Books About 1930's · 95 titles considered

The Best 1930's Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about 1930's? 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.

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#1 in Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About 1930's

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 1976

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

By Mildred D. Taylor · Logan Family Saga series

A family's land is their lifeblood amidst racism and turmoil.

Newbery Medal (1977)Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (1977)Coretta Scott King Honor (1977)Jane Addams Children's Book Honor (1977)

276 pages· 65,468 words· Est. 7.5 hour read

6.0/7 Bookroo·3.9/5 Goodreads · 131,528 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In Depression-era Mississippi, young Cassie Logan learns the true value of her family's land amidst racial tensions and social injustice. As night riders threaten and humiliation looms, the Logans' land becomes their source of pride and resilience. Can Cassie find strength in her heritage and dignity in herself to face the challenges ahead? Discover the power of family and the unyielding spirit of independence in this gripping tale of courage and identity.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1999

Bud, Not Buddy

By Christopher Paul Curtis

A boy's quest to find his father leads him on an unforgettable journey during the Great Depression.

Newbery Medal (2000)Coretta Scott King Award (2000)Golden Kite Honor (2000)

245 pages· 52,497 words· Est. 6 hour read

6.0/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 116,594 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In 1936 Michigan, ten-year-old Bud embarks on a daring journey to find his father, armed with a suitcase of treasures and a clue from his late mother. As he follows the trail of flyers for Herman E. Calloway and his band, Bud faces hunger, fear, and unexpected challenges. Will his determination and wit lead him to the truth about his family? Discover a heartwarming tale of resilience and adventure as Bud navigates the uncertainties of the Great Depression in search of belonging and identity.

Sale price

$2849

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2007

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

By Brian Selznick

A hidden life in a Paris station unravels with a cryptic message.

Caldecott Medal (2008)The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2007)National Book Award for Young People's Literature Finalist (2007)

533 pages· 24,938 words· Est. 3 hour read

6.0/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 191,259 ratings

$29.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Hugo, an orphan and clock keeper, hides within the walls of a Paris train station. His secretive existence is threatened when he encounters a mysterious toyseller and a curious girl. As a cryptic drawing, a stolen key, and a mechanical man come into play, Hugo must unravel a hidden message from his deceased father. Can he protect his secret and uncover the truth before it's too late?

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2021

When the World Was Ours

By Liz Kessler

Three friends torn apart by war seek hope and reunion.

FCBG Children’s Book Award (2022)

352 pages· 64,837 words· Est. 7 hour read

4.5/5 Goodreads · 6,871 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In 1936 Vienna, Leo, Elsa, and Max share a perfect day, unaware of the looming darkness of war. As Europe descends into chaos, their lives are shattered, scattering them across Germany, England, Prague, and Poland. Will they find their way back to each other, or has the war changed them forever? This poignant tale, inspired by true events, explores the enduring power of friendship and hope amidst the devastation of the Holocaust.

Sale price

$1398

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2005

The Book Thief

By Markus Zusak

In Nazi Germany, a girl steals books to survive and share hope amidst war.

Michael L. Printz Honor (2007)Sydney Taylor Book Award (2007)

552 pages· 118,732 words· Est. 11 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 2,957,592 ratings

$14.99Save 7%

Paperback

Summary: In 1939 Nazi Germany, young Liesel Meminger finds solace in stolen books. As bombs fall, she shares these treasures with neighbors and a hidden Jewish man. With Death narrating, Liesel's story unfolds, revealing the power of words to illuminate even the darkest times. Will her love for books be enough to sustain her through the horrors of war?

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 10–15 · 1997

Out of the Dust

By Karen Hesse · Book #1 in the Newbery Medal Book series

A girl seeks solace amidst dust storms and personal tragedy.

Newbery Medal (1998)Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction (1998)

227 pages· 19,706 words· Est. 2 hour read

5.3/7 Bookroo·3.8/5 Goodreads · 80,597 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In the heart of the Dust Bowl, fourteen-year-old Billie Jo faces unimaginable loss and hardship. A tragic accident leaves her scarred and unable to play the piano, her only solace. As dust storms ravage the land, Billie Jo's father remains silent, and her mother is gone. While others flee, she must find peace in the desolate Oklahoma landscape and within herself. Can Billie Jo overcome the devastation and find hope in the dust? Discover her journey of resilience and self-discovery in a world where everything seems lost.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2010

Moon Over Manifest

By Clare Vanderpool

A hidden past, a mysterious spy, and a town's secrets await discovery.

Newbery Medal (2011)

384 pages· 81,295 words· Est. 11.5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 36,823 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Abilene Tucker arrives in Manifest, Kansas, seeking her father's past. Disappointed by the town's faded glory, she stumbles upon a cigar box with letters about a spy called the Rattler. With friends Lettie and Ruthanne, she embarks on a thrilling quest, defying warnings to uncover Manifest's secrets. Guided by the enigmatic Miss Sadie, Abilene unravels tales of colorful characters and hidden truths, determined to find her father's place in this history. As secrets unfold, Abilene's journey intertwines with the town's legacy, revealing a story of loss, redemption, and belonging.

Sale price

$2275

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 1948

I Capture the Castle

By Dodie Smith

A teen's journal unveils family chaos and unexpected love in a crumbling castle.

