• Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • FAQ
    • Disclosure and Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe
  • Community
  • Books
    • Books for Children by Age
    • Book Lists
    • Holiday Books and Activities
  • Reading Ideas
    • Babies
    • Toddlers
    • Preschoolers
    • Kindergarteners & Early Elementary
  • Writing Ideas
  • Parental Involvement: Building Partnerships
  • Start Here!
    • WELCOME TO THE GROWING BOOK BY BOOK COMMUNITY
    • Subscribe
    • Contact
    • FAQ
      • Disclosure and Privacy Policy
  • Shop
  • Home
  • Book Lists
    • Books for Children by Age
    • Book Lists
    • Holiday Books and Activities
  • Book Activities
  • Early Literacy
    • Alphabet Activities
    • Circle Time Activities
    • Phonological Awareness Activities

Growing Book by Book

  • Family Involvement
    • Start a Family Dinner Book Club
  • Start Here
  • Store
discovering with babies playing with toddlers exploring with preschoolers building with beginning readers

Bring joy and play into children's lives through books.

Yes, please!
Home » Books for Kids » Book Lists » Children’s Books About Perseverance and Determination

Children’s Books About Perseverance and Determination

February 1, 2018 •

Sharing is caring!

18932 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
Persistence books for kids can be taught through great books for kids. #persistencebooks #determinationbooks #booksforkids

Children’s books about perseverance and determination are character strengths that are needed for completing any task or for learning a new skill. Reading stories about perseverance and determination can be very motivating for kids.

Persistence books for kids can be taught through great books for kids. #persistencebooks #determinationbooks #booksforkids

““Be like a postage stamp, stick to something until you get there!” – Josh Billings

Here is a sneak peek at what you’ll find in this post.

  1. Favorite books that focus on the theme of PERSEVERANCE/DETERMINATION including a FREE printable book list.
  2. A list of discussion questions/conversation starters about the character strength- PERSEVERANCE/DETERMINATION which you can also print.
  3. Resources for families to hold a Family Dinner Book Club on the PERSEVERANCE/DETERMINATION theme including menu ideas, activities, and a family service project.

PERSEVERANCE AND DETERMINATION BOOKS

Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”1524741728″ locale=”US” src=”https://growingbookbybook.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/51CrLmHXUVL.jpg” tag=”groboobyboo-20″ width=”411″]

[easyazon_link identifier=”1524741728″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]She Persisted[/easyazon_link] by Chelsea Clinton highlights American women have persisted against obstacles to achieve great things. Women highlighted include Helen Keller, Ruby Bridges, Sally Ride, and more. Coming soon will [easyazon_link identifier=”0525516999″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]She Persisted Around the World[/easyazon_link] also by Clinton.

[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”0316475114″ locale=”US” src=”https://growingbookbybook.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/51FOAmiLJJL.jpg” tag=”groboobyboo-20″ width=”402″]

Along the same lines of the She Persisted books, Vashti Harrison brings us [easyazon_link identifier=”0316475114″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History[/easyazon_link].  This book features 40 women in American history who have persevered and led determined lives.

[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”0062699458″ locale=”US” src=”https://growingbookbybook.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/51m8zAYYfZL.jpg” tag=”groboobyboo-20″ width=”389″]

There is also [easyazon_link identifier=”0062699458″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World[/easyazon_link] by Susan Hood featuring different illustrators including Melissa Sweet and Sophie Blackall.

[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”044981744X” locale=”US” src=”https://growingbookbybook.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/51h0wkPyUXL.jpg” tag=”groboobyboo-20″ width=”402″]

[easyazon_link identifier=”044981744X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Emmanuel’s Dream[/easyazon_link] by Laurie Ann Thompson is an inspirational story about a boy who overcomes his physical challenge to accomplish great physical feats along with changing the minds of many about people who deal with challenges. Emmanuel was determined to travel by bike almost 400 miles in 10 days to raise awareness and spread his message.

[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”1626726825″ locale=”US” src=”https://growingbookbybook.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/51FbQPDILOL.jpg” tag=”groboobyboo-20″ width=”389″]

Humpty Dumpty has to face his fears and overcome them in [easyazon_link identifier=”1626726825″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]After the Fall[/easyazon_link] by Dan Santat.

[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”1943147302″ locale=”US” src=”https://growingbookbybook.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/51OianUZeQL.jpg” tag=”groboobyboo-20″ width=”500″]

[easyazon_link identifier=”1943147302″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Girl Who Thought in Pictures[/easyazon_link] and [easyazon_link identifier=”1943147310″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Doctor With An Eye for Eyes[/easyazon_link] by Julia Finley Mosca is a newer Amazing Scientist series from Innovation Press. [easyazon_link identifier=”1943147426″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Girl With a Mind for Math[/easyazon_link] releases later in 2018.

[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”414″ identifier=”0688040748″ locale=”US” src=”https://growingbookbybook.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/61zkWYota9L.jpg” tag=”groboobyboo-20″ width=”500″]

[easyazon_link identifier=”0688040748″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]A Chair For My Mother[/easyazon_link] by Vera B. Williams is the story of a family who lost their home to a fire. Determined to buy a beautiful new chair, the family saves all of their coins to make the purchase.

