Books About Single-parent Families · 147 titles considered

The Best Single-parent Families Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about single-parent families? 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 Single-parent Families

Caterpillar Summer
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

Caterpillar Summer

By Gillian McDunn

A summer trip reveals family secrets and tests sibling bonds.

320 pages· 55,933 words· Est. 8 hour read
6.3/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 3,616 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Cat, the glue of her family, faces a summer of unexpected challenges when a trip goes awry, leaving her and her brother Chicken with grandparents they've never met. As Cat navigates this new world, she discovers the power of healing and understanding in strained relationships. Can she find a way to be a kid again while holding her family together? This heartfelt journey explores the depths of family bonds and the courage to embrace change.
Maybe He Just Likes You
Sale price
$1899
Chapter Book · Ages 9–13 · 2019

Maybe He Just Likes You

By Barbara Dee

A girl faces unwanted attention at school and learns to stand up for herself.

304 pages· 46,516 words· Est. 5 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 8,626 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Seventh-grader Mila is confused when friendly gestures from classmates turn uncomfortable. As unwanted attention escalates, she questions what it means to be respected. Finding strength in karate, Mila learns to assert herself and discovers her voice. Can she navigate the complexities of middle school and stand up for what's right?
The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2018

The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle

By Leslie Connor

Mason's friend vanished. Can he uncover the truth before it's too late?

National Book Award for Young People's Literature Finalist (2018)Schneider Family Book Award (2019)
352 pages· 66,043 words· Est. 7.5 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 9,644 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Mason Buttle struggles with learning disabilities and grief after his best friend Benny's mysterious death. As the investigation stalls, Mason and his new friend Calvin face relentless bullying. They find solace in a secret hideout, but when Calvin disappears, Mason is thrust into a desperate search for answers. Can he unravel the mystery of both disappearances and prove his innocence, or will his story go unheard?
Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero
Sale price
$1597
Chapter Book · Ages 8–10 · 2020

Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero

By Kelly J. Baptist · Isaiah Dunn series

A boy finds strength in his late father's journal, discovering poetry and hidden powers.

208 pages· 41,637 words· Est. 6 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 1,500 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Isaiah Dunn faces the challenge of stepping into his late father's shoes, managing a silent mother and a curious sister. With his friend Sneaky's schemes and classmate Angel's ideas, Isaiah navigates life's hurdles. His father's journal, filled with tales of a superhero fueled by beans and rice, becomes his guide. Can Isaiah find the strength within these stories to become the hero his family needs? Discover the journey of a ten-year-old boy learning to harness his inner power and resilience in a world that demands he grow up too soon.
Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business
Sale price
$674
Chapter Book · Ages 6–8 · 2020

Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business

By Lyla Lee, Dung Ho (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Mindy Kim series

A young girl starts a snack business to fit in and faces unexpected challenges.

96 pages· 9,421 words· Est. 2 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 910 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Mindy Kim, a young Asian American girl, dreams of fitting in at her new school, getting a puppy, and making her dad happy. Her dried seaweed snack isn't a hit, but with her friend Sally, they launch the Yummy Seaweed Business. When a classmate sabotages their efforts, Mindy must navigate the challenges of friendship and self-acceptance. Can she find the courage to be herself and achieve her dreams?
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise
Sale price
$1899
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2019

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

By Dan Gemeinhart · Book #1 in the Coyote Sunrise series

A girl schemes to return home, uncovering secrets and friendships on a cross-country journey.

Cybils Award (2019)
352 pages· 82,710 words· Est. 9 hour read
4.4 Goodreads · 33,921 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Coyote and her dad, Rodeo, have roamed the country in a bus for five years. When Coyote learns her childhood park is being demolished, she hatches a secret plan to return home and retrieve a buried memory box. As they travel 3,600 miles, they gather a quirky group of travelers, each with their own dreams and struggles. Will Coyote's journey lead her to healing and a new beginning, or will the past prove too difficult to face? Discover the power of friendship and the courage to confront the past in this heartwarming adventure.
Shouting at the Rain
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2019

Shouting at the Rain

By Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Delsie faces life's storms, seeking family and friendship.

288 pages· 52,132 words· Est. 6 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 9,476 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Delsie, a weather enthusiast, feels the storms of life brewing as she longs for a 'regular family' while living with her Grammy. Her friend drifts away, but new ally Ronan, also grappling with loss, joins her on Cape Cod adventures. Together, they explore emotions and discover the true meaning of family and friendship, learning to weather any storm.
The Penderwicks
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2005

The Penderwicks

By Jeanne Birdsall · Book #1 in the The Penderwicks series

Four sisters' summer adventures clash with a snobbish mother's disapproval.

