Books About Trials And Hardships

The Best Trials And Hardships Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about trials and hardships? 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

Series

Graphic Nov.

#6 in Series

#2 in Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Trials And Hardships

Sale price

$1900

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 1960

To Kill a Mockingbird

By Harper Lee · Book #1 in the To Kill a Mockingbird series

A lawyer defends an innocent man in a town gripped by prejudice.

323 pages· 99,820 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

7.0/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 7,125,948 ratings

$20.00Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In a Southern town seething with prejudice, a young girl witnesses her father's courageous stand as he defends a black man falsely accused of a heinous crime. As tensions rise, will justice prevail, or will hatred triumph? This poignant tale explores the depths of human morality and the innocence of youth amidst societal turmoil.

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 11–15

The Diary of a Young Girl

By Anne Frank, Susan Massotty (Translator)

A young girl hides from Nazis, documenting her life in a secret attic, revealing courage and humanity's frailty.

400 pages· 100,270 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

4.2 Goodreads · 4,333,169 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Mass Market Paperbound

Summary: In Nazi-occupied Holland, thirteen-year-old Anne Frank hides with her family in a secret attic. Her diary captures the tension, fear, and fleeting moments of joy during their two-year confinement. As Anne navigates adolescence amidst the constant threat of discovery, her words reveal a profound resilience and a poignant glimpse into her inner world. This uncut edition unveils her complex relationship with her mother and her emerging self-awareness, offering a deeper understanding of her indomitable spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 2020

Rain Before Rainbows

By Smriti Prasadam-Halls, David Litchfield (Illustrator)

A poetic exploration of the journey through life's challenges and triumphs.

32 pages· 147 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud

5.4/7 Bookroo·4.4/5 Goodreads · 1,712 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: A girl and her fox leave behind a sorrowful past, embarking on a journey through storms toward a brighter future. As they navigate challenges, they find friends who guide them. Will the dawn bring the promise of a new beginning? This beautifully illustrated tale of courage and change offers a beacon of hope for those seeking light in the darkest times.

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 10–15 · 2006

Yellow Star

By Jennifer Roy

A child survivor of the Lodz ghetto breaks her silence after fifty years.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2006)Sydney Taylor Book Honor (2007)

256 pages

4.3 Goodreads · 16,531 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In 1945, the Lodz ghetto was liberated, leaving only twelve child survivors. Syvia Perlmutter was one of them. For decades, she kept her harrowing experiences hidden, but now her story of courage and survival emerges through free verse. Discover the haunting journey of a young girl who endured unimaginable hardship and found the strength to share her past. What memories will she unveil, and how did she survive when so many did not? This poignant narrative invites you to witness a powerful testament to resilience and hope.

Sale price

$1605

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2001

Trial by Journal

By Kate Klise, M. Sarah Klise (Illustrator)

A young juror questions if a missing classmate is truly dead.

238 pages· 46,548 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

4.3 Goodreads · 1,171 ratings

$16.89Save 5%

Library Binding

Summary: Twelve-year-old Lily Watson is unexpectedly thrust into a murder trial as a juror, thanks to a new law. The accused is charged with killing Perry Keet, a boy who vanished at the zoo. As Lily navigates the trial's complexities, she suspects there's more to Perry's disappearance than meets the eye. Amidst the quirky backdrop of the Menagerie Hotel and its animal-themed rooms, Lily embarks on her own investigation. Will she uncover the truth behind Perry's fate, or will the courtroom's verdict stand unchallenged?

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$2375

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2017

Anne Frank's Diary (Graphic Novel)

By David Polonsky (Illustrator) · Pantheon Graphic Library series

A young girl's diary reveals resilience amidst unimaginable horror.

151 pages· 15,955 words· Est. 3 hour read

4.4 Goodreads · 21,739 ratings

$25.00Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In a world overshadowed by war, a young girl named Anne Frank documents her life in hiding. Her diary captures the essence of hope and humanity against the backdrop of the Holocaust. This graphic edition, with illustrations by David Polonsky, brings Anne's poignant words to life, offering a visual journey through her thoughts and dreams. As Anne navigates fear and uncertainty, her spirit remains unbroken, inviting readers to witness her remarkable resilience. How does one maintain hope in the darkest times? Discover Anne's enduring legacy in this hauntingly beautiful adaptation.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2008

Tales from the Hood

By Michael Buckley, Peter Ferguson (Illustrator) · Book #6 in the The Sisters Grimm series

The Big Bad Wolf's fate hangs in the balance as the Grimms seek the truth.

256 pages· 56,165 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

4.3 Goodreads · 21,343 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In Ferryport Landing, the Big Bad Wolf stands trial, and it's up to sisters Sabrina and Daphne Grimm to prove his innocence. As they delve into his infamous tale, Sabrina questions if justice means keeping him behind bars. With a kangaroo court poised to convict, the sisters must uncover hidden truths that could change everything. Will they save their friend, or is the real story more dangerous than they imagined? Dive into a world where fairy tales collide with mystery and adventure, and discover if justice can truly be served.

Sale price

$2089

Picture Book · Ages 7–10 · 2004

The Cats in Krasinski Square

By Karen Hesse, Wendy Watson (Illustrator)

A Jewish girl defies the Gestapo in WWII Warsaw.

Sydney Taylor Book Honor (2004)

32 pages· 626 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

4.1 Goodreads · 1,179 ratings

$21.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In WWII Warsaw, a Jewish girl becomes entwined in the Resistance, using cunning and courage to outsmart the Gestapo. Amidst the terror of the ghetto, her story unfolds with unexpected allies and daring risks. Can she survive the relentless pursuit of those who seek to destroy her world? This gripping tale of resilience and defiance reveals the power of hope in the darkest times.

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2011

The Lemonade Crime

By Jacqueline Davies · Book #2 in the The Lemonade War series

Siblings hunt for missing lemonade money, facing unexpected twists and courtroom drama.

160 pages· 22,391 words· Est. 3 hour read

4.0 Goodreads · 5,552 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Evan and Jessie are on a mission to find their missing lemonade-stand money. Evan suspects Scott and challenges him to basketball, while Jessie turns the playground into a courtroom. As their plans unfold, unexpected twists challenge their ideas of justice and teamwork. Can they solve the mystery together, or will their rivalry get in the way? Discover the surprising consequences and lessons in fairness and integrity in this engaging tale.

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2017

Tru & Nelle

By Greg Neri · Tru & Nelle series

Truman seeks happiness and a miracle during a troubled Christmas in Alabama.

304 pages· 57,311 words· Est. 8 hour read

3.9 Goodreads · 240 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Truman Capote, feeling cursed and unhappy in New York, flees to Monroeville, Alabama, hoping to find solace with his only friend, Nelle Harper Lee. As Christmas approaches, Tru's wish for happiness seems impossible. But a special feast might just bring the miracle he needs. Can Tru find joy and break the curse that haunts him? Discover the power of friendship and hope in this heartwarming tale based on a real-life bond.

The Bookroo Book Club