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