Books About Diseases · 138 titles considered

The Best Diseases Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about diseases? 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.

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The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Diseases

Sale price

$1498

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2017

Caleb and Kit

By Beth Vrabel

A boy with cystic fibrosis befriends a mysterious girl, challenging his sheltered life.

Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year (2018)VOYA Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers (2017)Cybils Award Finalist (2017)

272 pages· 57,771 words· Est. 8 hour read

5.4/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 553 ratings

$15.99Save 6%

Paperback

Summary: Caleb, a twelve-year-old with cystic fibrosis, lives a sheltered life under his mom's watchful eye. When he meets Kit, a spirited girl who turns every day into an adventure, his world shifts. Kit's magic and daring spirit make Caleb question the rules he's always followed. But as their friendship deepens, Caleb faces a choice: embrace the thrill and risk of Kit's world or protect himself from potential harm. Can their bond survive the challenges they face, or will it lead to unforeseen consequences?

Sale price

$1139

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2018

Five Feet Apart

By Rachael Lippincott

Two teens fall in love but must stay apart to survive. Can love bridge the distance between them?

304 pages· 61,382 words· Est. 5.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 264,441 ratings

$11.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Stella and Will, both battling cystic fibrosis, must keep a safe distance to protect their fragile health. Stella's life depends on a lung transplant, while Will dreams of freedom beyond hospital walls. As their connection deepens, the mandated six feet apart feels like a cruel barrier. Can they risk everything for a chance at love, or will the distance keep them safe but heartbroken? Discover if five feet apart is worth the risk in this poignant tale of love and survival.

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Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

Squint

By Chad Morris, Shelly Brown

A boy races against blindness to finish his comic, while a new friend risks popularity to discover her own talents.

256 pages· 51,448 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 2,155 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Flint, nicknamed Squint, is racing against time to complete his comic before losing his sight. At school, he meets McKell, the new girl who defies her popular friends to befriend him. As Flint battles his eye disease, McKell faces her own fears of sharing her hidden talents. Together, they navigate the challenges of friendship, self-discovery, and the courage to be true to themselves. Will they find the strength to reveal their true selves and see what truly matters? Discover the inspiring journey of two unlikely friends who learn to trust and believe in each other.

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2021

Red, White, and Whole

By Rajani LaRocca

An Indian American girl faces her mother's illness, torn between cultural worlds and expectations.

Newbery Honor (2022)

224 pages· 21,311 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 8,231 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Reha, an Indian American girl, navigates the clash between her school life and family traditions. When her mother is diagnosed with leukemia, Reha's world shatters. Despite her fear of blood, she dreams of becoming a doctor to save her mother. Can she bridge the gap between her two worlds and meet her parents' expectations to heal her family? This poignant tale explores identity, cultural conflict, and the unyielding bonds of love.

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2015

Fuzzy Mud

By Louis Sachar

Two kids take a shortcut through forbidden woods and uncover a world-altering secret.

192 pages· 33,143 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

5.3/7 Bookroo·3.9/5 Goodreads · 13,201 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Tamaya and Marshall's routine walk home turns perilous when they detour through forbidden woods to avoid a bully. Lost and in unexpected danger, they stumble upon a secret that draws in authorities and the U.S. Senate. As the mystery deepens, the stakes rise, threatening the future of the world. What have they discovered, and can it be stopped before it's too late? This gripping tale weaves suspense and environmental intrigue, challenging two young students to navigate a crisis far beyond their years.

Sale price

$2328

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2012

The Fault in Our Stars

A terminal girl meets a boy who changes her story forever.

318 pages· 65,985 words· Est. 6 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 5,848,037 ratings

$24.50Save 5%

Library Binding

Summary: Hazel, living with a terminal diagnosis, finds her world transformed when Augustus Waters enters her life at a support group. As their bond deepens, they navigate love, life, and the looming shadow of mortality. Will their connection rewrite Hazel's fate, or is it destined to end in heartbreak? Discover a tale that is as funny as it is poignant, exploring the unpredictable journey of being alive and in love.

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2021

Yolk

By Mary H. K. Choi

Estranged sisters must reunite and swap identities to face life-threatening challenges.

390 pages

3.9/5 Goodreads · 31,858 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Jayne and June Baek, once inseparable sisters, are now estranged. June's cancer diagnosis forces them back together, compelling Jayne to help her sister by swapping identities. As they navigate family secrets and personal struggles, will they uncover truths about each other and themselves? Can Jayne face her own hidden illness while trying to save June? This emotional journey tests their bond and reveals unexpected depths in their relationship.

Sale price

$1881

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2000

Hope Was Here

By Joan Bauer

A small-town diner becomes the battleground for a mayoral race against corruption.

Newbery Honor (2001)

186 pages· 42,314 words· Est. 4 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 21,599 ratings

$19.80Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Hope moves to Wisconsin with her aunt to manage a diner, only to find herself swept into a mayoral campaign. The current owner, G.T., challenges a corrupt candidate, igniting a fight for justice. As Hope navigates new friendships and unexpected challenges, she discovers the power of community and the strength within herself. Will G.T.'s vision for change inspire the town, and can Hope find her own place in this unfolding drama? In a town where everyone needs a little hope, the stakes are high, and the future is uncertain.

Sale price

$2071

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2011

Delirium

By Lauren Oliver · Book #1 in the Delirium series

In a world where love is a disease, Lena faces a choice that could change everything.

