Books About Rural Living · 415 titles considered

The Best Rural Living Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about rural living? 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 Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Rural Living

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 1932

Little House in the Big Woods

By Laura Ingalls Wilder, Garth Williams (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Little House on the Prairie series

A young girl and her family live in a log cabin in the Big Woods of Wisconsin during the late 19th century.

238 pages· 33,170 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

6.1/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 290,632 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Summary: In 1871 Wisconsin, young Laura Ingalls and her family navigate the trials of pioneer life. Amidst harsh winters and self-sufficiency, they find joy in homemade Christmases, spring plantings, and Pa's soothing fiddle. As they prepare for their first trip to town, Laura's story unfolds, capturing the essence of frontier resilience and familial warmth. What adventures and challenges await in the Big Woods?

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 10–15 · 1997

Out of the Dust

By Karen Hesse · Book #1 in the Newbery Medal Book series

A girl seeks solace amidst dust storms and personal tragedy.

Newbery Medal (1998)

227 pages· 19,706 words· Est. 2 hour read

5.3/7 Bookroo experts·3.8/5 Goodreads · 80,574 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: In the heart of the Dust Bowl, fourteen-year-old Billie Jo faces unimaginable loss and hardship. A tragic accident leaves her scarred and unable to play the piano, her only solace. As dust storms ravage the land, Billie Jo's father remains silent, and her mother is gone. While others flee, she must find peace in the desolate Oklahoma landscape and within herself. Can Billie Jo overcome the devastation and find hope in the dust? Discover her journey of resilience and self-discovery in a world where everything seems lost.

Sale price

$1498

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 1999

A Walk to Remember

By Nicholas Sparks

A rebel and a minister's daughter discover love's power and pain in 1958 Beaufort.

240 pages· 48,110 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 852,340 ratings

$15.99Save 6%

Summary: In 1958 Beaufort, high school rebel Landon Carter never expected to fall for Jamie, the minister's ethereal daughter. As they navigate their senior year, Jamie reveals the profound depths of love and life, challenging Landon's perceptions. Amidst the sea breeze and lilacs, their unexpected bond faces trials that test their courage and hearts. Will their connection withstand the joys and sorrows that life throws their way? Discover a tale of young love that transcends time and circumstance, where the heart's true strength is unveiled in the most unexpected places.

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 · 3,004 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

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

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2005

Bronze and Sunflower

By Cao Wenxuan, Meilo So (Illustrator), Helen Wang (Translator)

Two children find solace and friendship amidst loss and hardship.

400 pages

4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,106 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Summary: Sunflower, uprooted to a rural village after her father's tragic death, finds herself in the care of a destitute family. There, she meets Bronze, a silent boy scarred by past trauma. Together, they forge an unbreakable bond, navigating the trials of poverty and discovering the strength of love and loyalty. Can their friendship heal old wounds and bring hope to their lives?

Sale price

$2185

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 1958

Old Yeller

By Fred Gipson, Steven Polson

A boy's life changes when a stray dog becomes his unlikely hero in the Texas hills.

Newbery Honor (1957)

158 pages· 36,061 words· Est. 4 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 105,171 ratings

$23.00Save 5%

Summary: In the rugged Texas hill country, young Travis faces the daunting task of managing his family's farm while his father is away. Enter Old Yeller, a scruffy, yellow dog who arrives uninvited but soon proves indispensable. As Travis battles wild animals and the challenges of frontier life, Old Yeller becomes his loyal companion, saving the family from danger. But when tragedy strikes, Travis must confront the harsh realities of love and loss. Can he find the strength to let go of the dog who taught him so much about courage and friendship?

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 1980

The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog

By Gerald L. Holmes (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Hank the Cowdog series

A dog named Hank investigates a murder on a ranch and gets into various misadventures.

127 pages· 23,464 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 6,698 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Summary: Hank, the self-proclaimed Head of Ranch Security, faces a crisis when he's accused of murder. With his sidekick Drover, he must unravel the mystery to prove his innocence. Is Hank truly an outlaw, or can he outsmart the real culprits? As the tension rises, Hank's reputation and freedom hang in the balance. Can he solve the case before it's too late?

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 · 26,344 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

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

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 11–15 · 1938

The Yearling

By Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

A boy's journey through the wilds of Florida tests his courage and beliefs.

473 pages· 128,886 words· Est. 12 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 31,002 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Summary: In the heart of Florida's wilderness, young Jody Baxter faces the trials of boyhood amidst the untamed beauty of the backwoods. As he navigates the challenges of family life and the thrill of the hunt, Jody's bond with a fawn becomes a poignant test of love and survival. Will the harsh realities of nature and life force him to grow up too soon? Discover a timeless tale of courage and the enduring spirit of a family living far from modern life's comforts.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 1935

Caddie Woodlawn

By Carol Ryrie Brink · Book #1 in the Caddie Woodlawn series

A spirited girl defies norms, befriends outsiders, and challenges her world.

Newbery Medal (1936)

288 pages· 51,591 words· Est. 7 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 54,380 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Summary: Caddie Woodlawn is no ordinary girl. Preferring adventure over domestic duties, she hunts, plows, and takes on her brother's dares. Her friendship with Native Americans sets her apart in a community filled with fear and misunderstanding. Based on true stories, Caddie's courage and zest for life challenge societal norms and captivate readers. Will her bold spirit bridge the gap between her world and the one she dreams of? Discover the timeless tale of a girl who dares to be different.

The Bookroo Book Club