The Best Second Chances Books for Kids

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$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 9–13 · 2015

The Seventh Most Important Thing

By Shelley Pearsall

A boy's punishment leads to unexpected discoveries in a world of discarded treasures.

288 pages· 54,074 words· Est. 6 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 9,200 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: After a reckless act lands Arthur in trouble, he's sentenced to work for the mysterious Junk Man. Tasked with collecting seemingly worthless items, Arthur uncovers a hidden world where trash transforms into treasure. As he delves deeper, he learns that redemption and beauty can emerge from the most unlikely places. What secrets does the Junk Man hold, and how will they change Arthur's life forever?

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$2071

Chapter Book · Ages 12–15 · 2001

Touching Spirit Bear

By Ben Mikaelsen · Book #1 in the Spirit Bear series

A violent teen faces a life-changing encounter with a mystical bear on a remote island.

241 pages· 56,072 words· Est. 5 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 37,458 ratings

$21.80Save 5%

Prebound-Glued

Summary: Cole Matthews, consumed by anger, faces a choice: prison or a year of Circle Justice on an Alaskan island. After a brutal attack by a legendary Spirit Bear, Cole's survival hinges on confronting his inner demons. Can he transform his rage into redemption, or will his past consume him? As he battles the wilderness and his own soul, Cole's journey raises questions about responsibility, healing, and the power of forgiveness. Will the island's isolation and the bear's mysterious presence lead to his salvation, or is it too late for change?

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$2089

Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2025

Fake Skating

By Lynn Painter

Childhood friends reunite, fake romance, and uncover secrets in a hockey town.

448 pages· 105,512 words· Est. 10 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 120,659 ratings

$21.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Dani returns to her hometown, facing a changed Alec, her childhood friend turned hockey star. Amidst family turmoil and unresolved feelings, they fake a relationship, sparking unexpected reconnections. As they navigate their past, secrets unravel, challenging their perceptions and revealing why Alec distanced himself. Will their pretend romance lead to real emotions, or will hidden truths keep them apart?

Graphic Nov.

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$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2010

Ghostopolis

By Doug TenNapel

A boy gains powers in a ghostly realm and must escape its evil ruler.

272 pages· 6,359 words· Est. 57 min read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 13,968 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Garth Hale is unexpectedly transported to the spirit world by a bungling ghost wrangler. There, he discovers unique powers that the sinister ruler of Ghostopolis covets. With his grandfather's ghost, Cecil, Garth embarks on a perilous quest to return home. As hope dwindles, the unlikely hero must navigate a realm of danger and deception. Will Garth outwit the malevolent forces and find his way back, or will he be trapped forever in a world where nothing is as it seems?

Sale price

$574

Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2012

The Legend of Diamond Lil

By Doreen Cronin, Kevin Cornell (Illustrator) · Book #2 in the J. J. Tully Mysteries series

A retired dog detective must solve a mystery involving strange chickens and a suspicious new neighbor.

144 pages· 8,717 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 799 ratings

$5.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Retired search-and-rescue dog J.J. Tully craves peace, but odd behavior from Moosh and her chicks, plus a sneaky possum, disrupts his plans. The arrival of Diamond Lil, a glamorous new dog next door, raises more questions. Can J.J. unravel the mystery and restore order to the coop? With clues to sniff out and secrets to uncover, J.J. must use his detective skills to save the day. Dive into a world of adventure and intrigue where nothing is as it seems, and every bark could be the key to solving the puzzle.

Sale price

$1710

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2011

Temple Alley Summer

By Sachiko Kashiwaba, Avery Fischer Udagawa (Translator), Miho Satake (Illustrator)

A boy encounters a mysterious girl linked to a temple's secret of life and death.

Mildred L. Batchelder Award (2022)

240 pages· 52,245 words· Est. 6 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 2,005 ratings

$18.00Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Kazu's world turns upside down when he spots a girl in a white kimono sneaking out of his house. The next day, she appears in his classroom, and everyone insists she's always been there. As Kazu investigates Kimyo Temple, he uncovers a legend about reviving the dead. With his enigmatic classmate Akari, they must unravel the temple's secrets and protect its power. An unfinished story from Akari's past might hold the key to her existence, but can they solve the mystery before adults thwart their quest for truth?

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2008

The Juvie Three

By Gordon Korman

Three teenage boys from different backgrounds navigate a new life in a halfway house after being released from juvenile detention.

256 pages· 50,867 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 3,412 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Gecko, Terence, and Arjay are juvenile delinquents given a fresh start at a halfway house. When their mentor, Healy, loses his memory after an accident, the boys face a dilemma. To avoid returning to detention, they concoct a daring plan to keep the house running without him. But with every move, the risk of discovery looms. Can they maintain the facade, or will their past catch up with them, ending their chance at redemption?

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2025

The Discovery

By Gordon Korman · Book #1 in the Dive series

Four kids dive into danger, facing sharks and secrets beneath the sea.

144 pages· 26,909 words· Est. 3 hour read

3.7/5 Goodreads · 2,320 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Kaz, Dante, Adriana, and Star embark on a summer adventure, diving into the ocean's depths. But lurking beneath the waves are killer sharks and a hidden conspiracy. As they uncover a mysterious secret, their lives are at risk. What truths lie beneath the surface, and will they survive the dangers of the deep? This thrilling journey promises discovery and peril at every turn.

Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2021

You've Reached Sam

By Dustin Thao

A call to a lost love connects Julie to the impossible. Can she say goodbye?

296 pages· 81,922 words· Est. 7.5 hour read

3.6/5 Goodreads · 184,594 ratings

Paperback

Summary: Julie Clarke's world shatters when her boyfriend Sam dies, derailing their future plans. In her grief, she dials his number, longing to hear his voice. To her shock, Sam answers. Each call offers a fleeting connection, reigniting her love and complicating her path to healing. As Julie grapples with this miraculous link, she must decide if she can truly let go. What would you do with a second chance at goodbye?

Chapter Book · 2010

Mickey's Christmas Carol

By Sandy Creek

A bitter man is visited by spirits on Christmas Eve who show him the error of his ways through visions of his past, present, and future.

69 pages· 1,701 words

4.3/5 Goodreads · 79 ratings

Hardcover

The Best Second Chances Books for Kids

Our 10 Favorite Books About Second Chances

The Seventh Most Important Thing

Touching Spirit Bear

Fake Skating

Ghostopolis

The Legend of Diamond Lil

Temple Alley Summer

The Juvie Three

The Discovery

You've Reached Sam

Mickey's Christmas Carol

Great books, picked for their age.

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