The Best Oppression Books for Kids

Sale price

$1348

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2015

An Ember in the Ashes

By Sabaa Tahir · Book #1 in the An Ember in the Ashes series

A slave and a soldier defy an empire, risking everything for freedom.

480 pages· 124,141 words· Est. 11.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 359,981 ratings

$13.99Save 4%

Summary: In a brutal empire where defiance means death, Laia, a slave, must spy for rebels to save her brother. At the military academy, she meets Elias, a soldier yearning for freedom. Together, they face impossible choices that could alter the empire's fate. Will their intertwined destinies ignite hope or lead to destruction?

Sale price

$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2002

The House of the Scorpion

By Nancy Farmer · Book #1 in the The House of the Scorpion series

A clone's fight for freedom in a world that fears him.

432 pages· 100,586 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 97,800 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Summary: Matt Alacrán, a clone of the powerful drug lord El Patrón, grapples with his identity in a world that sees him as a monster. As he navigates the treacherous Alacrán Estate, surrounded by sinister forces and a power-hungry family, Matt realizes that escape is his only hope for survival. But even if he breaks free, can he ever truly be free from the shadow of his origins? In a land where his very existence is a threat, Matt must uncover the truth about himself and what it means to be human.

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$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

Words on Fire

By Jennifer A. Nielsen

A girl flees with a secret package, joining a resistance against oppressive forces.

336 pages· 72,232 words· Est. 10 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 15,560 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: In 1893 Lithuania, young Audra is thrust into a perilous mission when Russian soldiers threaten her family. Fleeing with a mysterious package, she joins a daring network of book smugglers. As she navigates danger, Audra must decide if this underground resistance can help save her parents. Will her courage and newfound allies be enough to defy the oppressive regime and reclaim her heritage?

Sale price

$1398

Chapter Book · Ages 12–17 · 2009

Catching Fire

By Suzanne Collins · Book #2 in the The Hunger Games series

Victors of the Games, Katniss and Peeta face Capitol's wrath as rebellion brews.

391 pages· 101,811 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 4,289,651 ratings

$14.99Save 7%

Summary: Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark have survived the Hunger Games, securing safety for their families. But their defiance has sparked rebellion, and now they are symbols of resistance. With the Capitol seeking revenge, can they navigate the dangerous political landscape, or will their victory cost them everything? As tensions rise, the stakes are higher than ever, and the future of the districts hangs in the balance.

Sale price

$2184

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2018

Children of Blood and Bone

By Tomi Adeyemi · Legacy of Orisha series

Magic vanished, hope lost. Can Zélie restore power and defy a tyrant?

544 pages· 135,111 words· Est. 12.5 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 256,269 ratings

$22.99Save 5%

Summary: In a land where magic has vanished, Zélie Adebola holds the key to its return. Haunted by her mother's death and a ruthless king's tyranny, she must ally with a rogue princess to outsmart a determined prince bent on eradicating magic forever. As danger prowls and spirits stir, Zélie faces her greatest challenge: mastering her powers and confronting forbidden feelings for an enemy. Will she rise against the monarchy and reclaim her people's legacy, or will her own heart betray her mission?

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 12–17 · 2021

Steelstriker

By Marie Lu · Book #2 in the Skyhunter series

A lone warrior becomes a weapon to fight a fallen world.

400 pages· 113,646 words· Est. 10.5 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 11,659 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Summary: Talin, isolated behind enemy lines, faces a dire choice: become the Federation's ultimate weapon or lose everything. With her mother captive and allies scattered, she transforms into a Skyhunter. Yet, hope flickers as Red, her distant ally, seeks to reconnect. Can they reunite the Strikers and defy the Federation's grip? The battle for freedom is just beginning, and the stakes have never been higher. Will Talin's transformation be her salvation or her undoing?

Sale price

$3040

Chapter Book · Ages 12–17 · 2011

Shatter Me

By Tahereh Mafi · Book #1 in the Shatter Me series

A touch can kill. Juliette's power is a curse or a weapon. Which will she choose?

464 pages· 72,574 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

3.8/5 Goodreads · 1,293,811 ratings

$32.00Save 5%

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Juliette's touch is lethal, a power The Reestablishment wants to exploit. Isolated and feared, she faces a choice: become a weapon or fight for freedom. When Adam, the only person who ever showed her kindness, reappears, Juliette discovers a strength she never knew she had. As she grapples with her deadly gift, can she find hope in a world that sees her as a monster? In a post-apocalyptic landscape, Juliette must decide if she will be controlled or if she will rise against those who seek to use her.

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 12–17 · 2019

Internment

By Samira Ahmed

A teen leads a daring revolt in a future internment camp.

387 pages· 89,716 words· Est. 8.5 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 20,765 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: In a chilling near-future America, seventeen-year-old Layla Amin and her family are imprisoned in an internment camp for Muslim Americans. Inside, Layla forms alliances with fellow detainees and her boyfriend outside the camp. Together, they ignite a rebellion against the oppressive camp Director. As tensions rise, Layla's courage and determination become the spark for a larger fight for freedom. Will their resistance inspire change, or will it be crushed by the forces against them? This gripping tale challenges the silence and complicity in society, urging readers to stand up for justice.

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 13–+ · 2016

Glass Sword

By Victoria Aveyard · Red Queen series

A girl with forbidden powers must escape a vengeful king and find allies to fight oppression.

444 pages· 133,239 words· Est. 12.5 hour read

3.8/5 Goodreads · 437,941 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Summary: Mare Barrow, with her rare lightning ability, flees from the treacherous King Maven. As she seeks others like her to join the rebellion, Mare faces a perilous journey. Can she resist becoming the monster she fights against, or will betrayal harden her heart forever? In a world where blood defines fate, Mare's quest for justice could cost her everything. Will she rise as a leader or crumble under the weight of her choices?

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2022

The Invisible Spy

The Forgotten Five series

Five kids hide from a president's henchmen while uncovering secrets about their supernatural parents.

322 pages· 73,378 words· Est. 10 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 885 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: In Estero, five young fugitives search for their missing supernatural parents. With new allies, they rescue Elena, only to be hunted by the president's forces. As they hide in ancient tunnels, they uncover a conspiracy involving the president and an invisible ally. Could their own parents be involved? The group must navigate treacherous alliances and face unexpected enemies, testing their powers and loyalties. Will they stand against the oppression of supernaturals or fall into the traps set by those they seek to trust?

The Best Oppression Books for Kids

Our 10 Favorite Books About Oppression

An Ember in the Ashes

The House of the Scorpion

Words on Fire

Catching Fire

Children of Blood and Bone

Steelstriker

Shatter Me

Internment

Glass Sword

The Invisible Spy

Great books, picked for their age.

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