A book list exploring big questions and deep thinking, curated by The Children’s Book Review and presented in partnership with author Claudia Mills.
Philosophy isn’t just for grown-ups—it’s for anyone curious about life’s biggest questions.
Does your child ask endless “why” questions? Are they curious about fairness? Books can transform abstract ideas into page-turning adventures, inviting young readers to explore truth, identity, and what it means to live well through relatable characters.
From a bored boy who discovers a magical tollbooth to a girl receiving mysterious letters about existence to a “difficult” student who turns to Greek philosophy to save her beloved dog, each book sparks wonder and critical thinking. Young philosophers will question assumptions, wrestle with big ideas, and discover that thinking deeply can be both fun and life-changing.
If you’re ready to nurture curiosity, don’t miss these five essential books:
Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom
Written by Claudia Mills
Ages: 9+ | 272 Pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (2026) | ISBN: 978-0823460502
When Calliope starts saying something, it’s hard for her to stop—and she gets in more and more trouble. With one more strike threatening to take away her beloved dog Archie forever, Callie joins a philosophy club seeking the wisdom she needs to solve her problems. But Greek philosophy only leads to bigger questions: What is justice? What is fairness? And when Grampy has a stroke, is it her fault?
. . . A love letter to seekers, as heartfelt as it is wise.
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
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Sophie’s World
Written by Jostein Gaarder
Ages: 12+ | 544 Pages
Publisher: Picador | ISBN: 978-1250860491
When 14-year-old Sophie finds two mysterious notes in her mailbox asking “Who are you?” and “Where does the world come from?”, she embarks on an extraordinary journey through the history of Western philosophy. With guidance from a mysterious instructor, Sophie explores everything from ancient Greece to modern existentialism, discovering that philosophy is far stranger—and more thrilling—than she ever imagined. But as Sophie learns to use philosophy to unravel the riddle of her own existence, the truth turns out to be far more complicated than she could have expected.
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The Phantom Tollbooth
Written by Norton Juster
Illustrated by Jules Feiffer
Ages: 8+ | 272 Pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (1961) | ISBN: 978-0394820378
When perpetually bored Milo receives a mysterious tollbooth and drives through it in his toy car, he enters the Kingdom of Wisdom—a land where words and numbers come alive. On his quest to rescue the princesses Rhyme and Reason, Milo encounters the Mathemagician, visits the Island of Conclusions (which you reach by jumping), and learns that thinking, learning, and curiosity are the greatest adventures of all. This timeless classic playfully explores logic, language, meaning, and the joy of intellectual discovery, proving that philosophy can be delightfully absurd and wonderfully wise.
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The Next Great Paulie Fink
Written by Ali Benjamin
Ages: 9+ | 368 Pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (2019) | ISBN: 978-0316380881
At Mitchell School, legendary seventh-grader Paulie Fink has disappeared, leaving behind stories, pranks, and an unfillable void. When new student Caitlyn arrives, her classmates launch a competition to find “the next great Paulie Fink”—but what does that even mean? Through humor, heart, and philosophical depth, this novel explores questions of identity, authenticity, and who we become when we try to be someone else.
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As Brave as You
Written by Jason Reynolds
Ages: 10+ | 416 Pages
Publisher: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books (2016) | ISBN: 978-1481415903
When Genie and his older brother Ernie are sent to rural Virginia for the summer to stay with their blind grandfather, Genie’s notebook fills with questions—about everything from how Grandpop navigates without sight to what it means to be brave. Through Genie’s curious, questioning nature, Reynolds weaves a story about courage, fear, family secrets, and growing up. This heartfelt novel shows that philosophy lives in everyday questions: What does it mean to be strong? How do we face our fears? And what does it take to truly see someone?
