Books About Addiction

The Best Addiction Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about addiction? 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.

Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero
Something Like Home
The Shortlist

Our 8 Favorite Books About Addiction

Sale price
$1597
Chapter Book · Ages 8–10 · 2020

Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero

By Kelly J. Baptist · Isaiah Dunn series

A boy finds strength in his late father's journal, discovering poetry and hidden powers.

208 pages· 41,637 words· Est. 6 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 1,498 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Summary: Isaiah Dunn faces the challenge of stepping into his late father's shoes, managing a silent mother and a curious sister. With his friend Sneaky's schemes and classmate Angel's ideas, Isaiah navigates life's hurdles. His father's journal, filled with tales of a superhero fueled by beans and rice, becomes his guide. Can Isaiah find the strength within these stories to become the hero his family needs? Discover the journey of a ten-year-old boy learning to harness his inner power and resilience in a world that demands he grow up too soon.
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2018

Hey, Kiddo

A boy navigates life with an absent father and addicted mother.

320 pages· 15,721 words· Est. 2 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 35,655 ratings
$14.99Save 7%
Summary: Jarrett's childhood is anything but ordinary. With a mother battling addiction and a father he's never met, he finds solace in art while living with his outspoken grandparents. As he grows, Jarrett seeks the truth about his family, confronting his mother's struggles and searching for his elusive father. Can he piece together his fractured past and find his own path forward?
Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2023

Gather

A teen and his dog flee to save their home and future.

336 pages· 83,886 words· Est. 8 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 3,191 ratings
$10.99Save 5%
Summary: In rural Vermont, Ian Gray faces the impossible: caring for his mom battling addiction, quitting basketball, and finding work. His only solace is Gather, his loyal dog. When tragedy strikes, Ian and Gather must run, risking everything to protect their home. Can they find a way back, or will they lose everything they hold dear? This gripping tale of resilience and hope explores the lengths one will go to for family and belonging.
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2023

Something Like Home

A lost dog may be the key to reuniting a girl with her family.

256 pages· 25,393 words· Est. 3 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 3,123 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Summary: Laura Rodríguez Colón is determined to reunite with her parents, despite living with her aunt. Struggling to fit in as the new kid, she finds hope in a stray puppy. If she can train it as a therapy dog, maybe it will help her family heal and bring her closer to home. But can a dog really mend broken bonds and guide her back to where she belongs? Discover the journey of finding family in unexpected places.
Chapter Book · Ages 14–+ · 2021

You'd Be Home Now

A girl seeks her true self amid her brother's addiction and a town's secrets.

416 pages· 92,195 words· Est. 8.5 hour read
4.1/5 Goodreads · 85,605 ratings
$11.99Save 5%
Summary: Emory's life unravels after a tragic accident exposes her brother Joey's addiction. As Mill Haven grapples with the opioid crisis, Emmy must redefine her identity beyond labels. With Joey's return from rehab and the town's whispers, Emmy questions who she truly is. Can she break free from others' expectations and uncover the hidden truths around her? In a journey of self-discovery, Emmy learns that people are more than they seem, and love means accepting each other as they are. Dive into a poignant tale of family, identity, and resilience in a community shadowed by addiction.
Picture Book · 2016

Bad Blood

Can David resist the vampire's thirst for human blood?

30 pages· 3,073 words
3.5/5 Goodreads · 4 ratings
Summary: David is caught in a dark world where the thirst for human blood is overwhelming. Desperate to avoid becoming a true vampire, he faces a harrowing choice. How far will he go to resist the call of his new nature, and what will it cost him? As he battles his inner demons, the line between humanity and monstrosity blurs. Can David find a way to retain his humanity, or will the shadows consume him?
Picture Book · 2013

Good Sports

Five baseball legends overcome adversity to chase their dreams.

21,425 words
3.9/5 Goodreads · 20 ratings
Summary: Five baseball legends—Babe Ruth, Jim Peirsall, Torii Hunter, Ron LeFlore, and Joe Torre—faced poverty, abuse, and addiction in their youth. Discover how they overcame these challenges to pursue their passion for the game. What drove them to triumph despite the odds?
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2023

Suee and the Strange White Light

By Ginger Ly, Molly Park (Illustrator) · Book #2 in the Suee and the Shadow series

A missing nemesis, strange devices, and bizarre adults—can the Zero Detective Club solve the mystery?

240 pages· 9,505 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
3.9/5 Goodreads · 97 ratings
$22.99Save 5%
Summary: Suee and the Zero Detective Club face their toughest challenge yet when Smartie, Suee's old nemesis, vanishes, leaving only a cryptic clue: Central City. As they investigate, they uncover strange devices being installed by mysterious workers and adults behaving oddly. With the town's children ignored and the stakes rising, Suee and her friends must unravel the mystery before it's too late. Can they uncover the truth behind these eerie events and find Smartie in time?
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