Books About Ohio

The Best Ohio Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about ohio? 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 Ohio

Other Words for Home
Sale price
$1899
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

Other Words for Home

By Jasmine Warga

A girl leaves Syria for America, facing new challenges and discovering herself.

Newbery Honor (2020)Arab American Book Honor (2020)
342 pages· 30,125 words· Est. 4 hour read
5.8/7 Bookroo·4.4/5 Goodreads · 35,564 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Jude's world shifts when she leaves Syria for Cincinnati, leaving family behind. Navigating a new culture, she grapples with her identity as 'Middle Eastern' and the chaos of American life. Amidst the noise, Jude finds unexpected friendships and a chance to shine in a school musical. Can she find a place where she truly belongs?
Blended
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

Blended

By Sharon M. Draper

Isabella navigates a divided family and racial identity, facing a life-altering encounter with police.

308 pages· 49,032 words· Est. 7 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 20,393 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Isabella, an eleven-year-old piano prodigy, juggles life between her divorced parents' contrasting worlds. Her father's black, her mother's white, and she's caught in their escalating conflicts. As both parents announce engagements, Isabella grapples with her mixed identity, feeling torn between two halves. Her world shatters when a routine day with her stepbrother Darren turns dangerous—a cell phone mistaken for a gun leads to a police confrontation. Can Isabella find unity in her fractured life, or will the divisions define her forever? Discover the heart-wrenching journey of a girl seeking wholeness in a divided world.
Lost and Found
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2008

Lost and Found

By Andrew Clements, Mark Elliott (Illustrator)

Twins exploit a school error, leading to unexpected discoveries.

192 pages· 28,038 words· Est. 4 hour read
5.0/7 Bookroo·3.9/5 Goodreads · 4,710 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Identical twins Ray and Jay Grayson face a new school with a twist: only Jay is recognized. Seizing the opportunity, they decide to live as one person. As they navigate this deception, they uncover surprising truths about identity, friendship, and honesty. Will their clever ruse bring them closer or drive them apart?
I Am Number Four
Sale price
$2133
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2010

I Am Number Four

By Pittacus Lore · Book #1 in the Lorien Legacies series

Aliens hide on Earth, hunted one by one. Number Four is next.

440 pages· 102,062 words· Est. 9.5 hour read
3.9 Goodreads · 354,934 ratings
$22.45Save 5%
Prebound-Glued
Summary: Nine alien teens live secretly on Earth, each with extraordinary powers. Three have been hunted down and killed. Number Four must evade capture or face the same fate. As danger closes in, will he find a way to fight back, or will he be the next to fall? The clock is ticking, and survival means staying one step ahead of a relentless enemy. Dive into a world where the hunted must become the hunter to survive.
Watercress
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2021

Watercress

By Andrea Wang, Jason Chin (Illustrator)

A roadside discovery reveals a family's hidden heritage and unites past and present.

Newbery Honor (2022)Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2021)Caldecott Medal (2022)CALA Best Book Award (Chinese American Librarians Association) (2022)Cybils Award (2021)Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature (2022)
32 pages· 497 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud
5.8/7 Bookroo·4.5/5 Goodreads · 6,025 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In Ohio, a young girl feels embarrassed when her immigrant parents stop to gather wild watercress. As her mother shares a poignant story from their past in China, the girl begins to understand the significance of their foraging. This journey into family history transforms her embarrassment into appreciation, creating a new, cherished memory. Discover how a simple act of gathering connects generations and uncovers the power of heritage.
Kit: Turning Things Around
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2014

Kit: Turning Things Around

By Valerie Tripp · American Girl Historical Characters series

Can one girl bring hope to homeless kids during the Depression's darkest days?

128 pages
4.2 Goodreads · 138 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: In the midst of the Depression, Kit's life is turned upside down with boarders and chores. Aunt Millie's arrival brings hope, but Kit's adventurous spirit leads her to discover the harsh realities faced by others. As she encounters homeless children, Kit wonders if she can make a difference when even adults feel powerless. With the weight of the world on her young shoulders, Kit must find a way to bring light to those in need. Journey into 1934 and see if Kit's courage can spark change in a world overshadowed by despair.
Fiona's Feelings
Sale price
$759
Board Book · Ages 0–3 · 2018

Fiona's Feelings

By Dr. John Hutton

A premature hippo's journey to strength and discovery inspires young readers.

