Books About Orphans · 809 titles considered

The Best Orphans Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about orphans? 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 Orphans

Sale price

$1049

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2008

The Graveyard Book

By Neil Gaiman, Dave McKean (Illustrator)

A boy raised by ghosts must face dangers beyond the graveyard.

Newbery Medal (2009)Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2009)Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing (2010)

354 pages· 67,418 words· Est. 7.5 hour read

7.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 570,252 ratings

$10.99Save 5%

Summary: In a graveyard, Bod, a boy raised by ghosts, learns ancient secrets and ghostly skills. But beyond the cemetery's safety, the man Jack, who killed his family, awaits. Can Bod navigate the living and the dead's worlds, facing both wonders and perils? As he grows, Bod must confront his past and the threats that lurk outside his spectral home. Will he find his place among the living, or will the graveyard's mysteries consume him? Discover Bod's journey in a tale where the boundaries between life and death blur.

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 10–12 · 2010

A Long Walk to Water

By Linda Sue Park

Two Sudanese children face perilous journeys for survival and hope.

128 pages· 20,925 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

7.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.3/5 Goodreads · 107,590 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Summary: In Sudan, Nya walks hours daily for water in 2008, while Salva, a 'lost boy' in 1985, treks across Africa seeking safety. Their paths, fraught with danger from rebels and wildlife, eventually converge in a surprising, life-changing encounter. How will their stories of endurance and hope intertwine?

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2021

A Place to Hang the Moon

By Kate Albus

Three siblings seek a forever home amidst wartime chaos and secrets.

320 pages· 62,475 words· Est. 7 hour read

6.5/7 Bookroo experts·4.6/5 Goodreads · 24,793 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Summary: In 1940, siblings William, Edmund, and Anna are evacuated from London, hoping to find a new family in the countryside. As they navigate foster homes and wartime challenges, they find solace in a village library and its kind librarian, Nora. But with the war's shadow looming and Nora's husband's mysterious absence, can they find the family they long for? Discover a tale of resilience and the search for belonging in a world turned upside down.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2016

The Marvelous Magic of Miss Mabel

By Natasha Lowe · Poppy Pendle series

A young witch seeks the truth about her mysterious origins and discovers the true meaning of family.

304 pages· 50,334 words· Est. 7 hour read

6.5/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 477 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: When a baby witch is found in a flowerpot, Nora's life changes forever. Named Mabel, the girl grows up with magical talents and a rebellious spirit. At Ruthersfield Academy, Mabel excels but faces trouble for her inventive potions. A shocking revelation about her origins sends her on a quest to uncover her true family. As Mabel, now Magnolia, searches for answers, she must decide if family is defined by blood or by those who love and care for her. Will she find her roots, or something even more profound?

Sale price

$1699

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12

The Secret Garden

A lonely girl discovers a hidden garden with a mysterious key.

352 pages· 80,729 words· Est. 11 hour read

6.4/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,194,235 ratings

Summary: Mary Lennox, orphaned and alone in her uncle's dreary mansion, discovers a key to a forbidden garden. As she unlocks its secrets, she steps into a magical world that changes everything. What mysteries lie within, and how will they alter her life forever?

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 1982

The BFG

By Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake (Illustrator)

A young orphan is carried off by a dream-blowing giant, then must help him stop the man-eating ones.

FCBG Children’s Book Award (1983)

207 pages· 36,978 words· Est. 5 hour read

6.4/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 537,753 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: Sophie, a young orphan, is whisked away by the BFG, a gentle giant unlike his fearsome kin. When she learns of a sinister plan by other giants to devour children in England, Sophie and the BFG embark on a daring mission to thwart them. Can this unlikely duo save the day, or will the giants' hunger prevail? Join Sophie and the BFG on a whimsical adventure filled with danger, courage, and unexpected friendships.

Sale price

$1498

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2009

Fortune's Magic Farm

By Suzanne Selfors

A girl inherits a magical farm and must choose between two worlds.

