Children’s books that build character

Looking for a book for teens that emphasizes trustworthiness? This list can help. Use the menus below to search by age or by the Six Pillars of Character. And don't forget to visit our online catalog for books available directly through CHARACTER COUNTS!.

Accelerated Reader points and levels
The Tulare County Office of Education has aligned this list with Accelerated Reader.
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More book lists
Advance Publishing — children's books suitable for character educators
Perfection Learning — books organized by grade level (K-8) and by the Six Pillars

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trst=Trustworthiness, rspt=Respect, rspn=Responsibility
fair=Fairness, care=Caring, citz=Citizenship

AuthorTitlePgs.LevelPillar
Sandra McLeod Humphrey(More) If You Had to Choose, What Would You Do?131children's fictionrspn
Byars, B.18th Emergency126children's fictionrspt
Luenn, NA Gift for Abuelita30children's storybookcare
Costalese, AAbuelita Full of Life-llena de vida30children's storybookcare
Shyer, M.Adorable Sunday182teen's fictionrspt
Evans, OliveAdventures With The Thrift Store Bears48children's storybook
Turkle, B.Adventures of Obadiah.children's storybooktrst
Byars, B.After the Goat Man126children's fictiontrst
Holland, I.Alan and the Animal Kingdom190teen's fictionrspn
Hurwitz, J.Aldo Applesaucechildren's fictionrspt
Griffith, H.Alex and the Cat55children's storybookrspt
Lionni, L.Alexander and the Wind-Up Mousechildren's storybookcare
Bishop, C.All Alone95children's fictionrspn
Levy, J.Alley Oops32children's storybookrspt
Steig, W.Amos & Boris32children's storybookrspt
Danner, P.Andre, Angel in a Poodle Suit32children's storybookcare
DePaola, T.Andy (That’s My Name)children's storybookrspt
Jarrell, R.Animal Family180teen's fictioncare
MacLachlan, P.Arthur for the Very First Time117children's fictionrspt
Brown, M.Arthur’s Eyes27children's storybookrspt
Brown, M.Arthur’s Nosechildren's storybookrspt
Hoban, L.Arthur’s Penpal62children's storybookfair
Delton, J.Backyard Angel107children's fictionrspn
Brink, C.Bad Times of Irma Baumlein134teen's fictiontrst
Hoban, R.Bargain for Frances62children's storybooktrst
Shura, M.Barkley Street Six-Pack159children's fictiontrst
Sharmat, M.Bartholomew, the Bossy32children's storybookrspt
Kullman, H.Battle Horse183teen's fictioncare
Winthrop, E.Belinda’s Hurricane54children's fictioncare
Berenstain, S.Berenstain Bears and the Truthchildren's storybooktrst
Berenstain, S.Berenstain Bears’ Trouble at Schoolchildren's fictionrspn
Sharp, M.Bernard the Brave128children's fictiontrst
Neville, E.Berries Goodman178teen's fictioncare
Robinson, B.Best Christmas Pageant Ever80children's fictioncare
Hoban, R.Best Friends for Frances31children's storybookfair
Cohen, M.Best Friends32children's storybookrspt
Todd, L.Best Kept Secret of the War165children's fictiontrst
Hutchins, P.Best Train Set Ever55children's storybookcare
Garrigue, S.Between Friends160children's fictionrspt
Sharmat, M.Big Fat Enormous Lie32children's storybooktrst
Geri GilstrapBig Green and Little Red20children's fiction
Ward, L.Biggest Bear84children's storybookrspn
DeAngeli, M.Bright April88children's fictioncare
Platt, K.Brogg’s Brain123teen's fictionrspt
Carlson, N.Brother for the Orphelines100children's fictionrspn
Walsh, E.Brunus and the New Bearchildren's storybookrspt
Stolz, M.Bully of Barkham Street194children's fictionrspt
