Books About Gangs

The Best Gangs Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about gangs? 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 6 Favorite Books About Gangs

Six of Crows
Sale price
$1498
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2015

Six of Crows

By Leigh Bardugo · Book #1 in the Six of Crows series

Six outcasts. One impossible heist. Can they survive each other and save the world?

465 pages· 134,876 words· Est. 12.5 hour read
4.5 Goodreads · 1,216,320 ratings
$15.99Save 6%
Paperback
Summary: In the bustling city of Ketterdam, criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker assembles a crew for a heist that promises untold riches. Joined by a vengeful convict, a gambling sharpshooter, a runaway, a stealthy spy, a magical Heartrender, and a cunning thief, Kaz faces a mission fraught with danger. As tensions rise, can these six outcasts pull off the impossible without tearing each other apart? Dive into a world where the stakes are high, and the line between survival and destruction is razor-thin. Will they succeed, or will their differences lead to their downfall?
Trouble on the Orphan Train
Sale price
$574
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2016

Trouble on the Orphan Train

Time-traveling kids must clear an orphan's name and find a missing friend.

144 pages· 13,393 words· Est. 2 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 156 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Cousins Patrick and Beth step into the Imagination Station, landing on an 1874 orphan train. They befriend a young orphan wrongly accused of robbery, facing a future without a family. As they journey west, they must clear his name and unravel the mystery of their missing friend, Eugene. Can they solve the puzzle before reaching the end of the line?
The Only Road
Sale price
$1797
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2016

The Only Road

A boy flees Guatemala, risking everything for a new life in the U.S.

320 pages· 60,861 words· Est. 7 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 2,813 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Jaime's life in Guatemala shatters when his cousin is murdered by a ruthless gang. Fearing he's next, Jaime embarks on a perilous journey to New Mexico with his cousin Ángela. As they navigate danger and uncertainty, Jaime must confront his fears and find courage in the face of loss. Will he find safety and a new beginning, or will the shadows of his past catch up with him? This gripping tale of survival and hope explores the lengths one will go to for a chance at a better life.
Flight
Sale price
$1049
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2026

Flight

A perilous journey on a deadly train tests a girl's courage and trust as she seeks her lost family.

96 pages· 15,629 words· Est. 2 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 187 ratings
$10.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Daniela López faces a harrowing journey from Honduras to the U.S. border after being separated from her parents. With her younger brother Carlos, she must navigate the dangers of 'The Beast,' a treacherous freight train, while evading gangs and kidnappers. Trust becomes a precious commodity as they travel with fellow refugees, each decision potentially life-altering. Will Dani find her parents, or will the perils of the journey prove too great? This gripping tale explores the immigrant experience and the resilience needed to forge a new path.
Lockdown
Sale price
$1498
Chapter Book · Ages 13–+ · 2010

Lockdown

A teen in juvie must choose between freedom and loyalty when his friend is in danger.

272 pages· 45,613 words· Est. 4 hour read
3.8 Goodreads · 1,993 ratings
$15.99Save 6%
Paperback
Summary: Reese Anderson, trapped in a juvenile facility, yearns for freedom. His chance comes with a work program at a senior home, but a difficult resident, Mr. Hooft, challenges him. As Reese struggles to prove he's more than a criminal, his loyalty is tested when his friend Toon faces gang threats. Will Reese risk his early release to do what's right, or will he find a new path to redemption? In a world where survival means more than just getting out, Reese must decide who he truly is.
The Secret Detective
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

The Secret Detective

Young detective Ali faces danger and tough choices after witnessing a crime.

272 pages· 38,084 words· Est. 5.5 hour read
3.9 Goodreads · 2,058 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Ali Cross, aspiring detective and son of the legendary Alex Cross, dives into crime-solving with his friends. They hack police calls and visit crime scenes, eager to crack cases. But when Ali witnesses a chilling event, he must confront the harsh realities of detective work. Can he follow in his father's footsteps, or will he find himself in danger? The stakes are high as Ali navigates the challenges of being a detective's son.