Books About Depression

The Best Depression Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about depression? 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 Depression

The Science of Breakable Things
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

The Science of Breakable Things

By Tae Keller

A girl tries to win a science competition to help her mother who has become depressed and withdrawn.

320 pages· 52,518 words· Est. 7.5 hour read
5.8/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 4,815 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Natalie believes winning an egg drop contest can fund a trip to see magical orchids, reviving her depressed mother. With her friends' support, she embarks on a journey of hope and discovery, learning that sometimes, talking about problems is the first step to healing. Can the power of friendship and science bring light to her mother's darkness?
Impulse
Sale price
$2374
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2007

Impulse

By Ellen Hopkins · Book #1 in the Impulse series

Three teens face their darkest moments at a psychiatric hospital, seeking hope and redemption after failed suicide attempts.

666 pages· 55,424 words· Est. 5 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 83,393 ratings
$24.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Vanessa, Tony, and Conner find themselves at Aspen Springs, a psychiatric hospital, after each attempted to end their life. Vanessa hides behind a facade, Tony seeks solace in pills, and Conner battles inner turmoil despite a seemingly perfect life. As they confront their pasts and demons, they must decide if they can help each other find a path to healing. Will they seize this second chance, or will their struggles consume them? Their intertwined journeys reveal the power of friendship and resilience in the face of despair.
Darius the Great Is Not Okay
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2018

Darius the Great Is Not Okay

By Adib Khorram · Book #1 in the Darius the Great series

A trip to Iran transforms Darius, challenging his identity and friendships.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2019)Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature (2019)
316 pages· 66,781 words· Est. 6 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 38,003 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Darius Kellner, a self-proclaimed 'Fractional Persian,' embarks on his first journey to Iran, grappling with cultural identity and depression. Struggling to fit in, he meets Sohrab, the boy next door, who calls him Darioush, awakening a sense of belonging. As they bond over soccer and secret rooftop talks, Darius discovers a new version of himself. Will this friendship help him reconcile his dual heritage and find where he truly belongs? Dive into a heartfelt tale of identity, friendship, and self-discovery.
Eliza and Her Monsters
Sale price
$1139
Chapter Book · Ages 13–18 · 2017

Eliza and Her Monsters

By Francesca Zappia

An online creator's secret identity is exposed, threatening her world and newfound offline connections.

420 pages· 76,968 words· Est. 7 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 65,660 ratings
$11.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Eliza Mirk, a shy teen, secretly runs a famous webcomic. Her online world is perfect until Wallace, a new student, challenges her to embrace real life. When her identity is revealed, Eliza's carefully crafted world unravels, risking her art, friendships, and sanity. Can she find balance between her digital fame and the real world?
All the Bright Places
Sale price
$1899
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2015

All the Bright Places

By Jennifer Niven

Two teens meet on a ledge, changing each other's lives forever.

388 pages· 88,079 words· Est. 8 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 643,760 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Theodore Finch is obsessed with death, while Violet Markey longs for the future. When they meet on a school bell tower ledge, their lives intertwine in unexpected ways. As Violet learns to live in the moment, Finch finds his world shrinking. Can their connection save them both, or will it unravel under the weight of their struggles? Discover a poignant tale of love, loss, and the power of human connection.
Louder Than Hunger
Sale price
$1797
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2024

Louder Than Hunger

By John Schu

Jake battles inner demons and an eating disorder, risking everything to find his voice before he vanishes completely.

Schneider Family Book Honor (2025)
528 pages· 20,407 words· Est. 2.5 hour read
4.4 Goodreads · 8,907 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Jake, a nursing home volunteer, finds solace in helping others but struggles with an eating disorder that threatens to consume him. As he avoids peers and mirrors, he battles the voice inside urging him to disappear. Can Jake find the strength to silence his inner torment and embrace self-acceptance before it's too late? This poignant novel-in-verse explores the raw journey of survival and self-expression, offering a lifeline to those in need.
Love, Aubrey
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2009

Love, Aubrey

By Suzanne LaFleur

Aubrey faces loss and a life-changing decision in Vermont.

272 pages· 52,603 words· Est. 7.5 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 11,721 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: After an unimaginable loss, young Aubrey moves to Vermont to live with her grandmother. As she navigates new friendships and the path to healing, she must confront a pivotal choice that could redefine her future. Will she find the strength to move forward, or will the past hold her back? Discover Aubrey's journey of resilience and hope in this touching tale of recovery and self-discovery.
How to Become a Planet
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2021

How to Become a Planet

By Nicole Melleby

Pluto's summer of self-discovery challenges her to redefine normal amidst depression and family pressures.

