Books About Isolation · 90 titles considered

The Best Isolation Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about isolation? 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 10 Favorite Books About Isolation

The Tell-Tale Heart
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 Goodreads · 245,766 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.
The House of the Scorpion
Sale price
$1248
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2002

The House of the Scorpion

By Nancy Farmer · Book #1 in the The House of the Scorpion series

A clone's fight for freedom in a world that fears him.

Newbery Honor (2003)National Book Award for Young People's Literature (2002)Michael L. Printz Honor (2003)
432 pages· 100,586 words· Est. 9.5 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 98,134 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Matt Alacrán, a clone of the powerful drug lord El Patrón, grapples with his identity in a world that sees him as a monster. As he navigates the treacherous Alacrán Estate, surrounded by sinister forces and a power-hungry family, Matt realizes that escape is his only hope for survival. But even if he breaks free, can he ever truly be free from the shadow of his origins? In a land where his very existence is a threat, Matt must uncover the truth about himself and what it means to be human.
The 5th Wave
Sale price
$1248
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2013

The 5th Wave

By Rick Yancey · Book #1 in the The 5th Wave series

Survive the alien invasion: trust no one, not even those who look human.

FCBG Children’s Book Award (2014)
457 pages· 116,770 words· Est. 11 hour read
4.0 Goodreads · 485,653 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: In a world ravaged by alien invasions, Cassie is on the run, haunted by beings who look human but kill without mercy. Alone, she believes survival means trusting no one. But when she meets the enigmatic Evan Walker, her beliefs are challenged. Can she trust him to help save her brother, or is he another threat? As the 5th wave looms, Cassie faces a choice between hope and despair, life and death. Will she stand alone or risk everything for a chance at salvation?
Everything, Everything
Sale price
$1797
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2015

Everything, Everything

By Nicola Yoon

A girl allergic to the world risks everything for a forbidden love next door.

312 pages· 47,826 words· Est. 4.5 hour read
4.0 Goodreads · 691,641 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Maddy has spent her life confined indoors, allergic to the world outside. Her existence is predictable until Olly moves in next door. Drawn to him, Maddy faces a choice: stay safe or risk everything for love. As their connection deepens, Maddy must decide if love is worth the ultimate gamble. Can she embrace the unknown, or will her condition keep her isolated forever? This heartwarming tale explores the boundaries of love and the courage to step beyond them.
The Moorchild
Sale price
$1797
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1996

The Moorchild

By Eloise McGraw

A changeling girl must confront her past to right a wrong and find her place between two worlds.

Newbery Honor (1997)Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (1996)Golden Kite Award (1997)
241 pages· 55,728 words· Est. 6 hour read
5.5/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 7,671 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Saaski, a changeling caught between two worlds, is shunned by villagers and haunted by memories of her moorfolk origins. As she uncovers the truth about her past, she faces a heart-wrenching choice: remain with the human family she loves or return their stolen child. Her journey to restore balance leads her back to the dangerous realm that once cast her out. Will Saaski find the courage to bridge the gap between her dual identities and bring peace to those she cherishes? Discover a tale of identity, belonging, and the power of redemption.
Jujutsu Kaisen, Vol. 26
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1139
Chapter Book · 2024

Jujutsu Kaisen, Vol. 26

By Gege Akutami · Book #26 in the Jujutsu Kaisen series

A demon's power could save a friend or doom the world.

192 pages· 4,122 words
4.4 Goodreads · 7,295 ratings
$11.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Yuji Itadori swallows a demon fragment to save his friend, plunging into a supernatural war. As cursed spirits threaten humanity, sorcerers battle to protect the living. The epic clash between Gojo and Sukuna escalates, with the balance of power hanging by a thread. When Sukuna summons Mahoraga, will darkness prevail?
Watch Me
Sale price
$2089
Chapter Book · Ages 14–+ · 2025

Watch Me

By Tahereh Mafi · Book #1 in the Shatter Me: The New Republic series

Infiltrate the last refuge of a fallen regime. Can survival outwit surveillance?

