Books About Kansas

The Best Kansas Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about kansas? 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 Kansas

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2010

Moon Over Manifest

By Clare Vanderpool

A hidden past, a mysterious spy, and a town's secrets await discovery.

Newbery Medal (2011)

384 pages· 81,295 words· Est. 11.5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 36,809 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Summary: Abilene Tucker arrives in Manifest, Kansas, seeking her father's past. Disappointed by the town's faded glory, she stumbles upon a cigar box with letters about a spy called the Rattler. With friends Lettie and Ruthanne, she embarks on a thrilling quest, defying warnings to uncover Manifest's secrets. Guided by the enigmatic Miss Sadie, Abilene unravels tales of colorful characters and hidden truths, determined to find her father's place in this history. As secrets unfold, Abilene's journey intertwines with the town's legacy, revealing a story of loss, redemption, and belonging.

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2013

The Thing About Luck

By Cynthia Kadohata, Julia Kuo (Illustrator)

Summer must change her family's luck to save them during a challenging harvest season.

270 pages· 48,300 words· Est. 5.5 hour read

3.7/5 Goodreads · 5,378 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Summary: Summer faces a year of misfortune when her parents are called away, leaving her to manage the harvest with her demanding grandparents. As she juggles responsibilities and a budding crush, Summer must find a way to turn their luck around to save her family.

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1935

Little House on the Prairie

By Laura Ingalls Wilder, Garth Williams (Illustrator) · Book #3 in the Little House on the Prairie series

A pioneer family faces unexpected challenges on the Kansas prairie.

352 pages· 51,885 words· Est. 7 hour read

6.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 305,023 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Summary: Laura Ingalls and her family journey from Wisconsin to Kansas, seeking a new life on the prairie. As they build their home and adapt to frontier life, unexpected conflicts arise. Will they be forced to uproot once more? Join Laura in this tale of resilience and adventure, where the vast prairie holds both promise and peril.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2021

Sharice's Big Voice

By Sharice Davids, Nancy K. Mays, Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley (Illustrator)

A young woman defies doubters to become a groundbreaking congressperson.

40 pages· 1,683 words· Est. 13 min read-aloud

4.3/5 Goodreads · 563 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: Sharice Davids never imagined she'd be in Congress, let alone as one of the first Native American women and the first LGBTQ representative from Kansas. Facing skepticism about her identity and origins, Sharice's journey is a testament to overcoming obstacles and embracing one's unique path. This inspiring picture book, vividly illustrated by Ojibwe Woodland artist Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, encourages readers to find their voice and assert their presence. Discover how Sharice's determination and courage led her to make history, and explore the rich cultural insights included in this powerful autobiography.

Sale price

$574

Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 1998

Christmas Stories

By Laura Ingalls Wilder, Ji-Hyuk Kim (Illustrator) · Book #5 in the Little House Chapter Book series

A pioneer girl's Christmases grow more magical each year with gifts and friends.

112 pages

4.3/5 Goodreads · 187 ratings

$5.99Save 4%

Summary: Experience the magic of Christmas through the eyes of a young pioneer girl. Each year, Laura Ingalls finds joy in festive treats, cherished visits, and heartfelt gifts. As she grows, every Christmas surpasses the last, filled with warmth and wonder. What new surprises will this holiday season bring? Discover the timeless charm of Laura's adventures in this beautifully illustrated chapter book, perfect for young readers eager to explore the joys of the past.

Sale price

$404

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 1986

Hard Times on the Prairie

By Laura Ingalls Wilder, Renee Graef (Illustrator) · Book #8 in the Little House Chapter Book series

Survive prairie fires, grasshoppers, and blizzards with a pioneer family.

80 pages· 8,466 words· Est. 1 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 422 ratings

$4.25Save 5%

Summary: Join Laura Ingalls as she faces the harsh realities of frontier life. From battling prairie fires and grasshopper plagues to enduring brutal winter blizzards, Laura and her family must rely on their indomitable pioneer spirit to survive. Can they overcome these relentless challenges and keep their dreams alive on the prairie? Discover the resilience and courage of the Ingalls family in this captivating tale of survival and determination.

