Books About Mississippi

The Best Mississippi Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about mississippi? 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 Mississippi

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 1976

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

By Mildred D. Taylor · Logan Family Saga series

A family's land is their lifeblood amidst racism and turmoil.

Newbery Medal (1977)Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (1977)Coretta Scott King Honor (1977)Jane Addams Children's Book Honor (1977)
276 pages· 65,468 words· Est. 7.5 hour read
6.0/7 Bookroo·3.9/5 Goodreads · 132,864 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: In Depression-era Mississippi, young Cassie Logan learns the true value of her family's land amidst racial tensions and social injustice. As night riders threaten and humiliation looms, the Logans' land becomes their source of pride and resilience. Can Cassie find strength in her heritage and dignity in herself to face the challenges ahead? Discover the power of family and the unyielding spirit of independence in this gripping tale of courage and identity.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Sale price
$574
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1876

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

By Mark Twain · Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn series

A murder witnessed, a secret oath, and a perilous cave. Can Tom Sawyer escape danger?

336 pages· 70,131 words· Est. 10 hour read
5.8/7 Bookroo·3.9/5 Goodreads · 1,046,725 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Mass Market Paperbound
Summary: Tom Sawyer, ever the adventurer, stumbles upon a murder with his friends by the Mississippi River. Bound by a blood oath to keep the secret, they flee to become pirates, seeking treasure. But when Tom finds himself trapped in a cave with the menacing Injun Joe, his courage and wits are put to the ultimate test. Will he find a way out, or will the shadows of the cave claim him forever? Discover the thrilling escapades and daring escapes in this timeless tale of adventure and friendship.
A Wreath for Emmett Till
Sale price
$1615
Picture Book · Ages 12–18 · 2005

A Wreath for Emmett Till

By Marilyn Nelson, Philippe Lardy (Illustrator)

A boy's tragic fate ignites a movement against injustice.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2005)Coretta Scott King Honor (2006)Michael L. Printz Honor (2006)
48 pages· 1,527 words· Est. 12 min read-aloud
4.2 Goodreads · 2,511 ratings
$17.00Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In 1955, Emmett Till, a 14-year-old African American, was brutally murdered, sparking national outrage. His story, told through poignant poetry, challenges us to confront and speak out against ongoing injustices. How can one boy's tragic end inspire a fight for change?
White Socks Only
Sale price
$759
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1996

White Socks Only

By Evelyn Coleman, Tyrone Geter (Illustrator) · Albert Whitman Prairie Paperback series

A girl defies segregation by drinking from a 'Whites Only' fountain, sparking unexpected consequences.

32 pages· 1,498 words· Est. 12 min read-aloud
4.4 Goodreads · 1,125 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: In the segregated South, a young girl in Mississippi believes her white socks allow her to drink from a 'Whites Only' fountain. Her innocent defiance on a scorching day ignites a powerful stand against hatred. As she steps up to the fountain, the air crackles with the potential for change. Will her bravery and a touch of magic overcome the barriers of prejudice? This evocative tale captures the heat and spirit of a pivotal moment, where courage and innocence challenge the status quo.
A Sky Full of Stars
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 10–12 · 2018

A Sky Full of Stars

By Linda Williams Jackson · Book #2 in the Midnight Without a Moon series

In 1955 Mississippi, a young girl faces racial tensions and must choose between violence and peaceful protest.

336 pages
4.3 Goodreads · 369 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: In 1955 Mississippi, thirteen-year-old Rose Lee Carter grapples with her role in the Civil Rights movement after Emmett Till's murder. Caught between Shorty's call for violence and Hallelujah's peaceful protests, Rose feels the weight of racial tension. As she helps Aunt Ruthie start a business, Rose discovers her power to effect change. Will she find hope in her community, or is the North her only escape? This gripping tale of courage and identity unfolds in a time of turmoil, where home is both a battleground and a place worth fighting for.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2006

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

By Mark Twain, Dan Andreasen (Illustrator) · Classic Starts series

A boy and a runaway slave journey down the Mississippi River, facing danger and discovery.

160 pages· 21,102 words· Est. 4 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 4,987 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Join Huck Finn and Jim as they escape down the Mississippi River on a raft. Amidst sleepy towns and deceitful con men, they navigate a world of family feuds and unexpected friendships. Will their quest for freedom lead to safety or peril? Experience the vibrant tapestry of antebellum America through their eyes, where every bend in the river brings new challenges and revelations.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 1979

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

By Mark Twain, Lucy Corvino (Illustrator) · Classic Starts series

Tom Sawyer's adventures lead to treasure hunts, trouble, and thrilling escapes.

