Books About North Carolina · 69 titles considered

The Best North Carolina Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about north carolina? 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.

#3 in Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About North Carolina

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

Caterpillar Summer

By Gillian McDunn

A summer trip reveals family secrets and tests sibling bonds.

320 pages· 55,933 words· Est. 8 hour read

6.3/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 3,565 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Cat, the glue of her family, faces a summer of unexpected challenges when a trip goes awry, leaving her and her brother Chicken with grandparents they've never met. As Cat navigates this new world, she discovers the power of healing and understanding in strained relationships. Can she find a way to be a kid again while holding her family together? This heartfelt journey explores the depths of family bonds and the courage to embrace change.

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 · 3,008 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?

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2015

Stella by Starlight

By Sharon M. Draper

A young girl confronts prejudice and fear as the Klan resurfaces in her town.

320 pages· 51,587 words· Est. 7 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 15,677 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In 1932 Bumblebee, North Carolina, young Stella witnesses a terrifying act by the Ku Klux Klan. As her segregated town is engulfed in fear, she must find the courage to challenge the prejudice threatening her community. With her world turned upside down, Stella learns that standing up for change is the only way forward. Can she ignite hope amidst the ashes of fear and hatred?

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 9–13 · 2012

Three Times Lucky

By Sheila Turnage · Book #1 in the Mo & Dale Mystery series

A girl and her friend investigate a murder to protect their makeshift family in a small town.

Newbery Honor (2013)The E.B. White Read Aloud Honor (2013)

312 pages· 62,211 words· Est. 7 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 26,358 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In the quirky town of Tupelo Landing, young Mo LoBeau, who washed ashore during a hurricane, is determined to uncover the truth behind a murder. With her best friend Dale, she dives into a mystery that threatens the only family she's ever known: the enigmatic Colonel and the vibrant Miss Lana. As secrets unravel, Mo's fierce loyalty and sharp wit are put to the test. Can she solve the case before it's too late? Join Mo on a thrilling adventure where every secret is fair game and the stakes are as high as her hopes of finding her real mother.

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2002

Surviving the Applewhites

By Stephanie S. Tolan · Book #1 in the Applewhites series

A rebellious boy meets his match in a quirky family's home school. Can he survive the chaos?

Newbery Honor (2003)

240 pages· 44,937 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

3.7/5 Goodreads · 11,759 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Jake Semple, a notorious troublemaker, lands in the unconventional home school of the eccentric Applewhite family. Among artists and dreamers, he clashes with E.D., the sensible outsider. As chaos ensues, Jake must confront whether he's truly as tough as he believes. Will he adapt or unravel in this whirlwind of creativity and conflict?

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

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1988

The Mandie Collection

By Lois Gladys Leppard · Book #2 in the Mandie Collection series

Mandie faces kidnappings, treasure hunts, and phantoms in thrilling mysteries.

576 pages

4.4/5 Goodreads · 490 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Paperback

Summary: Join Mandie, an adventurous orphan, as she unravels mysteries in turn-of-the-century North Carolina. From a terrifying kidnapping to a treasure hunt guided by a mysterious map, Mandie and her friends face danger and excitement at every turn. Will they uncover the truth behind the Charleston Phantom or the secrets of the abandoned mine? Each tale promises suspense and adventure, challenging Mandie to solve the puzzles that come her way. Dive into this collection of five captivating stories where every page holds a new mystery waiting to be solved.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2017

Serafina and the Splintered Heart

By Robert Beatty · Book #3 in the Serafina series

A mysterious force threatens Biltmore. Can Serafina harness her powers in time?

384 pages· 79,935 words· Est. 11 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 8,554 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Serafina awakens in darkness, scarred from battle, to find Biltmore Estate changed beyond recognition. As violent storms and a nameless threat approach, she must uncover the truth and master her new powers. With only days to act, Serafina fights to reclaim her role as Guardian and protect all she loves. Will she succeed before it's too late?

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

Serafina and the Seven Stars

By Robert Beatty · Book #4 in the Serafina series

Serafina faces unseen terrors at Biltmore, questioning reality and her own heart.

352 pages· 71,452 words· Est. 10 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 4,486 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Guardian Serafina senses danger lurking in the shadows of Biltmore Estate. With her friend Braeden away, she doubts her senses and the safety of her home. As she uncovers haunting mysteries, a shocking crime challenges her beliefs. Is Braeden truly gone, or is their bond unbreakable? Can Serafina protect those she loves when she can't trust her own heart? Dive into a world where nothing is as it seems, and every shadow hides a secret.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 10–+ · 2018

The Law of Finders Keepers

By Sheila Turnage · Mo & Dale Mysteries series

A treasure hunt for Blackbeard's gold leads to secrets and life-changing decisions in Tupelo Landing.

368 pages

4.5/5 Goodreads · 1,488 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In Tupelo Landing, the Desperado Detectives—Mo, Dale, and Harm—are on a thrilling quest for Blackbeard's lost gold. Hired by the mayor's mother, they face a professional treasure hunter and a possible curse. Meanwhile, Mo discovers clues about her long-lost mother, adding personal stakes to the adventure. As Valentine's Day looms, tensions rise, and the trio must navigate twin treasure hunts that could change their lives forever. Will they find the gold and Mo's mother, or will one of them have to leave town for good?

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North Carolina Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

Sturdy, inviting books about north carolina for the youngest readers and listeners.

Series

Sale price

$995

Little North Carolina

Ages 2–4 · 2011

Discover state secrets through rhyming riddles and vibrant clues.

The Great Smoky Mountain Salamander Ball

Sale price

$795

The Great Smoky Mountain Salamander Ball

Ages 1–10 · 1997

A girl's secret night adventure leads to an unexpected discovery.

Series

Sale price

$995

Good Night Outer Banks

Ages 0–3 · 2018

Explore Outer Banks' wonders from beaches to lighthouses in a soothing bedtime journey.

View all north carolina board books

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North Carolina Picture Books

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

Sale price

$799

Freedom on the Menu

Ages 4–8 · 2004

A young girl witnesses a pivotal stand for equality, sparking hope for change.

Sale price

$1799

Ernestine's Milky Way

Ages 3–7 · 2019

A five-year-old braves the wilderness to deliver milk, facing unexpected challenges.

Series

Sale price

$499

First Flight

Ages 4–8 · 1997

A boy helps pioneers test a flying machine against all odds.

Sale price

$1699

Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile

Ages 4–8 · 2011

A librarian brings books to remote communities, transforming lives with her bookmobile.

Series

Sale price

$3095

North Carolina

Ages 8–13 · 2021

Explore North Carolina's evolution from tobacco farms to tech hubs.

Series

Sale price

$2260

North Carolina

Ages 8–4 · 1997

Discover North Carolina's rich history and vibrant culture.

Sale price

$1600

The Flyers

Ages 4–8 · 2003

Five kids dream of flight as the Wright brothers make history.

Back Home

Sale price

$1489

Back Home

Ages 7–9

Carolina Panthers

Sale price

$3428

Carolina Panthers

Ages 9–12

The Carolina Panthers' journey from expansion team to Super Bowl contender is chronicled through key players, coaches, and moments in the franchise's history.