Book Lists

School Stories for Young Readers

The school year may be winding down, but these stories are always in season. Relatable, engaging, and educational, there’s something for every reader to enjoy.

Featured Titles

A Not So Perfect Start (The Caring Classroom, Book 1)

A Not So Perfect Start (The Caring Classroom, Book 1)

Trudy Ludwig

Welcome to The Caring Classroom! A new series that gives kids the building blocks they need to be a kind and caring person in the classroom and beyond, from a trusted expert in social development.

In book 1, a young perfectionist learns from her mistakes when her first week of school turns into a perfect mess!

Welcome to Our Classroom! (An All Are Welcome Book)

Welcome to Our Classroom! (An All Are Welcome Book)

Alexandra Penfold

A teacher welcomes a new group of students as they prepare for an exciting and collaborative year ahead in this uplifting ode to educators from the bestselling creators of All Are Welcome.

On the first day of school
Everything is new
School supplies, classmates,
and teachers, too.

When You Meet My Friend

When You Meet My Friend

Mark Sperring

A heartwarming and reassuring story for children ages 3-7 about a boy’s first day at school and the spread of friendship and kindness as he is welcomed into the class. Features a surprise ending!

Gracie Wei #3: You're So Brave, Gracie Wei

Gracie Wei #3: You're So Brave, Gracie Wei

Kristen Mei Chase

Everyone’s favorite fourth grader, Gracie Wei, is back for her third chapter book adventure, mustering up the courage to brave the haunted house with her friends and prove that she’s all grownup—for fans of Ivy and Bean and Dory Fantasmagory.

School for Woodland Creatures

School for Woodland Creatures

Lauren Castillo

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…

Junie B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth: The Graphic Novel

Junie B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth: The Graphic Novel

Barbara Park

Laugh out loud with the beloved #1 New York Times bestselling Junie B. Jones—now starring in “a dynamic new graphic ­novel series that stays true to the curious, ­energetic Junie of years past” (School Library Journal, starred review).

Casting April

Casting April

Wendy Lu

Twelve-year-old April is a talented performer who is determined to land the starring role in the school play, but no one believes she can do it because of her tracheostomy tube. A heartwarming story of friendship, identity, and the importance of chasing your dreams.

The Frindle Files

The Frindle Files

Andrew Clements

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!

Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone

Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone

Tae Keller

In her first novel since winning the Newbery Medal for When You Trap a Tiger, Tae Keller offers a gripping and emotional story about friendship, bullying, and the possiblity that there’s more in the universe than just us.

Sometimes middle school can make you feel like you’re totally alone in the universe . . . but what if we aren’t alone at all?

Same Page

Same Page

Elly Swartz

From the beloved author of Hidden Truths comes a novel about take-charge sixth grader Bess Stein, who brings together friends and a group of rockstar librarians called the Book Warriors to fight a book ban happening at her middle school.

Stargirl Movie Tie-In Edition

Stargirl Movie Tie-In Edition

Jerry Spinelli

ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE’S 100 BEST YA BOOKS OF ALL TIME • NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A PARADE BEST KIDS BOOK OF ALL TIME

Stargirl. From the day she arrives at quiet Mica High in a burst of color and sound, the hallways hum with the murmur of “Stargirl, Stargirl.” She captures Leo Borlock’ s heart with just one smile. She sparks a school-spirit revolution with just one cheer. The students of Mica High are enchanted. At first.

Picture Books

All Are Welcome (An All Are Welcome Book)

Alexandra Penfold; illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman

Brave Every Day

Trudy Ludwig; illustrated by Patrice Barton

Everyone Loves Lunchtime but Zia

Jenny Liao; illustrated by Dream Chen

Getting Ready for Kindergarten

Vera Ahiyya; illustrated by Debby Rahmalia

Getting Ready for First Grade

Vera Ahiyya; illustrated by Debby Rahmalia

Getting Ready for Second Grade

Vera Ahiyya; illustrated by Debby Rahmalia

The Invisible Boy

Trudy Ludwig; illustrated by Patrice Barton

Look How Much I've Grown in KINDergarten

Vera Ahiyya; illustrated by Joey Chou

KINDergarten

Vera Ahiyya; illustrated by Joey Chou

Mamie Tape Fights to Go to School

Traci Huahn; illustrated by Michelle Jing Chan

My First Day

Phung Nguyen Quang and Huynh Thi Kim Lien

The Name Jar

Yangsook Choi; illustrated by the author

Nana Akua Goes to School

Tricia Elam Walker; illustrated by April Harrison

Not Like Every Day

Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic; illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard

