Books About Cities · 312 titles considered

The Best Cities Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about cities? 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.

Three Pennies
Harley in the Sky
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Cities

Sale price
$2849
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2007

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

By Brian Selznick

A hidden life in a Paris station unravels with a cryptic message.

Caldecott Medal (2008)The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2007)
533 pages· 24,938 words· Est. 3 hour read
6.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 191,208 ratings
$29.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2015

Book Scavenger

Emily races to solve a book's mystery before danger catches up.

368 pages· 66,684 words· Est. 9.5 hour read
5.5/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 18,218 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

Three Pennies

A foster girl seeks her birth mother before losing her chance at a forever home.

208 pages· 25,848 words· Est. 3.5 hour read
5.5/7 Bookroo experts·4.0/5 Goodreads · 490 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 2015

A Dragon's Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans

A young girl discovers a magical sketchbook that brings her drawings to life, but also attracts a monster that feeds on magic.

192 pages· 29,050 words· Est. 4 hour read
5.3/7 Bookroo experts·3.8/5 Goodreads · 2,256 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2011

The Fenway Foul-Up

By David A. Kelly, Mark Meyers (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Ballpark Mysteries series

A baseball bat is stolen from a famous player and two kids try to solve the mystery.

112 pages· 9,681 words· Est. 2 hour read
4.0/5 Goodreads · 955 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2010

Anna and the French Kiss

Can Anna navigate love and friendship at a Parisian boarding school?

372 pages· 81,100 words· Est. 7.5 hour read
4.0/5 Goodreads · 466,945 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2020

Harley in the Sky

A teen defies her family to chase her circus dreams, facing harsh truths and sacrifices.

432 pages
4.0/5 Goodreads · 1,687 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1958

The Family Under the Bridge

An old man's solitary life changes when he finds three children needing a home under a Paris bridge.

97 pages· 17,723 words· Est. 2.5 hour read
4.0/5 Goodreads · 17,186 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2008

Little Brother

A teen hacker battles a surveillance state after a terrorist attack changes everything.

382 pages· 106,188 words· Est. 10 hour read
3.9/5 Goodreads · 53,893 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 12–15 · 2007

The Alchemyst

An ancient alchemist's secrets threaten the world. Can two teens unlock their powers in time?

369 pages· 85,668 words· Est. 8 hour read
3.9/5 Goodreads · 169,035 ratings
$11.99Save 5%
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Browse by age

Cities Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

Sturdy, inviting books about cities for the youngest readers and listeners.

NYC ABCs

Ages 3–5 · 2019

Discover NYC's charm through an alphabet adventure.

Paris
Sale price
$799

Paris

Ages 0–3 · 2015

Discover shapes hidden in Paris's iconic landmarks.

San Francisco

Ages 0–3 · 2015

Count vibrant sights in San Francisco's iconic landmarks.

Hello, Paris!

Ages 2–4 · 2018

Explore iconic cities through playful die-cuts and maps.

All Aboard! Paris
Sale price
$1199

All Aboard! Paris

Ages 0–3 · 2015

Embark on a train journey exploring cities with your little one.

Les Misérables

Ages 0–5 · 2013

Discover classic tales through simple words and felted scenes for young readers.

In the City

Ages 1–3 · 2018

A city adventure unfolds through the eyes of a child and parent.

Cityblock

Ages 2–5 · 2016

Discover city life from skyscrapers to subways in an interactive urban adventure for young readers.

Good Night Boston

Ages 0–3 · 2005

Explore Boston's iconic landmarks with your toddler before bedtime.

Good Night San Francisco

Ages 0–3 · 2006

Explore San Francisco's wonders as bedtime stories lull children to sleep.

Larry Loves Boston!
Sale price
$999

Larry Loves Boston!

Ages 0–3 · 2016

A lost pup explores Boston's iconic landmarks. Can he find his way home?

Larry Loves San Francisco!

Ages 0–3 · 2014

A curious pup explores San Francisco's iconic sites, but can he find his way home?

View all cities board books
Browse by age

Cities Picture Books

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

Madeline's Tea Party

Ages 6–8 · 2011

A tea party turns chaotic when a mischievous guest arrives. Can friendship mend the mess?

Madeline

Ages 4–8 · 1939

A young girl named Madeline has her appendix removed and her friends want to have the same experience.

Let's Go, Hugo!

Ages 3–6 · 2013

A grounded bird must find courage to soar to new heights.

The Homesick Club

Ages 3–7 · 2020

Kids form a club to cope with homesickness in a bustling city.

Henri's Walk to Paris

Ages 5–9 · 1962

A boy's journey to Paris reveals unexpected wonders.

Good Morning, City

Ages 2–6 · 2016

As dawn breaks, a city awakens, bustling with life and hidden stories.

Make Way for Ducklings

Ages 3–7 · 1941

A family of ducks searches for a safe place to live and raise their ducklings in the city of Boston.

Madeline's Rescue

Ages 4–8 · 1953

A brave girl and her rescue dog face a dilemma: how to share their bond with others.

The Giraffe That Walked to Paris

Ages 4–8 · 1992

A giraffe's journey from Egypt to France captivates a nation.

Piglette

Ages 3–7 · 2020

A piglet seeks perfection in Paris but discovers the true scent of home.

Florette

Ages 4–7 · 2018

A young girl finds a way to bring nature into her new city home.

The First Step

Ages 6–9 · 2016

A young girl challenges school segregation, sparking a historic fight for equality.

Browse by age

Cities Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about cities for developing and independent readers.

Johnny Tremain

Ages 10–15 · 1943

A young apprentice's accident thrusts him into the heart of the American Revolution.

The Journal of William Thomas Emerson

Ages 9–12 · 1998

A boy becomes a spy amidst pre-Revolutionary War tensions.

Al Capone Does My Shirts

Ages 10–14 · 2004

A boy navigates life on Alcatraz Island amidst notorious criminals and family challenges.

The Magnificent Monsters of Cedar Street

Ages 8–12 · 2020

A girl must uncover the truth behind her father's disappearance and the vanishing of magical creatures.

The Alcatraz Escape

Ages 9–14 · 2018

A mystery game on Alcatraz turns dangerous as sabotage threatens Emily and James.

Clementine and the Spring Trip
Sale price
$699

Clementine and the Spring Trip

Ages 7–9 · 2013

A third-grader navigates the challenges of growing up, including friendships, family, and self-discovery.

Where Is the Eiffel Tower?

Ages 8–11 · 2017

Discover how the Eiffel Tower transformed from despised design to Paris's beloved icon.

Where Is Alcatraz?

Ages 8–12 · 2016

A book about the history of Alcatraz prison and its notorious inmates.

The Sword of Summer

Ages 8–12 · 2015

A homeless teen discovers he's a Norse god's son and must stop Ragnarok.

Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$2599

The Prince and the Dressmaker

Ages 12–17 · 2018

A prince's secret life as a fashion icon risks his dressmaker's dreams.

Tales from a Not-So-Posh Paris Adventure

Ages 9–13 · 2023

A middle schooler faces unexpected hurdles on her journey to Paris.

Al Capone Throws Me a Curve

Ages 8–12 · 2018

A boy must navigate Alcatraz's dangers to join a baseball team.

Keep exploring
Books about sleuthingBooks about baseballBooks about boarding schoolsBooks about books and readingBooks about BostonBooks about caregiversBooks about civil rightsBooks about family history

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