Books About Music · 1,741 titles considered

The Best Music Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about music? 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 Music

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 1999

Ragweed

By Avi, Brian Floca (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Poppy Stories series

A young mouse named Ragweed leaves his home in the country to explore the city and gets caught up in a world of danger and adventure.

208 pages· 33,837 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

6.0/7 Bookroo experts·3.9/5 Goodreads · 5,055 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Summary: Ragweed, a curious mouse, leaves his country home for the bustling city, seeking adventure and new friends. But lurking in the shadows is Silversides, leader of F.E.A.R., a cat group bent on keeping mice at the bottom. With a band of quirky city mice—Clutch, Dipstick, Lugnut, and Blinker—Ragweed must outsmart these cunning cats. Can they unite to challenge the feline hierarchy, or will they fall prey to their whiskered adversaries? Discover a world where courage and friendship are the keys to survival in this thrilling tale of mice versus cats.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1999

Bud, Not Buddy

By Christopher Paul Curtis

A boy's quest to find his father leads him on an unforgettable journey during the Great Depression.

Newbery Medal (2000)Coretta Scott King Award (2000)

245 pages· 52,497 words· Est. 6 hour read

6.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.0/5 Goodreads · 116,544 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: In 1936 Michigan, ten-year-old Bud embarks on a daring journey to find his father, armed with a suitcase of treasures and a clue from his late mother. As he follows the trail of flyers for Herman E. Calloway and his band, Bud faces hunger, fear, and unexpected challenges. Will his determination and wit lead him to the truth about his family? Discover a heartwarming tale of resilience and adventure as Bud navigates the uncertainties of the Great Depression in search of belonging and identity.

Sale price

$2184

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1970

The Trumpet of the Swan

By E.B. White, Fred Marcellino (Illustrator)

A mute swan seeks love through a stolen trumpet's melody.

251 pages· 42,200 words· Est. 6 hour read

6.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 83,997 ratings

$22.99Save 5%

Summary: Louis, a mute trumpeter swan, longs for Serena's affection but struggles to express his love. Despite learning to read and write, nothing captures her attention. When his father gifts him a stolen brass trumpet, Louis wonders if music can bridge the silence. Can a melody win Serena's heart, or will Louis remain unheard? Dive into a tale of perseverance and the power of music.

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2015

Echo

By Pam Muñoz Ryan

A harmonica links three children across time, each facing life-altering challenges.

Newbery Honor (2016)

597 pages· 84,078 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 48,387 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Summary: In a forbidden forest, Otto encounters three sisters and a mysterious harmonica. Decades later, Friedrich in Germany, Mike in Pennsylvania, and Ivy in California find their lives intertwined by this same harmonica. Each faces a daunting challenge: rescuing a father, protecting a brother, or holding a family together. As their stories unfold, destiny pulls them toward a shared fate. What secrets does the harmonica hold, and how will it unite them? Discover a tale where music bridges time and space, weaving a symphony of hope and courage.

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

Drum Roll, Please

By Lisa Jenn Bigelow

A shy drummer faces friendship shifts, family changes, and unexpected love at summer camp.

320 pages· 63,618 words· Est. 9 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 2,000 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: Melly, a shy drummer, finds solace in music at Camp Rockaway. As her parents split and her best friend drifts away, she unexpectedly falls for another girl. Can Melly find her rhythm amidst the chaos and embrace her true self? Discover if she can turn the noise in her heart into a powerful beat.

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2018

The Eleventh Trade

By Alyssa Hollingsworth

A boy must trade up from a keychain to reclaim his grandfather's stolen instrument.

304 pages· 53,985 words· Est. 6 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 376 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Summary: Sami, a young refugee, faces a daunting challenge when his grandfather's cherished rebab is stolen. With only a keychain and a dream, he embarks on a daring quest to trade up to $700. Each trade brings him closer to reclaiming the instrument and finding his place in a new world. Can Sami navigate the complexities of friendship and fear to achieve the impossible? Discover the heartwarming journey of resilience and hope in 'The Eleventh Trade.'

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2003

For Freedom

By Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

A young opera singer becomes a daring spy in Nazi-occupied France.

192 pages

4.1/5 Goodreads · 2,164 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: In 1940 Cherbourg, Suzanne's life is upended by war. As German forces seize her home, she clings to her passion for singing. But when her talent leads her into the world of espionage, Suzanne becomes a secret courier for the French Resistance. With each mission, she risks everything for freedom. Can she outsmart the enemy and survive the perilous path of a spy?

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2021

Generation Misfits

By Akemi Dawn Bowman

A girl finds friendship and faces hidden struggles through J-Pop.

352 pages· 71,579 words· Est. 10 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 180 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Summary: Millie, a Japanese-American girl, starts at a new school and joins a J-Pop band, hoping for friendship. As she bonds with fellow misfits, she discovers one friend's silent struggle. Can Millie help when words fail? Dive into a tale of music, friendship, and unspoken challenges.

Sale price

$1895

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2008

Becoming Billie Holiday

By Carole Boston Weatherford, Floyd Cooper (Illustrator)

A young singer's voice rises above poverty and hardship to become legendary.

Coretta Scott King Honor (2009)

120 pages· 11,397 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 479 ratings

$19.95Save 5%

Summary: Born into poverty, Eleanora's voice was her beacon. By fifteen, she was Billie Holiday, destined for greatness despite life's harsh trials. Her journey through pain and the law's shadow led her to the spotlight with the era's top big bands. Discover her fight for survival and the dream she pursued with unwavering passion through evocative poetry.

Sale price

$2184

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2012

Eleanor & Park

By Rainbow Rowell

Two misfits navigate first love, knowing it rarely lasts but daring to try.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2013)

535 pages· 78,372 words· Est. 7.5 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 1,276,571 ratings

$22.99Save 5%

Summary: In 1986, two high school misfits, Eleanor and Park, find themselves drawn together despite knowing the odds are against them. As they navigate the complexities of first love, they grapple with the reality that such feelings often fade. Yet, their connection is undeniable, and they are willing to risk everything for a chance at something real. Will their bravery be enough to defy the odds, or will they become another story of love lost? Discover the challenges and triumphs of young love in a world that seems determined to keep them apart.

The Bookroo Book Club

Great books, picked for their age.

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Browse by age

Ages 0–3 · 2019

Discover trailblazing women who changed the world and inspire young dreamers to follow their biggest ideas.

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Ages 4–8 · 2020

Discover Aretha Franklin's journey from church singer to civil rights icon.

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Ages 7–10 · 2025

A young girl named Evangeline is found in a boot and adopted by a shoemaker and his wife, but her life is turned upside down when she is kidnapped by a wealthy woman who wants to exploit her singing talent.