Books for Children and Teens That Touch on Incarceration
by Melissa Taylor
About 7% of U.S. children know what it’s like to have an incarcerated parent. Books about children with a parent in prison provide validation to these readers, so they know they’re not alone, nor are they the only kids who’ve gone through similar situations. Also, books about parent incarceration build empathy in children who don’t know what it’s like to have a parent in jail.
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Milo Imagines the World
Buy from:Riding the subway with his older sister, young artist Milo observes the other people, imagining their lives in his notebook. So, he’s surprised when the boy in the suit (who he thought might live in a castle) gets off at the same subway stop, and they both line up for the prison’s visiting hours. Milo realizes he shouldn’t have judged the boy based on his appearance.
(Ages 4 - 8)Buy from: -
Visiting Day
Buy from:An excited little girl and her food-prepping Grandma prepare for a bus ride to visit the girl’s daddy in prison. When they arrive at the prison, it’s big smiles, sharing stories, and peppermints. But after they leave, the girl feels sad. Grandma reminds her that her daddy will live at home again one day.
(Ages 5 - 7)Buy from: -
Hazelnut Days
Buy from:During their weekly prison visit, the boy feels angry that his dad smells like peppermint instead of hazelnut. He remembers how sometimes his dad is funny and strong, but other times, he has a short temper and makes his mom’s eyes sad. This honest slice-of-life story explores the complicated relationship between a son and his incarcerated father.
(Ages 5 - 7)Buy from: -
Mama's Nightingale
Buy from:Saya desperately misses her Haitian Mama, who is in prison because she doesn’t have legal papers. To help with the sadness, Mama records cassette tapes with calming songs and bedtime stories for Saya. After a newspaper reporter reads Saya’s emotional letter to her Mama, the subsequent article about their family’s separation brings about a heartfelt ending.
(Ages 5 - 8)Buy from: -
The Warden's Daughter
Buy from:Living at a prison with her warden dad isn't so bad, but 12-year-old Cammie desperately wants a mom. When her plans to make one of the female prisoners into her new mom fail, her anger becomes destructive. Cammie's challenging coming-of-age journey is turbulent, making readers appreciate the satisfying conclusion all the more.
(Ages 8 - 12)Buy from: -
A Wish in the Dark
Buy from:In a Thai-inspired fantasy world loosely based on Les Misérables, the Governor controls the light, both in the prison where Pong lived for most of his life and outside it, where the newly escaped boy now lives. Meanwhile, Nok, the prison warden’s daughter, hunts for Pong in an attempt to restore her family name. With themes of poverty, growing up, friendship, and redemption, this is a memorable story about shining a light on the darkness.
(Ages 8 - 12)Buy from: -
Born Behind Bars
Buy from:Born and raised in jail with his imprisoned mom, Kabir ages out with no survival skills. A dangerous slaver pretends to be his uncle but plans to sell him before Kabir escapes and lives on the streets. Fortunately, a scrappy girl named Rani helps Kabir survive. The friends risk everything to travel across India to find Kabir’s grandparents, where they get a heart-warming happy ending.
(Ages 10 - 14)Buy from: -
Harbor Me
Buy from:Haley and five other kids with learning differences meet every Friday after school. While the other kids bond by sharing their life stories, Haley doesn't tell them that her dad is in jail for killing her mom. When she finally works up the courage to tell her friends the truth, the other students surprise her with their unconditional, loving support.
(Ages 10 and up)Buy from: -
Fighting Words
Buy from:Della and her older sister Suki are safe from their imprisoned drug-addicted mom and her sexually abusive boyfriend. Their new foster situation allows Della to face her trauma and anxiety with therapeutic support, just as Suki’s overwhelming, unresolved pain leads to a suicide attempt. Their gripping story gives readers hope as the sisters find their voices and healing.
(Ages 10 and up)Buy from: -
An Uninterrupted View of the Sky
Buy from:Francisco’s father gets unjustly thrown in a Bolivian prison, forcing Francisco and his little sister to move into the men’s prison, too. Although Francisco doesn't want to give up his dreams, the prison puts them in constant danger. He realizes that if he can’t keep his little sister safe, they might need to leave their father and move to their grandparent's rural home.
(Young Adult)Buy from:
