brother. As she mimics her mother's actions, Elizabeti forms a deep bond with Eva. But when Eva goes missing, Elizabeti's heartache reveals the profound love she holds for her doll. This tender tale explores the innocence of childhood and the imaginative ways children adapt to change, especially when welcoming a new sibling. Will Elizabeti find Eva and restore her world of play and care?

Sale price

$1398

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2010

Botswana

By Patti Wheeler, Keith Hemstreet · Travels with Gannon & Wyatt series

Two brothers race to save a wounded lioness from a poacher in the African wild.

160 pages· 27,893 words· Est. 3 hour read

4.0 Goodreads · 138 ratings

$14.95Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In Botswana, twin brothers Gannon and Wyatt's safari turns into a daring mission. A poacher has wounded a lioness, and they must save her and her cubs before it's too late. As they navigate the wild, encountering Africa's majestic creatures, they realize the true danger lies not in the beasts, but in humanity's darker side. Will they succeed in their quest, or will the poacher strike again? Join their thrilling journey where adventure and peril go hand in hand.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 6–8 · 2014

The Soccer Fence

By Phil Bildner, Jesse Joshua Watson (Illustrator)

A boy's soccer dreams clash with apartheid's barriers in South Africa.

40 pages· 1,015 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud

3.9 Goodreads · 233 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Hector, a young soccer enthusiast from Johannesburg, dreams of playing beyond his township's limits. Apartheid's grip makes this impossible until Nelson Mandela's release sparks change. As South Africa's Bafana Bafana triumphs in the African Cup of Nations, Hector sees a glimmer of hope. Can sports unite a divided nation and make dreams a reality?

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1996

A Girl Named Disaster

By Nancy Farmer

A girl flees an unwanted marriage, embarking on a perilous journey to find her father.

Newbery Honor (1997)National Book Award for Young People's Literature Finalist (1996)

336 pages

3.8 Goodreads · 5,296 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In a Mozambican village, young Nhamo faces a forced marriage to a cruel man. Desperate, she escapes to Zimbabwe, seeking the father she's never known. Her journey, meant to be brief, spirals into a year-long odyssey filled with danger and discovery. As Nhamo navigates the wilds, she must draw on her deepest reserves of courage to survive. Will she find the family she longs for, or will the wilderness claim her? Embark on a gripping adventure where survival and self-discovery intertwine.

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2009

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

By William Kamkwamba, Bryan Mealer, Anna Hymas (Illustrator)

A boy builds a windmill to save his village from drought.

304 pages· 90,690 words· Est. 10 hour read

4.5/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 12,478 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In a drought-stricken Malawian village, young William Kamkwamba faces starvation. With only a small library at his disposal, he discovers a way to harness the wind. Using scrap metal and bicycle parts, William constructs a windmill, bringing electricity and hope to his family. Can one boy's ingenuity change the fate of his entire community? This inspiring memoir reveals the power of innovation and resilience in the face of adversity.

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