Books to encourage resilience for ages 8 and above

This book’s premise is that failure is a necessary part of success as it builds resilience, determination and perseverance. It explores the setbacks that inspiring people have overcome to achieve their goals and tries to motivate children to have more self-belief. 

Can Lizzie get her grandad from Glasgow to Blackpool in time for a tea dance at the Tower Ballroom? A heartwarming story about looking after your family, even with the odds stacked against you. 

Edie Eckhart is a feisty, funny 11-year-old who has cerebral palsy. She has to make some new special relationships when she moves to secondary school and her best friend goes into a different class. An entertaining diary-format book that sensitively explores growing up. 

Can thirteen-year-old Priya be honest about how she feels without ruining her life? Funny, fresh and full of heart. 

Twelve-year-old AJ lives within a stone’s throw of the London Stadium, and his dream is to one day run there. However, his parents have learning difficulties, mounting bills, and are struggling to cope. A powerful book: convincing, uplifting and immensely readable.

This gentle guide for children experiencing feelings of grief and loss is written by Julie Stokes, a clinical psychologist and founder of childhood bereavement charity Winston’s Wish.

Focussing on the experiences of a small group of individuals, Safiyyah’s story shines a spotlight on an under-recognised pocket of resistance from World War II when hundreds of Jews were led to safety via underground passages from the Grand Mosque in Paris.

Zubair can time travel! But can he fix his family’s problems without unintended consequences? A funny, exciting, moving story that many readers will relate to. 

A gentle and entertaining story about friendship, family and resilience, featuring a girl with a prosthetic leg.

Jodie Ounsley – Fury on TV show Gladiators, as well as a previous England rugby player – wants to help young people discover their dreams, be comfortable living outside of the box, learn that differences are superpowers, speak up for themselves, and develop resilience.

Kofi earns a scholarship to a prestigious private school and must overcome bullying and academic pressures to achieve his dream of becoming a professional athlete. A moving and important story. 

Finn just wants to survive Year 7 but faces cringe and embarrassment at every turn. Follow his hilarious year in this brilliantly funny and relatable illustrated diary format book. 

Best of enemies William and Florence don’t want their dads to date so they plan a series of pranks to keep them apart in this brilliantly funny, heartfelt and uplifting story. 

Do you hate reading aloud in front of other people? Do you never put your hand up because you can’t stand everyone looking at you? Well, Storm feels exactly like that.

Written by the award-winning author and podcaster Elizabeth Day, this is a sensible, kind and practical tool for all teenagers (and adults!) showing how to re-frame supposed failures into essential parts of life that we can learn from.

A helpful and practical guide to coping with tough times, by building resilience. Includes 40 topics and many suggested activities.