Books About Mental Illness · 62 titles considered

The Best Mental Illness Books for Kids

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.

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The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Mental Illness

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

4.2/5 Goodreads · 2,053,469 ratings

$24.99Save 5%

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.

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

4.3/5 Goodreads · 83,202 ratings

$24.99Save 5%

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.

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

4.1/5 Goodreads · 3,004 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

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?

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

3.9/5 Goodreads · 36,196 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

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.'

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 experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 318 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

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?

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.

48 pages· 561 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

6.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.7/5 Goodreads · 2,379 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

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?

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 experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 95 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

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?

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 experts·3.9/5 Goodreads · 127 ratings

$16.95Save 6%

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.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1498

Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2023

Heartstopper #5: A Graphic Novel

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

4.5/5 Goodreads · 206,307 ratings

$15.99Save 6%

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.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1398

Chapter Book · Ages 14–17 · 2020

Heartstopper Vol. 3

By Alice Oseman · Heartstopper series

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

384 pages· 9,357 words· Est. 1 hour read

4.5/5 Goodreads · 508,340 ratings

$14.99Save 7%

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.

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.

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.

Sale price

$1599

Sometimes When I'm Sad

Ages 4–8 · 2020

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

Sale price

$1799

Finding Grandma's Memories

Ages 3–7 · 2019

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

Sale price

$1699

My Singing Nana

Ages 4–8 · 2019

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

Sale price

$1895

Aunt Pearl

Ages 4–7 · 2019

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

Sale price

$845

Charlie and the Dog Who Came to Stay

Ages 5–7 · 2021

A girl befriends a dog, uncovering a path to healing from depression.

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.

Sale price

$1095

Eight Times Up

Ages 9–12 · 2019

Riley finds unexpected strength and unity in aikido, facing inner and outer challenges.

Sale price

$1799

Grandma Forgets

Ages 5–8 · 2017

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

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.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1499

Volume Two

Ages 13–17 · 2019

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

Sale price

$1899

Popcorn

Ages 8–12 · 2024

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

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.

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.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1499

Volume Four

Ages 14–17 · 2021

Love's challenges test Charlie and Nick as secrets and fears surface.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1499

Heartstopper

Ages 13–17 · 2018

Two boys navigate friendship and unexpected love in high school.

Sale price

$1699

Iveliz Explains It All

Ages 10–14 · 2022

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

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.

Sale price

$1799

Sara and the Search for Normal

Ages 8–12 · 2020

Sara seeks normalcy but discovers friendship's complexities in unexpected places.

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.

Sale price

$1699

The Space Between Lost and Found

Ages 9–12 · 2020

A girl embarks on a risky adventure to save her mom's fading memories.

Sale price

$999

The War I Finally Won

Ages 8–12 · 2017

Amidst war, Ada faces new challenges and questions of trust and identity.

View all mental illness chapter books

Keep exploring

Books about depression and mental illness Books about family problems Books about dementia and Alzheimer's Books about drugs, alcohol, and substance abuse Books about farm life and ranch life Books about grandpa Books about growing up Books about helping others

Our 10 Favorite Books About Mental Illness

Great books, picked for their age.

Mental Illness Picture Books

Mental Illness Chapter Books & Middle Grade

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