Books About Hope · 61 titles considered

The Best Hope Books for Kids

Looking for our other guide?

Explore our editor-reviewed guide to Feelings and Emotions, featuring 13 favorites and recommendations by age.

Looking for excellent children's books about hope? 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.

#1 in Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Hope

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2005

The Book Thief

By Markus Zusak

In Nazi Germany, a girl steals books to survive and share hope amidst war.

Michael L. Printz Honor (2007)Sydney Taylor Book Award (2007)

552 pages· 118,732 words· Est. 11 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 2,960,579 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Paperback

Summary: In 1939 Nazi Germany, young Liesel Meminger finds solace in stolen books. As bombs fall, she shares these treasures with neighbors and a hidden Jewish man. With Death narrating, Liesel's story unfolds, revealing the power of words to illuminate even the darkest times. Will her love for books be enough to sustain her through the horrors of war?

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 1944

Rabbit Hill

By Robert Lawson · Book #1 in the Rabbit Hill series

New residents stir excitement and mystery among the Hill's animals. What surprises await?

Newbery Medal (1945)

127 pages· 20,499 words· Est. 3 hour read

3.8/5 Goodreads · 8,439 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: The animals of the Hill buzz with anticipation as new residents move into the long-abandoned Big House. With whispers of change and curiosity in the air, they eagerly await the unveiling of their new neighbors. But who are these mysterious Folks, and what surprises do they bring? As the garden springs back to life, the animals must navigate unexpected twists in their lively world. Discover the enchanting blend of humor and whimsy as each creature reveals its unique personality in this delightful tale of community and change.

Sale price

$1498

Chapter Book · Ages 10–15 · 2003

The Fire-Eaters

By David Almond

A boy faces school cruelty, family illness, and looming war, seeking miracles to save his world.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2004)

224 pages· 37,751 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

3.6/5 Goodreads · 1,329 ratings

$15.95Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In the quiet town of Keely Bay, Bobby Burns confronts a harsh new school, his father's mysterious illness, and the threat of nuclear war. With his dream-healing friend Ailsa and the enigmatic fire-eater McNulty, Bobby must find hope and miracles to protect his loved ones. Can they defy the darkness closing in, or will the world change forever?

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · 2020

The Lady with the Books

By Kathy Stinson, Marie Lafrance (Illustrator)

In post-war Germany, two children find hope in a hall of books, changing their lives forever.

32 pages· 946 words

6.2/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 377 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In the aftermath of World War II, Anneliese and Peter, wandering the devastated streets of Munich, stumble upon a hall brimming with children's books. Expecting food, they instead find a world of stories and a woman who encourages them to read. This unexpected discovery offers them a glimmer of hope and a path to healing. As they return day after day, the books and the mysterious lady with them begin to transform their lives in unimaginable ways. What impact will these stories have on their future, and how will they bridge the gap between despair and hope?

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2019

The Day the World Stopped Turning

By Michael Morpurgo

A boy's peaceful world is shattered by war, threatening everything he loves.

288 pages· 53,961 words· Est. 6 hour read

5.8/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 298 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In wartime France, Lorenzo, a boy with a unique gift for healing animals, finds solace among flamingos and a Roma girl named Kezia. As German soldiers invade, their tranquil lives are upended. With the carousel and beloved creatures at risk, Lorenzo must navigate a world on the brink of chaos. Can hope and kindness survive amidst the turmoil?

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 6–11 · 2020

A Bowl Full of Peace

By Caren Stelson, Akira Kusaka (Illustrator)

Survive the atomic bombing of Nagasaki and find hope in a miraculous discovery.

40 pages· 933 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud

5.5/7 Bookroo·4.5/5 Goodreads · 574 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Sachiko Yasui's life changes forever when the atomic bomb devastates Nagasaki. Amidst the ruins, her father finds their serving bowl intact, a symbol of hope and resilience. Can this fragile relic help Sachiko and her family rebuild their lives and embrace peace? Discover a poignant journey of survival and the enduring power of memory.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 2020

Rain Before Rainbows

By Smriti Prasadam-Halls, David Litchfield (Illustrator)

A poetic exploration of the journey through life's challenges and triumphs.

32 pages· 147 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud

5.4/7 Bookroo·4.4/5 Goodreads · 1,704 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: A girl and her fox leave behind a sorrowful past, embarking on a journey through storms toward a brighter future. As they navigate challenges, they find friends who guide them. Will the dawn bring the promise of a new beginning? This beautifully illustrated tale of courage and change offers a beacon of hope for those seeking light in the darkest times.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2004

Winter's Gift

By Jane Monroe Donovan

A snowstorm unites two lonely souls, human and beast, in a quest for hope.