408 pages· 126,583 words· Est. 11.5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 118,138 ratings

$23.95Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Cassandra Mortmain chronicles six tumultuous months in her family's life within a decaying Suffolk castle. As they navigate poverty and eccentricity, Cassandra's heart is unexpectedly captured. Will love bring salvation or further turmoil? Discover the secrets hidden within her journal and the fate of the Mortmain family in this timeless tale of wit and adventure.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 1998

A Long Way from Chicago

By Richard Peck · Book #1 in the A Long Way from Chicago series

Two siblings face wild summers with their unpredictable grandmother.

Newbery Honor (1999)National Book Award for Young People's Literature Finalist (1998)

148 pages· 35,326 words· Est. 4 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 36,266 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Every summer, Joey and Mary Alice journey to rural Illinois during the Great Depression. Their grandmother, a force of nature, turns each visit into an adventure filled with unexpected challenges and unforgettable lessons. As they navigate her eccentric world, the siblings discover more about themselves and the strength of family bonds. What surprises await them this summer?

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2010

Turtle in Paradise

By Jennifer L. Holm · Book #1 in the Turtle in Paradise series

In 1935, Turtle discovers family secrets and buried treasure in Florida.

Newbery Honor (2011)Golden Kite Award (2011)

188 pages· 29,780 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 20,508 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In 1935, 11-year-old Turtle is sent to live with relatives in Key West. Amidst quirky cousins and hidden secrets, she unravels mysteries and finds unexpected adventures. Will Turtle's world change forever?

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1930's Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about 1930's for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Sale price

$899

The Gardener

Ages 4–7 · 2007

A girl transforms a gray city with her secret rooftop garden.

Sale price

$1899

Otis and Will Discover the Deep

Ages 4–8 · 2018

Two pioneers risk everything to explore the ocean's depths in a fragile metal sphere.

Sale price

$1999

The Carpenter's Gift

Ages 5–9 · 2011

A boy's Christmas tree gift sparks a cycle of giving, transforming lives across generations.

Series

Sale price

$1599

Anne Frank

Ages 4–7 · 2018

A young girl hides during war, her diary revealing hope amidst darkness.

Sale price

$1799

Joltin' Joe DiMaggio

Ages 4–8 · 2014

A young boy dreams of Yankee pinstripes, becoming a baseball legend during America's toughest times.

Sale price

$1999

Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride

Ages 7–10 · 1999

Two iconic women defy convention for a daring night flight adventure.

Sale price

$899

Letting Swift River Go

Ages 4–8 · 1992

A young girl witnesses her hometown's transformation into a reservoir.

Sale price

$1799

Gandhi

Ages 5–10 · 2013

A 24-day march challenges oppressive salt taxes, igniting a peaceful revolution for independence.

Sale price

$1999

Brothers at Bat

Ages 4–8 · 2012

Twelve brothers form an unbeatable baseball team, defying all odds and challenges.

Sale price

$795

Sweet Land of Liberty

Ages 4–8 · 2007

A concert defies racial barriers, uniting a nation for one historic night.

Sale price

$1799

Saving Strawberry Farm

Ages 5–10 · 2005

Can a single penny save a cherished farm during the Great Depression?

Sale price

$1799

A Nation's Hope

Ages 6–8 · 2011

A boxing match becomes a symbol of unity on the brink of war.

View all 1930's picture books

Browse by age

1930's Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about 1930's for developing and independent readers.

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Sale price

$699

26 Fairmount Avenue

Ages 7–10 · 1999

A young boy recounts his childhood experiences, including a hurricane, building a new home, and starting school.

#1 in Series

Sale price

$899

Al Capone Does My Shirts

Ages 10–14 · 2004

A boy navigates life on Alcatraz Island amidst notorious criminals and family challenges.

Series

Sale price

$799

Kit: Turning Things Around

Ages 8–12 · 2014

Can one girl bring hope to homeless kids during the Depression's darkest days?

Anne Frank and the Children of the Holocaust

Sale price

$1699

Anne Frank and the Children of the Holocaust

Ages 10–+ · 2006

Discover Anne Frank's life amid the Holocaust's horrors.

Sale price

$1799

Three Strike Summer

Ages 8–12 · 2022

A girl defies rules and dust storms to join a secret baseball team and save her family's future.

Sale price

$2099

The Boys in the Boat

Ages 10–+ · 2015

Nine boys defy odds at the 1936 Olympics, challenging Hitler's elite rowers.

Series

Sale price

$1299

Young Whit and the Traitor's Treasure

Ages 10–12 · 2018

A young boy uncovers secrets of missing Confederate gold and his family's past.

Sale price

$1095

Rent Party Jazz

Ages 6–9 · 2001

A boy and a jazz musician team up to save his home from eviction.

Sale price

$1195

Catching the Moon

Ages 6–10 · 2005

A girl defies all odds to play professional baseball in a male-dominated world.

#7 in Series

Sale price

$799

Risky Chance

Ages 8–11 · 2011

A young Thoroughbred horse's life is forever changed when he is claimed by a new owner, a young girl and her father, a former jockey, who help him recover from his injuries and find a new purpose in life.