14 pages
4.2 Goodreads · 181 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Board book
Summary: Born six weeks early, Fiona the hippo faces a challenging start at the Cincinnati Zoo. With the support of #TeamFiona, she grows stronger, exploring her emotions and the world around her. As Fiona navigates her feelings—happy, mad, curious, and playful—young readers are invited to join her journey, discovering their own emotions and building essential social-emotional skills. Will Fiona's resilience inspire a new generation to embrace their feelings and overcome obstacles?
The Unstoppable Garrett Morgan
Sale price
$1895
Picture Book · Ages 7–10 · 2019

The Unstoppable Garrett Morgan

By Joan DiCicco, Ebony Glenn (Illustrator)

An inventor's courage is tested in a life-or-death rescue mission.

40 pages
4.3 Goodreads · 222 ratings
$19.95Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Garrett Morgan, an inventive mind from Kentucky, faces his greatest challenge when a tunnel collapse traps twenty men. In Cleveland, his latest creation becomes the key to a daring rescue. Can Garrett's ingenuity and bravery save the day, or will the disaster prove insurmountable? Discover the gripping story of a man who defied the odds to change lives.
The Many Meanings of Meilan
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2021

The Many Meanings of Meilan

By Andrea Wang

A girl navigates identity and injustice after moving from Chinatown to rural Ohio.

CALA Best Book Award (Chinese American Librarians Association) Honor (2022)
364 pages· 70,540 words· Est. 8 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 643 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Meilan Hua's life is uprooted from Boston's Chinatown to rural Ohio after a family feud. Struggling with identity, she adopts different personas inspired by Chinese characters. As she faces school injustices, Meilan learns the power of uniting her many selves. Can she find her true home within herself amidst the chaos?
Night Boat to Freedom
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.'
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Ohio Picture Books

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

Lentil
Sale price
$899

Lentil

Ages 3–7 · 1940

A boy's harmonica saves a town's celebration from a grumpy disruptor.

Girl Wonder
Sale price
$799

Girl Wonder

Ages 6–9 · 2003

A girl defies expectations to join a semipro baseball team. Can she prove her worth on the field?

Cincinnati Bengals
Series
Sale price
$3422

Cincinnati Bengals

Ages 7–13 · 2021

Discover the Cincinnati Bengals' NFL journey and legendary players.

ABCs of Ohio
Series
Sale price
$1299

ABCs of Ohio

Ages 0–10 · 2021

Explore Ohio's wonders from A to Z in a heartwarming ABC adventure.

The Legend of Blue Jacket
Sale price
$1899

The Legend of Blue Jacket

Ages 5–9 · 2002

A boy chooses a new life with the Shawnee, becoming their war chief against his own people.

Wee and the Wright Brothers
Sale price
$1695

Wee and the Wright Brothers

Ages 5–8 · 2004

A mouse journalist chases the story of a lifetime: the Wright brothers' first flight.

View all ohio picture books
Browse by age

Ohio Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about ohio for developing and independent readers.

Act 3
Series
Sale price
$899

Act 3

Ages 8–12 · 2017

Two friends face a choice: auditions or a drama competition. What will they choose?

Soar
Sale price
$1699

Soar

Ages 10–13 · 2016

A young baseball fan must revive a town's spirit and team amidst scandal.

Act 2
Series
Sale price
$899

Act 2

Ages 8–12 · 2016

Middle schoolers' Broadway dreams face a mysterious director's challenge.

Cabin on Trouble Creek
Sale price
$799

Cabin on Trouble Creek

Ages 8–12 · 2004

Two brothers face a harsh winter alone. Can they survive the wilderness?

Act 1
Series
Sale price
$899

Act 1

Ages 8–12 · 2015

A former Broadway star faces a life-changing decision in a small town theater audition.

A Drop of Hope
Sale price
$799

A Drop of Hope

Ages 8–12 · 2019

A mysterious well grants wishes, but can three kids keep its secret?

The Onts
#1 in Series
Sale price
$1299

The Onts

Ages 8–12 · 2006

Twins face bizarre dangers in a forest with eerie secrets.

Weasel
Sale price
$699

Weasel

Ages 9–12 · 1991

A relentless hunter turns on settlers, and one boy must confront the terror before it's too late.

Full Ride
Sale price
$1299

Full Ride

Ages 12–17 · 2013

A hidden past threatens Becca's future as she uncovers secrets that could change everything.

View all ohio chapter books
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