Books About Kentucky

The Best Kentucky Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about kentucky? 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 Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Kentucky

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2024

Junia

By Kim Michele Richardson, David C. Gardner (Illustrator)

A mule and her librarian traverse treacherous paths to deliver books in Depression-era Kentucky.

40 pages

4.4 Goodreads · 314 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In the rugged hills of Troublesome Creek, a determined librarian and her trusty mule, Junia, brave harsh weather and treacherous paths to deliver books to isolated communities. As they journey through the Kentucky wilderness, they face challenges that test their resilience and bond. Will their dedication bring the joy of reading to those who need it most? Discover the heartwarming tale of friendship and perseverance in this tribute to the Pack Horse Library Project during the Great Depression.

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

Light Comes to Shadow Mountain

By Toni Buzzeo

A girl battles tradition to electrify her Appalachian home, facing resistance from her own family.

272 pages

4.2 Goodreads · 327 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In 1937 Kentucky, young Cora Mae Tipton dreams of electrifying her Appalachian community. As she champions the Rural Electrification Act through a school newspaper, she faces fierce opposition from her mother, who values preserving their natural landscape. Cora's quest for progress tests family bonds and her desire for her mother's acceptance. Will she illuminate her world or be dimmed by tradition?

Sale price

$2279

Chapter Book · Ages 6–12 · 2009

January's Sparrow

By Patricia Polacco

A family flees slavery, but a mysterious package threatens their newfound freedom.

96 pages· 7,372 words· Est. 1 hour read

4.5 Goodreads · 765 ratings

$23.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Young Sadie and her family escape a brutal plantation, leaving behind a cherished wooden sparrow. Safe in Michigan, their peace shatters when the sparrow reappears with a chilling note: "I found you." As the Crosswhites and their new community confront this ominous message, they must navigate fear and uncertainty. Will they protect their hard-won freedom, or will the past catch up with them? This gripping tale of courage and resilience will captivate readers, leaving them pondering the power of hope and the shadows of history.

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 10–+ · 2018

Hope in the Holler

By Lisa Lewis Tyre

A girl battles scheming relatives to find her courage and rightful place in the world.

224 pages· 46,328 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

4.2 Goodreads · 1,225 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Wavie returns to her mother's Appalachian hometown, facing her cunning Aunt Samantha Rose and unpleasant cousin Hoyt. Armed with her late mother's advice to be brave, Wavie must navigate this challenging new life. With the help of quirky local kids, she seeks to thwart her aunt's plans to become her guardian. Can Wavie find her courage and claim the good life her mother wished for her? Discover a tale of resilience and friendship in a world where bravery is the key to belonging.

Sale price

$1049

Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2006

Night Boat to Freedom

By Margot Theis Raven, E. B. Lewis (Illustrator), E.B. Lewis (Illustrator)

A boy's courage is tested as he rows to freedom across a perilous river.

Jane Addams Children's Book Honor (2007)

40 pages· 1,663 words· Est. 13 min read-aloud

4.4 Goodreads · 166 ratings

$10.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Twelve-year-old Christmas John faces his fears as he rows Molly across the treacherous river from Kentucky to Ohio, seeking freedom. Guided by Granny Judith's wisdom, each journey is fraught with danger and hope. Will they find the freedom they yearn for just across the river, or will the perilous waters claim their dreams? Discover the heart-pounding adventure and the courage it takes to defy the odds in 'Night Boat to Freedom.'

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 4–8 · 2016

Lift Your Light a Little Higher

By Heather Henson, Bryan Collier (Illustrator)

Explore the depths of Mammoth Cave with a guide who defies his chains.

32 pages· 880 words· Est. 15 min read

4.2 Goodreads · 520 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In 1840, Stephen Bishop, an enslaved guide, leads explorers through the vast Mammoth Cave. Beneath the earth, he transcends his bondage, mastering the cave's secrets and learning to read from visitors' inscriptions. As he navigates the labyrinthine passages, Stephen's journey raises questions about freedom and resilience. What truths lie hidden in the darkness, and how far can one man's spirit reach?

Sale price

$1498

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2010

Dream of Night

By Heather Henson

A broken horse and a troubled girl find hope in their last chance for redemption.

224 pages· 35,914 words· Est. 5 hour read

4.2 Goodreads · 986 ratings

$15.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Dream of Night, a battered racehorse, and Shiloh, a defiant foster child, are both on the brink of losing everything. Under Jessalyn's care, they form an unexpected bond, each offering the other a glimmer of hope. As they confront their pasts, a looming tragedy threatens to shatter their fragile new family. Can they overcome their scars and find healing together?

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1348

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2022

Growing Pangs

By Kathryn Ormsbee, Molly Brooks (Illustrator)

Katie's summer camp changes everything. Can she overcome her worries and save her friendship?

256 pages· 8,481 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.0 Goodreads · 2,252 ratings

$13.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Katie, an eleven-year-old homeschooler, faces new challenges as she enters sixth grade. Her best friend Kacey starts acting distant at summer camp, leaving Katie anxious about their friendship. With worries about braces and fitting in, Katie wonders if her quirks will drive others away. Can she find a way to calm her fears and keep her friendships intact? Discover Katie's journey through anxiety and friendship in this heartfelt graphic novel.

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2006

Who Was Daniel Boone?

By S. A. Kramer, Who HQ, George Ulrich (Illustrator) · Who Was . . . ? series

A legendary pathfinder braves the wild to rescue his kidnapped daughter.

112 pages· 10,220 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.0 Goodreads · 657 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Daniel Boone, the Great Pathfinder, ventures into the untamed wilderness, opening the West to settlers. As a skilled outdoorsman, he faces perilous challenges, including rescuing his daughter from kidnappers. Will his pioneering spirit prevail against the dangers of the frontier?

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

Lila and Hadley

By Kody Keplinger

A girl and a dog must overcome their struggles to find hope and a home.

256 pages· 48,055 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

4.0 Goodreads · 1,099 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Hadley's world is crumbling: her mom's in jail, she's losing her sight, and she's stuck with her estranged sister. Enter Lila, a withdrawn rescue dog. Tasked with training Lila, Hadley faces a challenge that mirrors her own life. Can she break through her anger to help Lila find a home, and in doing so, find her own path to healing? As Hadley and Lila's bond grows, so does the possibility of forgiveness and friendship. Will they save each other from their pasts and forge a new future together?

The Bookroo Book Club