Books About Slavery · 206 titles considered

The Best Slavery Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about slavery? 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.

#1 in Series

#1 in Series

Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Slavery

Sale price

$1348

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2015

An Ember in the Ashes

By Sabaa Tahir · Book #1 in the An Ember in the Ashes series

A slave and a soldier defy an empire, risking everything for freedom.

480 pages· 124,141 words· Est. 11.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 360,415 ratings

$13.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In a brutal empire where defiance means death, Laia, a slave, must spy for rebels to save her brother. At the military academy, she meets Elias, a soldier yearning for freedom. Together, they face impossible choices that could alter the empire's fate. Will their intertwined destinies ignite hope or lead to destruction?

Sale price

$1049

Chapter Book · Ages 12–15 · 2004

Annie, Between the States

By L. M. Elliott

A divided heart and home in the Civil War's path. Where does loyalty lie?

535 pages· 100,110 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 2,208 ratings

$10.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Annie Sinclair's Virginia home is torn by the Civil War. With brothers fighting for the South and a Union lieutenant capturing her heart, Annie's loyalties are tested. As accusations arise, she must navigate a divided nation and her own conflicted heart. Will she find her true path amidst the chaos?

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 12–16 · 2008

Chains

By Laurie Halse Anderson · Book #1 in the Seeds of America series

A young girl fights for freedom amidst the Revolutionary War's chaos.

National Book Award for Young People's Literature Finalist (2008)Cybils Award (2009)Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction (2009)

316 pages· 75,381 words· Est. 7 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 59,798 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In the throes of the Revolutionary War, thirteen-year-old Isabel faces a harrowing choice. Promised freedom, she and her sister Ruth are instead trapped by a cruel couple in New York. When Isabel meets Curzon, a slave with Patriot connections, he urges her to spy on her owners. Reluctant but desperate, Isabel's resolve is tested when tragedy strikes Ruth. Will Isabel risk everything for a chance at freedom, or remain shackled by fear? As the nation battles for independence, Isabel's personal revolution begins, where loyalty and liberty hang in the balance.

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2007

Elijah of Buxton

By Christopher Paul Curtis

A boy's quest to reclaim stolen freedom money leads him into a world of danger and discovery.

Newbery Honor (2008)Coretta Scott King Award (2008)Jane Addams Children's Book Honor (2008)Odyssey Honor (2009)Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction (2008)

341 pages· 77,916 words· Est. 11 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 14,414 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In 1859, young Elijah Freeman, the first free-born child in Buxton, Canada, faces a daunting challenge. When a deceitful preacher steals money meant to free a friend's family, Elijah must journey into the perilous American South. As he navigates this treacherous world, he confronts the grim realities his parents escaped. Will Elijah find the courage to return home and bring justice? This gripping tale of bravery and discovery explores the true cost of freedom and the strength found in unexpected places.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2013

The Lightning Dreamer

By Margarita Engle

A young poet defies societal norms and fights against slavery in 19th-century Cuba.

192 pages· 11,142 words· Est. 1 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 1,537 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In 19th-century Cuba, young poet Tula defies an arranged marriage and uses her verses to challenge the brutal institution of slavery. As a daring abolitionist, she risks everything to fight for justice. Will her words ignite change in a world that demands her silence? Discover the courage of a girl who transforms her passion for books into a powerful weapon against oppression. Tula's story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the enduring power of poetry.

Sale price

$1597

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2018

Harriet Tubman

By Nadia L. Hohn, Gustavo Mazali (Illustrator) · I Can Read History series

Discover Harriet Tubman's daring escapes and secret missions during the Civil War.

32 pages· 674 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud

4.2/5 Goodreads · 73 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Born into slavery, Harriet Tubman risked everything for freedom, leading daring escapes on the Underground Railroad. As the Civil War raged, she recruited soldiers, served as a spy, and even led a battle. This early reader biography unveils her incredible life, filled with courage and determination. Young readers will explore her milestones through engaging stories and historical illustrations, learning about the woman who defied the odds to change history. What secrets did she uncover, and how did she inspire others to fight for freedom? Dive into the life of this extraordinary freedom fighter.

Sale price

$858

Picture Book · Ages 6–8 · 2008

Abe's Honest Words

By Doreen Rappaport, Kadir Nelson (Illustrator) · Book #3 in the A Big Words Book series

A self-taught leader battles to end slavery and unite a divided nation.

48 pages· 1,307 words· Est. 11 min read-aloud

7.0/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,078 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Young Abraham Lincoln, a self-taught reader from the Midwest, dreams of a nation free from slavery. As he grows, his compassion and honesty earn him trust, leading him to the presidency. Amidst a brutal civil war, Lincoln faces immense challenges, striving to unite a fractured country and abolish slavery. Will his vision for equality prevail? This vivid portrait captures the essence of a leader whose passion for humanity changed America forever.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 5–9 · 2013

All Different Now

By Angela Johnson, E.B. Lewis (Illustrator)

A little girl witnesses the first Juneteenth, marking freedom's arrival.

40 pages· 280 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud

6.1/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 970 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In 'All Different Now,' a young girl experiences the first Juneteenth, the day freedom reached the last enslaved people in the South. As dawn breaks, her world transforms, capturing a pivotal moment in history. This beautifully illustrated tale invites readers to reflect on the significance of June 19, now celebrated as African American Emancipation Day. What does freedom truly mean, and how does it change lives? Discover the joy and hope of a new beginning through her eyes, as the story unfolds with vibrant imagery and heartfelt storytelling.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 10–13 · 2020

Box

By Carole Boston Weatherford, Michele Wood (Illustrator)

A man risks everything to escape slavery by mailing himself to freedom.

