Books About Abolitionists

The Best Abolitionists Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about abolitionists? 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

Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Abolitionists

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2013

The Lightning Dreamer

By Margarita Engle

A young poet defies societal norms and fights against slavery in 19th-century Cuba.

192 pages· 11,142 words· Est. 1 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 1,539 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In 19th-century Cuba, young poet Tula defies an arranged marriage and uses her verses to challenge the brutal institution of slavery. As a daring abolitionist, she risks everything to fight for justice. Will her words ignite change in a world that demands her silence? Discover the courage of a girl who transforms her passion for books into a powerful weapon against oppression. Tula's story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the enduring power of poetry.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 10–13 · 2020

Box

By Carole Boston Weatherford, Michele Wood (Illustrator)

A man risks everything to escape slavery by mailing himself to freedom.

Newbery Honor (2021)

56 pages· 3,020 words· Est. 24 min read-aloud

6.0/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 848 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Henry Brown, born into slavery, loses his family to the cruel trade. With nothing left, he devises a daring escape plan: shipping himself in a box to freedom. As he navigates the perilous journey, aided by the Underground Railroad, will he find the liberty he seeks? This powerful narrative, told in poetic stanzas, captures the resilience and courage of a man determined to reclaim his life. Vivid illustrations and historical context enrich this tale of hope and defiance.

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2007

The Underground Railroad

By Allison Lassieur · You Choose: History series

Choose your path: escape, pursue, or aid in the quest for freedom.

112 pages

4.2/5 Goodreads · 170 ratings

$6.95Save 3%

Paperback

Summary: In the 1850s, you face a life-altering choice: flee the chains of slavery, hunt those seeking freedom for profit, or risk everything to aid the Underground Railroad. Each path holds peril and promise. Will you seek liberty, fortune, or justice? Navigate a world where every decision shapes destinies and the stakes are life and death. As you step into this turbulent era, your choices will determine the course of history. Which side will you choose, and what will you sacrifice for your beliefs?

Frederick's Journey: The Life of Frederick Douglass

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 6–8 · 2015

Frederick's Journey: The Life of Frederick Douglass

By Doreen Rappaport, London Ladd (Illustrator) · Book #8 in the A Big Words Book series

A slave's journey to freedom through the power of words.

48 pages

4.5/5 Goodreads · 351 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Born into slavery, Frederick Douglass defied the odds by secretly learning to read, knowing words would be his path to freedom. At twenty, he escaped north, becoming a powerful voice for abolition and equality. His journey from oppression to inspiration is vividly captured, blending his own words with evocative illustrations. How did a man born into bondage become a beacon of hope and change? Discover the extraordinary life of a man whose legacy of words continues to inspire generations.

Sale price

$574

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2013

What Was the Underground Railroad?

By Yona Zeldis McDonough, Who HQ, Lauren Mortimer (Illustrator) · What Was . . . ? series

Escape to freedom through a perilous journey on the Underground Railroad.

112 pages· 8,698 words· Est. 1 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 1,281 ratings

$5.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Journey into the heart of the Underground Railroad, where brave conductors guide escaping slaves through treacherous paths to freedom. Experience the tension of close calls with bounty hunters and the relentless pursuit of liberty. This gripping narrative, enriched with real stories and vivid illustrations, reveals the sacrifices made for a chance at a new life. Will they reach safety, or will the dangers of the road claim them? Discover the courage and resilience of those who dared to defy the chains of oppression.

Sale price

$574

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2015

Who Was Sojourner Truth?

By Yona Zeldis McDonough, Who HQ, Jim Eldridge (Illustrator) · Who Was . . . ? series

A former slave becomes a prominent abolitionist and women's rights activist in 19th-century America

112 pages· 8,037 words· Est. 1 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 527 ratings

$5.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Born into slavery, Belle transforms into Sojourner Truth, a fearless advocate for justice. After winning a court case against a streetcar conductor, she embarks on a journey to inspire change. How did she turn personal trials into a legacy of empowerment? Discover the story of a woman who refused to be silenced, traveling across the nation to share her truth and ignite a movement. Her life, marked by courage and resilience, continues to inspire generations. What drove her relentless pursuit of justice, and how did she impact the world around her?