304 pages· 54,880 words· Est. 7.5 hour read

6.3/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 885 ratings

$15.99Save 6%

Summary: Isabelle, a ten-year-old orphan from a dreary town, discovers she's the heir to a magical farm where cherries cure and fronds make you fly. As she embraces this enchanting world, a call to save her rain-soaked hometown tests her loyalty. Can she balance the magic of her new life with the needs of the place she left behind? Isabelle's journey is filled with quirky characters and whimsical challenges, leading her to a decision that could change everything. Will she find a way to bring sunshine to both worlds?

Sale price

$1049

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2004

Peter and the Starcatchers

By Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson, Greg Call (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Peter and the Starcatchers series

Orphan Peter's voyage turns perilous with a mysterious trunk and dangerous foes.

452 pages· 83,144 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

6.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.0/5 Goodreads · 78,718 ratings

$10.99Save 5%

Summary: Orphan Peter embarks on a perilous journey aboard the ship Never Land, where he meets Molly, a young Starcatcher. Together, they must protect a magical trunk from a ruthless pirate and the island's inhabitants. As they face treacherous seas and fierce battles, secrets unfold, revealing the true nature of their mission. Will Peter and Molly succeed in safeguarding the stardust, or will the forces of greed and danger prevail? Dive into a world of adventure and mystery, where every twist brings them closer to the heart of the legendary tale of Peter Pan.

The Adventurer's Guide to Successful Escapes

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2016

The Adventurer's Guide to Successful Escapes

By Wade Albert White · Book #1 in the The Adventurer's Guide series

A quest unfolds as Anne faces riddles and monstrous foes, with dragons hiding secrets.

384 pages· 64,851 words· Est. 9 hour read

6.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 1,079 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Summary: Anne dreams of escaping Saint Lupin's Institute, but when the day arrives, she's thrust into an epic quest. With friends Penelope and Hiro, she must solve riddles and battle monstrous foes. Can they unravel the mysteries and survive the journey, or will the consequences be dire? Discover a world where dragons aren't what they seem and nothing is as it appears.

Sale price

$2849

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2007

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

By Brian Selznick

A hidden life in a Paris station unravels with a cryptic message.

Caldecott Medal (2008)The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2007)National Book Award for Young People's Literature (2007)

533 pages· 24,938 words· Est. 3 hour read

6.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 191,208 ratings

$29.99Save 5%

Summary: Hugo, an orphan and clock keeper, hides within the walls of a Paris train station. His secretive existence is threatened when he encounters a mysterious toyseller and a curious girl. As a cryptic drawing, a stolen key, and a mechanical man come into play, Hugo must unravel a hidden message from his deceased father. Can he protect his secret and uncover the truth before it's too late?

The Bookroo Book Club

Great books, picked for their age.

Books worth reading again and again, delivered to your door.

Find their book club

Browse by age

Orphans Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

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

Sale price

$995

Oliver Twist

Ages 0–5 · 2013

An orphan navigates London's underworld seeking family and belonging.

Sale price

$995

Les Misérables

Ages 0–5 · 2013

Discover classic tales through simple words and felted scenes for young readers.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$995

Jane Eyre (Graphic Novel)

Ages 0–5 · 2013

Discover classic tales through simple words and felted scenes for young readers.

Sale price

$1299

Great Expectations

Ages 3–5 · 2018

Discover Pip's journey through family, fortune, and love in a classic tale for young readers.

Sale price

$995

Great Expectations

Ages 0–5 · 2016

Discover Pip's journey from orphan to city adventurer in a classic retelling.

Sale price

$1499

Anne of Green Gables

Ages 3–6 · 2020

An orphan's misadventures unfold on a farm, sparking laughter and heartwarming moments.

Sale price

$899

Sleepy Kittens

Ages 2–4 · 2010

Three restless kittens resist bedtime until Mama Cat's soothing lullaby works its magic.