Newbery Honor (2021)

56 pages· 3,020 words· Est. 24 min read-aloud

6.0/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 847 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Henry Brown, born into slavery, loses his family to the cruel trade. With nothing left, he devises a daring escape plan: shipping himself in a box to freedom. As he navigates the perilous journey, aided by the Underground Railroad, will he find the liberty he seeks? This powerful narrative, told in poetic stanzas, captures the resilience and courage of a man determined to reclaim his life. Vivid illustrations and historical context enrich this tale of hope and defiance.

Sale price

$1135

Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 1995

Juneteenth Jamboree

By Carole Boston Weatherford, Yvonne Buchanan (Illustrator)

A girl discovers the true meaning of Juneteenth in her new Texas home.

32 pages

5.5/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 78 ratings

$11.95Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Cassie moves to Texas, feeling out of place until a mysterious celebration on June 19th changes everything. As she helps prepare a feast, she uncovers the significance of Juneteenth, realizing her family's deep roots and newfound sense of belonging. What surprise awaits her in this vibrant tradition?

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Slavery Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about slavery for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Sale price

$1595

Juneteenth for Mazie

Ages 6–9 · 2015

A young girl prepares to honor the day her ancestors gained freedom.

Sale price

$1899

Before She Was Harriet

Ages 4–8 · 2017

Discover the many lives of Harriet Tubman, from slave to spy to liberator.

Sale price

$1999

Freedom Bird

Ages 5–9 · 2020

A mysterious bird inspires siblings to escape slavery and seek freedom.

Series

Sale price

$599

Abraham Lincoln

Ages 5–8 · 2012

Discover the pivotal choices of a leader who changed a nation.

Sale price

$899

Minty

Ages 4–8 · 1996

A young girl's rebellious spirit fuels her dreams of freedom and escape.

Sale price

$899

Follow the Drinking Gourd

Ages 3–7 · 1988

A peg-leg sailor's song guides slaves to freedom under the stars.

Sale price

$1899

They Call Me Teach

Ages 5–8 · 2024

An enslaved young man secretly teaches others to read, sparking hope for freedom.

Frederick's Journey: The Life of Frederick Douglass

#8 in Series

Sale price

$1799

Frederick's Journey: The Life of Frederick Douglass

Ages 6–8 · 2015

A slave's journey to freedom through the power of words.

Sale price

$1899

Light in the Darkness

Ages 4–8 · 2013

A mother and daughter risk everything to learn to read in secret.

Sale price

$1295

Seven Miles to Freedom

Ages 4–8 · 2008

A slave's daring escape on a Confederate ship to freedom.

Sale price

$1899

Steamboat School

Ages 4–8 · 2016

A boy and his teacher defy a law banning Black education by creating a floating school.

Series

Sale price

$1599

Harriet Tubman

Ages 4–7 · 2018

Escape slavery, return for others. Will she succeed?

View all slavery picture books

Browse by age

Slavery Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about slavery for developing and independent readers.

#3 in Series

Sale price

$1099

The Invisible Friend

Ages 9–16 · 2004

A captive in Norway, Bree uncovers secrets and awaits rescue. Can she find freedom before winter's grip tightens?

Series

Sale price

$695

The Underground Railroad

Ages 8–12 · 2007

Choose your path: escape, pursue, or aid in the quest for freedom.

#7 in Series

Sale price

$799

Secret of the Prince's Tomb

Ages 7–+ · 2011

Cousins face a maze of traps in ancient Egypt to uncover a secret that could change the future.

Series

Sale price

$799

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Ages 7–9 · 2006

A boy and a runaway slave journey down the Mississippi River, facing danger and discovery.

Series

Sale price

$699

The Story of Harriet Tubman

Ages 6–9 · 2020

A young girl defies slavery, becoming a key figure in the fight for freedom.

Sale price

$899

Mara, Daughter of the Nile

Ages 10–+ · 1953

A slave girl becomes a double spy, risking everything for freedom and love in ancient Egypt.

Sale price

$1899

An American Story

Ages 4–8 · 2023

A teacher unveils the haunting history of slavery, igniting a journey of understanding and resilience.

Sale price

$1699

Freewater

Ages 9–12 · 2022

Two siblings escape slavery, finding refuge in a hidden community threatened by outside dangers.

Series

Sale price

$1799

The Door of No Return

Ages 10–13 · 2022

A boy's life shatters, launching him on a perilous journey far from home.

Series

Sale price

$999

The Underground Railroad

Ages 8–12 · 2022

Uncover the untold truths of the Underground Railroad and the real struggle for freedom.

Series

Sale price

$699

Abraham Lincoln

Ages 7–10 · 2011

Uncover history's secrets with Jack and Annie's fact-finding adventure.

#1 in Series

Sale price

$1899

The Wind Rises

Ages 8–12 · 2020

A girl seeks her lost brother amid the perils of the slave trade, while a thief hunts treasure on a ship.

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Books about abolitionists Books about American Revolutionary War Books about Cuba Books about Feminism Books about freedom Books about Harriet Tubman Books about identity Books about Juneteenth

Our 10 Favorite Books About Slavery

Great books, picked for their age.

Slavery Picture Books

Slavery Chapter Books & Middle Grade

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