Sale price

$574

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2014

Who Was Frederick Douglass?

By April Jones Prince, Who HQ, Robert Squier (Illustrator) · Who Was . . . ? series

The life story of a former slave who became a prominent abolitionist and advocate for women's rights.

112 pages· 7,347 words· Est. 1 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 703 ratings

$5.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Frederick Douglass, born into slavery, discovers the power of knowledge and secretly learns to read and write. Escaping to the North, he transforms into a compelling orator, sharing his harrowing experiences and advocating for abolition. His journey from bondage to becoming a confidant of President Lincoln raises questions about the power of words and the fight for justice. How did a man born into chains become a beacon of hope and change?

Sale price

$1899

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2006

Moses

By Carole Boston Weatherford, Kadir Nelson (Illustrator)

A woman escapes slavery, guided by faith, on a perilous journey to freedom.

Coretta Scott King Award (2007)Caldecott Honor (2007)

48 pages· 1,424 words· Est. 11 min read-aloud

4.4/5 Goodreads · 6,020 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Harriet Tubman, born into slavery, hears a divine call to escape and embarks on a daring journey north. With only her faith as a guide, she navigates treacherous paths, evades capture, and trusts strangers. Her first escape is a profound testament to her courage and resilience, setting the stage for her future missions to free others. Will her unwavering spirit and divine guidance lead her to freedom? Discover the story of a woman who became a beacon of hope and earned the name Moses for her heroic deeds on the Underground Railroad.

Sale price

$1899

Picture Book · Ages 5–9 · 2012

Words Set Me Free

By Lesa Cline-Ransome, James E. Ransome (Illustrator)

A young boy discovers the power of words on his journey to freedom.

32 pages· 1,636 words· Est. 13 min read-aloud

5.3/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 478 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Young Frederick Douglass, born into slavery, discovers the transformative power of reading. As he learns to read, he begins to see a path to freedom and equality. This journey not only changes his life but also sets him on a course to become a leading voice for justice. How will the words he learns shape his destiny and the world around him? Dive into this inspiring tale of courage and determination, where every word becomes a step toward liberation.

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1992

Sojourner Truth

By Patricia C. McKissack, Fredrick McKissack

Discover the powerful journey of a preacher and activist fighting for freedom and equality.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (1993)Coretta Scott King Honor (1993)

192 pages· 27,623 words· Est. 3 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 890 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Explore the life of Sojourner Truth, a fearless preacher and abolitionist. As she battles for African-American and women's rights, her unwavering spirit challenges a divided nation. What sacrifices will she make for justice?

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Abolitionists Picture Books

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

Sale price

$1695

Only Passing Through

Ages 7–10 · 2000

A former slave becomes a powerful voice against slavery, revealing harsh truths.

Sale price

$1899

So Tall Within

Ages 4–8 · 2018

A former slave rises to lead a movement for freedom and equality.

Sale price

$1899

My Name Is Truth

Ages 6–10 · 2015

A former slave becomes a powerful voice for abolition and women's rights.

Series

Sale price

$599

Frederick Douglass

Ages 5–8 · 2017

Explore the life of a legendary abolitionist and his fight for freedom.

Sale price

$1299

Frederick Douglass

Ages 5–8 · 2019

Discover the power of words in the fight for freedom.

Series

Sale price

$799

A Picture Book of Frederick Douglass

Ages 4–8 · 1993

An escaped slave becomes a powerful voice for freedom and equality.

View all abolitionists picture books

Browse by age

Abolitionists Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about abolitionists for developing and independent readers.

Series

Sale price

$699

Who Was Harriet Beecher Stowe?

Ages 8–12 · 2015

A novel ignites a nation, challenging the horrors of slavery and sparking a war for freedom.

Sale price

$450

Frederick Douglass Fights For Freedom

Ages 9–12 · 1968

Escape slavery, ignite a movement, change history.

Series

Sale price

$2500

Sojourner Truth

Ages 9–12 · 2000

A woman born into slavery in New York endures separation, abuse, and loss before finding her voice as a powerful advocate for freedom, justice, and equality.