Books About Droughts

The Best Droughts Books for Kids

Looking for our other guide?

Explore our editor-reviewed guide to Natural Disaster Books, featuring 12 favorites and recommendations by age.

Looking for excellent children's books about droughts? 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.

Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Droughts

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

Where the Watermelons Grow

By Cindy Baldwin

A girl seeks magic honey to heal her mother's mind, but discovers the true cure lies within her own heart.

256 pages· 51,447 words· Est. 7 hour read

4.1 Goodreads · 3,015 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Twelve-year-old Della Kelly is desperate to save her mother from a returning mental illness. With her father struggling to keep their farm afloat, Della believes the Bee Lady's magic honey is the answer. But when the Bee Lady suggests the real healing involves Della's own heart, she must confront the true meaning of love and acceptance. Can Della find the courage to embrace her mother as she is, or will her quest for a cure lead her astray?

Sale price

$1049

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2005

The Rivers of Zadaa

By D.J. MacHale · Pendragon series

Two tribes clash as Bobby battles a sinister force and discovers hidden powers.

405 pages· 119,921 words· Est. 13.5 hour read

4.2 Goodreads · 25,975 ratings

$10.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Bobby Pendragon races to Zadaa, where Saint Dane's dark influence ignites tribal warfare. Teaming up with Loor, a fierce Batu warrior, Bobby must stop the chaos. As the conflict deepens, Bobby uncovers unexpected powers within himself, transforming his quest from mere adventure to a pivotal battle of good versus evil. Can he and Loor thwart Saint Dane's destructive plans, or will Zadaa fall to ruin?

Sale price

$1049

Board Book · Ages 4–8 · 1996

Leah's Pony

By Elizabeth Friedrich, Michael Garland (Illustrator)

A girl and her pony face a drought threatening their family farm.

Golden Kite Honor (1997)

32 pages· 1,334 words· Est. 11 min read-aloud

4.3 Goodreads · 202 ratings

$10.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In the Dust Bowl's harsh grip, young Leah and her beloved pony face a dire challenge. As locusts darken the sky and crops wither, Leah's family farm teeters on the brink of ruin. With her father's hopes fading, Leah must find the courage to make a heart-wrenching decision. Can her selfless act save her family and inspire a struggling town? Discover the power of sacrifice and resilience in this poignant tale of hope amidst despair.

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2017

The Extraordinary Colors of Auden Dare

By Zillah Bethell

In a water-starved world, two kids and a robot uncover a dangerous secret.

352 pages· 71,119 words· Est. 8 hour read

5.3/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 350 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In a future where water is scarce, colorblind Auden Dare and his friend Vivi Rookmini discover a mysterious robot named Paragon after Auden's uncle's suspicious death. As they unravel the robot's purpose, they realize powerful forces are hunting them. Can Auden and Vivi solve the mystery and protect Paragon before it's too late?

Sale price

$1597

Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2007

Lila and the Secret of Rain

By David Conway, Jude Daly (Illustrator)

A girl confronts the sky to save her drought-stricken village from disaster.

32 pages· 607 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

4.1 Goodreads · 178 ratings

$16.95Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In a sun-scorched Kenyan village, young Lila faces a dire drought threatening her home. Armed with her grandfather's secret to summon rain, she embarks on a daring quest to confront the sky. Can Lila's courage and determination bring salvation to her beloved land, or will the relentless heat prevail? As the village's fate hangs in the balance, Lila's journey unfolds with vibrant imagery and a heartwarming tale of hope and resilience.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 10–+ · 1995

The Well

By Mildred D. Taylor · Logan Family Saga series

Tensions rise as pride and prejudice clash during a drought.

Jane Addams Children's Book Award (1996)

112 pages· 18,910 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

4.1 Goodreads · 2,198 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In a time of drought, David Logan's family shares their well water with all neighbors, regardless of race. But his brother Hammer struggles to extend kindness to Charlie Simms, who torments them due to their skin color. As Hammer's pride collides with Charlie's cruelty, tensions escalate dangerously. Will dignity prevail, or will the simmering conflict erupt into chaos? Discover a powerful tale of prejudice and the strength of human spirit in this gripping saga.

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 1929

The Jumping-Off Place

By Marian Hurd McNeely, William Siegel (Illustrator)

Four orphans face harsh prairie life, battling squatters and nature's fury to claim their land.

Newbery Honor (1930)

320 pages

4.1 Goodreads · 263 ratings

$9.95Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In 1910, four orphaned siblings, led by 17-year-old Becky, venture to the South Dakota prairie to secure their land claim. With Uncle Jim gone, they confront hostile squatters, drought, and brutal winters. As they struggle against these odds, unexpected community bonds and newfound resilience offer hope. Can they overcome the relentless challenges of homesteading and make the land their own?

Sale price

$1597

Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 2016

Thirsty, Thirsty Elephants

By Sandra Markle, Fabricio VandenBroeck (Illustrator)

A drought-stricken elephant herd seeks water, guided by a matriarch's memory.

32 pages· 547 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

4.1 Goodreads · 173 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In drought-ridden Tanzania, Grandma Elephant leads her herd on a desperate quest for water. Little Calf mimics her every move, learning the power of memory and survival. When Grandma recalls a distant watering hole, hope is renewed. Will her memory save them all? Discover the true story of resilience and the bond between generations.

Sale price

$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 12–17 · 2018

Dry

By Neal Shusterman, Jarrod Shusterman

A drought turns neighbors into enemies, forcing a teen to fight for survival.

416 pages· 100,948 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

4.0 Goodreads · 58,178 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In a drought-stricken California, Alyssa faces a terrifying reality when the taps run dry. Her suburban neighborhood descends into chaos as water becomes scarce. With her parents missing and her brother's life at stake, Alyssa must navigate a world where desperation reigns. Can she make the impossible choices needed to survive in this new, ruthless landscape?

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2016

The Storyteller

By Evan Turk

A boy and storyteller battle a Djinn's sandstorm with tales.

48 pages· 1,990 words· Est. 16 min read-aloud

5.0/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 1,094 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In drought-stricken Morocco, a young boy discovers the last storyteller in the Great Square. As a menacing Djinn threatens with a sandstorm, they weave a tale of the Endless Drought and the Glorious Blue Water Bird. Can their storytelling magic save the kingdom from destruction? Dive into a mesmerizing folktale where the power of stories becomes the ultimate weapon against the desert's wrath.

The Bookroo Book Club