Books About Immigration And Emigration · 534 titles considered

The Best Immigration And Emigration Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about immigration and emigration? 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.

Refugee
Graphic Nov.
Red, White, and Whole
Unsettled
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Immigration And Emigration

Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2017

Refugee

By Alan Gratz

Three children flee their war-torn homes, facing perilous journeys for a chance at refuge and hope.

338 pages· 65,632 words· Est. 7.5 hour read
7.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.4/5 Goodreads · 86,160 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Summary: Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud are separated by time and place, yet united by their desperate quests for safety. Josef flees Nazi Germany, Isabel escapes Cuba's turmoil, and Mahmoud braves Syria's chaos. Each faces life-threatening challenges—drownings, bombings, betrayals—on their harrowing journeys. As they seek refuge, their stories intertwine in unexpected ways, revealing the enduring power of hope and survival. Will they find the sanctuary they seek, or will the dangers prove insurmountable? Discover the connections that bind their fates in this gripping tale of courage and resilience.
Chapter Book · Ages 10–12 · 2010

A Long Walk to Water

Two Sudanese children face perilous journeys for survival and hope.

128 pages· 20,925 words· Est. 2.5 hour read
7.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.3/5 Goodreads · 107,590 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Summary: In Sudan, Nya walks hours daily for water in 2008, while Salva, a 'lost boy' in 1985, treks across Africa seeking safety. Their paths, fraught with danger from rebels and wildlife, eventually converge in a surprising, life-changing encounter. How will their stories of endurance and hope intertwine?
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

Orange for the Sunsets

Two friends face a regime's ultimatum, testing their bond and redefining home.

336 pages· 49,862 words· Est. 7 hour read
6.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 962 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Summary: In Uganda under Amin's rule, Asha and Yesofu's friendship transcends cultural divides. But when Indians are ordered to leave, their world shatters. As tensions rise and soldiers patrol, Asha clings to the familiar, while Yesofu is torn between loyalty and a hopeful future. With their friendship on the line, can they find the courage to let go?
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

Other Words for Home

A girl leaves Syria for America, facing new challenges and discovering herself.

Newbery Honor (2020)
342 pages· 30,125 words· Est. 4 hour read
5.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.4/5 Goodreads · 35,356 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Summary: Jude's world shifts when she leaves Syria for Cincinnati, leaving family behind. Navigating a new culture, she grapples with her identity as 'Middle Eastern' and the chaos of American life. Amidst the noise, Jude finds unexpected friendships and a chance to shine in a school musical. Can she find a place where she truly belongs?
Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 1944

The Hundred Dresses

By Eleanor Estes, Louis Slobodkin (Illustrator)

A girl claims to own a hundred dresses, but classmates' ridicule leads to regret and a vow for change.

80 pages· 7,306 words· Est. 57 min read-aloud
5.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 42,736 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Summary: Wanda Petronski, a Polish girl in a Connecticut school, is mocked for wearing the same dress daily. She insists she owns a hundred dresses, but no one believes her. When Wanda leaves school, her classmates, especially Maddie, are left with guilt and a powerful lesson. Maddie vows to never remain silent in the face of injustice again. This poignant tale explores the impact of bullying and the courage to stand up for what's right, leaving readers to ponder the cost of silence and the power of empathy.
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2019

They Called Us Enemy

A boy's childhood unfolds in WWII American camps, questioning identity and resilience.

204 pages· 12,726 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
4.4/5 Goodreads · 56,895 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Summary: George Takei's childhood is upended when his family is forced into WWII American camps. As a young boy, he navigates the harsh realities of life behind barbed wire, grappling with questions of identity and justice. His mother's sacrifices and father's unwavering belief in democracy shape his future. How does one find hope in a world of legalized racism? This graphic memoir explores the courage and resilience needed to redefine what it means to be American. Join Takei on a journey through history that challenges the very essence of freedom and belonging.
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2019

Patron Saints of Nothing

A teen seeks the truth behind his cousin's murder in a war-torn land.

352 pages
4.2/5 Goodreads · 20,954 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Summary: Jay Reguero's plans for a carefree senior year shatter when he learns of his cousin Jun's murder in the Philippines. Determined to uncover the truth, Jay embarks on a journey that forces him to confront family secrets and his own role in the tragedy. As he delves deeper, Jay must navigate the dangerous waters of a country embroiled in a brutal war on drugs, all while grappling with his identity and the bonds of faith and family. Will he find the answers he seeks, or will the truth prove too devastating?
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2020

Almost American Girl

A teen's world shifts with immigration, family changes, and a life-saving art class.

230 pages· 18,247 words· Est. 2.5 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 15,064 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Summary: Robin's life turns upside down when a trip to Alabama becomes permanent. Struggling with language barriers and a new stepfamily, she feels isolated from her Seoul roots. Angry with her mother, Robin finds unexpected hope in a comic drawing class, hinting at a future she never imagined. Can art bridge the gap between her past and present?
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2021

Red, White, and Whole

An Indian American girl faces her mother's illness, torn between cultural worlds and expectations.

