Books About Migration · 70 titles considered

The Best Migration Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about migration? 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.

#1 in Series

Graphic Nov.

Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Migration

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

Orange for the Sunsets

By Tina Athaide

Two friends face a regime's ultimatum, testing their bond and redefining home.

336 pages· 49,862 words· Est. 7 hour read

6.8/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 963 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In Uganda under Amin's rule, Asha and Yesofu's friendship transcends cultural divides. But when Indians are ordered to leave, their world shatters. As tensions rise and soldiers patrol, Asha clings to the familiar, while Yesofu is torn between loyalty and a hopeful future. With their friendship on the line, can they find the courage to let go?

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1049

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2012

Bird & Squirrel on the Run

By James Burks · Book #1 in the Bird & Squirrel series

A bird and a squirrel embark on a journey to the south, facing various obstacles and challenges along the way.

126 pages· 2,362 words· Est. 27 min read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 4,200 ratings

$10.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: When a carefree Bird and a cautious Squirrel lose their winter stash, they embark on a zany road trip south. With Cat hot on their trail, this unlikely duo must outwit their relentless pursuer. Can they find safety and friendship amidst the chaos, or will Cat finally catch his prey? Join Bird and Squirrel on a hilarious adventure filled with unexpected twists and turns.

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2021

Samira Surfs

By Rukhsanna Guidroz, Fahmida Azim (Illustrator)

A refugee girl finds hope and courage in a surf club.

Golden Kite Award (2022)

416 pages· 31,980 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

6.3/7 Bookroo·3.8/5 Goodreads · 469 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Samira, an eleven-year-old Rohingya refugee in Bangladesh, grapples with a past of violence and loss. Amidst rebuilding her life, she discovers a surf club for girls. Can the waves of Cox's Bazar help her find strength and sisterhood, transforming fear into empowerment? Dive into Samira's journey from isolation to courage.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 2016

Little Home Bird

By Jo Empson

A bird resists change until a new home brings unexpected joy.

36 pages

5.8/7 Bookroo·3.9/5 Goodreads · 251 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Little Bird adores his cozy home, filled with familiar comforts. But when his brother insists they must leave, Little Bird faces a daunting choice. Can he find happiness in a new place? This charming tale explores the courage to embrace change and the surprising joy it can bring, perfect for young readers who cherish the idea of home.

Sale price

$858

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2010

Calvin Can't Fly

By Jennifer Berne, Keith Bendis (Illustrator)

A book-loving starling must save his flock from a hurricane.

40 pages· 877 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud

5.6/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 795 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Calvin, a starling with a passion for reading, faces a crisis when migration time arrives, and he can't fly. As a hurricane threatens his flock, Calvin's bookish knowledge becomes their only hope. Can this 'geeky beaky' turn his love for stories into a real-life rescue mission? Discover how imagination and learning can change the course of events in this charming tale of bravery and wit.

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2020

Overground Railroad

By Lesa Cline-Ransome, James E. Ransome (Illustrator)

A young girl journeys north, seeking freedom and new beginnings.

48 pages· 901 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud

5.5/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 966 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Ruth Ellen boards the Silver Meteor train, leaving behind the South's cotton fields for a new life up North. As she travels, she reflects on her journey through poems and the words of Frederick Douglass. Each stop reveals new landscapes and the promise of freedom, culminating in the bustling lights of New York. Will the North fulfill her family's dreams of opportunity and change? Experience a child's perspective on the Great Migration, where every mile traveled is a step toward hope and possibility.

Sale price

$1416

Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2014

Manatees

By Laura Marsh, National Geographic Kids · National Geographic Readers series

Dive into the world of manatees and uncover their survival challenges.

32 pages· 736 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud

4.3/5 Goodreads · 130 ratings

$14.90Save 5%

Library Binding

Summary: Journey into the underwater realm of manatees, the gentle 'sea cows' of the ocean. Discover how these endearing creatures nurture their young and navigate the dangers threatening their marshy homes. With captivating photos and engaging text, young readers will be enchanted by the mysteries of manatee life and the environmental challenges they face. Will these gentle giants overcome the perils of their habitat?

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2022

Feathers Together

By Caron Levis, Charles Santoso (Illustrator) · Feeling Friends series

Separated by migration, two storks must find a way to keep their bond alive across continents.

40 pages

4.3/5 Goodreads · 283 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Malena and Klepetan, two inseparable storks, face their first separation when Malena is injured and can't join the migration to South Africa. As Klepetan flies thousands of miles away, they both struggle with the loneliness of adventuring alone. Despite the vast distance, they find creative ways to stay connected, holding onto the hope that spring will reunite them. Can their friendship withstand the challenges of being apart, or will the winds of change alter their bond forever?

Sale price

$1139

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2020

Little Goose's Autumn

By Elli Woollard, Briony May Smith (Illustrator)

A young goose discovers her true purpose as autumn arrives.