262 pages· 52,813 words· Est. 7.5 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 66,633 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: The Penderwick sisters embark on a summer holiday at the enchanting Arundel estate. Amidst gardens and hidden treasures, they befriend Jeffrey, the owner's son. But his mother, Mrs. Tifton, disapproves of their lively escapades. Can the sisters navigate her icy demeanor and make this a summer to remember? Discover the magic and mischief that unfold in this charming tale of friendship and adventure.
A Snicker of Magic
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2014

A Snicker of Magic

By Natalie Lloyd

A girl must break a curse to restore magic and find a true home in a once-enchanted town.

The E.B. White Read Aloud Honor (2015)Odyssey Honor (2015)
336 pages
4.1 Goodreads · 14,225 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Twelve-year-old Felicity arrives in Midnight Gulch, a town once brimming with magic, now silenced by a curse. As a 'word collector,' she sees words everywhere, but 'home' is new. With the help of Jonah, a mysterious boy, Felicity must unravel the town's secrets to restore its magic and heal her mother's wandering heart. Can she break the spell and finally find a place to belong?
See You in the Cosmos
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2017

See You in the Cosmos

By Jack Cheng

A boy's quest to launch his iPod into space uncovers family secrets.

Golden Kite Award (2018)
320 pages· 64,375 words· Est. 7 hour read
4.0 Goodreads · 13,387 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Alex Petroski, an 11-year-old space enthusiast, dreams of launching his golden iPod into space, mirroring his hero Carl Sagan's Golden Record. As he travels from Colorado to L.A., Alex records his journey, hoping to show extraterrestrial life what Earth is like. Along the way, he meets quirky characters and uncovers family secrets, including truths about his deceased father and a newfound extended family. With a troubled mom and an absent brother, Alex's adventure is filled with unexpected revelations and heartwarming discoveries, challenging his understanding of family and belonging.
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Single-parent Families Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about single-parent families for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Home in the Woods
Sale price
$1799

Home in the Woods

Ages 5–8 · 2019

A family moves to a new home in the woods after the father's death.

Something About Hensley's
Sale price
$1899

Something About Hensley's

Ages 6–9 · 2006

A magical store and a kind manager change a struggling family's life.

Pecan Pie Baby
Sale price
$1799

Pecan Pie Baby

Ages 5–8 · 2010

Gia fears a new baby will disrupt her life with Mama.

The Keeper of Stars
Sale price
$1895

The Keeper of Stars

Ages 3–7 · 2024

A boy's nightly comet ride reveals a secret starry world.

Feather
Sale price
$1795

Feather

Ages 6–9 · 2012

A girl takes up boxing to stand up to her brothers' demands.

Happy Like Soccer
Sale price
$1825

Happy Like Soccer

Ages 5–9 · 2012

Sierra loves soccer, but her aunt can't watch her play. Who will cheer her on?

Across the Bay
Sale price
$1799

Across the Bay

Ages 3–7 · 2019

A boy crosses the bay to find his father, discovering the true meaning of home.

Walk with Me
Sale price
$1895

Walk with Me

Ages 4–7 · 2008

A girl imagines a lion to cope with her father's absence.

View all single-parent families picture books
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Single-parent Families Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about single-parent families for developing and independent readers.

The Family Under the Bridge
Sale price
$899

The Family Under the Bridge

Ages 8–12 · 1958

An old man's solitary life changes when he finds three children needing a home under a Paris bridge.

Two Naomis
#1 in Series
Sale price
$1699

Two Naomis

Ages 8–12 · 2016

Two girls must navigate their parents' new relationship and redefine family.

Unseen Magic
Series
Sale price
$1699

Unseen Magic

Ages 8–12 · 2022

A girl unleashes a shadow self, threatening her magical town's safety.

Shine!
Sale price
$1699

Shine!

Ages 8–12 · 2019

Can Piper find her own light in a world where everyone else shines?

The Final Year
Sale price
$1499

The Final Year

Ages 9–12 · 2023

A boy's world unravels as friendships shift and family crises loom. Can he find his way through the chaos?

Rare Birds
Sale price
$1699

Rare Birds

Ages 8–12 · 2023

A boy's quest to save his mom leads him into Florida's swamps, searching for a rare bird and himself.

Clues to the Universe
Sale price
$1799

Clues to the Universe

Ages 8–12 · 2021

Two unlikely friends confront grief and family secrets while searching for answers in the universe.

Nickel Bay Nick
Sale price
$799

Nickel Bay Nick

Ages 8–12 · 2013

A boy discovers a secret that could save his town, but first, he must become a spy.

A Tree for Peter
Sale price
$1299

A Tree for Peter

Ages 9–12 · 1941

A mysterious gift transforms a hopeless town, sparking a miraculous renewal.

View all single-parent families chapter books
Keep exploring
Books about family problemsBooks about journeys and voyagesBooks about bullyingBooks about death, grief, and bereavementBooks about father-daughter relationshipsBooks about feelings and emotionsBooks about fishingBooks about grief