[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”475″ identifier=”0689834195″ locale=”US” src=”https://growingbookbybook.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/518X5TDFBKL.jpg” tag=”groboobyboo-20″ width=”356″]

[easyazon_link identifier=”0689834195″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Salt in His Shoes[/easyazon_link] by Deloris Jordan with Rosyln Jordan is the story of Michael Jordan as a young boy who had to learn early on that determination and persistence are the key to success.

[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”1626725055″ locale=”US” src=”https://growingbookbybook.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/518Q94ZOhqL.jpg” tag=”groboobyboo-20″ width=”387″]

Sometimes you need stories that show determination and persistence through an event not through the course of a lifetime.  [easyazon_link identifier=”1626725055″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Boy and the Whale[/easyazon_link] by Mordicai Gerstein fits that bill.  After a whale is caught in a fishing net, a brave (mabye a little foolish too) boy cuts the net away to free it. Great determination was needed for this time-sensitive issue.

[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”0316038636″ locale=”US” src=”https://growingbookbybook.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/51EKgnUxC3L.jpg” tag=”groboobyboo-20″ width=”340″]

If you would like a chapter book independent read for older children, try [easyazon_link identifier=”0316038636″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Where the Mountain Meets the Moon[/easyazon_link]by Grace Lin. This fantasy story is about a young girl who sets out on a mystical journey to find Old Man Moon and seek advice for changing her family’s fortune.

[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”1645430669″ locale=”US” src=”https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51T-mYqqutL.jpg” tag=”groboobyboo-20″ width=”409″]

[easyazon_link identifier=”1645430669″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Andres and His Rubik’s Cube Madness[/easyazon_link] by Andrea Alvarez is the story of a boy determined to not only solve a Rubik’s Cube puzzle but to do it in record time.

Courage in Her Cleats: The Story of Soccer Star Abby Wambach by Kim Chaffee is the story of a well-known player of the U.S. Women’s team who grew up with a determined mindset.

Cooler Than Lemonade by Harshita Jerath is the story of a child who has to overcome lots of challenges and get creative when starting a lemonade stand.

Get your downloadable printable list of all the books on this list below. Take it to the library or copy it for families.

PERSISTENCE/DETERMINATION DISCUSSION STARTERS

Whether you pick one book to read on the list or many, you can use these conversation starters to talk about the character strength of PERSISTENCE. You can also print the list out below.

-Explain how one of the characters from the story showed the character strengths of persistence or determination.

-Think about a time when you wanted to give up on something. What made you want to keep trying?

-What is a goal you are working on right now?

-What are some things that you can say to yourself if you feel like quitting on a goal or dream?

-How can you support someone else who is working on achieving a goal?

-Tell us about something you worked really hard on to achieve.

PRINT THE PERSISTENCE BOOK LIST AND DISCUSSION STARTERS

Persistence books for kids can be taught through great books for kids. #persistencebooks #determinationbooks #booksforkids

Print out the book list and discussion starters. Take it to the library or copy it for families.

PERSISTENCE FAMILY DINNER BOOK CLUB

This book list and theme make a great start for families to hold their own Family Dinner Book Club.

Family Dinner Book Club

What is a Family Dinner Book Club?

Each month:

  • On the first of each month, we provide all the details for your dinner.
  • Sarah from Chef Sarah Elizabeth shares a themed menu to compliment the theme for the month.
  • Laura from Sunny Day Family shares an activity and a family service project.
  • And, I share a book list that compliments the themes plus conversation starters.

For our theme of PERSISTENCE/DETERMINATION,  you have found the book list and discussion starters on this page.

Check out the themed menu from Chef Sarah Elizabeth.—> MENU

And, visit Sunny Day Family for a family service project idea and more activities.—> ACTIVITIES

For even more ideas, like our Family Dinner Book Club Facebook Page.

Did you get your free list of Books Kids Will Beg You to Read?

Get It

Sharing is caring!

18932 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Filed Under: Book Lists Tagged With: character education, family dinner book club

About Jodie Rodriguez

Jodie Rodriguez is a mom of two young boys and an early childhood/elementary educator with over 20 years of experience. Jodie's passion is helping parents, teachers, librarians and anyone else interested in nurturing and reaching ALL of our youngest growing readers.

Comments

  1. Lisa Thomas says

    August 28, 2021 at 8:06 pm

    This is such a wonderful reSource!

  2. Lola says

    February 16, 2018 at 4:11 pm

    How do I buy the Book “Lola at the Library?”

  3. Lej says

    February 1, 2018 at 10:43 am

    When i click on the facebook share at the bottom of post it takes me to another app on my phone.
    Great post and list!!!

  4. Laura says

    February 1, 2018 at 9:18 am

    Such a great list! We especially love the Girl who thought in pictures and she persisted. Thanks!

What can we help you find?

Subscribe to Growing Book by Book

lead magnet for growing book bybook
Welcome to Growing Book by Book!  Learn about the creator, Jodie Rodriguez.

Find More

alphabet activities
book lists for children
circle time button

Set Up for Circle Time Success

month by month circle time songs


Copyright ©2025, Growing Book by Book. All Rights Reserved. Custom design by Pixel Me Designs | Privacy Policy