Third Culture Kids Resources | Books
For young TCKs
My Two Blankets by Irena Robald and Freya Blackwood: This book is about a girl moving to a different country and experiencing change in her friendships and every day life.
The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco: This book is about a quilt that gets passed down from generation to generation, reminding them of the importance of family, love and faith.
The Way I Feel by Janan Cain: I love this book because it really helps kids hear and see what emotions that could be feeling.
Swirly by Sara Sunders: A great book for TCKs. I only read this when I was in my 20’s and could still relate to everything in it.
Adelina Aviator by Jessica Vana: This book series is about a little girl who leaves America and needs to be brave and courageous for what is ahead.
Home by Carson Ellis: Great book to help kids understand that home can be anywhere and that it is not one specific location or thing.
Patches, the Moving Bear by Leah Moorefield Evans: This book is about moving to many places. It also has some tips on how to say goodbye and how to bring reminders of home with you wherever you go.
For upper elementary
B at Home: Emma Moves Again by Valerie Besanceney: This book talks about the different emotions that will come up when children move overseas.
Sammy’s Next Move by Helen Maffini: This book is about a snail that moves a lot in his life. Because he is a snail, he carries his home with him wherever he goes, just as TCKs do when they bring different parts of their “homes” with them wherever they go.
Rosie’s Letters by Kate Gehring: These are letters write by a girl who lives overseas.
My Very Exciting, Sorta Scary, Big Move by Lori Attanasio Woodring: Moving can be one of the hardest things to do, whether you are a child or an adult. This book talks about how to deal with all the emotions, adventures and questions one would have when moving.
For teenagers
Footsteps Around the World by Beverly D. Roman: Great book for teenagers who are moving overseas and also coming back to the States.
Rugendo Rhinos Series by Shel Arensen: I loved this book series as a teenager. Great stories of adventure and a group of TCKs living life together.
Finding home: Third Culture Kids in the world by Rachel Jones: This book has different stories of raising TCKs, living abroad, and the joys and challenges that come with it.
Elephant Baseball: A Missionary Kid’s Tale by Paul Heusinkveld: I really enjoyed reading this book because I could relate to a lot of it. It is about a boy that goes to boarding school and his experience with that as well as him living overseas.
For parents
Burn-up or Splash-down by Marion Knell: “While people anticipate that going overseas will require major changes in their lifestyles and thinking, few anticipate the difficulties they will face upon return.”
Re-entry: Making the Transition from Missions to Life at Home by Peter Jordan: Good book for families coming back to the States.
Third Culture Kids 3rd Edition: Growing Up Among Worlds by Ruth E. Van Reken, Michael V. Pollock, and David C. Pollock: Great book for parents and their kids. It talks all about life as a TCK and what they may or may not go through.