Steig, W.Caleb & Katechildren's storybookrspt
Sperry, A.Call It Courage95children's fictiontrst
Sachs, M.Call Me Ruth134children's fictiontrst
Skolsky, M.Carnival and Kopeck74children's fictioncare
Bonsall, C.Case of the Double-Cross64children's storybookfair
MacLachlan, P.Cassie Binegar120children's fictionrspt
Danziger, P.Cat Ate My Gymsuit147teen's fictionrspt
Drury, R.Champion of Merrimack County199children's fictioncare
White, E.B.Charlotte’s Web184children's fictiontrst
Yep, L.Child of the Owl217teen's fictionrspt
Burch, R.Christmas with Ida Early157children's fictioncare
Henkes, KevinChrysanthemumchildren's storybookrspn
Oakley, G.Church Mice Adriftchildren's storybookrspn
Bunting, E.Clancy’s Coatchildren's storybookrspt
Carrick, C.Climbchildren's storybooktrst
Freeman, D.Come Again, Pelican44children's storybookrspt
Lipsyte, R.Contender182teen's fictionrspt
Rosenthal, A.K.Cookies32children's storybookfair
Freeman, D.Corduroy32children's storybookcare
Rhoads, D.Corn Grows Ripe88children's fictionrspn
Heyward, D.Country Bunny & the Little Gold Shoeschildren's storybooktrst
Dalgliesh, A.Courage of Sarah Noble54children's fictiontrst
Pfeffer, S.Courage, Dana160children's fictiontrst
Peet, B.Cowardly Clyde38children's storybooktrst
Selden, G.Cricket in Times Square160children's fictionrspt
Yashima, T.Crow Boy37children's storybooktrst
Caines, J.Daddychildren's storybookrspt
Mason, A.Dancing Meteorite214teen's fictiontrst
Humphrey, S.M.Dare to Dream!: 25 Extraordinary Liveschildren's storybookrspn
Voight, C.Dicey’s Song196teen's fictionrspn
Stolz, M.Dog on Barkham Street184children's fictionrspn
Wright, B.Dollhouse Murders149children's fictioncare
Roberts, W.Don’t Hurt Laurie!166teen's fictioncare
Moeri, L.Downwind121teen's fictionrspn
Lawrence, L.Dram Road218teen's fictionrspn
Monjo, F.Drinking Gourd62children's storybooktrst
Neufeld, J.Edgar Allan95teen's fictioncare
Stolz, M.Edge of Next Year195children's fictionrspn
Hoban, R.Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmaschildren's storybooktrst
Clifton, L.Everett Anderson’s Friendchildren's storybookfair
Shreve, S.Family Secrets: 5 Very Important Stories56children's fictiontrst
Carlson, N.Family under the Bridge99children's fictionrspn
Peck, R.Father Figure: A Novel192teen's fictionrspn
Conford, E.Felicia the Critic145children's fictionrspt
Cunningham, J.Flight of the Sparrow144teen's fictiontrst
Shreve, S.Flunking of Joshua T. Bates82children's fictioncare
Korschanow, I.Foundling Fox48children's storybookcare
Christopher, M.Fox Steals Home178children's fictionfair
Langton, J.Fragile Flag224children's fictiontrst
Anglund, J.Friend Is Someone Who Likes Youchildren's storybookrspt
Lobel, A.Frog and Toad All Year64children's storybookrspt
Lobel, A.Frog and Toad Are Friends64children's storybookrspt
Lobel, A.Frog and Toad Together64children's storybookrspt
Kerr, M.Gentlehands183teen's fictiontrst
Marshall, J.George and Martha Encore46children's storybookrspt
Marshall, J.George and Martha One Fine Day46children's storybookrspt
Marshall, J.George and Martha46children's storybookrspt
Miles, M.Gertrude’s Pocketchildren's fictionrspt
Adler, C.Get Lost, Little Brother144children's fictionrspt
Greene, B.Get On Out of Here, Philip Hall150children's fictionrspt
Clymer, E.Get-away Car149children's fictionrspn
Hansen, J.Gift-Giver118children's fictionrspt
Coutant, H.Giftchildren's fictioncare
Sharmat, M.Gladys Told Me to Meet Her Here32children's storybookcare
