Books About 1980s

The Best 1980s Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about 1980s? 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.

A Long Walk to Water
We Dream of Space
The Story That Cannot Be Told
Frankie & Bug
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About 1980s

A Long Walk to Water
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 10–12 · 2010

A Long Walk to Water

By Linda Sue Park

Two Sudanese children face perilous journeys for survival and hope.

Jane Addams Children's Book Award (2011)
128 pages· 20,925 words· Est. 2.5 hour read
7.0/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 108,012 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: In Sudan, Nya walks hours daily for water in 2008, while Salva, a 'lost boy' in 1985, treks across Africa seeking safety. Their paths, fraught with danger from rebels and wildlife, eventually converge in a surprising, life-changing encounter. How will their stories of endurance and hope intertwine?
We Dream of Space
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

We Dream of Space

By Erin Entrada Kelly

Three siblings face personal struggles as the Challenger launch looms, altering their lives forever.

Newbery Honor (2021)
400 pages· 47,156 words· Est. 6 hour read-aloud
4.1/5 Goodreads · 9,153 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In 1986, siblings Cash, Fitch, and Bird Nelson Thomas navigate personal challenges in a tense household. Cash risks failing school, Fitch battles an explosive temper, and Bird dreams of commanding a NASA shuttle. As the Challenger launch approaches, their science teacher, Ms. Salonga, inspires them to dream beyond their struggles. When the fateful day arrives, it unites them in unexpected ways, forever changing their paths. Will they find their place in the universe, or remain lost in their own orbits?
The Story That Cannot Be Told
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

The Story That Cannot Be Told

By J. Kasper Kramer

A girl must tell a dangerous story to save her family during Romania's final Communist days.

384 pages· 75,808 words· Est. 10.5 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,270 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In 1989 Romania, young Ileana is sent to live with unknown grandparents to escape the secret police. Her uncle's disappearance after publishing a forbidden story haunts her. As danger looms, Ileana must find her voice and tell a story that could save her family and village. Can she navigate the treacherous world of spies and secrets to protect those she loves?
Not Your All-American Girl
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

Not Your All-American Girl

By Wendy Wan-Long Shang, Madelyn Rosenberg

Lauren must find her voice when her friendship and dreams are tested in a school play.

256 pages· 49,157 words· Est. 7 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 606 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Lauren and Tara's friendship faces a test when they try out for the school play. Lauren, half-Jewish and half-Chinese, lands in the ensemble while Tara gets the lead. Struggling with her identity and unable to sing, Lauren risks losing her spot and her best friend. With the help of her grandmothers and a button-making business, can Lauren reclaim her voice and redefine what it means to be all-American?
On the Court with... LeBron James
Sale price
$674
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2008

On the Court with... LeBron James

By Matt Christopher · On the Field With . . . series

Explore the rise of a basketball legend from local prodigy to global icon.

176 pages· 21,851 words· Est. 3 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 220 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Dive into the life of LeBron James, from his early days in Akron to becoming a global basketball icon. Experience the suspense of pivotal games and uncover the triumphs and challenges he faced both on and off the court. This biography offers a captivating glimpse into the journey of one of the sport's greatest players, complete with career highlights and exclusive insights. What drives LeBron's relentless pursuit of greatness?
While I Was Away
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2021

While I Was Away

By Waka T. Brown

A girl navigates identity and belonging in 1980s Japan, caught between two cultures.

310 pages· 65,800 words· Est. 9 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,088 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Twelve-year-old Waka is sent from Kansas to Tokyo to reconnect with her roots. Struggling with language and fitting in, she faces culture shock and a strict grandmother. As the 'smart Japanese girl' in America and the 'dumb foreigner' in Japan, Waka questions where she truly belongs. Can she find her place in a world where she feels like an outsider?
The Story of Rap
Sale price
$858
Board Book · Ages 0–3 · 2019

The Story of Rap

By Editors of Caterpillar Books, Lindsey Sagar (Illustrator) · The Story of Music series

Discover rap's roots and legends in a playful baby book that inspires swagger.

24 pages
4.4/5 Goodreads · 343 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Board Book
Summary: Introduce your little one to the vibrant world of rap, from Grandmaster Flash to Kendrick Lamar. This charming book takes toddlers on a rhythmic journey through the history of rap, celebrating the voices that have shaped generations. Will your child bop along with the greats and develop their own swagger? Perfect for tiny music lovers, this book promises to entertain and educate, sparking curiosity about the powerful beats and stories behind the music.
A Symphony of Whales
Sale price
$1520
Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 1999

A Symphony of Whales

By Steve Schuch, Peter Sylvada (Illustrator)

A girl hears trapped whales' cries as ice closes in. Can they be saved?

