Books About Social Issues · 79 titles considered

The Best Social Issues Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about social issues? 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.

Refugee
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Social Issues

Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2017

Refugee

By Alan Gratz

Three children flee their war-torn homes, facing perilous journeys for a chance at refuge and hope.

338 pages· 65,632 words· Est. 7.5 hour read
7.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.4/5 Goodreads · 86,160 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2014

Brown Girl Dreaming

A young girl finds her voice amidst the echoes of Jim Crow and Civil Rights awakening.

Coretta Scott King Award (2015)Newbery Medal (2015)Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2015)
366 pages· 30,215 words· Est. 3.5 hour read
5.5/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 94,538 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

Best Family Ever

A young girl navigates the challenges of growing up and moving to a new home.

277 pages· 45,507 words· Est. 6.5 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 1,721 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

Blended

Isabella navigates a divided family and racial identity, facing a life-altering encounter with police.

308 pages· 49,032 words· Est. 7 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 20,250 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2016

Paper Wishes

A girl clings to hope as her family is uprooted during wartime.

192 pages· 28,265 words· Est. 3 hour read
4.0/5 Goodreads · 3,564 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2012

Liar & Spy

A boy's friendship is tested as he spies on a mysterious neighbor.

180 pages· 38,480 words· Est. 4.5 hour read
3.8/5 Goodreads · 26,968 ratings
$15.99Save 6%
Picture Book · Ages 3–5 · 2014

The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade

A small girl stands up to playground bullies, making a big impact.

40 pages· 552 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud
5.4/7 Bookroo experts·4.0/5 Goodreads · 1,154 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Picture Book · Ages 7–10 · 2016

A Poem for Peter

By Andrea Davis Pinkney, Steve Johnson (Illustrator), Lou Fancher (Illustrator)

An artist's dream defies odds, creating a groundbreaking children's book.

52 pages· 2,327 words· Est. 18 min read-aloud
5.4/7 Bookroo experts·4.3/5 Goodreads · 2,028 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2017

Vilonia Beebe Takes Charge

A girl must prove her responsibility to get a dog and help her grieving mom.

208 pages· 41,988 words· Est. 6 hour read
4.5/5 Goodreads · 188 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2021

Mango Moon

By Diane De Anda, Sue Cornelison (Illustrator)

A family grapples with life after a father's deportation.

32 pages· 761 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud
4.3/5 Goodreads · 247 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
The Bookroo Book Club

Great books, picked for their age.

Books worth reading again and again, delivered to your door.

Find their book club
Bookroo book club box
Browse by age

Social Issues Picture Books

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

The Oak Inside the Acorn

Ages 6–10 · 2000

An acorn's journey to discover its unique purpose unfolds with unexpected revelations.

Rocket Says Look Up!

Ages 4–7 · 2019

A young dreamer rallies her community to witness a rare comet sighting together.

Sofia Valdez, Future Prez

Ages 5–7 · 2019

A young girl tries to build a park in her neighborhood.

Separate Is Never Equal

Ages 6–9 · 2014

A family challenges school segregation, changing history.

The Gift That I Can Give

Ages 3–5 · 2018

Children discover their power to make a difference through simple acts of kindness.

When God Made You

Ages 3–7 · 2017

Discover your unique place in the universe and embrace your special gifts.

Bear Likes Jam

Ages 3–7 · 2017

Bear craves jam but must face his veggie dilemma. Can he balance both?

One Big Heart

Ages 4–8 · 2019

Celebrate diversity and unity through shared laughter and curiosity.

Last Stop on Market Street

Ages 3–5 · 2015

A young boy spends the day with his grandmother, exploring their neighborhood and learning about the beauty in unexpected places.

Be Who You Are
Sale price
$1899

Be Who You Are

Ages 3–6 · 2001

Celebrate your uniqueness and embrace who you truly are.

Teacup

Ages 4–8 · 2015

A boy's journey to find a new home leads to unexpected hope and companionship.

Who's In My Family?

Ages 3–7 · 2012

Explore diverse families through a zoo adventure and a joyful dinner.

View all social issues picture books
Browse by age

Social Issues Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about social issues for developing and independent readers.

Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1599

Go with the Flow

Ages 10–14 · 2020

Teens challenge school norms to spark a menstruation revolution.

The Bitter Side of Sweet

Ages 12–18 · 2016

Two brothers trapped in slavery must risk everything for freedom.

Point Guard

Ages 8–12 · 2017

Can Gus unite his team amid friendship tests and cultural tensions on the court?

Palace of Dreams
Sale price
$1699

Palace of Dreams

Ages 8–12 · 2013

A curse strikes the queen, and three magical animals must clear their names.

Operation Frog Effect
Sale price
$899

Operation Frog Effect

Ages 8–12 · 2019

A class mistake puts their teacher in trouble. Can they unite to make things right?

Some Kind of Happiness
Sale price
$1999

Some Kind of Happiness

Ages 8–12 · 2016

A girl must save a magical world to save herself.

The Only Road
Sale price
$1899

The Only Road

Ages 10–13 · 2016

A boy flees Guatemala, risking everything for a new life in the U.S.

The Extra Yard
Sale price
$1999

The Extra Yard

Ages 8–12 · 2016

A young athlete faces family tensions as his estranged father returns.

What Was the Underground Railroad?

Ages 8–12 · 2013

Escape to freedom through a perilous journey on the Underground Railroad.

How to Make Friends with the Sea

Ages 8–12 · 2020

A boy's fears are tested when his mother fosters an orphaned child.

Lost Boy
Sale price
$1699

Lost Boy

Ages 8–12 · 2015

A boy's quest to find his father may be his mom's only hope for survival.

Boy Meets Squirrels

Ages 7–10 · 2019

A boy discovers two ancient squirrels who have been frozen in time for nearly 2,000 years and must navigate the challenges of modern life with their help.

Keep exploring
Books about movingBooks about prejudice and racismBooks about activismBooks about blended familiesBooks about coming of ageBooks about family lifeBooks about identityBooks about immigration and emigration

Bookroo

  • About Us
  • Blog
  • FAQs
  • Help Center
  • Contact Us
  • Affiliates

Book Clubs

Follow Bookroo