Byars, B.Glory Girl121children's fictionrspt
Fitzgerald, J.Great Brain Reforms165children's fictiontrst
Carle, E.Grouchy Ladybug41children's storybookrspt
Stanek, M.Growl When You Say R32children's storybookrspt
Pascal, F.Hand-Me-Down Kid172teen's fictionrspt
Hautzig, D.Handsomest Father47children's storybookrspt
Fatio, L.Happy Lionchildren's storybookrspt
Charlip, R.Harlequin and the Gift of Many Colorschildren's storybookcare
Baylor, B.Hawk, I’m Your Brother55children's fictioncitz
Cleary, B.Henry Hugginschildren's fictionrspn
Cleary, B.Henry and the Clubhouse192children's fictionrspn
Cleary, B.Henry and the Paper route192children's fictionrspn
Hoose, P. & H.Hey, Little Ant28children's storybookrspt
Voight, C.Homecoming312teen's fictionrspn
Skurzynski, G.Honest Andrew32children's storybooktrst
Clymer, E.Horse in the Attic87children's fictionrspn
DeJong, M.House of Sixty Fathers189children's fictioncitz
Gerson, C.How I Put My Mother Through College136teen's fictionrspn
Estes, E.Hundred Dresses81children's fictioncare
Mathis, S.Hundred Penny Box47children's fictionrspt
Lexau, J.I Hate Red Roverchildren's storybookrspt
Greene, C.I and Sproggy155children's fictionrspt
Burch, R.Ida Early Comes over the Mountain145children's fictioncare
Doty, J.If Wishes Were Horses125teen's fictionrspn
Humphrey, S.M.If You Had to Choose, What Would You Do?children's storybookrspn
Adler, C.In Our House, Scott Is My Brother125teen's fictiontrst
Wooden, J.Inch and Miles39children's storybookrspn
Kerr, M.Is That You, Miss Blue?170teen's fictiontrst
Sharmat, M.I’m Terrificchildren's storybookrspt
Paterson, K.Jacob Have I Loved215teen's fictionrspt
Konigsburg, E.Jennifer, Hecate, Macbethchildren's fictionrspt
DeJong, M.Journey From Peppermint Street242children's fictionrspn
Uchida, Y.Journey Home131teen's fictioncare
Uchida, Y.Journey to Topaz149teen's fictioncare
McHugh, E.Karen and Vicki150teen's fictionrspn
McHugh, E.Karen’s Sister149teen's fictionrspn
Burton, V.Katy and the Big Snow36children's storybookrspn
Eige, L.Kidnapping of Mister Huey153teen's fictionrspn
Gackenbach, D.King Wacky32children's storybookcitz
Babbitt, N.Knee-Knock Rise117children's fictioncare
Hurwitz, J.Law of Gravity: A Story192children's fictionrspt
Greene, C.Leo the Lioness118children's fictionrspt
Treffinger, C.Li Lun, Lad of Courage96teen's fictiontrst
Bargar, G.Life Is Not Fair174teen's fictioncare
Sauer, J.Light at Tern Rock62children's fictionrspn
Bohlken, R.Listening to the Mukies...104children's fictionrspt, fair
Piper, W.Little Engine that Couldchildren's storybooktrst
Kerr, M.Little Little183teen's fictioncare
Geri GilstrapLittle Red Learns to Obey22children's storybook
Gramatky, H.Little Tootchildren's storybookrspn
Little, J.Look Through My Window258teen's fictioncare
McDonnell, C.Lucky Charms & Birthday Wishes84children's fictionrspt
Katherine Ciriello ClarkLucy Goosey Takes Responsibilitychildren's storybook
Humphrey, S.M.MORE--If You Had to Choose, What Would You Do?children's storybookrspn
Jones, R.Madeline & the Great (Old) Escape Artist88teen's fictioncare
King-Smith, D.Magnus Powermouse120children's fictionrspt
Bruce, D.Manners I. Care32children's storybookrspt
Coatsworth, E.Marra’s World83children's fictionrspt
Sachar, L.Marvin Redpost: Alone in His Teacher’s Housechildren's fictionrspn
Sachar, L.Marvin Redpost: Is He a Girl?children's fictioncare
Sachar, L.Marvin Redpost: Why Pick on Me?children's fictiontrst