32 pages· 696 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud

4.3/5 Goodreads · 496 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: On a desolate farm, the holiday season is overshadowed by loss. But when a snowstorm hits, it brings together a grieving soul and a lonely creature. As they seek solace and companionship, they discover the true meaning of hope. Can their unexpected bond heal their hearts and restore their faith in the future? This tender tale, enriched with evocative imagery, invites readers to believe in the power of recovery and the enduring spirit of hope.

Sale price

$1498

Picture Book · Ages 14–17 · 2021

The Hill We Climb

By Amanda Gorman

A young poet's call for unity and healing stirs a nation.

29 pages· 710 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud

4.5/5 Goodreads · 36,153 ratings

$15.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: On a historic day, a young poet takes the stage, delivering a powerful call for unity and healing. Amanda Gorman's inaugural poem, 'The Hill We Climb,' resonates with hope and inspiration, capturing the promise of a nation. This special edition, with a foreword by Oprah Winfrey, celebrates the enduring power of words to uplift and unite.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2021

Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna

By Alda P. Dobbs

A girl braves the desert to lead her family to safety during the Mexican Revolution.

Americas Honor (2022)

288 pages· 44,624 words· Est. 6 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,550 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In 1913, young Petra Luna faces a harrowing journey across the desert, fleeing the Mexican Revolution with her family. As their town burns, Petra clings to her dream of learning to read, defying her abuelita's belief that such dreams are out of reach. With her father gone and her mother lost, Petra must navigate battlefields and hunger, determined to find safety across the U.S. border. Will her courage and resilience be enough to protect her loved ones and realize her dreams in a world that offers little hope?

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Hope Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about hope for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Sale price

$1899

Something, Someday

Ages 4–8 · 2023

Can small actions change a broken world? Discover hope and transformation.

Sale price

$1799

The World Made a Rainbow

Ages 3–6 · 2020

A rainbow in the window brings hope and connection in uncertain times.

Sale price

$1395

My Beautiful Birds

Ages 6–10 · 2017

A boy's journey from war-torn Syria to healing, guided by unexpected feathered friends.

Sale price

$1795

The Spider Who Saved Christmas

Ages 4–9 · 2020

A spider's web hides the Holy Family from danger, revealing the origin of Christmas tinsel.

Sale price

$1800

Four Feet, Two Sandals

Ages 7–10 · 2007

Two girls share a pair of sandals, forging a friendship amidst the challenges of refugee life.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1695

The Red Tree

Ages 9–+ · 2001

A girl's gloomy day transforms with a glimmer of hope.

Sale price

$1899

The Lemonade Club

Ages 6–9 · 2007

A fifth-grade class unites to support a friend battling leukemia, turning hardship into hope.

Sale price

$1995

Barbed Wire Baseball

Ages 6–10 · 2013

In a WWII internment camp, a man uses baseball to inspire hope.

Sale price

$1699

All the Lost Things

Ages 4–7 · 2015

A girl's city walk uncovers wonders that transform her world.

Sale price

$799

Share Your Rainbow

Ages 3–7 · 2020

Discover hidden rainbows and embrace hope in a world of vibrant scenes.

Sale price

$1899

Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote

Ages 6–9 · 2013

A young rabbit's quest to find his missing father leads him into danger with a cunning coyote.

Sale price

$1799

A Dance Like Starlight

Ages 4–8 · 2014

In 1950s Harlem, a young ballerina dreams of stardom against all odds.

View all hope picture books

Browse by age

Hope Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about hope for developing and independent readers.

#7 in Series

Sale price

$799

Secret of the Prince's Tomb

Ages 7–+ · 2011

Cousins face a maze of traps in ancient Egypt to uncover a secret that could change the future.

Sale price

$1299

A Tree for Peter

Ages 9–12 · 1941

A mysterious gift transforms a hopeless town, sparking a miraculous renewal.

Sale price

$2295

Things to Look Forward To

2022

Discover everyday joys and create your own moments of delight.

#9 in Series

Sale price

$599

I Survived the Nazi Invasion, 1944

Ages 8–12 · 2014

A young boy and his sister navigate the dangers of World War II, including bombings, soldiers, and concentration camps, while searching for hope, family, and a way to survive