The Best Migrant Labor Books for Kids

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2022

Three Strike Summer

By Skyler Schrempp

A girl defies rules and dust storms to join a secret baseball team and save her family's future.

320 pages· 59,215 words· Est. 8 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 741 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: Gloria Mae Willard faces dust storms and dwindling wages as her family moves to a California peach orchard. Forbidden from organizing, she dreams of joining an all-boys baseball team. With determination and a knack for bending rules, Gloria aims to change her fate and prove her worth. Can she break through the barriers and find her voice in a world set against her? As secrets unfold and challenges mount, Gloria's resolve is tested. Will she succeed in organizing more than just peaches, or will the odds keep her dreams out of reach?

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2015

A Handful of Stars

By Cynthia Lord

A runaway dog sparks a friendship that challenges belonging and prejudice.

192 pages· 32,676 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 6,003 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: Lily's summer takes an unexpected turn when her blind dog runs away and is caught by Salma, a migrant worker's daughter. As they bond over painting bee boxes, Salma's decision to enter the Blueberry Queen pageant tests their friendship and the town's views on belonging. Can an outsider truly win acceptance? Set against the backdrop of Maine's blueberry barrens, this story explores themes of friendship, prejudice, and self-discovery.

Sale price

$1135

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2001

Calling the Doves

By Juan Felipe Herrera, Elly Simmons (Illustrator)

A poet's journey from migrant fields to finding his voice.

Ezra Jack Keats Award (1997)

32 pages· 1,173 words· Est. 10 min read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 158 ratings

$11.95Save 5%

Summary: In a vibrant memoir, a young boy finds joy amidst the challenges of migrant farm life. Through open skies and family fiestas, he discovers the power of words and dreams. As he listens to his mother's songs and his father's stories, he begins a journey that leads him to become a celebrated poet. What will he uncover on this path of discovery and resilience?

Sale price

$1498

Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 2008

A New Year's Reunion

By Yu Li-Qiong, Zhu Cheng-Liang (Illustrator)

A father returns home for New Year, but must leave again soon.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2011)

40 pages· 713 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud

4.1/5 Goodreads · 569 ratings

$15.99Save 6%

Summary: Maomao eagerly awaits her father's annual return for Chinese New Year. As they reconnect, the family enjoys festive traditions, from making sticky rice balls to watching dragon dances. Maomao finds a hidden lucky coin, a cherished memory before her father departs once more. This touching story captures the bittersweet moments of reunion and separation, highlighting the enduring strength of family love across distances.

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2013

Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote

By Duncan Tonatiuh

A young rabbit's quest to find his missing father leads him into danger with a cunning coyote.

32 pages· 1,313 words· Est. 11 min read-aloud

4.1/5 Goodreads · 1,328 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Summary: Pancho Rabbit embarks on a perilous journey north to find his missing father, who left to work in distant fields. Armed with his father's favorite meal, Pancho encounters a coyote offering help in exchange for food. As their journey unfolds, the coyote's true intentions emerge, leaving Pancho in grave danger. Will Pancho find his father, or will the coyote's hunger prove too great? This allegorical tale explores the trials faced by families seeking better lives across borders, blending folklore with stark realities in a gripping narrative.

Sale price

$858

Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 1997

Tomás and the Library Lady

By Pat Mora, Raúl Colón (Illustrator)

A young migrant worker discovers endless stories in a library, changing his life forever.

40 pages· 1,205 words· Est. 10 min read-aloud

5.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,872 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: Tomás, a young son of migrant workers, spends his days in the fields and nights listening to his grandfather's tales. When he meets a librarian, a new world of stories unfolds, offering him hope and inspiration. As Tomás explores the library, he discovers the power of education and imagination, setting him on a path that could change his future. What possibilities will he uncover in the pages of books?

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2009

The Dust Bowl

By Allison Lassieur · You Choose: History series

Navigate the Dust Bowl's trials through choices that determine survival or demise.

112 pages

4.0/5 Goodreads · 128 ratings

$6.95Save 3%

Summary: Step into the Dust Bowl era, where your choices shape the fate of a farmer, a migrant worker, or a government photographer. Will you find a path to survival or succumb to the harsh realities of history? Each decision you make alters the course of your journey, revealing the struggles and resilience of those who lived through this devastating time. Are you ready to choose your path and face the consequences?

Sale price

$759

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 1992

Working Cotton

By Sherley Anne Williams, Carole Byard (Illustrator)

A child's day unfolds in the cotton fields, revealing migrant life.

Coretta Scott King Honor (1993)Caldecott Honor (1993)

32 pages

3.9/5 Goodreads · 769 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Summary: In the heart of central California, a young girl shares her family's daily life as migrant workers in the cotton fields. Through her eyes, the long hours and simple joys of their existence are unveiled. What stories lie hidden in the fields, and how does this life shape her dreams? Discover the beauty and resilience in the everyday struggles of a migrant family.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1940

Blue Willow

By Doris Gates

A girl dreams of a permanent home amidst the hardships of the Great Depression.

Newbery Honor (1941)

176 pages

3.9/5 Goodreads · 3,969 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Summary: Janey Larkin clings to a cherished blue willow plate, a symbol of the stable home she longs for. As her family drifts from farm to farm during the Great Depression, Janey dreams of putting down roots. Will her promise to the plate ever come true, or will the harsh realities of the Dust Bowl keep her family on the move forever? Discover Janey's journey of hope and resilience in a world where home is a fleeting dream.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2009

Return to Sender

By Julia Alvarez

A farm's survival hinges on migrant workers, sparking questions of friendship and belonging.

Pura Belpré Award (2010)

352 pages· 71,721 words· Est. 8 hour read

3.8/5 Goodreads · 4,130 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Summary: When Tyler's family hires migrant workers to save their farm, he meets Mari, a girl torn between her Mexican roots and American life. As her family fears deportation, Tyler and Mari navigate a friendship across cultural divides. Can they bridge their worlds amidst the looming threat of discovery? This poignant tale explores identity, belonging, and the complexities of undocumented life, leaving readers with questions about friendship and patriotism.

The Best Migrant Labor Books for Kids

Our 10 Favorite Books About Migrant Labor

Three Strike Summer

A Handful of Stars

Calling the Doves

A New Year's Reunion

Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote

Tomás and the Library Lady

The Dust Bowl

Working Cotton

Blue Willow

Return to Sender

Great books, picked for their age.

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