Buck, P.Matthew, Mark, Luke and John80children's fictionrspn
Weiss, N.Maude and Sallychildren's storybookrspt
Miles, B.Maudie & Me & the Dirty Book144children's fictiontrst
Zolotow, C.May I Visit32children's storybookcare
Fitzgerald, J.Me and My Little Brain137children's fictionrspt
Ross, P.Meet M and M41children's storybookrspt
Mason, M.Middle Sister160children's fictiontrst
Burton, V.Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel48children's storybooktrst
Rylant, C.Miss Maggie32children's storybookrspt
Estes, E.Moffats290children's fictionrspn
Chorao, K.Molly’s Lies32children's storybooktrst
Cohen, B.Molly’s Pilgrim32children's fictioncare
Sharmat, M.Mooch the Messy61children's storybookcare
First, J.Move Over, Beethoven121teen's fictionrspn
Godden, R.Mr. Mcfadden’s Halloween127children's fictiontrst
Collier, J.My Brother Sam Is Dead224teen's fictiontrst
Clymer, E.My Brother Stevie76children's fictionrspn
Church Mice Adrift. Unp.My Dad Is Really Somethingchildren's storybookrspt
Clifton, L.My Friend Jacobchildren's storybookrspt
Brown, MMy Name Is Gabriella -The Life of Gabriella Mistral30children's storybookcitz
Brown, MMy Name is Celia - The Life of Celia Cruz30children's storybookcitz
Beckman, D.My Own Private Sky154children's fictionrspt
George, J.My Side of the Mountain178children's fictioncitz
Jordan, J.New Life: New Room52children's fictioncare
Brandenberg, F.Nice New Neighbors56children's storybookfair
Lasker, J.Nick Joins In32children's storybookrspt
AviNight Journeys143children's fictiontrst
Byars, B.Night Swimmers131teen's fictionrspn
Stolz, M.Noonday Friends182children's fictionrspt
DeClements, B.Nothing’s Fair in 5th Grade137children's fictionrspt
Blos, J.Old Henrychildren's storybookcitz
Schaefer, J.Old Ramon102teen's fictiontrst
DePaola, T.Oliver Button is a.Sissychildren's storybookcare
Brown, M.Once a Mouse: A Fable Cut in Woodchildren's storybookrspt
Fox, P.One Eyed Cat216children's fictionrspn
Little, J.One to Grow on140children's fictiontrst
Krantz, LOnly One You32children's storybookrspt
Asch, F.Pearl’s Promise152children's fictionrspn
Beskow, E.Pelle’s New Suit15children's storybooktrst
Hall, M. H.Pheobe and Chubb30children's storybookcare
Greene, B.Philip Hall Likes Me, I Reckonchildren's fictionrspt
Byars, B.Pinballs136children's fictionrspt
Danziger, P.Pistachio Prescription154teen's fictionrspt
Ets, M.Play With Me31children's storybookrspt
Caudill, R.Pocketful of Cricketchildren's storybookrspt
Foe, P.Portrait of Ivan131children's fictionrspt
Chambers, A.Present Takers156children's fictioncitz
Burch, R.Queenie Peavy159teen's fictionrspt
Lawson, R.Rabbit Hill128children's fictionrspt
Hurwitz, J.Rabbi’s Girls158teen's fictioncare
Fisher, L.Rachel Vellars, How Could You?155children's fictionrspt
McHugh, E.Raising a Mother Isn’t Easy156teen's fictionrspn
Cleary, B.Ramona the Brave190children's fictionrspt
Burch, R.Renfroe’s Christmaschildren's fictionrspt
Keith, H.Rifles for Watie322teen's fictiontrst
Viorst, J.Rosie and Michaelchildren's storybookcare
Estes, E.Rufus M.320children's fictionrspn
Perrine, M.Salt Boy31children's storybookrspn
Ness, E.Sam, Bangs & Moonshinechildren's storybooktrst
Yep, L.Sea Glass213teen's fictionrspt
Miles, B.Secret Life of the Underwear Champ117children's fictioncare
Cohen, M.See You Tomorrow, Charleschildren's storybookcare
Bulla, C.Shoeshine Girl84children's fictionrspn
Speare, E.Sign of the Beaver135teen's fictionrspn
