Looking for books to help your child as they start school? These teacher-approved books are perfect for young readers. This book list is for parents and teachers to share these beautiful back to school stories with their kids. Whether you are looking for a read aloud book to get your kid ready for kindergarten (and all those new school rules), or you have an anxiety-filled middle school student on your hands, this book list has you covered!
From our new parenting contributor, Julie DenOuden
Freshly sharpened pencils. New school shoes. Sparkly clean lunchbox.
It’s that time of year for back to school and while we might not want summer to end, these back to school titles can help your family get ready for the new school year.
These books are also a great way to ease back into the routine of reading if your child hasn’t read very much over the summer.
The Best Back to School Books for Kids
General Books
One thing I learned during my years as an upper elementary and middle school teacher is that kids of all ages enjoy picture books. So just because the back of the books says it’s suitable for ages 4-7, doesn’t mean older kids won’t connect with these books. These back to school books help calm nerves about the first day, provide excitement for a new school year, and emphasize the importance of showing kindness to the people around us.
This book has a fun twist at the end and is great paired with some of your very own Jitter Juice (1 part 7up + 1 part Hawaiian Punch + sprinkles)
A wonderfully illustrated book about having the courage to connect with other people even when you feel like you don’t fit in with everyone around you.
An excellent book for kids who will be going to a new school and kids with a big imagination.
Help kids imagine what their dream school looks like to help create excitement for the new school year. And if they really like this book, there are two others in the series to continue the fun.
A gorgeous picture book that pairs with bestselling book Wonder to help kids understand the importance of always choosing kindness.
A chapter book designed to help kids realize that everyone is smart in different ways so it’s okay to ask for help and embrace who you are.
Grade Specific Back to School Books
I love general back to school kids to help build excitement for the new year but it’s also helpful for kids to identify with book characters their very own age. Each grade comes with a unique set of worries and milestones and reading these books is a fun way to prepare for the year.
Help build excitement for this milestone day of the first day of kindergarten.
First grade is synonymous with Junie B. Jones and this series will accompany your budding reader all year along.
A book of poems to create excitement for the upcoming year in second grade.
Navigating life as a third grade can be challenging but this is a fun look at this transitional year of school when kids really switch from learning to read, to reading to learn.
Continuing from Third Grade Angels, now it’s time for these students to become the Fourth Grade Rats.
A wildly imaginative book about an average fifth grader whose life takes a turn from ordinary to extraordinary.
Another excellent book about transitioning to a new school and making new friends. As a bonus, this is a series, so if they get hooked kids can keep on reading!
A graphic novel that tackles the issues of middle schoolers…buillies, crushes, and fitting in. Another book that is the beginning of a series so kids can continue reading if they get hooked.
About Julie-
Having taught in both California and Pennsylvania and everything from 3rd to 8th grade, this year Julie is teaching 3rd grade at an elementary school in Southern California. She enjoys helping her students fall in love with reading and reading during the school day is a big priority. Julie loves traveling in her free time and always makes time to pop into local bookshops when she travels. When she’s not reading or teaching, she loves running, cupcakes and Christmas. You can find her blogging too over on her blog, Girl On the Move.
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