480 pages· 114,476 words· Est. 10.5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 481,655 ratings

$21.80Save 5%

Library Binding

Summary: In a society where love is outlawed, Lena Haloway eagerly awaits the Cure to ensure a safe, predictable life. But with just ninety-five days until her procedure, she meets Alex, a mysterious boy from the Wilds. As they grow closer, Lena must confront the terrifying possibility of falling in love and the dangerous consequences that follow. Will she choose safety or risk everything for a forbidden emotion? Dive into a world where the heart's desires clash with society's demands, and discover what happens when love becomes the ultimate rebellion.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 11–15 · 2000

Fever 1793

By Laurie Halse Anderson

A deadly fever engulfs 1793 Philadelphia, forcing a young girl to flee and survive.

252 pages· 51,233 words· Est. 5 hour read

4.8/7 Bookroo·3.9/5 Goodreads · 135,489 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In 1793 Philadelphia, Mattie Cook dreams of transforming her family's coffee shop. But when a deadly fever strikes, her world collapses. Forced to flee with her grandfather, Mattie faces a city in chaos. Can she navigate the dangers and find a way to survive as the epidemic spreads relentlessly? Discover her journey through a city gripped by fear and disease.

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Diseases Picture Books

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

Sale price

$1899

Outside, Inside

Ages 3–6 · 2021

A world goes quiet as everyone moves inside, finding strength and hope amid change.

Sale price

$1899

The Lemonade Club

Ages 6–9 · 2007

A fifth-grade class unites to support a friend battling leukemia, turning hardship into hope.

Sale price

$1699

Hair for Mama

Ages 4–8 · 2007

A boy's quest to restore his mother's hair reveals deeper truths about love and family.

Sale price

$1799

Cancer Hates Kisses

Ages 3–5 · 2017

A mother battles cancer, sharing her journey with her child through a heartfelt story.

Sale price

$1599

There Is a Rainbow

Ages 4–6 · 2021

Discover hope and connection beyond life's barriers.

Sale price

$899

Germs Make Me Sick!

Ages 4–8 · 1985

Discover how invisible germs can make you sick and how your body fights back.

Sale price

$1799

My Mommy Medicine

Ages 3–6 · 2019

A child's gloomy day transforms with the magic of Mommy Medicine's love and care.

Series

Sale price

$1899

Llama Llama Time to Share

Ages 2–5 · 2012

A young llama learns to share with a new friend.

Sale price

$1699

Diabetes Doesn't Stop Maddie!

Ages 4–8 · 2020

A young girl navigates school and soccer while managing her new diabetes diagnosis.

Sale price

$1699

How Do You Care for a Very Sick Bear?

Ages 2–6 · 2019

How do you support a friend when they're too sick to play?

Sale price

$1799

That's What Dinosaurs Do

Ages 4–8 · 2019

A dinosaur must stay silent for a week. Can he resist roaring?

Sale price

$2793

I Live with Diabetes

Ages 4–8 · 2023

A young boy balances school, baseball, and diabetes.

View all diseases picture books

Browse by age

Diseases Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about diseases for developing and independent readers.

Sale price

$1795

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Ages 14–18 · 2012

A high school filmmaker's life changes when he's forced to befriend a girl with cancer.

#1 in Series

Sale price

$1999

Jack Blank and the Imagine Nation

Ages 8–12 · 2010

A boy's hidden past may save or doom a secret world.

#3 in Series

Sale price

$699

Wild Cat

Ages 8–12 · 2009

Kat has two weeks to prove herself worthy of adoption, but challenges at school and the animal rescue test her limits.

#2 in Series

Sale price

$899

Twilight Robbery

Ages 9–12 · 2021

Jack must uncover the truth behind a rooftop mystery to clear his name and save his friends.

Sale price

$1799

The Magic of Melwick Orchard

Ages 9–14 · 2018

A magical tree offers hope to a struggling family. Can it save them?

Sale price

$799

Ms. Bixby's Last Day

Ages 8–12 · 2016

Three boys embark on a daring quest to honor their beloved teacher's last day.

#7 in Series

Sale price

$1999

The Vanderbeekers Ever After

Ages 8–12 · 2023

A family faces illness, finding hope and strength in their community.

Sale price

$1799

The Hope of Elephants

Ages 10–12 · 2022

Facing her father's cancer, Cass must decide if knowing her genetic fate is worth the risk.

#2 in Series

Sale price

$1099

The Secret War

Ages 8–12 · 2011

A young hero must stop a virus, protect secrets, and uncover his father's mystery.

Sale price

$799

Five Things about Ava Andrews

Ages 8–12 · 2020

A shy girl battles anxiety through improv, finding her voice and purpose.

Sale price

$899

When Friendship Followed Me Home

Ages 10–13 · 2016

A foster kid's life changes after rescuing a dog and meeting a unique girl.

Sale price

$799

The Honest Truth

Ages 8–12 · 2015

A boy and his dog embark on a daring journey to conquer a mountain, defying illness and fate.

View all diseases chapter books

Keep exploring

Books about cancer Books about bullying Books about cystic fibrosis Books about falling in love Books about contests Books about death, grief, and bereavement Books about diseases, illnesses, injuries, and disabilities Books about eating disorders and body image

Our 10 Favorite Books About Diseases

Great books, picked for their age.

Diseases Picture Books

Diseases Chapter Books & Middle Grade

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