Books About The Great Depression

The Best The Great Depression Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about the great depression? 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

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About The Great Depression

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1961

Where the Red Fern Grows

By Wilson Rawls · Book #1 in the Where the Red Fern Grows series

A boy's dream of owning two dogs leads to triumph and tragedy in the Ozarks.

282 pages· 76,899 words· Est. 10.5 hour read

6.7/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 449,289 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Billy finally gets his dream dogs, Old Dan and Little Ann, and together they become the best hunting team in the Ozarks. But as their fame grows, so does the shadow of impending tragedy. Can Billy find hope amidst despair and learn the true meaning of friendship and loss? This timeless tale explores the unbreakable bond between a boy and his dogs, promising adventure, heartache, and the enduring power of love.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 10–15 · 1997

Out of the Dust

By Karen Hesse · Book #1 in the Newbery Medal Book series

A girl seeks solace amidst dust storms and personal tragedy.

Newbery Medal (1998)Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction (1998)

227 pages· 19,706 words· Est. 2 hour read

5.3/7 Bookroo·3.8/5 Goodreads · 80,657 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In the heart of the Dust Bowl, fourteen-year-old Billie Jo faces unimaginable loss and hardship. A tragic accident leaves her scarred and unable to play the piano, her only solace. As dust storms ravage the land, Billie Jo's father remains silent, and her mother is gone. While others flee, she must find peace in the desolate Oklahoma landscape and within herself. Can Billie Jo overcome the devastation and find hope in the dust? Discover her journey of resilience and self-discovery in a world where everything seems lost.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2010

Moon Over Manifest

By Clare Vanderpool

A hidden past, a mysterious spy, and a town's secrets await discovery.

Newbery Medal (2011)

384 pages· 81,295 words· Est. 11.5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 36,852 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Abilene Tucker arrives in Manifest, Kansas, seeking her father's past. Disappointed by the town's faded glory, she stumbles upon a cigar box with letters about a spy called the Rattler. With friends Lettie and Ruthanne, she embarks on a thrilling quest, defying warnings to uncover Manifest's secrets. Guided by the enigmatic Miss Sadie, Abilene unravels tales of colorful characters and hidden truths, determined to find her father's place in this history. As secrets unfold, Abilene's journey intertwines with the town's legacy, revealing a story of loss, redemption, and belonging.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2000

Esperanza Rising

By Pam Muñoz Ryan

A privileged girl must adapt to harsh labor camp life during the Great Depression.

Americas Honor (2000)Jane Addams Children's Book Award (2001)

262 pages· 41,873 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 117,765 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Esperanza's world shatters when tragedy forces her from a life of luxury in Mexico to a labor camp in California. Facing the Great Depression's harsh realities, she must navigate financial struggles and cultural challenges. As her mother falls ill and labor strikes loom, Esperanza must find strength to overcome adversity and protect her family. Can she rise above her circumstances and forge a new path?

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 1998

A Long Way from Chicago

By Richard Peck · Book #1 in the A Long Way from Chicago series

Two siblings face wild summers with their unpredictable grandmother.

Newbery Honor (1999)National Book Award for Young People's Literature Finalist (1998)

148 pages· 35,326 words· Est. 4 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 36,301 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Every summer, Joey and Mary Alice journey to rural Illinois during the Great Depression. Their grandmother, a force of nature, turns each visit into an adventure filled with unexpected challenges and unforgettable lessons. As they navigate her eccentric world, the siblings discover more about themselves and the strength of family bonds. What surprises await them this summer?

Sale price

$858

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2007

The Gardener

By Sarah Stewart, David Small (Illustrator)

A girl transforms a gray city with her secret rooftop garden.

Caldecott Honor (1998)

40 pages· 1,038 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud

5.8/7 Bookroo·4.4/5 Goodreads · 418 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Lydia Grace Finch arrives in a dreary city with a suitcase of seeds, determined to brighten her uncle's bakery and the lives around her. As she secretly cultivates a rooftop garden, will her floral masterpiece bring a smile to her grumpy Uncle Jim? Set during the Depression, this tale unfolds through Lydia's heartfelt letters home, capturing her spirit and hope. Discover how one girl's passion for gardening can change a community and perhaps even melt the hardest of hearts.

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2025

War Games

By Alan Gratz

An Olympic gymnast uncovers a dark secret in 1936 Berlin, risking everything to thwart a sinister plot.

368 pages· 68,845 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 2,635 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In 1936 Berlin, young gymnast Evie Harris is thrilled to compete in the Olympics. But beneath the spectacle, she uncovers a chilling secret: the Nazis' grip on the city is tightening. As war looms, Evie is drawn into a daring plot to steal Nazi gold. Navigating treacherous alliances and hidden dangers, she must decide between her Olympic dreams and confronting evil. With her family's future at stake, can Evie outmaneuver the shadows before time runs out?

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2022

Three Strike Summer

By Skyler Schrempp

A girl defies rules and dust storms to join a secret baseball team and save her family's future.

320 pages· 59,215 words· Est. 8 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 745 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Gloria Mae Willard faces dust storms and dwindling wages as her family moves to a California peach orchard. Forbidden from organizing, she dreams of joining an all-boys baseball team. With determination and a knack for bending rules, Gloria aims to change her fate and prove her worth. Can she break through the barriers and find her voice in a world set against her? As secrets unfold and challenges mount, Gloria's resolve is tested. Will she succeed in organizing more than just peaches, or will the odds keep her dreams out of reach?

Sale price

$1994

Chapter Book · Ages 10–+ · 2015

The Boys in the Boat

By Daniel James Brown

Nine boys defy odds at the 1936 Olympics, challenging Hitler's elite rowers.

227 pages· 50,438 words· Est. 7 hour read

4.5/5 Goodreads · 15,972 ratings

$20.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In 1936, nine working-class boys from the American West defy expectations at the Berlin Olympics. Led by Joe Rantz, a determined teenager with nothing to lose, they face off against Hitler's elite rowing team. Can their grit and unity overcome the odds and make history? This tale of perseverance and hope captures the spirit of a generation determined to prove that American resolve can triumph over tyranny. Discover the journey of these unlikely heroes in a story that resonates with courage and determination.

Sale price

$1899

Picture Book · Ages 5–9 · 2011

The Carpenter's Gift

By David Rubel, Jim LaMarche (Illustrator)

A boy's Christmas tree gift sparks a cycle of giving, transforming lives across generations.

48 pages· 1,759 words· Est. 14 min read-aloud

4.4/5 Goodreads · 1,157 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In Depression-era New York, young Henry and his father sell Christmas trees, gifting one to Rockefeller Center workers. Their kindness grants Henry's wish for a warm home. Years later, Henry's tree becomes a Rockefeller Center icon, its wood destined to build another family's home. How far can one act of generosity reach? Discover the magic of giving in this heartwarming tale.

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