Books About Guilt And Shame

The Best Guilt And Shame Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about guilt and shame? 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.

#2 in Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Guilt And Shame

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 1843

The Tell-Tale Heart

By Edgar Allan Poe

Dive into chilling tales of murder, madness, and mystery.

224 pages· 2,188 words· Est. 13 min read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 245,537 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Enter a world of suspense with tales like 'The Tell-Tale Heart,' where guilt drives a man to madness, and 'The Cask of Amontillado,' a chilling story of revenge. Meet a detective who outsmarts all in 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue.' Each story, from haunted houses to sinister plots, promises to captivate and terrify. Discover the genius of Poe, the master of Gothic horror and suspense, through these timeless, mind-bending narratives.

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 9–13 · 2015

Lost in the Sun

By Lisa Graff

A boy seeks redemption after a tragic accident haunts him.

304 pages· 72,802 words· Est. 8 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 7,569 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Trent enters middle school burdened by guilt from a tragic accident that left a classmate dead. Desperate for a fresh start, he meets Fallon, a mysterious girl with a scar, who helps him see beyond his pain. Can Trent find redemption and prove he's not the failure he believes himself to be? As he navigates new friendships and old fears, Trent learns that healing isn't straightforward, and sometimes, like a lost fly ball, you must shift your perspective to find your way. Discover a story of resilience, friendship, and the power of second chances.

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2016

Pax

By Sara Pennypacker, Jon Klassen (Illustrator) · Pax series

A boy defies war and distance to reunite with his fox.

278 pages· 49,714 words· Est. 7 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 66,866 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Peter and his fox, Pax, are torn apart when Peter's father joins the military, forcing him to release Pax into the wild. Stranded at his grandfather's house, Peter embarks on a daring journey across three hundred miles, driven by love and loyalty, to find his beloved fox. Meanwhile, Pax navigates the wilderness, facing his own challenges and discoveries. Will their bond withstand the trials of separation and war? This poignant tale explores the depths of friendship and the courage to defy the odds for those we love.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2022

Controlled Burn

By Erin Soderberg Downing

A girl confronts guilt and fear after a fire, seeking courage to protect her loved ones.

256 pages· 59,533 words· Est. 8.5 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 1,106 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Twelve-year-old Maia grapples with guilt after a fire leaves her sister hospitalized. Sent to her grandparents in Minnesota, she faces her fears and isolation. With only a chatty neighbor and a stray dog for company, Maia must learn from nature's lessons. As danger looms again, will she find the courage to protect those she loves?

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 9–13 · 2017

Cyclone

By Doreen Cronin, Debra Sfetsios-Conover (Illustrator)

A roller coaster ride leaves Nora's cousin changed, and guilt drives her quest to restore what was lost.

368 pages· 58,348 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 1,487 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Nora's summer takes a dark turn when her cousin Riley falls into a coma after a roller coaster ride. Convinced it's her fault, Nora is determined to bring back the vibrant Riley she knew. But as Riley awakens, she's not the same, and Nora's guilt deepens. Can Nora find a way to heal her cousin and herself, or will her efforts only make things worse? Dive into a heartfelt journey of responsibility, redemption, and the complexities of family bonds.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1997

Chasing Redbird

By Sharon Creech, Marc Burckhardt (Illustrator)

A hidden trail holds secrets that could change everything for a young girl seeking answers.

272 pages· 45,689 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 13,502 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Thirteen-year-old Zinny stumbles upon an overgrown trail behind her family's farm, sparking a quest for self-discovery. As she clears the path, she unravels family secrets and confronts her aunt's mysterious death. Will the trail lead her to understanding, or deeper into the unknown? In a journey filled with love, loss, and unexpected revelations, Zinny seeks her place in the world, finding that sometimes the answers lie right in her own backyard.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

Haunt Me

By K.R. Alexander · Book #2 in the Scare Me series

A sleepover turns deadly when a ghost refuses to let anyone leave.

224 pages· 27,745 words· Est. 4 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 688 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Maria's guilt over her sister's death haunts her, even at a slumber party. When a game summons a spirit claiming to be her sister, Maria must confront the chilling possibility that her sister has returned. As the ghost's sinister presence grows, Maria and her friends find themselves trapped, facing a terrifying force that won't let them go. Can Maria uncover the truth and escape the vengeful spirit's grasp?

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2008

Paralyzed

By Jeff Rud · Orca Sports series

A linebacker faces backlash and guilt after a controversial play.

169 pages· 24,633 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 143 ratings

$16.95Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Reggie Scott, a star linebacker, grapples with guilt and public outrage after a tackle leaves an opponent hospitalized. As fans label him a 'dirty' player, Reggie must confront his conscience and decide if he can continue playing the sport he loves. Will he overcome the turmoil and find redemption, or will the weight of his actions end his football dreams?

Sale price

$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 14–+ · 2024

Everything We Never Said

By Sloan Harlow

Ella uncovers dark secrets while falling for her deceased friend's boyfriend.

320 pages

3.9/5 Goodreads · 25,981 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Ella returns to school haunted by her best friend Hayley's death. Drawn to Sawyer, Hayley's boyfriend, she discovers unsettling secrets in Hayley's journal. As guilt and attraction collide, Ella must confront the truth about Sawyer and the hidden darkness in their past. Can she trust her heart, or is there more to fear than she ever imagined?

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2011

The Fox Inheritance

By Mary E. Pearson · Book #2 in the The Jenna Fox Chronicles series

Two friends awaken in a future world, searching for the one who vanished.

304 pages· 82,560 words· Est. 7.5 hour read

3.6/5 Goodreads · 5,938 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: After centuries trapped in a digital void, Locke and Kara are reborn into a world they don't recognize. Everyone they loved is gone, except for Jenna, who mysteriously vanished long ago. As they navigate this unfamiliar future, they must uncover the truth about Jenna's disappearance and their own existence. What secrets does this new world hold, and can they find Jenna before it's too late?

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