Books About West Virginia

The Best West Virginia Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about west virginia? 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

#3 in Series

#2 in Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About West Virginia

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1991

Shiloh

By Phyllis Reynolds Naylor · Book #1 in the Shiloh series

A boy risks everything to protect a runaway dog from its abusive owner.

Newbery Medal (1992)

144 pages· 29,820 words· Est. 4 hour read

5.8/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 91,020 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Marty Preston discovers a beagle in the hills and names him Shiloh. But Shiloh belongs to Judd Travers, a man known for his cruelty. When Shiloh escapes to Marty, the boy faces a moral dilemma: hide the dog and risk his family's safety or return him to Judd. As secrets unravel, Marty must decide how far he's willing to go to save his new friend. Can he outsmart Judd and keep Shiloh safe, or will his actions bring danger to his doorstep? The stakes are high in this tale of friendship and courage.

John Denver's Take Me Home, Country Roads

Sale price

$858

Picture Book · Ages 3–12 · 2005

John Denver's Take Me Home, Country Roads

By John Denver, Christopher Canyon (Illustrator) · John Denver & Kids! series

Journey through West Virginia's hills to a heartfelt family reunion.

34 pages

4.5 Goodreads · 210 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In the heart of Appalachia, a lively family embarks on a journey through the rolling hills of West Virginia. Cars, pickups, and motorcycles weave through the landscape, each carrying relatives eager to reunite at Grandma and Grandpa's country home. This picture book, inspired by John Denver's iconic song, captures the essence of family, roots, and the beauty of nature. As the family converges, the story unfolds like a quilt, each piece stitched with love and nostalgia. Will the reunion bring them closer, or will the journey reveal unexpected surprises along the way?

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1997

Saving Shiloh

By Phyllis Reynolds Naylor · Book #3 in the Shiloh series

Can a troubled man prove he's changed when danger strikes?

144 pages· 36,896 words· Est. 4 hour read

4.1 Goodreads · 4,779 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Marty struggles with trust as Judd Travers, a man with a violent past, faces suspicion and blame for local crimes. Despite doubts, Marty and his family offer Judd a second chance. When a life-threatening accident occurs, Judd has the opportunity to prove his true character. Can he rise above his past and become a hero, or will his history of trouble define him forever? Discover the gripping conclusion to this tale of redemption and trust.

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2011

Close to Famous

By Joan Bauer

Dreams collide in a small town when unexpected events test ambitions.

Schneider Family Book Award (2012)

250 pages· 41,793 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

4.0 Goodreads · 9,207 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In Culpepper, Foster dreams of a cooking show, Macon aims to film documentaries, Rayka yearns to headline, and Miss Charleena seeks a Hollywood comeback. When unforeseen events disrupt their quiet town, each must confront their aspirations. Will they rise to the challenge or crumble under the weight of their dreams? Discover how ambition, humor, and heart intertwine in this tale of unexpected twists and unforgettable characters.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–10 · 1996

Shiloh Season

By Phyllis Reynolds Naylor · Book #2 in the Shiloh series

A young boy tries to protect his dog from an abusive neighbor.

128 pages· 31,688 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

4.1 Goodreads · 5,606 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Marty Preston thought Shiloh was safe, but with hunting season near, Judd Travers is back, drinking and hunting dangerously close. Marty holds a secret about Judd that could change everything. As tensions rise, Marty must decide if he has the courage to speak up before someone he loves gets hurt. Can he protect Shiloh and his family from Judd's unpredictable wrath? The stakes are high, and the clock is ticking. Will Marty find the strength to confront the truth and save those he cares about?

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2021

Let Me Fix You a Plate

By Elizabeth Lilly

A family road trip reveals the warmth of diverse culinary traditions and cultural connections.

Charlotte Zolotow Honor (2022)

40 pages

4.1 Goodreads · 460 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Join a family on their annual road trip, savoring the flavors of their American and Colombian heritage. From West Virginia's banana pudding to Florida's arepas, each stop is a celebration of love and tradition. Will the journey bring them closer together, or will the miles apart reveal something unexpected? Discover the heartwarming power of food and family in this vibrant tale.

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1992

Missing May

By Cynthia Rylant

Summer and Ob seek a sign to move past their grief and find hope again.

Newbery Medal (1993)Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (1992)

89 pages· 17,463 words· Est. 2 hour read

3.8 Goodreads · 13,414 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Summer and her Uncle Ob are lost in grief after losing May, their guiding light. Ob's passion for crafting whirligigs fades, leaving them adrift. Desperate for a sign from May, they embark on a journey of healing. Will they find the message they need to embrace life once more? Discover a touching tale of love, loss, and renewal.

Sale price

$1597

Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2016

A Piece of Home

By Jeri Watts, Hyewon Yum (Illustrator)

A boy finds connection in a new land through a familiar flower.

Ezra Jack Keats Award (2017)

32 pages· 719 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud

4.8/7 Bookroo·3.9/5 Goodreads · 583 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Hee Jun's world shifts when his family moves from Korea to West Virginia. Struggling with language and feeling out of place, he finds solace in a familiar flower, the Rose of Sharon. As he learns English and makes friends, Hee Jun discovers that home can be wherever you plant your roots. Will this piece of home help him embrace his new life?

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2007

The Miner's Daughter

By Gretchen Moran Laskas

A miner's daughter faces a life-changing promise with hidden costs.

256 pages

3.8 Goodreads · 291 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Willa Lowell, a miner's daughter, dreams of escaping the coal dust and poverty that define her life. When a miraculous opportunity arises, it seems like her family's salvation. But as Willa uncovers the hidden costs of this promise, she must find the strength within herself to forge a new path. Will she embrace the change she yearns for, or will the price be too high? In a world where every promise has a price, Willa's journey is one of resilience and self-discovery, as she learns that true change comes from within.

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1985

A Blue-Eyed Daisy

By Cynthia Rylant

Ellie's year of chaos and change begins with a mysterious beagle and spirals into unexpected events.

112 pages

3.6 Goodreads · 209 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Ellie Farley's life turns upside down when her father, Okey, brings home a beagle named Bullet. As her uncle heads to war and classmates face tragedy, Ellie navigates a tumultuous year filled with unexpected events. Amidst the chaos, she finds solace in friendship and first love. What secrets does this year hold, and how will Ellie emerge from it all? Discover the twists and turns of her unforgettable eleventh year.

The Bookroo Book Club