160 pages· 19,544 words· Est. 3.5 hour read
3.9 Goodreads · 10 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Hardcover
Summary: Tom Sawyer craves adventure, leading him into thrilling escapades and constant trouble. From treasure hunts to witnessing a murder, Tom's mischievous spirit knows no bounds. With Huckleberry Finn by his side, he navigates daring escapes and clever schemes. Will Tom's love for adventure land him in more trouble than he can handle? Dive into this timeless tale of mischief and discovery, perfect for young readers eager to join Tom on his unforgettable journey.
The Road to Memphis
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 10–+ · 1992

The Road to Memphis

By Mildred D. Taylor · Book #8 in the Logan Family Saga series

Cassie must help her friend escape danger in a racially tense Mississippi on the brink of war.

Coretta Scott King Award (1991)
320 pages
4.3 Goodreads · 3,956 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Seventeen-year-old Cassie Logan dreams of college, but when her friend Moe retaliates against racial tormentors, their world turns perilous. As tensions rise in 1941 Mississippi, Cassie, her brother, and friends must risk everything to guide Moe to safety in Memphis. Will they outpace the looming threats, or will the journey prove too dangerous? In a time of war and racial strife, Cassie faces a battle that tests her courage and convictions. Can they find a path to justice in a world that seems determined to wrong them?
Leaving Lymon
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

Leaving Lymon

By Lesa Cline-Ransome · Finding Langston series

A boy's journey from the South to the North tests his resilience and love for music.

112 pages
4.3 Goodreads · 776 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: In 1946, Lymon is uprooted from the Deep South to the unfamiliar North. With his father imprisoned and his mother distant, he clings to music shared with his grandfather. As his world shifts, Lymon faces a journey through Northern cities, challenging his identity and revealing a new side of himself. Can his raw talent and resilience guide him toward redemption, or will the anger within consume him? Discover the story of a boy whose devotion to music might just be his saving grace.
Crossing Bok Chitto
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2006

Crossing Bok Chitto

By Tim Tingle, Jeanne Rorex Bridges (Illustrator)

A secret river crossing unites two cultures in a daring escape.

American Indian Youth Literature Award (2008)Jane Addams Children's Book Honor (2007)
40 pages· 2,302 words· Est. 20 min read
4.3 Goodreads · 1,008 ratings
$8.95Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: In a world divided by race and history, a hidden path across the Bok Chitto River becomes a lifeline. A young Choctaw girl and an enslaved boy forge an unlikely alliance, challenging the boundaries of their worlds. As they navigate danger and hope, their journey reveals the power of unity and courage. Will their bond be enough to defy the forces that seek to keep them apart? Discover a tale where tradition meets bravery, and the past whispers through the trees, urging them forward.
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Mississippi Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about mississippi for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Family Huddle
Sale price
$1699

Family Huddle

Ages 4–8 · 2009

Join a football-loving family on a road trip filled with playful antics and sports memories.

Mississippi
Series
Sale price
$3850

Mississippi

Ages 7–10 · 2017

Discover Mississippi's hidden gems and vibrant history.

View all mississippi picture books
Browse by age

Mississippi Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about mississippi for developing and independent readers.

Loretta Little Looks Back
Sale price
$1799

Loretta Little Looks Back

Ages 8–12 · 2020

Three generations fight for freedom, each with a mystical gift, from cotton fields to the voting booth.

My Dog Skip
Sale price
$2325

My Dog Skip

A boy and his dog navigate the trials of small-town life.

Minn of the Mississippi
Sale price
$1299

Minn of the Mississippi

Ages 7–9 · 1951

A snapping turtle journeys down the Mississippi River, uncovering its history.

A Long Line of Cakes
Series
Sale price
$1799

A Long Line of Cakes

Ages 8–12 · 2018

A traveling baker's daughter vows not to get attached, but fate and friendship challenge her resolve.

Mississippi Bridge
Sale price
$799

Mississippi Bridge

Ages 10–13 · 1990

In 1930s Mississippi, a bus ride turns tragic, revealing deep-seated injustices.

Glory Be
Sale price
$799

Glory Be

Ages 9–12 · 2012

A town's segregated pool ignites tensions, challenging friendships and family bonds in 1964 Mississippi.

Yard War
Sale price
$799

Yard War

Ages 8–12 · 2015

A boy's innocent game ignites a neighborhood conflict, challenging his family's values and safety during the Civil Rights era.

Sinking the Sultana
Sale price
$2499

Sinking the Sultana

Ages 10–14 · 2017

A steamboat overloaded with soldiers explodes, leading to a catastrophic disaster. Who's to blame?

View all mississippi chapter books
Keep exploring
Books about prejudice and racismBooks about economic depressionsBooks about mischiefBooks about race relationsBooks about running away from homeBooks about secretsBooks about violence