Books About Tennessee

The Best Tennessee Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about tennessee? 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 Tennessee

A Snicker of Magic
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2014

A Snicker of Magic

By Natalie Lloyd

A girl must break a curse to restore magic and find a true home in a once-enchanted town.

The E.B. White Read Aloud Honor (2015)Odyssey Honor (2015)
336 pages
4.1 Goodreads · 14,225 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Twelve-year-old Felicity arrives in Midnight Gulch, a town once brimming with magic, now silenced by a curse. As a 'word collector,' she sees words everywhere, but 'home' is new. With the help of Jonah, a mysterious boy, Felicity must unravel the town's secrets to restore its magic and heal her mother's wandering heart. Can she break the spell and finally find a place to belong?
Paperboy
Sale price
$1597
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2013

Paperboy

By Vince Vawter · Book #1 in the Paperboy series

A boy's stutter challenges him during a life-changing summer paper route in the segregated South.

Newbery Honor (2014)
224 pages· 50,333 words· Est. 7 hour read
4.0 Goodreads · 11,240 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In 1959 Memphis, an 11-year-old boy known as Little Man takes on his friend's paper route, facing the daunting task of speaking to customers despite his severe stutter. As he navigates the challenges of communication, he encounters a neighborhood bully who threatens to upend his world. This summer becomes a pivotal journey of self-discovery and courage, as Little Man strives to find his voice in a society marked by segregation and prejudice. Will he overcome his fears and stand up to the threats that loom over him?
Hummingbird
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2022

Hummingbird

By Natalie Lloyd

A girl seeks a magical bird to grant her deepest wish, defying her brittle bone disease.

Schneider Family Book Honor (2023)
368 pages· 71,999 words· Est. 10 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 4,724 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Twelve-year-old Olive, eager to escape her 'fragile' label, starts at Macklemore Elementary. Her hopes crumble after a rough first day, but whispers of a wish-granting hummingbird spark her determination. Olive embarks on a quest to find the bird, believing it can change her life. With unexpected allies, she uncovers the truth about the bird and discovers that true magic lies within her own vulnerabilities. Will Olive's journey lead to the friendship and acceptance she craves, or will the quest reveal something even more profound?
Boy Meets Squirrels
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2019

Boy Meets Squirrels

By Mike Nawrocki, Luke Séguin-Magee (Illustrator) · Book #2 in the The Dead Sea Squirrels series

A boy discovers two ancient squirrels who have been frozen in time for nearly 2,000 years and must navigate the challenges of modern life with their help.

128 pages· 7,701 words· Est. 1 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 446 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Michael's life turns upside down when two ancient squirrels, Merle and Pearl, awaken in his home. These quirky creatures, who lived during Jesus's time, bring wisdom from the Sermon on the Mount to help Michael and his friends face a school bully. As misadventures unfold, Michael must decide whether to follow their teachings or risk becoming a bully himself. Can these unlikely mentors guide him to a peaceful resolution, or will their ancient lessons fall on deaf ears? Dive into a tale where history meets hilarity and timeless truths challenge modern dilemmas.
Willa of Dark Hollow
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2021

Willa of Dark Hollow

By Robert Beatty · Willa of the Wood series

Can Willa save her forest from destruction by unleashing a mysterious force?

368 pages· 77,755 words· Est. 11 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 1,828 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In 1901, Willa, the last of the Faeran, faces a dire threat as humans destroy her beloved forest. Discovering a dark hollow filled with strange creatures, she must decide if unleashing its terrifying power is the key to saving her world. As the forest's fate hangs in the balance, Willa grapples with the forces of nature and the darkness within. Will she find a way to protect her home and those she loves, or will the consuming darkness prevail? Dive into a tale of magic, mystery, and the fight for survival in the Great Smoky Mountains.
This Promise of Change
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 10–12 · 2019

This Promise of Change

By Jo Ann Allen Boyce, Debbie Levy

Twelve students integrate a high school, facing escalating tensions and personal challenges.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2019)Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor (2020)
320 pages· 24,938 words· Est. 3 hour read
4.5 Goodreads · 1,270 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In 1956, Jo Ann Allen, a fourteen-year-old, joins eleven others to integrate Clinton High School in Tennessee. Initially smooth, their journey turns tumultuous as outside agitators stir conflict. Jo Ann, popular among peers, becomes the group's spokesperson, balancing her role as a trailblazer with the desire for a normal teenage life. As tensions rise, will the Clinton Twelve persevere or retreat? This gripping narrative explores courage and identity during a pivotal moment in history.
Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 9–12 · 2018

Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop

By Alice Faye Duncan, R Gregory Christie (Illustrator)

A young girl witnesses a pivotal civil rights protest and Dr. King's final stand.

Coretta Scott King Honor (2019)
40 pages· 2,974 words· Est. 23 min read-aloud
4.3 Goodreads · 778 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In 1968 Memphis, nine-year-old Lorraine sees her father join a historic sanitation strike. As Dr. King arrives to support the cause, Lorraine's world changes forever. Will justice prevail before tragedy strikes?
Willa of the Wood
Sale price
$1597
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

Willa of the Wood

By Robert Beatty · Willa of the Wood series

An orphaned girl with forest powers must confront her beliefs to save her world.

