Books About Family Dysfunction

The Best Family Dysfunction Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about family dysfunction? 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 7 Favorite Books About Family Dysfunction

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 · 83,462 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.
Eleanor & Park
Sale price
$2184
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2012

Eleanor & Park

By Rainbow Rowell

Two misfits navigate first love, knowing it rarely lasts but daring to try.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2013)Michael L. Printz Honor (2014)Odyssey Honor (2014)
535 pages· 78,372 words· Est. 7.5 hour read
3.9 Goodreads · 1,283,015 ratings
$22.99Save 5%
Library Binding
Summary: In 1986, two high school misfits, Eleanor and Park, find themselves drawn together despite knowing the odds are against them. As they navigate the complexities of first love, they grapple with the reality that such feelings often fade. Yet, their connection is undeniable, and they are willing to risk everything for a chance at something real. Will their bravery be enough to defy the odds, or will they become another story of love lost? Discover the challenges and triumphs of young love in a world that seems determined to keep them apart.
Becoming Naomi León
Sale price
$1938
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2004

Becoming Naomi León

A girl flees to Mexico seeking her father as her mother reappears.

41,720 words· Est. 4.5 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 13,282 ratings
$20.40Save 5%
Library Binding
Summary: Naomi's world is upended when her estranged mother returns, threatening to take her away. Desperate for answers and belonging, she embarks on a journey to Mexico with her great-grandmother and brother, hoping to find her father. As they navigate unfamiliar landscapes and family secrets, Naomi must confront her past and decide where her true home lies. Will she find the answers she seeks, or will her quest lead to more questions?
The Juvie Three
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2008

The Juvie Three

By Gordon Korman

Three teenage boys from different backgrounds navigate a new life in a halfway house after being released from juvenile detention.

256 pages· 50,867 words· Est. 4.5 hour read
3.9 Goodreads · 3,429 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Gecko, Terence, and Arjay are juvenile delinquents given a fresh start at a halfway house. When their mentor, Healy, loses his memory after an accident, the boys face a dilemma. To avoid returning to detention, they concoct a daring plan to keep the house running without him. But with every move, the risk of discovery looms. Can they maintain the facade, or will their past catch up with them, ending their chance at redemption?
The Undrowned
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

The Undrowned

A deadly push, a vanished friend, and a chilling return. Who's haunting whom?

240 pages· 32,141 words· Est. 4.5 hour read
3.9 Goodreads · 1,831 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Samantha and Rachel were once friends until betrayal turned them into enemies. A heated confrontation by the lake ends with Rachel disappearing beneath the water. But the next day, Rachel is back, unscathed, and ready to turn the tables. As Samantha grapples with the impossible, she must face a new nightmare: Rachel's mysterious return and her own dark secrets. What really happened at the lake, and how far will Rachel go for revenge? Dive into a suspenseful tale of friendship, betrayal, and the haunting consequences of a single moment.
You May Already Be a Winner
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2017

You May Already Be a Winner

By Ann Dee Ellis

A girl plans to win a million dollars to escape her challenging life.

368 pages· 53,758 words· Est. 6 hour read
3.8 Goodreads · 1,006 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Twelve-year-old Olivia Hales dreams of escaping Sunny Pines Trailer Park with her sister, Berkeley. Her plan? Win a million dollars. But between fixing swamp coolers, writing to an absent dad, and entering sweepstakes, Olivia juggles adult responsibilities. As she petitions neighbors for a circus and spies to impress a friend, Olivia wonders who will care for her. Can unexpected allies help her find hope and family where she least expects it?
Fazbear Frights Graphic Novel Collection Vol. 3 (Graphic Novel)
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2023

Fazbear Frights Graphic Novel Collection Vol. 3 (Graphic Novel)

By Scott Cawthon, Kelly Parra, Andrea Waggener, Christopher Hastings (Adapter), Diana Camero (Illustrator), Didi Esmeralda (Illustrator), Coryn Macpherson (Illustrator) · Book #3 in the Five Nights at Freddy’s Graphic Novels series

Three chilling tales of curses, pranks, and arcade games with deadly consequences.

192 pages· 4,649 words· Est. 35 min read
4.0 Goodreads · 544 ratings
$14.99Save 7%
Paperback
Summary: In a world where fate is a dangerous game, Pete, Bob, and Toby face terrifying challenges. Pete's anger leads to a curse, Bob's prank spirals into horror, and Toby's arcade obsession turns deadly. Each story in this graphic novel collection from the Five Nights at Freddy's universe reveals the high cost of tempting fate. Will they survive the night, or will their darkest fears come to life? Dive into these spine-tingling tales and discover the sinister secrets lurking in the shadows. Beware, for even the bravest may find themselves haunted by these chilling stories.
The Bookroo Book Club

Great books, picked for their age.

Books worth reading again and again, delivered to your door.

Find their book club
Keep exploring
Books about dating and courtshipBooks about depression and mental illnessBooks about drugs, alcohol, and substance abuseBooks about fitting inBooks about helping othersBooks about recovering from illness