Books About Mental Illness · 63 titles considered

The Best Mental Illness Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for our other guide?

Explore our editor-reviewed guide to Depression & Mental Illness, featuring 15 favorites and recommendations by age.

View the guide

Looking for excellent children's books about mental illness? 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 Mental Illness

The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Sale price
$2374
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 1999

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

By Stephen Chbosky

A wallflower navigates the tumultuous journey from adolescence to adulthood, facing love, loss, and self-discovery.

224 pages· 62,621 words· Est. 6 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 2,070,196 ratings
$24.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Charlie, an introspective high schooler, grapples with the chaos of growing up. Amidst first loves, family secrets, and the allure of rebellion, he must find his place in a world that feels both thrilling and overwhelming. As he teeters on the edge of adolescence and adulthood, will Charlie embrace life or retreat into the shadows? This poignant tale captures the essence of youth's roller-coaster ride, inviting readers to laugh, cry, and reflect on their own journey.
Impulse
Sale price
$2374
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2007

Impulse

By Ellen Hopkins · Book #1 in the Impulse series

Three teens face their darkest moments at a psychiatric hospital, seeking hope and redemption after failed suicide attempts.

666 pages· 55,726 words· Est. 5 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 83,375 ratings
$24.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Vanessa, Tony, and Conner find themselves at Aspen Springs, a psychiatric hospital, after each attempted to end their life. Vanessa hides behind a facade, Tony seeks solace in pills, and Conner battles inner turmoil despite a seemingly perfect life. As they confront their pasts and demons, they must decide if they can help each other find a path to healing. Will they seize this second chance, or will their struggles consume them? Their intertwined journeys reveal the power of friendship and resilience in the face of despair.
Where the Watermelons Grow
Sale price
$1597
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

Where the Watermelons Grow

By Cindy Baldwin

A girl seeks magic honey to heal her mother's mind, but discovers the true cure lies within her own heart.

256 pages· 51,447 words· Est. 7 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 3,015 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Twelve-year-old Della Kelly is desperate to save her mother from a returning mental illness. With her father struggling to keep their farm afloat, Della believes the Bee Lady's magic honey is the answer. But when the Bee Lady suggests the real healing involves Della's own heart, she must confront the true meaning of love and acceptance. Can Della find the courage to embrace her mother as she is, or will her quest for a cure lead her astray?
Mosquitoland
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2015

Mosquitoland

By David Arnold

A girl's journey to her sick mother reveals unexpected truths and challenges her sanity.

352 pages· 74,576 words· Est. 7 hour read
3.9 Goodreads · 36,263 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Mim Malone's life is uprooted when she's forced to move to Mississippi. Upon hearing her mother is ill, she embarks on a thousand-mile bus journey back to Ohio. Along the way, Mim encounters a cast of eccentric travelers and faces unforeseen challenges that force her to question her understanding of love, loyalty, and sanity. As her odyssey unfolds, Mim must confront her inner demons and redefine her world. Will she find the answers she seeks, or will the journey change her forever? Discover the twists and turns of Mim's unforgettable adventure in 'Mosquitoland.'
The Tide
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2019

The Tide

By Clare Helen Walsh, Ashling Lindsay (Illustrator)

A girl navigates her grandpa's fading memories at the beach.

32 pages
6.0/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 318 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: A young girl cherishes beach days with her grandpa, building sandcastles and sharing laughter. Yet, his memories ebb and flow like the tide, sometimes vibrant, sometimes distant. As she grapples with his forgetfulness, she learns how love and understanding can help him live well despite dementia. Can their bond withstand the challenges of fading memories?
The Remember Balloons
Sale price
$1899
Picture Book · Ages 5–9 · 2018

The Remember Balloons

By Jessie Oliveros, Dana Wulfekotte (Illustrator)

A boy struggles to preserve his grandpa's fading memories as they drift away.

Golden Kite Award (2019)Schneider Family Book Honor (2019)
48 pages· 561 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud
6.0/7 Bookroo·4.7/5 Goodreads · 2,389 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: James cherishes his grandpa's balloons, each holding a precious memory. But as Grandpa's memories begin to slip away, James is heartbroken. When the silver balloon, their shared fishing trip memory, floats off unnoticed, James realizes it's up to him to keep these memories alive. Can he find a way to hold onto the past while embracing the future?
Grandma
Sale price
$1899
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2013

Grandma

By Jessica Shepherd · Child's Play Library series

A child's diary reveals the emotional journey of a grandmother entering care.

32 pages
5.8/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 95 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Oscar's diary captures the poignant transition as his beloved grandmother moves into a nursing home. As he navigates the challenges of her dementia, Oscar learns to cherish their evolving bond. Can he find hope and understanding amidst the changes?
Newspaper Hats
Sale price
$1597
Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 2015

Newspaper Hats

By Phil Cummings, Owen Swan (Illustrator)

A child helps her grandpa remember through the art of making newspaper hats, bridging memory gaps with love and creativity.

