Books About School Shootings

The Best School Shootings Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about school shootings? 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 9 Favorite Books About School Shootings

When the World Was Happy
Sale price
$2089
Chapter Book · 2026

When the World Was Happy

By Benjamin Alire Sáenz

After violence shatters their high school, twins search for what still holds them together.

416 pages
4.3 Goodreads · 127 ratings
$21.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: CheChe and his twin sister Emma lead a quiet, happy life in El Paso, close to their parents and grandparents. A few months after they turn seventeen, gunmen attack their high school: CheChe loses a leg, and both twins lose friends. As they navigate grief, relationships and a world that suddenly feels different, they find that their love for family and close friends has only grown deeper.
The Golden Hour
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1248
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2021

The Golden Hour

By Niki Smith

A high school student returns from spring break to a school recovering from a traumatic event and finds grounding through photography, friendship, and a calf named Daisy.

248 pages· 6,704 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 3,310 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Manuel Soto, grappling with anxiety after a traumatic event, finds unexpected solace in photography and new friendships. Partnered with classmates Sebastian and Caysha for a project, Manuel discovers peace on a cattle farm and joy in a newborn calf's antics. As they prepare for the county fair, Manuel faces his fears, opens his heart, and discovers first love. Will he find healing and hope in this rural escape?
Please Pay Attention
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2025

Please Pay Attention

By Jamie Sumner

A girl finds healing and empowerment after a school tragedy.

240 pages· 20,581 words· Est. 3 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 1,610 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Bea, a sixth grader with cerebral palsy, faces the aftermath of a school shooting that leaves her feeling powerless. As her community rallies, she struggles with grief and helplessness. Through therapeutic horseback riding, Bea begins to heal and finds the courage to advocate for change. Can she transform her pain into a powerful voice for her community?
The Shape of Thunder
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2021

The Shape of Thunder

By Jasmine Warga

Two estranged friends attempt time travel to heal their shattered lives.

275 pages· 57,218 words· Est. 6.5 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 5,849 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Cora and Quinn, once inseparable, are torn apart by tragedy. Cora mourns her sister lost in a school shooting, while Quinn bears the weight of her brother's actions. On Cora's birthday, Quinn proposes a daring plan: travel back in time to prevent the catastrophe. As they delve into the mysteries of time travel, they discover that the true magic lies in their rekindled friendship. Can they change the past, or will they find healing in the present? This poignant tale explores the power of belief and the bonds that can mend broken hearts.
Mockingbird
Sale price
$1597
Chapter Book · Ages 9–13 · 2010

Mockingbird

By Kathryn Erskine

Caitlin seeks closure in a world of black and white after her brother's death.

National Book Award for Young People's Literature (2010)Golden Kite Honor (2011)
235 pages· 36,527 words· Est. 4 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 36,168 ratings
$16.95Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Caitlin, an eleven-year-old with Asperger’s, navigates a world of stark contrasts after her brother's death. As she searches for closure, she embarks on a journey to understand emotions and empathy. Her quest leads her to discover that life is not just black and white but filled with messy, beautiful colors. With her father struggling to cope, Caitlin must find her own way through grief and confusion. Will she find the closure she desperately seeks, or will the complexities of life prove too overwhelming? Dive into Caitlin's world and uncover the unexpected beauty within chaos.
Hate List
Sale price
$1248
Chapter Book · Ages 14–17 · 2009

Hate List

By Jennifer Brown

A girl grapples with guilt and redemption after her boyfriend's school shooting rampage.

528 pages· 88,393 words· Est. 8 hour read
4.0 Goodreads · 67,945 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Valerie Leftman returns to school after her boyfriend's deadly shooting spree, burdened by guilt and a list that implicated her. As she faces the classmates she saved and those she lost, Val must navigate her fractured relationships and haunting memories. Can she find redemption and move forward, or will the past forever define her? This gripping tale explores the aftermath of tragedy and the struggle for forgiveness.
That's Not What Happened
Sale price
$1797
Chapter Book · Ages 14–17 · 2018

That's Not What Happened

By Kody Keplinger

A survivor must decide between revealing the truth or preserving a comforting lie about a tragic school shooting.

336 pages· 79,260 words· Est. 7.5 hour read
3.8 Goodreads · 21,518 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Three years after the Virgil County High School Massacre, a survivor grapples with guilt and truth. Her best friend Sarah's story of dying for her faith is a lie, one she knows firsthand. As Sarah's parents publish a book, this might be her last chance to reveal what really happened. But challenging the narrative could upset many who cherish Sarah's martyrdom. As she uncovers more, doubt creeps in—what's worse, staying silent or facing the fallout of honesty? In a world where stories hold power, she must choose between comfort and truth.
This Is Where It Ends
Sale price
$1049
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2016

This Is Where It Ends

By Marieke Nijkamp

Trapped in a school auditorium, students face a terrifying shooter. Can they survive the next 54 minutes?

336 pages· 53,803 words· Est. 5 hour read
3.7 Goodreads · 157,452 ratings
$10.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: At Opportunity High, the new semester begins with a chilling twist. As the principal's speech ends, students find themselves trapped in the auditorium. Within minutes, gunfire erupts. Over the next 54 harrowing minutes, four students must navigate their deepest fears and hopes while confronting the armed assailant. Will they find a way out, or will the boy with the gun shatter their world forever? This gripping tale explores the raw reality of school violence, challenging readers to reflect on courage, loss, and the urgent need for change.
After
Sale price
$1597
Chapter Book · Ages 13–+ · 2003

After

By Francine Prose

After a nearby school shooting, new safety rules at one high school grow ever more sinister.

336 pages· 55,707 words· Est. 5 hour read
3.5 Goodreads · 2,073 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: When a shooting at a nearby school shakes the town, Central High brings in a grief counselor who imposes strict new rules in the name of safety: searches, drug tests, banned colors and slogans. Tom Bishop and his friends watch as students who break the rules start to disappear, and they must decide how much freedom they are willing to give up.
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