224 pages· 21,311 words· Est. 2.5 hour read
4.4/5 Goodreads · 8,221 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Summary: Reha, an Indian American girl, navigates the clash between her school life and family traditions. When her mother is diagnosed with leukemia, Reha's world shatters. Despite her fear of blood, she dreams of becoming a doctor to save her mother. Can she bridge the gap between her two worlds and meet her parents' expectations to heal her family? This poignant tale explores identity, cultural conflict, and the unyielding bonds of love.
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2021

Unsettled

A girl navigates a new life in America, facing cultural challenges and sibling rivalry in her quest for belonging.

352 pages
4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,802 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Summary: Nurah moves from Karachi to Georgia, struggling to fit in with her accent and attire. In the pool, she finds solace and ambition, aiming to outshine her brother, Owais. But a moment of betrayal alters their paths. As Nurah battles bullies and self-doubt, she discovers her strength and the courage to stand up for herself. Will she find her place in this unfamiliar world, or will her choices haunt her? Dive into this heartfelt tale of family, identity, and the quest for belonging.
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Browse by age

Immigration And Emigration Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

Sturdy, inviting books about immigration and emigration for the youngest readers and listeners.

Kindness Makes Us Strong

Ages 0–3 · 2019

Discover how small acts of kindness build strong communities.

The Upside Down Boy

Ages 1–5 · 2006

A boy navigates a new school, feeling upside down in a world of unfamiliarity.

This Is Me

Ages 4–8 · 2016

A teacher's tale of immigration sparks a question: What would you pack to define yourself?

My Little Golden Book About the Statue of Liberty

Ages 2–5 · 2018

Discover how the Statue of Liberty was built and its global significance.

Gina from Siberia

Ages 5–10 · 2018

A terrier's journey from Siberia to the USA reveals unexpected friendships and new beginnings.

View all immigration and emigration board books
Browse by age

Immigration And Emigration Picture Books

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

The Arrival

Ages 12–18 · 2007

A man embarks on a journey to a mysterious city, seeking a new life.

Refuge

Ages 4–8 · 2015

A family flees through the desert, seeking refuge from danger.

Christmas Tapestry

Ages 6–9 · 2002

A tapestry hides a secret that could bring a Christmas Eve miracle.

How I Learned Geography

Ages 4–7 · 2008

A boy discovers a map's power to nourish his imagination beyond hunger.

The Matchbox Diary

Ages 6–10 · 2013

A girl uncovers her great-grandfather's immigration story through matchbox mementos.

Watercress

Ages 4–7 · 2021

A roadside discovery reveals a family's hidden heritage and unites past and present.

The Homesick Club

Ages 3–7 · 2020

Kids form a club to cope with homesickness in a bustling city.

Molly's Pilgrim

Ages 6–10 · 1983

An immigrant girl finds her place in America through a unique Thanksgiving project.

Gibberish

Ages 4–8 · 2022

A young boy named Dat navigates a new environment where everyone speaks a language he doesn't understand.

The Day Saida Arrived

Ages 3–7 · 2012

Two girls bridge language barriers, forging a lasting friendship.

Flight for Freedom

Ages 5–8 · 2019

A family risks all to escape East Germany in a homemade balloon.

Danbi Leads the School Parade

Ages 3–7 · 2020

A new girl turns silence into a joyful parade, bridging cultures with imagination.

Browse by age

Immigration And Emigration Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about immigration and emigration for developing and independent readers.

Everything Sad Is Untrue

Ages 10–13 · 2020

A refugee boy spins tales to claim his truth in a skeptical classroom.

Efrén Divided

Ages 8–12 · 2020

Efrén's mother is deported, and he must reunite his family.

Front Desk

Ages 9–12 · 2018

A young girl juggles motel duties, hidden secrets, and dreams of writing.

When Stars Are Scattered

Ages 8–12 · 2020

A refugee boy faces a choice: education or staying with his brother.

The Night Diary

Ages 8–12 · 2018

A young girl navigates a divided land, seeking identity and hope amidst India's partition.

The Eleventh Trade

Ages 10–14 · 2018

A boy must trade up from a keychain to reclaim his grandfather's stolen instrument.

An Elephant in the Garden

Ages 10–13 · 2009

A family flees a bombed city with an elephant, facing perilous challenges and unexpected allies.

Save Me a Seat

Ages 8–12 · 2016

Two boys unite against a school bully, discovering unexpected friendship.

Inside Out & Back Again

Ages 8–12 · 2011

A young girl flees war-torn Vietnam, seeking hope in America.

Gaby, Lost and Found
Sale price
$1699

Gaby, Lost and Found

Ages 8–12 · 2013

A young girl seeks a forever home while her family falls apart.

Paper Wishes

Ages 9–12 · 2016

A girl clings to hope as her family is uprooted during wartime.

Esperanza Rising

Ages 12–15 · 2000

A privileged girl must adapt to harsh labor camp life during the Great Depression.

Keep exploring
Books about prejudice and racismBooks about refugeesBooks about mother-daughter relationshipsBooks about survival storiesBooks about bullyingBooks about cancerBooks about clothingBooks about culture

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