Determination is the least glamorous virtue and the easiest one to spot: a toddler hauling herself back onto the couch for the ninth time, a boy shooting free throws until the streetlights come on, a man with a hammer deciding that a mountain is standing in the wrong place. What makes it good story material is never the triumph at the end. It is the stubbornness in the middle — the stretch where the thing still is not working and the character decides to keep going anyway.
Drawing from Bookroo’s collection of 209 children’s books about determination, our editors chose ten that keep their eye on that middle stretch. Some are true stories about people who gave one idea years of their life; one is an early reader in which a pig is absolutely going to fly. Start with the shortlist below, then browse board books for the age when “I do it myself” is the whole plot, picture books about practicing and starting over, and chapter books where the goal takes a full novel to reach.
A small blue engine takes on a mountain of a job armed with nothing but a rhythm and a refusal to stop.
Piggie announces that she will fly today. Gerald raises several excellent objections. Piggie is undeterred.
Irene’s mother is sick, the duchess needs her gown by evening, and the snow has opinions of its own.
A girl knows exactly what she wants to build. Fourteen attempts later, she still cannot build it.
Rosie hides her inventions after one laugh, until a great-great-aunt explains what a crash is actually worth.
One man, one chisel, and a ridge of rock standing between his village and everything it needs.
Doctors said she would never walk again. At twenty she was the fastest woman in the world.
Ten-year-old Willy enters a dogsled race against grown men because it is the only way left to save his grandfather’s farm.
Armed with a cardboard suitcase and a list of rules, ten-year-old Bud walks out of Flint to find the bandleader he is sure is his father.
Astrid signs herself up for roller derby camp, discovers she is the worst skater there, and tells no one.
Sturdy first books about trying, tipping over, and climbing straight back on — for the age when doing it yourself matters more than doing it well, ages 0–3.
Overcome polio to become an Olympic champion. Discover Wilma Rudolph's inspiring journey.
A boy's journey to reading promises unexpected rewards and hope for young learners.
A turtle's struggle to get dressed becomes an adventure.
A playful kitty faces everyday challenges with resilience.
Read-alouds about practicing, starting over, and finishing the hard thing — plus true stories of people who would not let a good idea go, ages 3–8.
A young football player proves himself despite his small size
Freddy's desperate to lose a tooth, but his plan might land him in big trouble.
A famous egg who fell off a wall recounts his journey to overcome his fears and learn to fly.
A young boy from New Orleans discovers his passion for music and becomes a renowned trombone player.
A young girl struggles to learn to read despite her love for books and learning.
Discover the trailblazing journey of a woman who taught computers to 'speak English' and broke all the rules.
Can the Brooklyn Bridge withstand the weight of a grand spectacle?
A young girl dreams of playing the lead role in her school play despite others doubting her.
A snail's quest for cabbage leads to unexpected friendships and clever solutions.
A penguin dreams of flying despite his limitations. Can he defy the odds?
A young girl's journey with autism shapes her life and inspires her to help others.
A shark-loving boy must learn to swim to prove himself in a sibling showdown.
Longer stories in which the goal takes months of training, one bad plan, and at least one real setback before anybody gets close, ages 7–11.
Two Sudanese children face perilous journeys for survival and hope.
A young boy invents a new word and explores its impact on his community.
A young girl becomes a knight to prove herself and rescue those in need.
A girl seeks the Old Man on the Moon to change her family's fortune.
A fourth grader battles censorship to save her favorite book from being banned.
A young girl must navigate a treacherous journey to deliver a secret message to a tavern owner in a small town.
Can Marc become a warrior and stand up to the school bully before summer ends?
Two brothers defy gravity, launching the Age of Flight.
A girl fights for an all-girls soccer team amidst family changes.
Jack must uncover the truth behind a rooftop mystery to clear his name and save his friends.
A young drummer faces obstacles to pursue her dream, risking everything for the beat in her heart.
A girl defies rules and dust storms to join a secret baseball team and save her family's future.