The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read

Rita Lorraine Hubbard; illustrated by Oge Mora

Take Your Octopus to School Day

Audrey Vernick; illustrated by Diana Schoenbrun

The Teachers I Loved Best

Taylor Mali; illustrated by Erica Root

Today at School

Jessica Young; illustrated by Renee Kurilla

We're All Wonders

Written & illustrated by R. J. Palacio

Welcome to Our Classroom! (An All Are Welcome Book)

Alexandra Penfold; illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman

When You Meet My Friend

Mark Sperring; illustrated by Marisa Morea

The World Needs More Purple Schools

Kristen Bell and Benjamin Hart; illustrated by Daniel Wiseman

Early Readers & Chapter Books

Bibsy Cross and the Bad Apple

Liz Garton Scanlon; illustrated by Dung Ho

Bibsy Cross and the Bike-a-Thon

Liz Garton Scanlon; illustrated by Dung Ho

Bibsy Cross and the Creepy-Crawlies

Liz Garton Scanlon; illustrated by Dung Ho

Bibsy Cross and the Time Capsule

Liz Garton Scanlon; illustrated by Dung Ho

Gracie Wei #1: You're a Winner, Gracie Wei

Kristen Mei Chase; illustrated by Basia Tran

Gracie Wei #2: You're the Boss, Gracie Wei

Kristen Mei Chase; illustrated by Basia Tran

Gracie Wei #3: You're So Brave, Gracie Wei

Kristen Mei Chase; illustrated by Basia Tran

Grumpy Monkey School Stinks!

Suzanne Lang; illustrated by Max Lang

Harry Versus the First 100 Days of School

Emily Jenkins; illustrated by Pete Oswald

Junie B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth: The Graphic Novel

Barbara Park; illustrated by Honie Beam; adapted by Colleen AF Venable

Junie B. Jones and Some Sneaky Peeky Spying: The Graphic Novel

Barbara Park; illustrated by Honie Beam; adapted by Colleen AF Venable

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus: The Graphic Novel

Barbara Park; illustrated by Honie Beam; adapted by Colleen AF Venable

School Day!

Candice Ransom; illustrated by Ashley Evans

Squishy School #1: Buddy Up!

Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen; illustrated by Becky Cas

This Makes Me Anxious: First Day of School

Courtney Carbone; illustrated by Jennifer Amaris

Welcome Back! (An All Are Welcome Early Reader)

Alexandra Penfold; illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman

Middle Grade

Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie War

Matthew Swanson; illustrated by Robbi Behr

Confessions of a Former Bully

Trudy Ludwig; Illustrated by Beth Adams

Flying Lessons & Other Stories

Edited by Ellen Oh; contributions by Kwame Alexander, Kelly J. Baptist, Soman Chainani, Matt de la Peña, Grace Lin, Meg Medina, Tim Tingle, Jacqueline Woodson

The Hero Next Door

Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich

Strangeville School Is Totally Normal

Darcy Miller; illustrated by Brett Helquist

Strangeville School Is Definitely Not Cursed

Darcy Miller; illustrated by Brett Helquist

We Are Big Time

Hena Khan; illustrated by Safiya Zerrougui

For Older Readers

Chilling, thrilling, and oh-so-scholarly, dark academia is a genre perfect for reading while snuggled up safely in the comfort of your favorite reading nook. Whether you like your school stories tinged more with magic or with mystery, this collection of atmospheric YA novels has something for you to escape into.

Dark Academia to Die For

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