Sale price
$574
Picture Book · Ages 6–8 · 2015
Don't Throw It to Mo!
A young football player proves himself despite his small size
32 pages· 427 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud
4.0/5 Goodreads · 1,042 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Books About Overcoming Obstacles · 80 titles considered
The Best Overcoming Obstacles Books for Kids
By the Bookroo Editors
Looking for excellent children's books about overcoming obstacles? 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 Overcoming Obstacles
Sale price
$474
Chapter Book · Ages 4–7 · 1993
Nina, Nina Ballerina
Nina's mom must find her among many butterflies at the dance show. Can she do it?
32 pages· 429 words· Est. 8 min read
3.8/5 Goodreads · 108 ratings
$4.99Save 5%
Sale price
$1498
Board Book · Ages 2–4 · 2016
Marie Curie
Discover Marie Curie's journey from childhood dreams to groundbreaking scientific achievements.
32 pages· 291 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud
5.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,465 ratings
$15.99Save 6%
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1991
Amazing Grace
A young girl dreams of playing the lead role in her school play despite others doubting her.
32 pages· 711 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud
5.6/7 Bookroo experts·4.4/5 Goodreads · 14,276 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2017
Shark Lady
By Jess Keating, Marta Alvarez Miguens (Illustrator)
A young girl's fascination with sharks leads her to become a renowned scientist.
40 pages· 745 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud
5.4/7 Bookroo experts·4.4/5 Goodreads · 3,545 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Sale price
$1498
Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2015
I am Lucille Ball
Discover how humor helped a comedy legend break barriers in Hollywood.
40 pages· 1,576 words· Est. 13 min read-aloud
4.4/5 Goodreads · 795 ratings
$15.99Save 6%
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2017
The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes
A determined scientist overcomes adversity to revolutionize blindness treatment.
40 pages· 879 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud
4.2/5 Goodreads · 507 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 5–9 · 2018
Counting on Katherine
By Helaine Becker, Dow Phumiruk (Illustrator)
A mathematician's calculations save Apollo 13. Discover her untold story.
40 pages· 1,022 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud
4.5/5 Goodreads · 1,614 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2019
A Computer Called Katherine
By Suzanne Slade, Veronica Miller Jamison (Illustrator)
A mathematician defies odds to help NASA reach the moon.
40 pages· 1,028 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud
4.4/5 Goodreads · 828 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Sale price
$1595
Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2016
The Boy Who Never Gave Up
A boy defies the odds to become an NBA legend.
24 pages· 615 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud
4.5/5 Goodreads · 924 ratings
Browse by age
Overcoming Obstacles Picture Books
Illustrated read-alouds about overcoming obstacles for preschool and elementary-age readers.
Sale price
$1899
Listen
Ages 4–8 · 2022
A deaf girl defies odds to become a world-renowned percussionist.
Sale price
$1799
Evelyn the Adventurous Entomologist
Ages 6–9 · 2019
Defy expectations: one woman's journey from London Zoo to uncharted islands, discovering new species and blazing trails.
Sale price
$599
The Berenstain Bears' Trouble at School
Ages 4–8 · 1987
A young bear gets sick, misses school, and struggles to catch up on his schoolwork, leading to a series of mishaps and lessons learned.
Sale price
$799
Marion Takes a Break
Ages 5–9 · 2013
A young girl named Marion struggles to cope with a sprained ankle that prevents her from participating in the horse show and other activities she loves.
Sale price
$1899
Nothing Stopped Sophie
Ages 6–9 · 2018
A determined woman defies all odds to solve the unsolvable in mathematics.
Sale price
$1899
The Magical Yet
Ages 4–8 · 2020
A young person learns to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals with the help of a magical guide.
Sale price
$599
The Three Little Pugs
Ages 5–7 · 2015
Princess Pink battles tricky pugs to reclaim a friend's money from a shady car deal.
Sale price
$1799
Drum Dream Girl
Ages 4–7 · 2015
A girl defies tradition to become a drummer in a music-filled world.
Sale price
$1599
I am Marie Curie
Ages 5–8 · 2019
Discover how Marie Curie's perseverance shattered barriers in science.
Sale price
$1899
Emmanuel's Dream
Ages 4–8 · 2015
A boy with one leg cycles 400 miles to prove disability is not inability.
Sale price
$1999
The Floating Field
Ages 7–10 · 2021
Thai boys defy odds to play soccer on a floating field in a stilt village.
Sale price
$1799
Her Fearless Run
Ages 8–11 · 2019
A woman defies the odds to run the Boston Marathon, changing the sport forever.
Browse by age
Overcoming Obstacles Chapter Books & Middle Grade
Longer stories about overcoming obstacles for developing and independent readers.
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1799
The 104-Story Treehouse
Ages 9–12 · 2018
A boy and his friend try to write a book while dealing with a toothache and various distractions.
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1299
Rock Jaw: Master of the Eastern Border
Ages 11–14 · 1998
Bones face a fierce mountain lion while returning a lost cub.
Sale price
$699
Who Are Venus and Serena Williams?
Ages 8–11 · 2017
The story of two sisters who rose to fame in the world of professional tennis, overcoming obstacles and breaking barriers along the way.
Sale price
$1195
Catching the Moon
Ages 6–10 · 2005
A girl defies all odds to play professional baseball in a male-dominated world.
Sale price
$899
The Nutcracker Mice
Ages 7–10 · 2017
A mouse dancer and a young girl must save a ballet from disaster.
Sale price
$699
Who Is Sonia Sotomayor?
Ages 8–11 · 2017
A Latina's journey from the Bronx to the Supreme Court, overcoming life's trials with determination.
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$899
Dance Challenge
Ages 7–10 · 2018
A group of mouselets at Mouseford Academy try to uncover the truth about their new professor's past and the reason behind her strict behavior.
Sale price
$699
Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures #12: Escape to California
Ages 6–10 · 2014
A boy helps a girl in a wheelchair escape from Alcatraz Island.
Sale price
$1700
Dream More
Ages 18–+ · 2012
Discover the four hopes to transform your life and future.
Sale price
$1499
Florence Griffith Joyner
Ages 6–9 · 2021
Discover how the fastest woman overcame challenges to make history.
Sale price
$499
The Soccer Star
Ages 6–8 · 2009
Can Billie prove girls can play soccer just as well as boys?
Sale price
$899
Mudball
Ages 6–9 · 2005
A tiny baseball player faces a stormy twist that could make him a hero.