Books About Street Life

The Best Street Life Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about street life? 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 Bridge Home
#1 in Series
The Shortlist

Our 3 Favorite Books About Street Life

Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2019

The Bridge Home

By Padma Venkatraman

Homeless kids find hope and freedom, but illness threatens their fragile world.

Golden Kite Award (2020)
208 pages· 34,537 words· Est. 4 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 12,007 ratings
$16.99
Hardcover
Summary: In the bustling streets of Chennai, runaway sisters Viji and Rukku find refuge with two boys under an abandoned bridge. As they form a makeshift family, they navigate the harsh realities of survival. But when illness strikes, Viji faces a heart-wrenching choice: seek help from strangers or protect their hard-won independence. Can they hold onto hope in a world that seems so unforgiving?
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2012

City of Orphans

By Avi, Greg Ruth (Illustrator)

A newsboy races against time to clear his sister's name amid gang threats in 1893 New York.

368 pages· 59,631 words· Est. 6.5 hour read
4.0/5 Goodreads · 3,667 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: In the gritty streets of 1893 New York, young newsboy Maks faces danger from the Plug Ugly Gang. With his sister Emma falsely accused of theft, Maks must prove her innocence. Teaming up with Willa, a resourceful homeless girl, they navigate a city teeming with secrets and peril. Can they outsmart the gang and uncover the truth before it's too late? This thrilling adventure unfolds against the vibrant backdrop of tenement life, where every corner holds a new challenge and every ally is crucial. Will justice prevail in a world where survival is never guaranteed?
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2011

Unsinkable

By Gordon Korman · Book #1 in the Titanic series

The story of two young boys who survive on the streets of Belfast by their wits and their cunning, and their adventures on the ill-fated ship, the Titanic.

170 pages· 30,658 words· Est. 3.5 hour read
3.8/5 Goodreads · 3,078 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: On the Titanic's maiden voyage, four young passengers—Paddy, Sophie, Juliana, and Alfie—each harbor secrets and face unique dangers. As the ship sails further from shore, their lives intertwine with the looming disaster. Will they survive the unsinkable's tragic fate?
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