384 pages· 86,486 words· Est. 12 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 7,982 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In the Great Smoky Mountains of 1900, Willa, a young night-spirit and master thief, faces a life-altering challenge. Trained to despise humans, her world shatters when she discovers not all are enemies. Stranded among the day-folk, Willa must harness ancient powers and question her clan's teachings. As destruction looms over her forest home, she must choose between loyalty and truth. Can Willa protect her newfound family and uncover the secrets threatening her people? Her journey is one of courage, compassion, and the search for identity in a world on the brink of change.
Lorraine
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2018

Lorraine

By Ketch Secor, Higgins Bond (Illustrator)

A storm threatens, but can Lorraine find music within to weather it?

32 pages· 672 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud
5.3/7 Bookroo·3.8/5 Goodreads · 232 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Lorraine and her Pa Paw fill the Tennessee hills with music, their harmonica and pennywhistle echoing joy. But when a fierce storm strikes and their instruments vanish, Lorraine must discover if the music within her can guide them through the tempest. Will her inner melody be enough to face the storm's fury? This Americana tale explores the enduring power of music and family, inviting readers to find strength in unexpected places.
The Key to Extraordinary
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2016

The Key to Extraordinary

By Natalie Lloyd

Emma must find a legendary treasure in a haunted cemetery or let down her extraordinary ancestors.

240 pages· 47,118 words· Est. 6.5 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 4,843 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Emma, a young girl from a family of extraordinary ancestors, awaits her destiny dream. When it finally arrives, it reveals a daunting task: uncover a legendary treasure hidden in her town's cemetery. With the weight of her family's legacy and her late mother's promise on her shoulders, Emma faces a ghostly mystery that has eluded generations. Can she solve the riddle and fulfill her destiny, or will the mysterious singing ghost thwart her quest? Dive into a tale of courage, legacy, and the supernatural as Emma embarks on an unforgettable adventure.
The Bookroo Book Club

Great books, picked for their age.

Books worth reading again and again, delivered to your door.

Find their book club
Browse by age

Tennessee Picture Books

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

John Philip Duck
Sale price
$1999

John Philip Duck

Ages 6–9 · 2004

A boy must train ducks to secure their place at a grand hotel.

The Places We Sleep
Sale price
$1699

The Places We Sleep

Ages 8–12 · 2020

A girl faces upheaval as her family and country are torn apart by war.

Swamp Angel
Sale price
$1899

Swamp Angel

Ages 5–8 · 1994

A fearless woman faces a ravenous bear in a legendary showdown.

Santa is Coming to Tennessee
Sale price
$999

Santa is Coming to Tennessee

Ages 4–8 · 2013

Santa's sleigh races across Tennessee landmarks on Christmas Eve. Will he reach you in time?

View all tennessee picture books
Browse by age

Tennessee Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about tennessee for developing and independent readers.

Who Was Davy Crockett?
Series
Sale price
$699

Who Was Davy Crockett?

Ages 8–12 · 2013

A biography of Davy Crockett, a famous American frontiersman and politician, from his childhood to his death at the Alamo

The Decomposition of Jack
Sale price
$1699

The Decomposition of Jack

Ages 8–12 · 2022

A boy juggles family turmoil and a mysterious cougar sighting in Tennessee.

Davy Crockett
Series
Sale price
$799

Davy Crockett

Ages 8–12 · 1962

Discover the childhood of a legendary frontiersman.

The Hope Chest
Sale price
$899

The Hope Chest

Ages 9–11 · 2008

A girl searches for her sister and discovers a powerful cause in the women's suffrage movement.

Artichoke's Heart
Sale price
$899

Artichoke's Heart

Ages 12–+ · 2008

A teen's journey to self-discovery challenges her perceptions beyond physical appearance.

Greetings from Nowhere
Sale price
$899

Greetings from Nowhere

Ages 10–13 · 2008

Unexpected guests at a rundown motel find friendship and hope in unlikely places.

Squirreled Away
#1 in Series
Sale price
$799

Squirreled Away

Ages 6–10 · 2019

Two friends get lost in a cave in the Middle East while on a summer trip with one of their dads, a college professor studying ancient civilizations.

Borrowed Children
Sale price
$1495

Borrowed Children

Ages 9–12 · 1988

A girl discovers family secrets and her own identity during a life-changing visit.

Tippy Lemmey
Sale price
$599

Tippy Lemmey

Ages 7–10 · 2003

A relentless dog terrorizes kids until an unexpected twist changes everything.

Tennessee Titans
Sale price
$1995

Tennessee Titans

A miraculous play changes the Titans' fate in a historic playoff game.

View all tennessee chapter books
Keep exploring
Books about communicationBooks about neighborhoodsBooks about news and reportingBooks about speech disorders