32 pages· 612 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

4.5/5 Goodreads · 329 ratings

$11.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: As autumn approaches, a young goose feels an urgent call to action. Watching beavers, squirrels, and bears prepare for winter, she struggles to find her role. Her wings, unsuited for chopping or storing, hold a secret purpose—flight. Join her journey of self-discovery in a world painted with autumn's beauty, where finding one's place means embracing what makes you unique.

Sale price

$958

Board Book · Ages 0–3 · 2022

Migrating Birds: A Colors Book

By Chloe Goodhart, Gareth Lucas (Illustrator) · Birding for Babies series

Discover vibrant migrating birds and their colors in this engaging bird-watching adventure.

20 pages

5.3/7 Bookroo·4.4/5 Goodreads · 78 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Board Book

Summary: Dive into the colorful world of bird-watching with this engaging board book series. Young readers will explore vibrant migrating birds like the purple finch and Indigo bunting, learning fascinating facts about their unique colors. Perfect for family outings, this book invites everyone to step outside and discover nature's feathered wonders together. Will you spot them all?

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Migration Picture Books

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

Sale price

$1799

Winged Wonders

Ages 5–11 · 2020

Discover the mystery of monarch butterflies' epic journey and the teamwork that solved it.

Sale price

$1999

Tiny Bird

Ages 5–9 · 2020

A tiny hummingbird embarks on a perilous migration south, facing harsh weather and predators.

Sale price

$1999

Migration

Ages 5–8 · 2018

Witness epic animal migrations across the globe, braving harsh elements and predators for survival.

Series

Elephants

2010

Discover the secrets of African elephants' lives and journeys.

Sale price

$1999

The Boy Who Drew Birds

Ages 4–8 · 2004

A young naturalist uncovers the secrets of bird migration through keen observation.

Sale price

$1699

Fluffy and Baron

Ages 4–6 · 2006

A dog loses his duck friend to the wild, but surprises await.

Sale price

$799

How Do Birds Find Their Way?

Ages 4–8 · 1996

How do birds navigate vast migrations without getting lost?

Sale price

$1699

Galápagos George

Ages 4–8 · 2011

Discover the last of his kind, a giant tortoise's journey in the Galápagos.

Sale price

$1899

Señorita Mariposa

Ages 3–5 · 2019

Follow monarch butterflies on their epic journey from Canada to Mexico.

Sale price

$1799

Sea Bear

Ages 4–8 · 2019

A polar bear's journey across melting ice reveals the harsh reality of climate change.

Series

Sale price

$999

My, Oh My—A Butterfly!

Ages 5–9 · 2007

Discover the secret world of butterflies with the Cat in the Hat's whimsical rhymes.

Sale price

$1899

Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote

Ages 6–9 · 2013

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

View all migration picture books

Browse by age

Migration Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about migration for developing and independent readers.

#8 in Series

Sale price

$499

Penguin Puzzle

Ages 7–10 · 1995

Students must solve a penguin puzzle in Antarctica after a magical transformation.

Series

Sale price

$599

Great Migrations: Butterflies

Ages 7–9 · 2010

Monarchs embark on a perilous 3,000-mile journey across generations.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1499

Little Monarchs

Ages 9–12 · 2022

A girl and her caretaker race against time to save humanity from a deadly sun sickness.

Sale price

$899

A Handful of Stars

Ages 8–12 · 2015

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

Sale price

$1799

Across So Many Seas

Ages 10–13 · 2024

Four generations, one family, countless journeys. Discover the ties that bind them across time and seas.

Series

Sale price

$799

Alvin Ailey

Ages 6–9 · 1993

Discover the journey of a dancer who transformed modern dance forever.

Sale price

$999

Solimar

Ages 8–12 · 2022

A young girl must save her kingdom and magical butterflies from a usurping king.

Series

Sale price

$3279

Hummingbirds

Ages 7–10 · 2004

Discover the secrets of hummingbirds' vibrant lives.

Series

Sale price

$799

Cesar Chavez

Ages 7–10 · 2001

A man challenges injustice, leading a peaceful fight for workers' rights.

Sale price

$1995

Henry the Canada Goose

Ages 4–8 · 2019

A goose flies too far south, befriending penguins in Antarctica.

Series

Sale price

$1150

Immigration and Migration

Ages 9–11 · 2011

Explore America's growth through the lens of immigration and migration, from Ellis Island to today's debates.

Series

Sale price

$1299

The Eel Question

Ages 8–11 · 2019

A servant's forbidden curiosity about mysterious eels leads to magical discoveries.

View all migration chapter books

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Books about immigration and emigration Books about prejudice and racism Books about race and ethnicity Books about resilience

Our 10 Favorite Books About Migration

Great books, picked for their age.

Migration Picture Books

Migration Chapter Books & Middle Grade

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