Back-to-School Favorites

Join the call for a better world with this New York Times bestselling picture book about a school where diversity and inclusion are celebrated.

A companion picture book to Breathe Like a Bear that helps kids feel calm and ready to meet new classmates!

A heartwarming picture book about a Chinese-American girl who grows to appreciate the traditional dishes her parents prepare for her and finds a way to share her lunch with her classmates.

Get your little one ready with this joyful story about what to expect on their very first day of Kindergarten!

A visually stunning story of resilience and determination by an award-winning new author-illustrator team, perfect for back to school.

A heartwarming story about the new girl in school, and how she learns to appreciate her Korean name.

For Henry, lockdown drills can be scary. Staying quiet and still is tough, but with the support of his teacher, he’s able to stay calm. This reassuring story explores the complex emotions surrounding school lockdown drills and includes helpful resources from a school psychologist and safety expert.

Award-winning author Jessica Young and New York Times bestselling illustrator Renee Kurilla crafted a heartwarming story about the first day of school, told from the perspective of three timely characters: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.

The New York Times bestseller that celebrates kindness, belonging, and friendship. Inspired by the unforgettable blockbuster book and movie Wonder, this is the perfect graduation gift for kids of all ages, plus a great choice for baby showers, birthdays, and other new beginnings!

It’s back to school with Kristen Bell and Benjamin Hart! Learn how to paint your school purple with this follow-up to the #1 New York Times bestseller The World Needs More Purple People.

Meet Bibsy Cross, the precocious eight-year-old heroine of this charming chapter book series, as she navigates a relationship with a teacher who thinks that Bibsy is just too much.

Laugh out loud with the beloved #1 New York Times bestselling Junie B. Jones—now in graphic novels! It’s Junie B.’s first day of kindergarten! But she’s afraid of the school bus. Can she overcome her fears, or will she be stuck at school forever?

The time is now for this anxious little guy: Meet Scaredy Squirrel in his brand-new graphic novel series! He’s funnier (and scared-ier) than ever, and perfect for readers of Narwhal and Jelly.

It’s time for school in this Step 1 reader featuring the family from Pumpkin Day!, Apple Picking Day!, Garden Day, Snow Day, and Beach Day!

It’s the first day of school for Hedgehog and her forest friends in this cozy classroom caper about overcoming doubts and letting your light shine, with full-color art on every page from a beloved Caldecott Honor winner.

We all have different strengths and weaknesses,
Our uniqueness is what makes us shine...

When the humans of Hedge Hollow head off to school, Hedgehog and her furry, feathery friends decide to ...

After years as the only Chinese student at her private middle school, Emily transfers to Chinatown’s I.S. 23 for 8th Grade and ends up feeling more disconnected than ever. Will Emily be able to find her way or will she lose herself completely?

Meet seven kids and one amazing teacher and discover the school year that changes their lives in this first book in the fun and warm-hearted Mr. Terupt series!

The Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award-winning classic about a boy who decides to hit the road to find his father—from Christopher Paul Curtis, recipient of the Coretta Scott King–Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement.

When Autumn becomes the secret voice of the advice column in her middle school newspaper, she is faced with a dilemma—can she give fair advice to everyone, including her friends, while keeping her identity a secret?

Whether it is basketball dreams, family fiascos, first crushes, or new neighborhoods, this bold short story collection—written by some of the best children’s authors including Kwame Alexander, Meg Medina, Jacqueline Woodson, and many more and published in partnership with We Need Diverse Books—celebrates the uniqueness and universality in all of us.

In the long-awaited follow-up to the beloved classic Frindle, a new generation of kids discovers the power of words and imagination – and yes, even screens – to solve a mystery and change their world!

From We Need Diverse Books, the organization behind Flying Lessons & Other Stories, comes another middle-grade short-story collection. This anthology explores acts of bravery and features some of the best own-voices children’s authors, including R. J. Palacio (Wonder), Rita Williams-Garcia (One Crazy Summer), Linda Sue Park (A Long Walk to Water), and many more.

