Books About Family Changes

The Best Family Changes Books for Kids

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Explore our editor-reviewed guide to Change, featuring 10 favorites and recommendations by age.

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Looking for excellent children's books about family changes? 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 Family Changes

How to Be a Girl in the World
Sale price
$1597
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

How to Be a Girl in the World

Unwanted attention from boys and men leaves a twelve-year-old uncomfortable in her own skin.

304 pages· 55,343 words· Est. 7.5 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 564 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Lydia hasn't felt comfortable in her own skin since boys at school began commenting on how she looks in her uniform. Her cousin and friends say she should be flattered, but the attention, including hugs from her mom's boyfriend that last a little too long, leaves her confused. As seventh grade begins, Lydia learns that her body is her own, and that she makes the rules about who can touch it.
Life Just Got Real
Sale price
$1597
Chapter Book · Ages 12–17 · 2016

Life Just Got Real

Two teens from different worlds clash on reality TV, but can they find true friendship amid the chaos?

288 pages· 74,685 words· Est. 7 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 1,083 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Paperback
Summary: A.J. Smith, a down-to-earth girl from Louisiana, moves to Nashville and finds herself thrust into the glamorous world of Kate Kelly, a reality TV star. As producers stir drama for ratings, A.J. and Kate's lives spiral into chaos. When prom plans unravel and relationships falter, A.J. unexpectedly becomes Kate's ally. Can these two opposites forge a genuine friendship amidst the staged conflicts and high-stakes drama? Discover if they can stay true to themselves and each other in a world where reality is anything but real.
Willa and the Whale
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2020

Willa and the Whale

A girl finds solace and friendship with a talking whale, sparking a journey of healing and activism.

256 pages· 58,563 words· Est. 8 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 566 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Twelve-year-old Willa, grieving her mother's death, finds solace in an unexpected friendship with a talking whale named Meg. As Willa navigates school troubles and family secrets, she learns about the deep bonds whales share. When a blue whale washes ashore, Willa is determined to honor its legacy, rallying her community to preserve it. But as Meg's pod prepares to migrate, Willa must face another goodbye. Can she find strength in their connection and her newfound purpose? Dive into a tale of loss, friendship, and the ties that bind us across worlds.
Monday
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2021

Monday

By Eva Amores, Matt Cosgrove (Author/Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Worst Week Ever! series

Justin's week spirals into chaos with vampires, bullies, and disappearing swim trunks.

192 pages· 16,141 words· Est. 2.5 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 552 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Justin Chase is having the worst week ever. His mom's new husband might be a vampire, his dad's driving a toilet on wheels, and his cat's missing. On top of that, a bully targets him on his first day at a new school. Now, he's stuck on a diving board in vanishing swim trunks, and it's only Monday. Can Justin survive this whirlwind of disasters?
Double Vision
Sale price
$1597
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2015

Double Vision

Twin sisters must alter the future after discovering their visions of what's to come.

208 pages· 33,342 words· Est. 4.5 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 688 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Tween twins Cassie and Caitlyn face a new life in Aura, Texas, where they uncover a mysterious ability to foresee events. As they navigate being the new kids, their visions reveal a future they must change. Can they harness their gift to alter destiny, or will their foresight lead to unforeseen consequences? Dive into a world where sisterly bonds and supernatural powers collide, challenging the twins to embrace their unique connection and shape the future before it unfolds.
Amber Brown Is on the Move
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2013

Amber Brown Is on the Move

Amber faces family changes, school tests, and a dance competition. Can she keep it together?

192 pages· 20,243 words· Est. 3 hour read
4.0 Goodreads · 152 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Amber Brown's world is shifting as her mom remarries and they move to a new house. With her dad dating and school pressures mounting, Amber must navigate these changes while preparing for a dance competition and standardized tests. Can she find balance in her new life and maintain her colorful spirit?
Dinosaurs Divorce
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 1986

Dinosaurs Divorce

Navigate the challenges of divorce with understanding and resilience.

32 pages· 1,269 words· Est. 10 min read-aloud
4.1 Goodreads · 433 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: When a family faces the upheaval of divorce, young readers can find clarity and comfort in this insightful guide. Through the eyes of relatable dinosaur characters, discover what divorce means, why it happens, and how to adapt to new family dynamics. From living with one parent to celebrating holidays in two homes, this book addresses the emotional and practical aspects of divorce. As children learn to express their feelings and understand their new reality, they also explore the possibilities of meeting new friends and family members. How will they navigate these changes and find their new normal?
The Case of the Lost Boy
Sale price
$1398
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2010

The Case of the Lost Boy

A detective dog must solve the mystery of his missing family and a vanished boy.

128 pages· 11,227 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
3.9 Goodreads · 995 ratings
$14.99Save 7%
Hardcover
Summary: King, a detective dog, faces a puzzling dilemma: his family is missing, and he's stuck in the pound. Adopted by a new family who calls him Buddy, he soon faces another mystery when young Connor disappears. With the help of a large dog named Mouse and a mysterious cat, King must unravel the secrets surrounding him. Can this clever canine solve the mysteries and find his way back to his beloved human? Dive into a tale of loyalty, courage, and unexpected friendships.
The Endless Game
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$2374
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2026

The Endless Game

By J.D. Amato, Sophie Morse (Illustrator)

A new kid is drafted into a decades-old capture-the-flag war that splits his town.

248 pages· 12,995 words· Est. 2.5 hour read
3.9 Goodreads · 207 ratings
$24.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: When Fred Townsend moves to Lakeside, Illinois, he's pulled into a game of capture the flag that has divided the town's kids for generations. The game has its own history, laws and institutions, from castle-like bases and prisons to kid-run saloons and a council that rules on disputes. As the summer war rages, Fred has to figure out where he fits, who his real friends are, and what winning really means. A slice-of-life middle-grade graphic novel.
Second Grade Rules, Amber Brown
Sale price
$574
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2004

Second Grade Rules, Amber Brown

By Paula Danziger, Tony Ross (Illustrator) · Book #5 in the A Is for Amber series

A messy desk could cost Amber a magical reward. Can she tidy up in time?

48 pages· 1,584 words· Est. 13 min read-aloud
3.9 Goodreads · 245 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Amber Brown loves second grade, but a new rule threatens her fun. Her teacher insists on clean desks, yet Amber's is a disaster. Desperate for a visit from the desk fairy, Deskarina, and the reward she brings, Amber faces a challenge: can she conquer her cluttered chaos? With a treat on the line, Amber must decide if she can change her messy ways. Will she succeed, or will her desk remain a disaster? Dive into this humorous tale of classroom antics and magical motivation.
Browse by age

Family Changes Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about family changes for developing and independent readers.

P.S. Longer Letter Later
Sale price
$899

P.S. Longer Letter Later

Ages 9–12 · 1998

Two best friends must keep their bond alive through letters after a sudden separation.

Girl Forgotten
Sale price
$1299

Girl Forgotten

Ages 12–18 · 2023

A teen's podcast reopens a girl's unsolved murder, and someone wants her to stop.

Sale price
$599

Queen of the Sea

Ages 7–10 · 2025

A girl faces new challenges aboard a luxurious cruise ship. Can she find her place at sea?

A Song Called Home
Sale price
$1699

A Song Called Home

Ages 8–12 · 2022

Lou's life changes with a mysterious guitar and a move away from everything she knows.