Books About Trauma · 96 titles considered

The Best Trauma Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about trauma? 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

#1 in Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Trauma

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2018

Monday's Not Coming

By Tiffany D Jackson

A girl vanishes, and only her best friend notices. Can she uncover the truth?

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award (2019)

435 pages· 83,524 words· Est. 8 hour read

4.3 Goodreads · 91,006 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Monday Charles is missing, and Claudia is the only one who cares. As Claudia searches for her best friend, she faces silence from Monday's family and indifference from others. With each passing day, the mystery deepens: how can a girl disappear without a trace? Claudia must unravel the truth before it's too late, but will she find answers or more questions? Dive into a gripping tale of friendship, secrets, and the haunting reality of being forgotten.

Sale price

$1235

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 1956

Night

By Elie Wiesel, Marion Wiesel (Translator) · Book #1 in the Night Trilogy series

A teenager's harrowing survival in Nazi death camps challenges humanity's darkest depths.

120 pages· 31,141 words· Est. 3 hour read

4.4 Goodreads · 1,403,451 ratings

$13.00Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In the chilling memoir 'Night,' a young boy endures the horrors of Nazi concentration camps. As he navigates the brutality of Auschwitz and Buchenwald, he grapples with profound questions about humanity and survival. This powerful account not only recounts the daily terror but also delves into the philosophical implications of the Holocaust. Will his story ensure the world never forgets the depths of man's inhumanity?

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$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 10–+ · 2020

Fighting Words

By Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Two sisters face trauma and silence. Can they find their voices and heal?

Newbery Honor (2021)Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2021)Golden Kite Honor (2021)Odyssey Honor (2021)

272 pages· 49,943 words· Est. 7 hour read

4.6 Goodreads · 14,415 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Ten-year-old Della relies on her sister Suki for protection. But when Suki attempts suicide, Della's world shatters. As secrets unravel, Della must decide if it's time to speak out. Can the sisters find their voices and heal from the past?

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$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2020

The Canyon's Edge

By Dusti Bowling

A girl battles nature and inner demons to survive a desert disaster.

320 pages· 19,492 words· Est. 2 hour read

4.2 Goodreads · 9,477 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Nora's quest for peace in the Arizona desert turns into a fight for survival when a flash flood separates her from her father. Alone, she faces deadly wildlife and the haunting Beast of her nightmares. Can Nora conquer her fears and find her father, or will the desert claim them both? Her journey is a test of courage and resilience, pushing her to confront the past and embrace a new future.

Graphic Nov.

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$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2015

Nimona (Graphic Novel)

By ND Stevenson

A shapeshifter and villain challenge the kingdom's heroes, but hidden powers threaten chaos.

266 pages· 10,484 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.2 Goodreads · 193,766 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Nimona, a daring shapeshifter, teams up with villain Lord Ballister Blackheart to expose the kingdom's so-called heroes. As their antics spiral into chaos, Blackheart discovers Nimona's powers are as enigmatic as her past. Can they reveal the truth without unleashing something far more dangerous? Dive into a world of dragons, science, and unexpected alliances where nothing is as it seems.

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$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 1999

Speak

By Laurie Halse Anderson

A silenced teen confronts her trauma and fights to reclaim her voice.

National Book Award for Young People's Literature Finalist (1999)Michael L. Printz Honor (2000)Golden Kite Award (2000)

224 pages· 46,607 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

4.1 Goodreads · 644,946 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Melinda starts high school as an outcast after calling the cops on a party. Isolated and silent, she finds solace in art, which helps her confront the truth: she was raped by a fellow student. As she begins to heal, another encounter with her attacker forces her to fight back and refuse silence. Will Melinda find the courage to speak up and reclaim her voice? This powerful story explores themes of consent and resilience, challenging readers to consider the importance of speaking out against injustice.

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$1398

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2014

We Were Liars

By E. Lockhart · Book #1 in the We Were Liars series

A private island, a secretive family, and a friendship that turns destructive. What truth lies beneath the lies?

242 pages· 49,420 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

3.7 Goodreads · 1,484,028 ratings

$14.99Save 7%

Paperback

Summary: On a secluded island, a brilliant but troubled girl and her friends, known as the Liars, face a summer of secrets and betrayal. As their friendship unravels, a mysterious accident and hidden truths threaten to shatter their world. What really happened, and who can be trusted? Dive into a suspenseful tale where love and lies intertwine, leaving you questioning everything.

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$1348

Chapter Book · Ages 13–18 · 2006

Pretty Little Liars

By Sara Shepard · Book #1 in the Pretty Little Liars series

Four girls' secrets are threatened by someone who knows everything. Can they keep their past hidden?

286 pages· 59,122 words· Est. 5.5 hour read

3.8 Goodreads · 217,187 ratings

$13.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In Rosewood, Pennsylvania, four high school juniors—Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Hanna—harbor dark secrets. Spencer desires her sister's boyfriend, Aria dreams of her teacher, Emily is drawn to a new girl, and Hanna uses deceit to maintain her beauty. But the biggest secret? Their friend Alison's mysterious disappearance. Someone knows all their secrets and is ready to reveal them. As their pasts threaten to unravel, can they keep their lives from falling apart? Dive into a world where no secret stays hidden for long, and trust is a dangerous game.

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$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 1985

Ender's Game

By Orson Scott Card · Book #1 in the Ender's Saga series

A boy genius leads Earth's last stand against alien invaders, unaware of the true stakes.

253 pages· 100,609 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

6.3/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 1,504,385 ratings

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Paperback

Summary: Ender Wiggin, a child prodigy, is thrust into Battle School to prepare for an alien threat. As he excels in zero-gravity war games, he faces isolation and rivalry. Unbeknownst to him, these games are more than they seem. Can Ender become the leader Earth desperately needs, or will the weight of his hidden mission crush him? With his siblings possessing unique talents, the fate of humanity hangs in the balance. Will Ender discover the truth before it's too late?

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2022

My Own Lightning

By Lauren Wolk · Book #2 in the Wolf Hollow series

A missing dog leads Annabelle to confront past injustices and a familiar foe.

320 pages· 60,568 words· Est. 8.5 hour read

6.0/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 1,993 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Annabelle McBride struggles with unresolved justice after past tragedies in Wolf Hollow. As summer unfolds, her brother's missing dog sets her on a journey, bringing her face-to-face with Andy Woodberry, an old adversary. This quest forces Annabelle to question her beliefs about justice and herself, challenging her to grow and redefine her path. Will she find the answers she seeks, or will the past continue to haunt her?

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