All Booked Up | Resilience (Feb 2026)

A few of our favorite books about resilience for this month's All Booked Up reading challenge. Not seeing anything you like? Browse more books about resilience, hope, and growth in the library catalog in English or español, or request a personalized recommendation from library staff.

BONUS! Let us know what book you read for a chance to win free ice cream from Mike's Drive In and a book to keep.

All Booked Up is a partnership between the Oregon City Public Library and OCSD connecting literacy, family engagement, and school attendance for student success.

Updated January 27, 2026
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Odder
Applegate, Katherine
Paper Book
Over 100 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list! From #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wishtree and The One and Only Ivan, Katherine Applegate, a touching and lyrical tale about a remarkable sea otter, perfect for summer...

This novel in verse is based on a true story about an otter from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, in which Odder recovers and returns to the ocean after being injured in a shark attack. (Children's Fiction)

Available as a Spanish book, Playaway audiobook, Readalong audiobook, and as an e-Book & digital audiobook in the Libby app.

Sometimes you fly
Applegate, Katherine
Paper Book
From Newbery Medalist and bestselling author Katherine Applegate, a sweet book of encouragement, filled with humor and insight into the effort behind any meaningful accomplishment in life. A perfect gift for baby shower, birthday, or graduation.  This gorgeous gift...

The story travels through the life of a child from first birthday to graduation, with all of the struggles and triumphs along the way and the reminder that "sometimes you fail... sometimes you fly." (Picture Book)

Available as a Spanish book.

Spark
Baron, Chris
As a community recovers from a devastating wildfire, two friends find their way back to each other and their homes, by award-winning author Chris Baron. Perfect for fans of Alan Gratz and Lauren Tarshis. Finn and his friend, nicknamed Rabbit, live in a rural...

A community rebuilds after a wildfire in this novel in verse. (Young Teen Fiction)

Also available as an e-Book in the Libby app.

The squish
Carzoo, Breanna
Paper Book
Meet Sandcastle. Sandcastle's world was new and exciting until their very first... SQUISH! In an effort to protect themselves from ever getting squished again, Sandcastle tries to be bigger and taller and stronger! But is that enough to stop all the squishes ...

Sandcastle is excited about life until they get squished. While they may not be able to stop squishes from happening, they discover that with help from others and a positive attitude, life can still be squish-y fun. (Picture Book)

When things aren't going right, go left
Colagiovanni, Marc
Paper Book
From #1 New York Times bestselling creator Peter H. Reynolds and talented debut author Marc Colagiovanni comes an inspirational story about optimism, overcoming adversity, and forging your own path. "One day for no particular reason, nothing was going right. Absolutely...

With fun wordplay and illustrations by the amazing Peter Reynolds, this book reminds children that they have the power and agency to create positive change. (Picture Book)

Just keep walking
Downing, Erin Soderberg
Paper Book
A USA Today Bestseller! A #1 MIBA Bestseller! Wild meets Gilmore Girls on the trail in this indie bestselling story of resilience and the healing and restorative power of the nature from bestselling author Erin Soderberg Downing "A...

A mother and daughter heal their relationship during a grueling 100-mile hike on northern Minnesota's Superior Hiking Trail. (Children's Fiction)

Also available as a digital audiobook in the Libby app.

Smart girl's guide : tough stuff : how to bounce back and find strength when life gets hard
Falligant, Erin
Paper Book
"From body image issues to bullying, pandemics to panic attacks, depression to divorce, and friendship troubles to forest fires, life is full of tough stuff. Theres no getting around it, but there is a way to get through it-and come out the other side even stronger. How? By being resilient. Thats a...

Part of the American Girls guide series, Tough Stuff gives practical advice for bouncing back from all kinds of challenges that girls face. (Nonfiction)

Also available as an audiobook in the Libby app.

Next stop
Fong, Debbie
Paper Book
Get ready for a graphic novel road trip with more than just a few bumps in the road! Middle schooler Pia is dealing with grief as she finds herself on the biggest adventure of her life--a bus tour stopping at weird and wacky roadside attractions. Inspired by a real life road trip and...

After the loss of her brother and a move to a new town, Pia sees a road trip with a friend as a way to find healing for her troubles. (Young Teen Graphic Novel)

Let's go, Coco!
Fox, Coco
Paper Book
In this earnestly funny middle grade graphic novel debut, eleven-year-old Coco will stop at nothing to make new friends on her basketball team. But as Coco navigates the highs and lows of sixth grade, she will have to reconcile with the fact that relationships are complex and true...

Coco discovers that making the school basketball team does not make life as easy as she expected. She'll have to be tough to score both on and off the court. (Young Teen Graphic Novel)

Ellie in first position
Freschi, Brian
Paper Book
2024 Best Graphic Novels for Children by ALA - Top Ten Can a sports klutz reach her dream and dance? A charming and hilarious, slice-of-life, middle-grade graphic novel about ten-year-old Electra who refuses to give up her dream of doing ballet. On Texas Library Association's...

