Top Back-To-School Books For Kids

The Bedtime Story Solution

Three weeks before school starts, bedtime becomes a whole different conversation. Instead of the usual requests for water or one more story, you're fielding questions about new teachers, unfamiliar hallways, and whether anyone will sit with them at lunch.

Here's where the magic of books comes in - they're like practice runs for real life, showing kids that every big kid (and grown-up!) has felt exactly the same way. & to save you some time there are links already attached to the books listed if you're interested in purchasing any.

Ages 3-5 (Preschool/Pre-K)

Starting School for the First Time:

1. "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn - A classic about separation anxiety and feeling loved even when apart.

   

2. "First Day Jitters" by Julie Danneberg - Shows that even teachers get nervous on the first day.

   

3. "Llama Llama Misses Mama" by Anna Dewdney - Perfect for dealing with separation anxiety.

   

4. "The Night Before Preschool" by Natasha Wing - Fun rhyming book that builds excitement.

   

5. "Maisy Goes to School" by Lucy Cousins - Simple, colorful introduction to school routines.

   

   
   

Learning School Basics:

1. "David Goes to School" by David Shannon - Humorous look at school rules and behavior.

   

2. "If You Take a Mouse to School" by Laura Numeroff - Fun exploration of school activities.

   

3. "Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes" by James Dean - Upbeat attitude about school experiences.

   

Ages 5-7 (Kindergarten - 1st Grade)

First Day Fears:

1. "Wemberly Worried" by Kevin Henkes - For kids who worry about everything.

   

2. "Chrysanthemum" by Kevin Henkes - Dealing with teasing and being different.

   

3. "The Invisible Boy" by Trudy Ludwig - About feeling left out and finding belonging.

   

4. "First Grade Dropout" by Audrey Vernick - Humorous take on kindergarten graduation anxiety.

   

Making Friends:

1. "How to Be a Friend" by Laurie Krasny Brown - Practical friendship skills.

   

2. "Enemy Pie" by Derek Munson - Turning enemies into friends.

   

3. "The Name Jar" by Yangsook Choi - About fitting in while staying true to yourself.

   

   
   

4. "Last Stop on Market Street" by Matt de la Peña - Finding joy and connection in everyday experiences.

   

Ages 6-8 (1st - 2nd Grade)

School Challenges:

1. "Thank You, Mr. Falker" by Patricia Polacco - Overcoming reading difficulties with teacher support.

   

2. "Leo the Late Bloomer" by Robert Kraus - For kids who develop at their own pace.

   

3. "Giraffes Can't Dance" by Giles Andreae - Finding your own special talents.

   

4. "The Way I Act" by Steve Metzger - Understanding emotions and appropriate behavior.

   

New School Transitions:

1. "My Name is Not Isabella" by Jennifer Fosberry - Exploring identity and dreams.

   

2. "The Brand New Kid" by Katie Couric - Welcoming new students.

   

3. "I'm New Here" by Anne Sibley O'Brien - Multiple perspectives on being the new kid.

   

   
   

Ages 7-9 (2nd - 3rd Grade)

Growing Independence:

1. "Ramona the Pest" by Beverly Cleary - Classic about Kindergarten adventures.

   

   
   

2. "Junie B. Jones First Grader (at last!) By Barbara Park - Funny school situations.

   

   
   

3. "Frindle" by Andrew Clements - Creativity and thinking outside the box.

   

4. "The school story" by Andrew Clements - Following dreams and taking initiative.

   

Dealing with Differences:

1. "Wonder" (picture book version) by R.J. Palacio - Kindness and Acceptance.

   

2. "Each Kindness" by Jacqueline Woodson - The impact of our choices on others.

   

3. "The Hundred Dresses" by Eleanor Estes - Classic about bullying and regret.

   

Ages 8-10 (3rd - 4th Grade)

Middle Elementary Challenges

1. "Sideways Stories from Wayside School" by Louis Sachar - Silly school adventures.

   

2. "The Great Brain at the Academy" by John D. Fitzgerald - Boarding school adjustment.

   

3. "Matilda" by Roald Dahl - Smart kids who don't always fit the mold.

   

4. "Because of Winn-Dixie" by Kate DiCamillo - New Town, new friends, fresh starts.

   

Social Dynamics:

1. "Blubber" by Judy Blume - Bullying and peer pressure. (This is one of my daughters favorites)

   

2. "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing" by Judy Blume - Sibling and school balance.

   

   
   

3. "The One and Only Ivan" by Katherine Applegate - Finding courage and friendship.

   

4. "New Kid" by Jerry Craft (graphic novel) - Middle school transition and identity.

   

Ages 9-12 (4th - 6th grade)

Pre-Teen Transitions:

1. "Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life" by James Patterson- Humorous take on Middle school fears.

   

2. "Smile" by Raina Telgemeier (graphic novel) - Dealing with physical changes and social pressure.

   

3. "Fish in a Tree" by Lynda Mullaly hunt - Learning Differences and finding your strengths.

   

4. "The care and Keeping of You" series - Practical advice growing up.

   

New School/Moving:

1. "Holes" by Louis Sachar - Finding your place in difficult circumstances.

   

2. "Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson - Deep friendships and coping with change.

   

3. "The Wild Robot" by Peter Brown - Adaptation and finding community.

   

4. "Front Desk" by Kelly Yang - Immigration, new country, school challenges.

   

Special Situations:

For Kids Changing Schools Mid-Year:

1. "The New Girl" by Meg Cabot - Starting over somewhere new.

   

2. "Goodbye House, Hello House" by Lyn Tanner - Moving and Transitions.

   

3. "Alexander, Who's Not (Do you hear me? I mean it!) Going to Move" by Judith Viorst.

   

For Kids Starting Kindergarten:

1. "Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten" by Joseph Slate.

   

2. "The Kindergarten Book" by various authors

   

3. "Ready for Kindergarten, Stinky Face?" by Cyd MooreFace?

   

For Kids Moving to Middle School:

1. "How to Survive Middle School" by Donna Gephart.

   

2. "The Middle School Rules" series by Sean Jenson.

   

3. "Restart" by Gordon Korman - Fresh starts and second chances.

   

Reading Tips for Parents:

1. Start reading these books 2-3 weeks before school starts.

2. Discuss the characters' feelings and strategies.

3. Ask open-ended questions about how your child might handle similar situations.

4. Use these books as conversation starters about school expectations.

5. Consider re-reading favorites throughout the school year.

These books work best when they're part of ongoing conversations about school, not just one-time reads. They help normalize the range of emotions kids feel about school and provide concrete examples of how to handle common challenges.

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Please feel free to grab these FREE bookmarks below!!

Free Melonheadz Bookmarks.

Download • 290KB

Ready to help your child build a lifelong love of reading? These color in reading logs will be perfect for end of summer reading programs, school year tracking, or anytime you want to motivate your little reader.

One great fact about having a color system in reading logs for young readers is that it provides instant visual feedback that motivates continued reading.

When children can see their progress represented through colors - like filling in green squares for completed books, using different colors for different genres, or watching a rainbow chart grow - it transforms abstract reading goals into something concrete and immediately rewarding.

Just click the link below for your FREE Color in Reading Log!! (This reading log is only free through my blog). For any other Reading logs check out my website here.

Color In Reading Logs for K-1st.pdf

Download PDF • 6.90MB

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