What would you do if no one could see you? In this surreal adventure, a boy who is used to being overlooked literally becomes invisible, only to realize there may be far more dangerous threats in his school than bullies.

This beloved novel has sold more than 5 million copies in the 60 years since it was declared “a newborn classic.” Generations of readers have now journeyed with Milo to the Lands Beyond. Enriched by Jules Feiffer’s splendid illustrations, the wit, wisdom, and wordplay of Norton Juster’s imaginative fantasy are as beguiling as ever.

Everyone knows the most stressful day of middle school is picture day! And that’s exactly where this yearbook-worthy graphic novel series begins: with reinventing yourself, drama, popularity, and the friends who see you through.

This Newbery Medal winner is an unforgettable story of evolving friendships, mysterious messages, and big questions with a mind-bending reveal that will send readers right back to the beginning.

Millions of people have fallen in love with Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face—who shows us that kindness brings us together no matter how far apart we are. Read the book that inspired the Choose Kind movement, a major motion picture, and the critically acclaimed graphic novel White Bird.

A multicultural teen struggles to fit into her elite prep school, her diverse Queens neighborhood, and even her own home. A hilarious, poignant, and powerful YA novel from the award-winning author of Re Jane.

Is what I’m feeling normal? Is what my body is doing normal? Am I normal? How do I know what are the right choices to make? How do I know how to behave? How do I fix it when I make a mistake?

Let’s talk about it.

In this gorgeous graphic novel, fairy tales are the only way one boy can communicate with his Vietnamese immigrant parents. But how will he find the words to tell them that he’s gay? A powerful read about family, identity and the enduring magic of stories.

In this celebration of nonconformity, Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the perils of popularity and the thrill and inspiration of first love.

“This gorgeously illustrated graphic novel flawlessly combines so many of my favorite things—whimsy, romance, magic, friendship, hope, and a diverse cast of complex characters—with the wildly relatable themes of burnout, grief, and coming of age, resulting in one of the most charmingly cozy contemporary love stories I’ve ever read. It’s a perfect comfort read for teens nervous about new beginnings.”

—Katie Dutton (Manager, School and Library Digital Marketing)

“Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim is an impactful read that thoughtfully explores grief, identity, and what it means to belong with a wonderful balance of humor woven throughout, making it a perfect fit for meaningful classroom discussions.”

—Jasmine Ferrufino (Senior Associate, School and Library Marketing) 

“Listen to the Girls is an important and empowering story that highlights the power of community and will encourage readers to find their voice and enter the new school year with courage and determination.”

—Katie Halata (Director, Library Marketing)

“Oh, the Places You’ll Go! is the perfect read-aloud to kick off the 2026-2027 school year! It sets an uplifting and encouraging tone from the very first page, inspires readers to dream big, and reminds us that every amazing adventure begins with just a single step. Let the adventure begin!”

—Michelle Campbell (Assistant Director, School Marketing)

“A new school year, a new environment, or our own fears can make asking for what we need feel impossible. Salat in Secret reminds us that one brave question can change everything.”

—Natalie Capogrossi (Senior Manager, School Marketing)

“From navigating friendships and teamwork to overcoming perfectionism and finding confidence through sports, this graphic novel captures the highs and lows of a school year and with its diverse, relatable cast of characters, Sol Goes for Goal! offers something for everyone. It’s the perfect choice for young readers looking for a cozy story full of encouragement as they head into a new school year.”

—Taylor Belgrade (Associate, School and Library Marketing)

“The game is on! Detective Squirrel Lock Holmes and her dependable sidekick, Mole Watson, set out to solve the curious case of a missing pet rock in the first book of this laugh-out-loud early graphic chapter book series. A perfect way to get your newly independent readers excited about mysteries.”

—Adrienne Waintraub (VP and Director, School and Library Marketing)

“We’re Not from Here is a fun and topical story about friendship, acceptance, and overcoming differences, making it an ideal back-to-school read to foster empathy and resilience in young readers.”

—Erica Trotta (Manager, Library Marketing)