368 pages· 70,192 words· Est. 6.5 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 79,644 ratings
$21.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: James Anderson infiltrates Ark Island, the last bastion of a fallen regime, only to find himself imprisoned. Meanwhile, Rosabelle Wolff, a trained assassin under constant surveillance, faces a deadly mission. As The Reestablishment plots a comeback, James and Rosabelle's paths collide in a world where trust is scarce and danger is omnipresent. Will they defy their roles or succumb to the system's grip? In a landscape of relentless action and forbidden romance, discover who you are when no one is watching.
Light
Sale price
$1498
Chapter Book · Ages 14–+ · 2013

Light

By Michael Grant · Book #6 in the Gone series

A mutant child seeks to destroy her nemesis and rule a world without adults. Can the kids survive the chaos?

448 pages· 92,561 words· Est. 8.5 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 43,624 ratings
$15.99Save 6%
Paperback
Summary: In a world where adults have vanished, the children of Perdido Beach face their greatest threat yet. Gaia, a mutant child born from darkness, hungers for power and destruction. As alliances shift and secrets unravel, the kids must confront their fears and make unimaginable sacrifices. Will they overcome Gaia's malevolent force, or will they fall in this ultimate battle for survival? The fate of their world hangs in the balance as they fight against an enemy unlike any other.
Cress
Sale price
$2374
Chapter Book · Ages 12–17 · 2014

Cress

By Marissa Meyer · Book #3 in the The Lunar Chronicles series

A hacker's freedom could save Earth from invasion, but at what cost?

552 pages· 137,743 words· Est. 13 hour read
4.4 Goodreads · 414,824 ratings
$24.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Cinder, Captain Thorne, Scarlet, and Wolf are fugitives plotting to stop Queen Levana's invasion of Earth. Their hope lies with Cress, a brilliant hacker trapped on a satellite. Forced to track them, Cress's rescue goes awry, splintering the group. As Queen Levana's plans threaten Emperor Kai, Cress gains freedom at a steep price. Can these unlikely heroes save the world from a tyrant's grasp?
Outside, Inside
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 3–6 · 2021

Outside, Inside

By LeUyen Pham

A world goes quiet as everyone moves inside, finding strength and hope amid change.

48 pages· 272 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud
4.5 Goodreads · 2,269 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: On an ordinary day, the world shifts as everyone moves inside, leaving the outside quieter and wilder. Inside, communities unite, celebrating essential workers and finding strength in love and hope. As the world changes, they grow stronger, believing in the return of spring. What transformations await when the world reopens?
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Isolation Picture Books

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

The Longest Storm
Sale price
$1899

The Longest Storm

Ages 4–8 · 2021

A family trapped indoors by a mysterious storm must find connection amidst conflict.

Egg
Sale price
$1799

Egg

Ages 4–8 · 2017

Three eggs hatch, but one remains a mystery. What surprise awaits?

Smick!
Sale price
$1699

Smick!

Ages 3–5 · 2015

A big dog, a little chick, and a stick spark an unexpected friendship.

The Raven
Sale price
$2750

The Raven

Ages 2–6 · 2016

A mysterious raven visits, unraveling a haunting tale of lost love and despair.

View all isolation picture books
Browse by age

Isolation Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about isolation for developing and independent readers.

Lizard Music
Sale price
$1199

Lizard Music

Ages 9–12 · 1976

A boy investigates mysterious lizard musicians appearing on TV, leading to a surreal adventure.

Challenger Deep
Sale price
$2999

Challenger Deep

Ages 13–17 · 2015

A teen's mind battles reality and fantasy on a voyage to the ocean's depths.

The Old Willis Place
Sale price
$899

The Old Willis Place

Ages 10–12 · 2004

Two children must break mysterious rules to escape a haunted mansion's grip.

A Warp in Time
#3 in Series
Sale price
$1699

A Warp in Time

Ages 9–12 · 2018

Survival turns perilous when kids discover they're not alone in the rift.

Every Soul a Star
Sale price
$899

Every Soul a Star

Ages 10–13 · 2008

Three strangers' lives intertwine at a campground during a rare solar eclipse, revealing hidden truths and unexpected friendships.

Five Nights at Freddy's
Sale price
$1299

Five Nights at Freddy's

Ages 8–12 · 2023

Survive the night at a haunted pizzeria where animatronics come alive.

Lies
#3 in Series
Sale price
$1199

Lies

Ages 14–+ · 2010

A dead boy returns, chaos reigns, and escape seems possible only through death.

The Night Gardener
Sale price
$895

The Night Gardener

Ages 10–13 · 2014

Two siblings face a haunting curse in a mysterious manor.

View all isolation chapter books
Keep exploring
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