288 pages· 53,034 words· Est. 6 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 1,371 ratings
$7.95Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Thirteen-year-old Pluto faces a summer unlike any other. Diagnosed with depression, she feels trapped by a looming move to the city. Determined to stay with her mom, Pluto devises a plan to reclaim her old self. But with the help of a new therapist, a supportive tutor, and a charming friend, Pluto learns that self-discovery is about embracing who she is now, not who she used to be. Will Pluto find her place in the universe, or will the weight of expectations pull her into a black hole?
Some Kind of Happiness
Sale price
$1899
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2016

Some Kind of Happiness

By Claire Legrand

A girl must save a magical world to save herself.

374 pages
4.3 Goodreads · 6,562 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Finley Hart's summer at her grandparents' house reveals a magical forest from her notebook is real. As she uncovers its secrets, she must confront her own inner struggles to save the Everwood. Can she find the strength to heal both worlds?
Taylor Before and After
Sale price
$1597
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

Taylor Before and After

By Jennie Englund

A tragic accident shatters Taylor's world. Can she rebuild her life from the pieces left behind?

320 pages· 60,740 words· Est. 8.5 hour read
3.9 Goodreads · 323 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Taylor Harper's life splits into 'before' and 'after' a devastating accident. Once popular and surrounded by friends, she now faces isolation and bullying. Her family is fractured, and her brother Eli is gone. Through diary entries, Taylor navigates the tumultuous year, grappling with loss and searching for hope. Can she find a way to move forward when the past looms so large? Discover Taylor's journey of resilience and self-discovery in a world turned upside down.
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Depression Picture Books

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

Looking for Smile
Sale price
$1899

Looking for Smile

Ages 0–8 · 2020

Bear's Smile is missing. Can his friends help him find it?

The Color Thief
Sale price
$1699

The Color Thief

Ages 4–8 · 2014

A boy's world loses color as his father battles depression, but hope returns with healing.

Shadow
Sale price
$1799

Shadow

Ages 5–8 · 2019

A child discovers a mysterious Shadow under the bed, challenging fears and family bonds.

Sometimes When I'm Sad
Series
Sale price
$1599

Sometimes When I'm Sad

Ages 4–8 · 2020

A child learns to manage overwhelming sadness with simple, empowering strategies.

Skim
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1895

Skim

Ages 14–17 · 2008

A goth teen navigates love and loss amidst school chaos.

Pockets Full of Rocks
Sale price
$1699

Pockets Full of Rocks

Ages 4–8 · 2021

A girl seeks to understand her father's depression, hoping for his return to happiness.

View all depression picture books
Browse by age

Depression Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about depression for developing and independent readers.

Vilonia Beebe Takes Charge
Sale price
$1699

Vilonia Beebe Takes Charge

Ages 8–12 · 2017

A girl must prove her responsibility to get a dog and help her grieving mom.

Someone Else's Shoes
Sale price
$1699

Someone Else's Shoes

Ages 10–14 · 2018

Three kids embark on a road trip to find a missing uncle, discovering family in unexpected places.

Icebreaker
Sale price
$1899

Icebreaker

Ages 14–17 · 2022

Two rivals on the ice face unexpected feelings that could change everything.

We Are All So Good at Smiling
Sale price
$1999

We Are All So Good at Smiling

Ages 14–17 · 2023

Two teens confront a mysterious forest hiding their shared past and deepest fears.

When We Collided
Sale price
$1099

When We Collided

Ages 14–18 · 2016

A summer romance tests two teens as love battles old wounds and unexpected challenges.

The Only Girl in Town
Sale price
$1999

The Only Girl in Town

Ages 12–+ · 2023

Everyone in July's town vanishes. Can she uncover the truth and bring them back?

Dinner at the Brake Fast
Sale price
$1899

Dinner at the Brake Fast

Ages 8–12 · 2024

A diner heist, a prized photo, and a dinner to brighten a dark day.

My Ex-Imaginary Friend
Sale price
$1799

My Ex-Imaginary Friend

Ages 9–12 · 2021

Jack's imaginary friend may hold the key to reuniting his fractured family.

The Last Tree Town
Sale price
$1799

The Last Tree Town

Ages 9–12 · 2020

Cassi's identity is challenged as a viral video threatens her newfound friendship.

View all depression chapter books
Keep exploring
Books about depression and mental illnessBooks about helping othersBooks about death, grief, and bereavementBooks about drugs, alcohol, and substance abuseBooks about making friendsBooks about mother-daughter relationshipsBooks about recovering from illnessBooks about secrets