View all orphans board books

Browse by age

Orphans Picture Books

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

Sale price

$599

Madeline's Tea Party

Ages 6–8 · 2011

A tea party turns chaotic when a mischievous guest arrives. Can friendship mend the mess?

Sale price

$1799

The Unadoptables

Ages 8–12 · 2020

Five orphans escape a sinister threat to find their true family.

Sale price

$2095

Brothers in Hope

Ages 7–9 · 2005

A young boy leads a perilous journey across war-torn lands, seeking safety and hope.

Sale price

$799

Anne of Green Gables (Adapted)

Ages 3–7 · 2001

An orphan girl must prove her worth to a skeptical family at Green Gables.

Then

Ages 12–15 · 2008

Can Felix and Zelda evade capture in a world eager to betray them for a reward?

Sale price

$1699

Home for A While

Ages 4–8 · 2021

A foster child seeks trust and belonging in a new home.

Sale price

$1799

The Story of Holly & Ivy

Ages 8–11 · 1958

Three Christmas wishes intertwine: a home, a child, and a family. Can they all come true?

Sale price

$1695

Wild

Ages 3–7 · 2013

A wild child meets civilization. Can they coexist?

Sale price

$799

The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy

Ages 4–8 · 1958

A puppy searches for the perfect boy this Christmas.

Sale price

$799

When Jessie Came Across the Sea

Ages 6–9 · 1997

A young girl faces heartbreak as she leaves her grandmother for a new life in America.

Sale price

$1795

Papa Piccolo

Ages 4–8 · 1992

A tomcat's discovery challenges his carefree life and independence.

Sale price

$1799

The Bravest Man in the World

Ages 4–8 · 2019

A boy learns the power of music through a tale of bravery aboard the Titanic.

View all orphans picture books

Browse by age

Orphans Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about orphans for developing and independent readers.

Sale price

$899

James and the Giant Peach

Ages 7–11 · 1961

A young boy escapes his miserable life with his cruel aunts through a magical giant peach

Sale price

$1499

The Outsiders

Ages 12–18 · 1967

A boy's world shatters when a gang rivalry spirals out of control.

Sale price

$1699

Ivy

Ages 7–10 · 2017

A contest for tidiness clashes with magical chaos at Ivy's grandmother's cottage.

Sale price

$799

Three Pennies

Ages 8–12 · 2018

A foster girl seeks her birth mother before losing her chance at a forever home.

Sale price

$3000

Ready Player One

Ages 12–18 · 2011

In 2045, a virtual treasure hunt turns deadly as rivals vie for control of a digital empire.

Sale price

$1799

Monday's Not Coming

Ages 12–18 · 2018

A girl vanishes, and only her best friend notices. Can she uncover the truth?

Sale price

$1699

The Girl Who Speaks Bear

Ages 8–12 · 2019

A girl with bear legs seeks her true identity in a perilous forest.

Sale price

$1799

One for the Murphys

Ages 10–13 · 2012

A foster child must choose between her past and a new family life.

Sale price

$1699

The Star Outside My Window

Ages 8–12 · 2019

A girl believes her missing mum is a star and sets out to prove it.

Sale price

$899

All the Impossible Things

Ages 8–12 · 2019

A girl with wind powers must find her place amidst foster care chaos.

Sale price

$1599

The Bad Beginning

Ages 8–12 · 1999

Three siblings face misfortune and a villain's plot to steal their fortune.

Sale price

$999

The War That Saved My Life

Ages 8–12 · 2015

A girl escapes wartime London, seeking freedom from her mother's cruelty.

View all orphans chapter books

Keep exploring

Books about magic Books about cemeteries Books about factories Books about family history Books about family life Books about farm life and ranch life Books about ghosts Books about giants

Our 10 Favorite Books About Orphans

Great books, picked for their age.

Orphans Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

Orphans Picture Books

Orphans Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Bookroo

Book Clubs

Book Store

Schools

Book Platform

Authors & Illustrators

Follow Bookroo