After moving to a new town, Ellie feels lonely at school. She tries to fit in by joining various sports teams, but always seems to fall flat--until she is inspired to take up dance! It won't be easy, but Ellie won't give up on her dream. (Children's Graphic Novel)

Fizz and the police dog tryouts
Gibbes, Lesley
Paper Book
Fizz wants to be a police dog. He's brave, clever and super-fast, but Fizz doesn't look like a police dog. His family are show dogs and companion dogs, not working dogs. But Fizz longs for adventure, and he's determined to find it, so off he heads to the Police Dog Tryouts to prove that he can...

In this series opener, a show dog who dreams of serving as a community protector attends the police dog tryouts and doesn't give up in the face of setbacks. (Bridging Fiction)

The coqui?es still sing
Gonza?lez, Karina Nicole
Paper Book
A powerful story about home, community, and hope, inspired by the rebuilding of Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria in 2017. The Coquies Still Sing is also available in Spanish. ✦ Pura Belpré Honor Book for Children's Text ✦ &...

In Elena's Puerto Rican home, the song of the coquí frogs is a comfort and reminder that home is her safe space. That changes when a hurricane threatens her island and home. (Picture Book)

Also available as a Spanish book.

Build resilience
Harman, Alice
Paper Book
What is an effort thermometer? How exactly do you discover "the power of yet"? How could sharing positive stories with your family help you face tough times? Learn all about building resilience in fun ways to help you take on big challenges and recover from disappointments with a healthier, happier...

Tips and practical exercises to help build resilience and face challenges with a positive attitude. (Nonfiction)

Dealing with challenges
Head, Honor
Paper Book
Sudden, unexpected changes can happen in everyone's life. A change in family situation, such as a divorce, or a serious illness can leave us feeling overwhelmed and anxious. Learn how to build skills that will help you bounce back more quickly from shock and disappointment.

Part of the Building Resilience series, this book focuses on building and practicing skills that help young readers to meet the challenges in their lives. (Nonfiction)

Gigi and Ojiji : perfect paper cranes
Iwai, Melissa
Paper Book
"A cheery, gentle lesson on the importance of "practice makes ­perfect." --School Library Journal (starred review) A Geisel Honor-winning series! Gigi loves the Japan Day Festival! When Ojiji volunteers at the origami booth, Gigi can't wait to make a paper crane like...

Gigi wants to impress her grandfather with her origami skills, but folding a paper crane isn't as easy as it looks. (Early Reader)

A sky full of song
Meyer, Susan
Paper Book
This heartwarming, beautifully written middle-grade historicalnovel about an untold American frontier story is destined to be a cherished classic.    North Dakota, 1905   After fleeing persecution in the Russian Empire,...

A young Jewish girl builds a new life in the American midwest after fleeing violence in Russia, perfect for fans of Little House on the Prairie. (Children's Fiction)

The reel wish
Méndez, Yamile Saied
Paper Book
After a panic attack prevents Florencia from performing as Clara in The Nutcracker and her best friend takes the lead, a new dance style helps her face her anxiety as well as a troubled friendship. Ballet is Florencia del Lago's entire world. After years of hard work, she is...

After her ballet dreams are dashed by performance anxiety, a young dancer finds fulfillment and freedom in Irish step dance. (Young Teen Fiction)

Also available as a Spanish book and as an e-Book in the Libby app.

Bounce back : how to be a resilient kid
Moss, Wendy
Paper Book
Winner of the Gelett Burgess Children's Book Award, Motivation and Inspiration Winner of the 2017 National Indie Excellence Award for Juvenile Nonfiction Think of a bouncing ball. When a bouncing ball hits the ground, it bounces back. That's what resilience means -- the ability...

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from tough times--and it is a skill that can be practiced and strengthened. This book includes quizzes, tips, and strategies to help kids practice resilience and move toward their goals. (Nonfiction)

Tilda tries again
Percival, Tom
Paper Book
What do you do when everything changes? From the creator of Ruby Finds a Worry, the perfect picture book for helping children adapt to change. Tilda doesn't like change. Why would she, when her life is great just the way it is? But one day, Tilda's world turns...

Part of the Big Bright Feelings series, this book shows Tilda learning to move forward even when scary changes occur. (Picture Book)

Sometimes, all I need is me
Perdomo, Juliana
Paper Book
Gentle themes of resiliency, mindfulness, and self-care are brought home in this sweet and soulful picture book with charmingly graphic illustrations and a poetic text. I love listening to music, especially samba! It feels like my heart follows the beat. ...

An Ezra Jack Keats honor book, this story is about a young girl who finds all she needs--courage, confidence and comfort--within herself when she is in a new situation.

Also available as a Spanish book.

Braver than I thought : Real people. Real courage. Real hope.
Reynolds, Luke
Paper Book
Meet people who have had a profound impact on our world while bearing the physical and emotional scars born out of struggles and suffering, transforming their stories from pain to power in this inspirational middle grade nonfiction book about overcoming challenges. Magazine...

Read about the real-life stories of celebrities, superstars and sports heroes who have overcome adversity and proudly bear the scars of their struggles. (Nonfiction)

I am courage : a book of resilience
Verde, Susan
Paper Book
I move ahead one breath at a time. I act with bravery. I am courage. When we picture someone brave, we might think they're fearless but real courage comes from feeling scared and facing what challenges us anyway. When our minds tell us "I can't," we can look inside...

This book describes many ways to be courageous, from speaking up to standing back up when we fall down. (Picture Book)


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