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Books for Homelessness & Housing for Ages 12–18 – Wonderlit | Wonderlit

Browse → Ages 12–18 → Life Moments → Homelessness & Housing → Ages 12–18

Books for Homelessness & Housing for Ages 12–18

Navigating housing instability while trying to form an identity can make a teenager feel invisible or deeply exposed. These 236 stories offer your teen a way to process the complex shame and resilience that comes with losing a home. These books provide a mirror for their own struggle or a window into a reality many of their peers are quietly facing every day.

236 books

Cover of Boy on a Black Horse

Boy on a Black Horse

For the child noticing that some peers face hidden struggles. A story about lookng past appearances to understand homele

Cover of Nowhere to Stop

Nowhere to Stop

For the child noticing unfairness in their neighborhood, this story follows friends trying to help a family find a place

Cover of The Pickle Song

The Pickle Song

Barthe DeClements

Paula wants to be friends with the new girl on the block, but she soon discovers that true friendship means standing tog

Cover of Lottery Boy

1 2 3...10

Lottery Boy

Michael Byrne

Living on the streets of London is hard enough, but now an orphan named Bully is running for his life with a winning lot

Ages 12–17

Cover of Junk

Two teenagers find themselves spiraling into the dangerous and destructive world of heroin addiction in this uncompromis

Cover of Secret in St. Something

Secret in St. Something

Barbara Brooks Wallace

Young Robin must navigate the tough streets of New York City to protect his baby brother after they run away from their

Cover of Exposing Hidden Worlds: How Jacob Riis' Photos Became Tools for Social Reform

Exposing Hidden Worlds: How Jacob Riis' Photos Became Tools for Social Reform

Help your child understand how one person can spark massive change by showing the world the reality of poverty through a

Cover of The Immortal Boy

The Immortal Boy

Francisco Montaña Ibáñez

For the teen or mature reader exploring the harsh realities of social neglect and the profound strength found in sibling

Cover of Looking for X

For the child navigating the weight of family responsibility and seeking to understand the hidden lives of those society

Cover of Daphne's Book

Mary Downing Hahn

Forced to partner with the class outcast for a contest, Jessica discovers that Daphne is hiding a dangerous secret that

Cover of The Sword of Summer

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1

The Sword of Summer

Magnus Chase trades life on the Boston streets for the halls of Asgard after a fire giant attack reveals his true herita

Cover of Why I Fight

Tired of being called kiddo and surviving on his fists, Wyatt struggles to control his rage and escape a cycle of family

Cover of Just Juice

Nine-year-old Juice realizes her family is in trouble and decides the only way to help save their home is to head back t

Cover of Taking Care of Terrific

Taking Care of Terrific

For the teen beginning to notice the world's imbalances. A young babysitter learns that kindness and a little imaginatio

Cover of Lena

Jacqueline Woodson

On the run from their abusive father, Lena and Dion disguise themselves and travel in search of family and a place where

Cover of Joe All Alone

For the child navigating the complex emotions of family neglect, this gritty story explores the resilience of a young bo

Cover of Where the Heart Is

Where the Heart Is #1

Where the Heart Is

For the child navigating the silent stress of family money troubles and the confusing shift from childhood play to teena

Cover of You May Already Be a Winner

You May Already Be a Winner

Twelve-year-old Olivia lives in a trailer park with a big dream and a foolproof plan to win a million dollars for a bett

Cover of Nothing Else But Miracles

Nothing Else But Miracles

For the child who thrives on a sense of community or needs to find bravery when a parent is far from home, this WWII tal

Cover of Picturing a Nation

Picturing a Nation

Martin W. Sandler

Iconic images from photographers like Dorothea Lange capture the resilience and everyday reality of Americans living thr

Cover of Punkzilla

Fourteen-year-old Punkzilla flees a life of crime in Portland on a desperate, raw bus journey across the country to reac

Cover of The Great Depression

You Choose: Interactive History Adventures

The Great Depression

For the curious middle grader wondering how families survived the 1930s. This guide uses primary photos to explain the c

Cover of The Patchwork People

The Patchwork People

Louise Lawrence

In a future Wales stripped of jobs and hope, a group of struggling youth finds their lives intertwined with a wealthy gi

Cover of It's Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired & Get Going!

It's Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired & Get Going!

Chelsea Clinton

Learn how to tackle global challenges like climate change and poverty through clear facts, inspiring stories, and action

More Ages 12–18 Books

Books for Potty Training for Ages 12–18(3)Books for Food Allergies for Ages 12–18(12)Books for Wearing Glasses for Ages 12–18(32)Books for LGBTQ+ Families for Ages 12–18(34)Books for Sharing with Siblings for Ages 12–18(67)Books for Bedtime Struggles for Ages 12–18(68)Books for Visiting the Doctor for Ages 12–18(74)Books for New Sibling for Ages 12–18(90)

Homelessness & Housing for Other Ages

Books for Homelessness & Housing for Ages 4–7(77)Books for Homelessness & Housing for Ages 8–11(231)

Also by Format

Chapter Books(127)Young Adult(31)Middle Grade(5)Picture Books(3)