Books About 1960's · 79 titles considered

The Best 1960's Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about 1960'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.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About 1960's

Sale price

$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2014

Brown Girl Dreaming

By Jacqueline Woodson

A young girl finds her voice amidst the echoes of Jim Crow and Civil Rights awakening.

Coretta Scott King Award (2015)Newbery Honor (2015)Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2015)Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor (2015)National Book Award for Young People's Literature (2014)The E.B. White Read Aloud Award (2015)

366 pages· 30,215 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

5.5/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 94,587 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Summary: In the 1960s and 1970s, a young girl navigates life between South Carolina and New York, feeling caught between two worlds. Through evocative poetry, she captures the struggle of growing up African American during the Civil Rights era. Despite challenges with reading, her passion for storytelling ignites, leading her to discover her voice. Each poem offers a glimpse into her journey of self-discovery and resilience, as she seeks her place in a divided world. Will she find where she truly belongs?

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 10–12 · 2007

The Wednesday Wars

By Gary D. Schmidt

A boy navigates Shakespeare, a stern teacher, and family turmoil during a tumultuous school year.

Newbery Honor (2008)

264 pages· 74,058 words· Est. 8 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 48,784 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Summary: Seventh grader Holling Hoodhood believes his teacher, Mrs. Baker, despises him. Left alone with her on Wednesday afternoons, he delves into Shakespeare's plays, uncovering unexpected wisdom. As the Vietnam War rages and his father's business obsession strains their family, Holling learns to stand up for himself and his sister. Set in 1967 Long Island, this coming-of-age tale explores loyalty, courage, and the surprising lessons found in literature and life. Can Holling find his voice amidst the chaos and discover what truly matters?

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 9–13 · 2015

The Seventh Most Important Thing

By Shelley Pearsall

A boy's punishment leads to unexpected discoveries in a world of discarded treasures.

288 pages· 54,074 words· Est. 6 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 9,191 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Summary: After a reckless act lands Arthur in trouble, he's sentenced to work for the mysterious Junk Man. Tasked with collecting seemingly worthless items, Arthur uncovers a hidden world where trash transforms into treasure. As he delves deeper, he learns that redemption and beauty can emerge from the most unlikely places. What secrets does the Junk Man hold, and how will they change Arthur's life forever?

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2010

One Crazy Summer

By Rita Williams-Garcia · Book #1 in the Gaither Sisters series

Three sisters meet their estranged mother and uncover unexpected truths during a summer with the Black Panthers.

Newbery Honor (2011)Coretta Scott King Award (2011)National Book Award for Young People's Literature Finalist (2010)Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction (2011)

218 pages· 45,472 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 38,093 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Summary: In 1968, Delphine and her sisters travel from Brooklyn to Oakland to reunite with their estranged mother, Cecile. Expecting a summer of fun, they instead find themselves at a Black Panther day camp. As Delphine navigates this unexpected world, she learns about family, identity, and the turbulent times they live in. Will the sisters find the connection they seek, or will Cecile's radical life keep them apart? Discover the transformative journey of three girls in a summer that changes everything.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1995

The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963

By Christopher Paul Curtis

A family's road trip leads them into a pivotal moment in history.

Newbery Honor (1996)Coretta Scott King Honor (1996)Golden Kite Award (1996)

210 pages· 50,367 words· Est. 7 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 71,764 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: Join ten-year-old Kenny and the Watson family on a road trip from Flint, Michigan, to Birmingham, Alabama. As they journey south, they unknowingly approach a turning point in the civil rights movement. Amidst the laughter and challenges, the Watsons face a world-changing event that tests their resilience and unity. Will their bond be enough to navigate the darkness ahead? Discover how humor and family ties can illuminate even the darkest paths.

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

4.0/5 Goodreads · 28,470 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

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

$1049

Chapter Book · Ages 11–15 · 2011

Dead End in Norvelt

Book #1 in the Norvelt series

Grounded for life, a boy uncovers secrets in his town's obituaries, leading to unexpected adventures.

Newbery Medal (2012)

384 pages· 73,677 words· Est. 7 hour read

3.7/5 Goodreads · 22,432 ratings

$10.99Save 5%

Summary: Jack's summer plans crumble when he's grounded, but life takes a wild turn as he helps his eccentric neighbor write obituaries. Each story unravels secrets of their quirky town, leading Jack into a whirlwind of bizarre events, including a dancing plague and a possible murder. As Jack navigates this strange adventure, he discovers that the past is never truly gone, and the future is full of surprises. Will Jack uncover the truth behind the mysteries, or will he be swept away by the chaos? Dive into a tale where history and hilarity collide in unexpected ways.

Sale price

$1498

Chapter Book · Ages 10–15 · 2003

The Fire-Eaters

By David Almond

A boy faces school cruelty, family illness, and looming war, seeking miracles to save his world.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2004)

224 pages· 37,751 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

3.6/5 Goodreads · 1,329 ratings

$15.95Save 6%

Summary: In the quiet town of Keely Bay, Bobby Burns confronts a harsh new school, his father's mysterious illness, and the threat of nuclear war. With his dream-healing friend Ailsa and the enigmatic fire-eater McNulty, Bobby must find hope and miracles to protect his loved ones. Can they defy the darkness closing in, or will the world change forever?

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2005

Criss Cross

By Lynne Rae Perkins

Four teens navigate life's crossroads, seeking identity and connection.

Newbery Medal (2006)

337 pages· 48,221 words· Est. 5.5 hour read

3.4/5 Goodreads · 9,146 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Summary: In a small town, four teenagers stand at the brink of adulthood, each yearning for change. One wishes for something good to happen, while another senses life shifting around him. As summer unfolds, their paths crisscross, revealing the complexities of friendship, family, and self-discovery. What transformations await them as they search for who they are meant to become? Dive into a world where every moment holds the potential for growth and revelation, and where the journey to find oneself is as unpredictable as it is profound.

Sale price

$1899

Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 1973

I Have a Dream

By Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Kadir Nelson (Illustrator)

Discover the power of a dream that changed history.

Coretta Scott King Honor (2013)

40 pages· 585 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

6.1/7 Bookroo experts·4.5/5 Goodreads · 3,764 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Summary: Step into history with Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic speech, brought to life through vivid illustrations. This picture book captures the essence of his dream for freedom and equality, inspiring young minds to carry the torch forward. Experience the unforgettable words that echoed from the Lincoln Memorial, paired with an audio CD, and explore the enduring impact of a vision that continues to shape our world.

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Browse by age

1960's Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about 1960's for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Sale price

$1899

Let the Children March

Ages 6–9 · 2018

Children march for civil rights, challenging segregation in 1963 Birmingham.

Sale price

$1999

A Ride to Remember

Ages 6–9 · 2020

A carousel ride becomes a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights movement.

Sale price

$1999

Go for the Moon

Ages 5–10 · 2019

Experience the Apollo 11 moon landing through a young enthusiast's eyes.

Sale price

$899

Saturdays and Teacakes

Ages 4–8 · 2004

A boy's Saturdays with his grandmother reveal the magic of simple joys.

Sale price

$1899

The Astronaut Who Painted the Moon

Ages 4–8 · 2019

An astronaut's artistic journey captures the moon's beauty beyond the lens.

Sale price

$899

Belle, the Last Mule at Gee's Bend

Ages 5–8 · 2011

A mule's journey reveals a pivotal civil rights story.

Sale price

$1899

I Am Ruby Bridges

Ages 4–8 · 2022

A six-year-old girl bravely integrates a school, changing history forever.

Sale price

$1599

Neil Armstrong

Ages 4–8 · 2022

A child's dream leads to a historic moonwalk.

Sale price

$799

These Hands

Ages 4–8 · 2011

A boy discovers his grandpa's fight against discrimination in a bread factory.

Sale price

$1899

Freedom Summer

Ages 4–8 · 2001

Two friends face racism when a new law challenges old prejudices.

Sale price

$1799

Her Fearless Run

Ages 8–11 · 2019

A woman defies the odds to run the Boston Marathon, changing the sport forever.

Sale price

$1799

Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop

Ages 9–12 · 2018

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

View all 1960's picture books

Browse by age

1960's Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about 1960's for developing and independent readers.

Sale price

$899

Cuba in My Pocket

Ages 8–12 · 2021

A boy's journey from Cuba to the U.S. tests his courage and hope for family reunion.

Sale price

$1999

Cracker!

Ages 10–14 · 2007

A soldier and his dog must trust each other to survive Vietnam.

Sale price

$799

Melody 1964: No Ordinary Sound

Ages 4–8 · 2016

A young girl faces discrimination and must find her voice amidst tragedy.

Sale price

$1899

Wildoak

Ages 8–12 · 2022

A girl and a snow leopard face danger in a mystical forest.

Sale price

$799

Okay for Now

Ages 10–13 · 2011

A troubled teen finds unexpected hope in art and friendship amidst family turmoil.

Sale price

$799

What Was Woodstock?

Ages 8–12 · 2016

A farm becomes a legendary music festival, defining a generation.

Sale price

$799

Roberto & Me

Ages 10–13 · 2010

Can Stosh change history and save a legendary ballplayer from a tragic fate?

I Survived the Attack of the Grizzlies, 1967

Sale price

$499

I Survived the Attack of the Grizzlies, 1967

Ages 8–12 · 2018

A grizzly attack shatters peace in Glacier Park. Can Melody survive the terror?

Sale price

$1799

Katherine Johnson

Ages 6–8 · 2017

Discover the mathematician whose calculations launched NASA's early missions.

Sale price

$1699

American Moonshot

Ages 8–12 · 2019

Discover the high-stakes journey behind the historic moon landing.

Sale price

$599

What Was the March on Washington?

Ages 8–12 · 2013

A quarter of a million Americans gather in Washington, DC, to demand equal rights for black Americans.

Sale price

$699

Who Was Neil Armstrong?

Ages 8–12 · 2008

The story of Neil Armstrong's life and his journey to becoming the first person to walk on the moon.

View all 1960's chapter books

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Books about prejudice and racism Books about civil rights movement Books about coming of age Books about family problems Books about activism Books about artists Books about community Books about death, grief, and bereavement

Our 10 Favorite Books About 1960's

Great books, picked for their age.

1960's Picture Books

1960's Chapter Books & Middle Grade

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