32 pages
5.5/7 Bookroo·3.9/5 Goodreads · 128 ratings
$16.95Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Georgie visits her Grandpa, who struggles with Alzheimer's, at his retirement home. Though he often forgets her, he remembers how to make newspaper hats. Together, they create hats for all his friends, finding joy and connection in shared memories. This touching story explores the challenges of memory loss from a child's perspective, offering hope and understanding through simple acts of love and creativity.
Heartstopper, Volume 5
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1498
Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2023

Heartstopper, Volume 5

By Alice Oseman · Book #5 in the Heartstopper series

Can love survive when university looms and confidence wavers?

336 pages· 7,461 words· Est. 56 min read
4.5 Goodreads · 210,450 ratings
$15.99Save 6%
Paperback
Summary: Nick and Charlie are in love, but with university on the horizon, their future is uncertain. As Charlie seeks the courage to deepen their bond, he faces personal challenges that could change everything. Will their love endure the trials ahead, or will distance and doubt pull them apart? Discover the tender moments and heartfelt struggles that define their journey in this captivating volume of Heartstopper.
Heartstopper, Volume 3
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
Chapter Book · Ages 14–17 · 2020

Heartstopper, Volume 3

By Alice Oseman · Book #3 in the Heartstopper series

Nick and Charlie navigate love and secrets on a school trip to Paris.

384 pages· 9,357 words· Est. 1 hour read
4.5 Goodreads · 512,453 ratings
$14.99Save 7%
Paperback
Summary: Charlie and Nick are officially boyfriends, but keeping their relationship secret from classmates proves challenging, especially on a school trip to Paris. As their bond deepens, they must decide when to reveal their truth. Will their love withstand the pressures of coming out, or will the secrets pull them apart? In the city of romance, they discover that love requires courage and trust. Join them on this heartfelt journey as they learn what it truly means to be there for each other.
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Mental Illness Picture Books

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

Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry
Sale price
$599

Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry

Ages 4–8 · 2003

Annie navigates her mother's unpredictable moods with help from her grandma and friends.

The Color Thief
Sale price
$1699

The Color Thief

Ages 4–8 · 2014

A boy's world loses color as his father battles depression, but hope returns with healing.

Sometimes When I'm Sad
Series
Sale price
$1599

Sometimes When I'm Sad

Ages 4–8 · 2020

A child learns to manage overwhelming sadness with simple, empowering strategies.

Finding Grandma's Memories
Sale price
$1799

Finding Grandma's Memories

Ages 3–7 · 2019

A girl helps her forgetful grandma remember their cherished teatime ritual.

My Singing Nana
Sale price
$1699

My Singing Nana

Ages 4–8 · 2019

A boy finds a way to connect with his Nana despite her fading memory.

Aunt Pearl
Sale price
$1895

Aunt Pearl

Ages 4–7 · 2019

Aunt Pearl's arrival stirs family tensions, leading to unexpected disappearance.

The Day Abuelo Got Lost
Sale price
$1699

The Day Abuelo Got Lost

Ages 3–5 · 2019

A boy navigates his grandfather's memory loss, discovering new ways to connect.

Grandma Forgets
Sale price
$1799

Grandma Forgets

Ages 5–8 · 2017

A family navigates love and memory as Grandma forgets but never loses their affection.

My Grandfather's War
Sale price
$1799

My Grandfather's War

Ages 6–9 · 2018

A granddaughter uncovers her grandfather's hidden war scars.

View all mental illness picture books
Browse by age

Mental Illness Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about mental illness for developing and independent readers.

Heartstopper, Volume 2
#2 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1499

Heartstopper, Volume 2

Ages 13–17 · 2019

A kiss changes everything for two best friends, leaving them questioning love and friendship.

Popcorn
Sale price
$1899

Popcorn

Ages 8–12 · 2024

Andrew's Picture Day spirals into chaos, testing his anxiety and fears.

My Life in the Fish Tank
Sale price
$1799

My Life in the Fish Tank

Ages 9–13 · 2020

Zinny must balance family secrets and her dreams when her brother's illness changes everything.

Tree. Table. Book.
Sale price
$1899

Tree. Table. Book.

Ages 8–12 · 2024

A young girl fights to save her elderly friend from losing her memories and freedom.

Iveliz Explains It All
Sale price
$1699

Iveliz Explains It All

Ages 10–14 · 2022

A girl battles middle school and mental health, seeking understanding.

The Fall of the Readers
Series
Sale price
$1799

The Fall of the Readers

Ages 10–12 · 2017

Alice faces betrayal and a deadly quest to defeat the Old Readers and save magical creatures.

Lily and Dunkin
Sale price
$799

Lily and Dunkin

Ages 10–14 · 2016

Two teens face identity and mental health challenges, forging an unexpected bond that changes everything.

View all mental illness chapter books
Keep exploring
Books about depression and mental illnessBooks about family problemsBooks about dementia and Alzheimer'sBooks about drugs, alcohol, and substance abuseBooks about farm life and ranch lifeBooks about grandpaBooks about growing upBooks about helping others