Books About Family Journeys

The Best Family Journeys Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for our other guide?

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

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Looking for excellent children's books about family journeys? 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.

Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie
Series
The Shortlist

Our 5 Favorite Books About Family Journeys

Sale price
$1049
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1997

Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie

By Kristiana Gregory · Dear America series

A young girl chronicles her family's perilous journey on the Oregon Trail.

140 pages· 29,100 words· Est. 3 hour read
4.0/5 Goodreads · 8,797 ratings
$10.95Save 4%
Hardcover
Summary: Thirteen-year-old Hattie Campbell documents her family's treacherous trek from Missouri to Oregon in 1847. As they face relentless challenges on the Oregon Trail, from harsh weather to scarce resources, Hattie's diary captures the resilience and hope needed to survive. Will they reach their destination, or will the journey's trials prove too great? Discover the courage and determination of a family seeking a new life in the untamed West.
Chapter Book · Ages 8–+

Rootabaga Stories

By Miska Petersham (Author/Illustrator), Carl Sandburg, Maud Petersham (Illustrator)

Discover whimsical tales with floating villages and zig-zag trains.

168 pages· 29,002 words· Est. 5.5 hour read
5.0/7 Bookroo
$16.99Save 6%
Bookroo Collection Edition: Hardcover
Summary: Enter a world where trains zig-zag, animals don bibs, and villages float on the wind. Carl Sandburg spins fantastical tales for his daughters, filled with corn fairies and skyscrapers. These stories, free from traditional kings and princesses, offer a fresh, imaginative take on American folklore. What adventures await in the Village of Cream Puffs? Perfect for young dreamers, these tales promise laughter and wonder, captivating generations with their unique charm and whimsy. Dive into a realm where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and every story is a delightful surprise.
Chapter Book · 1994

Bound for Oregon

A family braves the Oregon Trail, facing peril and uncertainty. Will they reach their dreamland?

164 pages· 42,289 words
3.9/5 Goodreads · 1,667 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: In 1852, the Todd family embarks on a perilous journey from Arkansas to the uncharted Oregon Territory. Armed only with a guidebook, they face treacherous landscapes and hostile encounters. As winter looms, their pioneering spirit is tested. Can they endure the harsh conditions and reach their promised land? And if they do, will Oregon be the paradise they hope for? This gripping tale of resilience and sacrifice explores the true cost of chasing a dream in the wild frontier.
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1949

The Secret Valley

A family seeks fortune in California but finds true happiness elsewhere.

90 pages· 8,919 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
3.9/5 Goodreads · 336 ratings
$10.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: The Davis family leaves Missouri, chasing dreams of gold in California. As they journey through mountains and deserts, they face unexpected challenges in a bustling tent city. With little gold and growing disillusionment, they must decide if their dreams lie elsewhere. Can they find happiness beyond the promise of riches?
Chapter Book · Ages 6–8 · 2008

Journey of a Pioneer

Journey the Oregon Trail to find a new home.

32 pages· 1,041 words· Est. 12 min read
3.9/5 Goodreads · 67 ratings
$4.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Join Olivia and her family on a daring trek along the Oregon Trail. Experience life in a wagon, sleeping under the stars, and the quest for food. Will they reach their new home? Discover the challenges and adventures of pioneer life in this captivating tale.
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