Books About Deportation

The Best Deportation Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about deportation? 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.

Between Shades of Gray
The Shortlist

Our 5 Favorite Books About Deportation

Sale price
$1797
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2011

Between Shades of Gray

By Ruta Sepetys

A girl uses art to survive a Siberian work camp and reunite her family.

Golden Kite Award (2012)
344 pages· 64,129 words· Est. 6 hour read
4.4/5 Goodreads · 286,202 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Fifteen-year-old Lina's life shatters when Soviet officers tear her family apart, sending them to a Siberian work camp. Amidst the harsh conditions, Lina clings to her art, embedding secret messages in her drawings, hoping to reach her imprisoned father. As she battles for survival, Lina's courage and creativity become her lifeline. Will her art be enough to reunite her family and keep hope alive? Discover a gripping tale of resilience and the power of love in the face of unimaginable adversity.
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

Efrén Divided

Efrén's mother is deported, and he must reunite his family.

272 pages· 44,601 words· Est. 6 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 6,185 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Efrén Nava's life turns upside down when his mother is deported to Mexico. With his father working tirelessly, Efrén must step up to care for his younger siblings, Max and Mía. As he navigates the challenges of school and home, Efrén's determination to reunite his family grows stronger. Can he find a way to bring his mother back, or will the weight of responsibility prove too much? This heartfelt journey explores the bonds of family and the courage needed to overcome adversity.
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

Land of the Cranes

A young girl clings to hope and poetry in a detention camp, seeking family unity.

256 pages· 22,678 words· Est. 3 hour read
4.5/5 Goodreads · 2,586 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Nine-year-old Betita believes she is a crane, destined to return to her ancestral land. But when her father is deported and she and her pregnant mother are detained in a camp, Betita must find strength in her poetry to endure the harsh conditions. As she navigates the cruelty of the detention center, Betita's imagination and the bonds with fellow detainees become her lifeline. Can her spirit and words keep her family from being torn apart forever? Discover the resilience of a young girl in a world that seeks to cage her dreams.
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2021

Mango Moon

By Diane De Anda, Sue Cornelison (Illustrator)

A family grapples with life after a father's deportation.

32 pages· 761 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud
4.3/5 Goodreads · 248 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Maricela's world shatters when her father is deported, leaving her, her brother Manuel, and their mother to navigate a new reality. As they move homes and miss cherished moments, the family struggles with the void left behind. Yet, amidst the heartache, Maricela discovers that love can endure even the deepest separations. How will they find hope in the face of such loss? 'Mango Moon' offers a poignant glimpse into the resilience of a family torn apart, seen through the eyes of a child.
Chapter Book · Ages 9–14 · 2018

My Family Divided

A young girl's life shatters when her parents are deported.

256 pages· 53,202 words· Est. 6 hour read
4.1/5 Goodreads · 1,363 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Diane Guerrero's world collapses when her parents are deported while she's at school. Alone in Boston, she faces the harsh realities of life as the child of undocumented immigrants. Her journey, marked by resilience and hope, mirrors the struggles of countless families. How will she navigate a world without her family's support?
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