Children’s Books About Perseverance and Determination

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.

““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

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She Persisted 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 She Persisted Around the World also by Clinton.

Along the same lines of the She Persisted books, Vashti Harrison brings us Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History.  This book features 40 women in American history who have persevered and led determined lives.

There is also Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World by Susan Hood featuring different illustrators including Melissa Sweet and Sophie Blackall.

Emmanuel’s Dream 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.

Humpty Dumpty has to face his fears and overcome them in After the Fall by Dan Santat.

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures and The Doctor With An Eye for Eyes by Julia Finley Mosca is a newer Amazing Scientist series from Innovation Press. The Girl With a Mind for Math releases later in 2018.

A Chair For My Mother 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.

Salt in His Shoes 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.

Sometimes you need stories that show determination and persistence through an event not through the course of a lifetime.  The Boy and the Whale 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.

If you would like a chapter book independent read for older children, try Where the Mountain Meets the Moonby 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.

Andres and His Rubik’s Cube Madness 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

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.

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.