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (1999)
32 pages· 1,766 words· Est. 14 min read-aloud
4.2/5 Goodreads · 149 ratings
$16.00Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Glashka, the only one who hears the whales' cries, faces a daunting challenge when thousands become trapped in a freezing inlet. As ice encroaches, their survival hangs in the balance. Can Glashka's unique gift and the power of music lead to a daring rescue? Discover a tale of courage and hope inspired by true events.
I Survived the Eruption of Mount St. Helens, 1980
Sale price
$574
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2016

I Survived the Eruption of Mount St. Helens, 1980

By Lauren Tarshis · Book #14 in the I Survived series

A young girl and her friends must survive a volcanic eruption in the wilderness

107 pages· 12,161 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
4.1/5 Goodreads · 4,991 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Eleven-year-old Jessie Marlowe's peaceful life is shattered when Mount St. Helens erupts violently. Trapped in a deadly volcanic disaster, Jess must navigate the chaos of ash and rock to survive. With her friends injured and danger all around, can she find a way to safety before it's too late? This gripping tale of survival thrusts readers into the heart of one of America's most catastrophic natural events, where every moment counts and courage is the only way out.
Frankie & Bug
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2021

Frankie & Bug

By Gayle Forman

Two kids discover friendship and identity during a transformative summer.

288 pages· 47,664 words· Est. 5.5 hour read
4.1/5 Goodreads · 2,155 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In the summer of 1987, ten-year-old Bug is left to spend her days with Frankie, a stranger and her neighbor's nephew. Initially reluctant, Bug and Frankie soon bond over shared experiences, uncovering truths about family, friendship, and self-identity. As they navigate a world that isn't always fair, they learn the importance of being true to oneself and standing up for others. This summer will challenge their perceptions and redefine what it means to belong. Can Bug and Frankie find their place in a complicated world?
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Browse by age

1980s Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about 1980s for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Nya's Long Walk
Sale price
$1999

Nya's Long Walk

Ages 4–7 · 2019

A young girl must carry her sick sister and water home, step by step.

Oil
Sale price
$1799

Oil

Ages 4–8 · 2020

An oil spill devastates the ocean. What are the consequences?

Sisters
Sale price
$1799

Sisters

Ages 3–8 · 2019

Two sisters rise from Compton courts to tennis greatness.

Game Changers
Sale price
$1799

Game Changers

Ages 4–8 · 2018

Two sisters defy odds and prejudice to become tennis legends.

To the Stars!
Sale price
$799

To the Stars!

Ages 5–8 · 2016

A girl defies norms to become the first woman to walk in space.

View all 1980s picture books
Browse by age

1980s Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about 1980s for developing and independent readers.

Lost Boys
Sale price
$799

Lost Boys

Ages 9–12 · 2017

A boy's survival is tested in a war-torn land, where music becomes his refuge.

Iqbal
Sale price
$1825

Iqbal

Ages 10–13 · 2001

A boy's courage sparks hope and defiance among child slaves.

Night of the Twisters
Sale price
$999

Night of the Twisters

Ages 8–11 · 1984

A tornado strikes, but surviving the storm is just the beginning of their ordeal.

Escape from Chernobyl
#1 in Series
Sale price
$799

Escape from Chernobyl

Ages 10–13 · 2021

Siblings escape Chernobyl's chaos, pursued by the regime, as their town faces a deadly cover-up.

Escape from East Berlin
#2 in Series
Sale price
$799

Escape from East Berlin

Ages 10–13 · 2022

Two daring escapes from East Berlin challenge the divide of the Berlin Wall.

Scouts
Sale price
$1699

Scouts

Ages 8–14 · 2019

A meteor crash leads friends into danger, testing their bonds and uncovering hidden truths.

Ten
Sale price
$1699

Ten

Ages 10–12 · 2009

Maya battles for girls' soccer and family unity amidst cultural expectations and school challenges.

Snow Lane
Sale price
$1699

Snow Lane

Ages 8–12 · 2018

A young girl uncovers a dark family secret while battling dyslexia.

The Stars Did Wander Darkling
Sale price
$1799

The Stars Did Wander Darkling

Ages 9–12 · 2022

A sleepy town's dark secret awakens, and only the kids can stop it.

Crabgrass
#1 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1199

Crabgrass

Ages 8–12 · 2022

Two boys navigate friendship and adventure in a world without screens.

Molly and the Machine
Series
Sale price
$1799

Molly and the Machine

Ages 8–12 · 2022

A girl chases a robot to save her brother from mysterious kidnappings.

Mac Saves the World
Series
Sale price
$1299

Mac Saves the World

Ages 7–10 · 2021

A young boy is recruited by the Queen of England for a secret mission to steal a powerful computer program from East Germany during the Cold War.

View all 1980s chapter books
Keep exploring
Books about aeronautics, astronautics and space scienceBooks about feelings and emotionsBooks about identityBooks about refugeesBooks about survival stories

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