McPhail, D.Sisterschildren's storybookrspt
Cohen, M.So What?32children's storybookrspt
Carrick, C.Some Friend!112children's fictiontrst
Armstrong, W.H.Sounder116teen's fictionrspt
Wittman, S.Special Tradechildren's storybookrspt
Gardiner, J.Stone Fox85children's fictionrspn
Fox, P.Stone-faced Boy106children's fictionrspt
Crofford, E.Stories from the Blue Roadchildren's fictionrspt
Lenski, L.Strawberry Girlchildren's fictiontrst
Mann, P.Street of the Flower Boxes71children's fictionrspn
Lexau, J.Striped Ice Cream95children's fictiontrst
Martin, C.Summer Businesschildren's storybookcitz
Greene, B.Summer of My German Soldier230teen's fictiontrst
Byars, B.Summer of the Swans142teen's fictionrspn
Hurwitz, J.Superduper Teddy80children's fictionrspt
Lionni, L.Swimmychildren's storybooktrst
Jorge ArguetaTalking With Mother Earth/Hablando con Madre Tierrachildren's fictioncitz
VencyTest144teen's fictionrspn
Cohen, B.Thank You, Jackie Robinson125teen's fictionfair
Newman, N.That Dog!47children's storybookcare
Sarnoff, J.That’s Not Fair32children's storybookfair
AesopThe Boy Who Cried Wolfchildren's fictionrspn
DemiThe Empty Potchildren's storybooktrst
Hoog, M.E.The First Growing Field Adventure32children's storybookcare
Smith, A.The Halloween Misfits24 + CDchildren's storybookrspt
Hoban, RussellThe Little Brute Familychildren's storybookrspt
Smith, A.The Mischievous Bugs30 + CDchildren's storybookrspt
Evans, OliveThe Thrift Store Bears Activity Book43children's storybook
Evans, OliveThe Thrift Store Bears40children's storybook
White, E.B.The Trumpet of the Swan224children's fictioncitz
Dengler, MThe Worry Stone38children's storybookcare
Sussman, S.There’s No Such Thing as a Chanukah Bush48children's fictioncare
Boelts, MaribethThose Shoes32children's storybookcare
Ungerer, T.Three Robberschildren's storybookrspt
Turkle, B.Thy Friend Obadiah37children's storybookrspt
Lionni, L.Tico and the Golden Wingschildren's storybookcare
Haas, D.Tink in a Tangle136children's fictionrspt
Cropsey, S.J.Tinker's Christmas59children's storybookrspt
Iwamura, K.Ton and Pon: Two Good Friends52children's storybookfair
Moskin, M.Totochildren's fictiontrst
Gerson, C.Tread Softly133children's fictiontrst
Bishop, C.Twenty and Ten75children's fictiontrst
Flournay, V.Twins Strike Back32children's storybookrspt
Delton, J.Two Good Friends32children's storybookcare
AlikiTwo of Themchildren's storybookrspt
Perl, L.Tybee Trimble’s Hard Times143children's fictioncare
Greene, C.Unmaking of Rabbit125children's fictionrspt
Hall, L.Uphill All the Way121teen's fictiontrst
Bianco, M.Velveteen Rabbit33children's fictionrspt
Duvoisin, R.Veronicachildren's storybookrspt
Klein, N.Visiting Pamelachildren's storybookrspt
Shyer, M.Welcome Home, Jellybean153teen's fictionrspn
Mitchell, S.K.What Great Thing Can Patches Do?35children's storybookcare
Carrick, C.What a Wimp!89children's fictionrspn
Kerr, J.When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit191teen's fictioncare
Fife, D.Who’ll Vote for Lincoln63children's fictiontrst
Stevenson, J.Wilfred the Rat32children's storybookrspt
Greenwald, S.Will the Real Gertrude Hollings . . .children's fictionrspt
Hunt, I.William: A Novel188teen's fictionrspn
Hamilton, V.Willie Bea & the Time the Martians ...208teen's fictioncare
Myers, W.Young Landlords197teen's fictionrspn
Gaeddert, L.Your Former Friend, Matthew75children's fictionrspt
Dana, B.Zucchini122children's fictionrspt
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