Books About 1970's

The Best 1970's Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about 1970's? 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 1970's

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

Orange for the Sunsets

By Tina Athaide

Two friends face a regime's ultimatum, testing their bond and redefining home.

336 pages· 49,862 words· Est. 7 hour read

6.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 963 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Summary: In Uganda under Amin's rule, Asha and Yesofu's friendship transcends cultural divides. But when Indians are ordered to leave, their world shatters. As tensions rise and soldiers patrol, Asha clings to the familiar, while Yesofu is torn between loyalty and a hopeful future. With their friendship on the line, can they find the courage to let go?

Sale price

$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2014

Brown Girl Dreaming

By Jacqueline Woodson

A young girl finds her voice amidst the echoes of Jim Crow and Civil Rights awakening.

Coretta Scott King Award (2015)Newbery Honor (2015)Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2015)Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor (2015)National Book Award for Young People's Literature (2014)The E.B. White Read Aloud Award (2015)

366 pages· 30,215 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

5.5/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 94,587 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Summary: In the 1960s and 1970s, a young girl navigates life between South Carolina and New York, feeling caught between two worlds. Through evocative poetry, she captures the struggle of growing up African American during the Civil Rights era. Despite challenges with reading, her passion for storytelling ignites, leading her to discover her voice. Each poem offers a glimpse into her journey of self-discovery and resilience, as she seeks her place in a divided world. Will she find where she truly belongs?

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$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2011

Inside Out & Back Again

By Thanhha Lai · Inside Out and Back Again series

A young girl flees war-torn Vietnam, seeking hope in America.

Newbery Honor (2012)National Book Award for Young People's Literature (2011)Jane Addams Children's Book Honor (2012)

262 pages· 14,925 words· Est. 2 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 68,496 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Summary: In 1975, Hà's world is upended as she and her family escape war-torn Vietnam for a new life in Alabama. Through poetic verse, Hà navigates the challenges of a foreign land, grappling with loss, identity, and the quest for belonging. Will she find hope and healing in this unfamiliar world, or will the shadows of her past linger? Experience a poignant journey of resilience and transformation as Hà's story unfolds, capturing the heartache and hope of a refugee's path to a new beginning.

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$858

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2009

When You Reach Me

By Rebecca Stead · Book #3 in the Newbery Medal Winner series

Mysterious notes predict a death. Can Miranda unravel the truth in time?

Newbery Medal (2010)Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2010)

199 pages· 39,395 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

5.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 118,372 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: Sixth grader Miranda receives cryptic notes that predict the future, warning her of an impending death. As she navigates friendship fallout and the mystery of these messages, Miranda must uncover the truth before it's too late. With each note, the stakes rise, leaving her to question reality and her role in preventing a tragedy. Can she solve the puzzle and change fate, or is she already too late? Dive into a world where time and destiny intertwine, challenging Miranda to confront the unknown and her own fears.

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$1697

Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2019

Flight for Freedom

By Kristen Fulton, Torben Kuhlmann (Illustrator)

A family risks all to escape East Germany in a homemade balloon.

50 pages· 992 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud

5.5/7 Bookroo experts·4.5/5 Goodreads · 438 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: In East Germany, young Peter dreams of freedom. His family secretly builds a hot air balloon in their attic, hoping to soar over the Berlin Wall. As they piece together their daring escape plan, the stakes are life and death. Will their courage and ingenuity lead them to freedom, or will they be caught in their perilous flight? Discover the true story of Peter Wetzel's family's brave journey to escape oppression in 1979. This tale of hope and resilience offers a gripping glimpse into a family's quest for liberty against all odds.

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$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2018

The Colors of the Rain

A boy confronts family secrets and racial tensions in 1972 Houston.

384 pages

4.3/5 Goodreads · 501 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: In 1972 Houston, ten-year-old Paulie Sanders grapples with his father's dark legacy and racial tensions at a new school. As he uncovers family secrets, Paulie must confront his own prejudices and redefine what family means. Will he find a path to understanding amidst the chaos of desegregation?

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$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2019

House Without Walls

By Ching Yeung Russell

A perilous journey to find a new home tests courage and hope.

336 pages

4.4/5 Goodreads · 241 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Summary: In 1979, eleven-year-old Lam flees Vietnam during the Boat People Exodus. Facing pirates, hunger, and loss, she clings to hope and a jade pendant. At a refugee camp, she finds solace in friendship with Dao, a girl who becomes like a sister. This poignant verse tale captures the resilience and heartache of seeking safety and belonging.

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 8–11 · 2019

Hector

By Adrienne Wright

A boy's tragic death during a protest sparks change in apartheid-era South Africa.

48 pages· 1,127 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud

4.3/5 Goodreads · 224 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Summary: In 1976 South Africa, young Hector Pieterson becomes a symbol of resistance after a protest turns deadly. Through the eyes of Hector, his sister, and a photographer, this graphic novel captures the struggle against a law forcing students to learn in Afrikaans. As tensions rise, the story reveals the personal and political stakes of a fight for justice, shedding light on a pivotal moment in the battle against apartheid. Will Hector's sacrifice ignite change, or will it be lost in the chaos?

Sale price

$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 7–12 · 2020

Junko Tabei Masters the Mountains

By Rebel Girls, Nancy Ohlin · A Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls Chapter Book series

A determined girl defies expectations to conquer the world's tallest peak.

128 pages

4.4/5 Goodreads · 260 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Summary: Junko, once mocked for her athletic skills, discovers a passion for climbing after a school trip. Her journey from novice to trailblazer leads her to become the first woman to summit Mount Everest. As she scales mountains across the globe, Junko's story unfolds as one of courage, resilience, and breaking barriers. Will she overcome the challenges that lie ahead and inspire others to follow in her footsteps? This tale of adventure and personal growth invites readers to explore the heights of human potential.

Sale price

$858

Board Book · Ages 0–3 · 2019

The Story of Rap

By Editors of Caterpillar Books, Lindsey Sagar (Illustrator) · The Story of Music series

Discover rap's roots and legends in a playful baby book that inspires swagger.

24 pages

4.4/5 Goodreads · 342 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: Introduce your little one to the vibrant world of rap, from Grandmaster Flash to Kendrick Lamar. This charming book takes toddlers on a rhythmic journey through the history of rap, celebrating the voices that have shaped generations. Will your child bop along with the greats and develop their own swagger? Perfect for tiny music lovers, this book promises to entertain and educate, sparking curiosity about the powerful beats and stories behind the music.

The Bookroo Book Club