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.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Addiction

Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero
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 Goodreads · 1,503 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
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.
Hey, Kiddo
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2018

Hey, Kiddo

By Jarrett J. Krosoczka · Book #1 in the Hey, Kiddo series

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

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2019)National Book Award for Young People's Literature Finalist (2018)Cybils Award (2018)Golden Kite Honor (2019)Odyssey Award (2020)
320 pages· 15,721 words· Est. 2 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 35,823 ratings
$14.99Save 7%
Paperback
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?
Gather
Sale price
$1049
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 Goodreads · 3,332 ratings
$10.99Save 5%
Paperback
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.
The Glass Girl
Sale price
$1398
Chapter Book · Ages 14–+ · 2024

The Glass Girl

By Kathleen Glasgow

A teen's struggle with alcohol spirals after a blackout, leading her to confront harsh realities.

464 pages· 109,880 words· Est. 10 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 24,624 ratings
$14.99Save 7%
Paperback
Summary: Fifteen-year-old Bella feels the weight of everyone's expectations, finding solace only in alcohol. But when a Thanksgiving party ends in a hospital visit, Bella must face the truth: her life is unraveling. As she enters rehab, will she find the strength to heal, or will the pressures of her world pull her back into darkness? Discover Bella's raw journey through addiction and redemption in this gripping tale of resilience and hope.
Something Like Home
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2023

Something Like Home

By Andrea Beatriz Arango

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 Goodreads · 3,214 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
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.
You'd Be Home Now
Sale price
$1139
Chapter Book · Ages 14–+ · 2021

You'd Be Home Now

By Kathleen Glasgow

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 Goodreads · 87,842 ratings
$11.99Save 5%
Paperback
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.
What About Will
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 10–+ · 2021

What About Will

By Ellen Hopkins

A brother's injury spirals into addiction, testing family bonds and hidden secrets.

400 pages· 39,401 words· Est. 5.5 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 2,941 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Twelve-year-old Trace Reynolds idolizes his older brother Will, who once taught him to ride a bike and cheered him on at Little League. But after a football injury leaves Will with a brain injury, their family struggles under its weight. As Will battles depression and addiction, Trace covers for him, fearing further family fractures. Yet, as Will's behavior worsens, Trace faces a dilemma: how long can he keep his brother's secrets? In this poignant tale, the strength of brotherly love is tested against the harsh realities of change and loss.
Family of Liars
Sale price
$1248
Chapter Book · Ages 12–+ · 2022

Family of Liars

By E. Lockhart · Book #2 in the We Were Liars series

A summer of betrayal and secrets on a mysterious island changes a family's fate forever.

336 pages· 67,285 words· Est. 7.5 hour read
3.8 Goodreads · 175,506 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: On a secluded island, a summer of betrayal unfolds for the Sinclair family. A troubled heiress and a mysterious boy ignite a chain of events that will haunt them for decades. As secrets churn like the ocean around them, the Sinclairs face a summer of unforgivable mistakes. What truths will emerge from the shadows of their past?
Bad Blood
Picture Book · 2016

Bad Blood

Shadow Lands series

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

30 pages· 3,073 words
3.5 Goodreads · 4 ratings
Kindle Edition
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?
Good Sports
Picture Book · 2013

Good Sports

Five baseball legends overcome adversity to chase their dreams.

21,425 words
3.9 Goodreads · 21 ratings
Unknown Binding
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?
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