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 1997

The Adventures of Laura & Jack

By Laura Ingalls Wilder, Ji-Hyuk Kim (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Little House Chapter Book series

A pioneer girl and her extraordinary dog face wild adventures on the frontier.

112 pages· 8,183 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 395 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Summary: Laura Ingalls embarks on a journey from Wisconsin to the West with her loyal bulldog, Jack. This isn't just any dog; Jack is her protector against wolves and wandering cattle, and sometimes even a friendly neighbor. As they traverse the rugged frontier, Jack's uncanny ability to guide Laura home becomes essential. Will their bond withstand the challenges of pioneer life? Discover the adventures and trials of a girl and her remarkable canine companion in this captivating tale.

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

The Amelia Six

By Kristin L. Gray

Amelia Earhart's goggles vanish. Can six girls solve the mystery before danger strikes again?

272 pages· 47,220 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 1,192 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Summary: Eleven-year-old Millie spends a night in Amelia Earhart's childhood home with five strangers. When Earhart's goggles disappear, suspicion and illness spread. Trapped by a blizzard, the girls must unite to uncover the thief before another falls victim. Can the Amelia Six solve the mystery in time?

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2005

The Mystery of the Orphan Train

The boxcar children mysteries series

An old inn hides secrets. Can a riddle reveal its mysteries?

128 pages· 15,800 words· Est. 2 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 361 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Summary: The Alden children arrive at a mysterious Kansas inn, where secrets linger in every corner. Why did a renowned photographer capture just one image here? And who was the brave young traveler from the orphan train? As they uncover a forgotten riddle, the Aldens must piece together clues to unravel the inn's enigmatic past. Will they solve the puzzle before time runs out?

Sale price

$574

Chapter Book · Ages 4–8 · 1978

Wagon Wheels

By Barbara Brenner, Don Bolognese (Illustrator) · I Can Read series

Three brothers trek 150 miles alone to reunite with their father in post-Civil War Kansas.

64 pages· 1,670 words· Est. 28 min read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 870 ratings

$5.99Save 4%

Summary: In 1878, the Muldie brothers face a daunting journey across Kansas after their father leaves to find better land. With their mother gone, the boys—ages eleven, eight, and three—must rely on each other to survive the wilderness and reach their new home. As they navigate the challenges of the frontier, they encounter unexpected allies and dangers. Will they find their father and the promise of a new beginning? This true story of resilience and adventure offers a glimpse into the lives of Black homesteaders and the bonds that sustain them.

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Kansas Picture Books

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

Sale price

$2099

No Small Potatoes

Ages 4–8 · 2018

From slavery to potato empire, one man's journey defies the odds.

Sale price

$1500

Aunt Minnie and the Twister

Ages 4–7 · 2002

A twister hits the farm, but Aunt Minnie has a plan.

Sale price

$1699

A Vote for Susanna

Ages 5–8 · 2021

A woman becomes mayor after being put on the ballot as a joke.

Sale price

$1595

Climbing Kansas Mountains

Ages 4–8 · 1993

A boy and his father discover magic atop Kansas 'mountains.'

Sale price

$1699

Follow Me Down to Nicodemus Town

Ages 4–8 · 2019

A family seeks freedom and a new life on the Kansas frontier.

View all kansas picture books

Browse by age

Kansas Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about kansas for developing and independent readers.

Sale price

$999

Dandelion Fire

Ages 8–12 · 2008

A boy discovers magical portals and must battle a witch-queen to uncover his true origins.

Sale price

$699

Twister on Tuesday

Ages 6–9 · 2001

Two siblings travel back in time to the American prairie during the 1870s and attend a one-room schoolhouse, where they learn about pioneer life and help their teacher and classmates survive a tornado