Going back to school can be a scary time for kids of all ages. Getting ready in the morning, leaving home to attend school, and learning in both social and educational settings can be overwhelming for young readers during the first few weeks of the school year. In this week’s Three to Read Jr., we take a look at back-to-school books for your growing readers. So whether it’s their first time going to school or they’re a seasoned veteran, all age groups are sure to enjoy these children’s book recommendations!
EARLY READERS
Goodnight School by Catherine Bailey, Illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld
SYNOPSIS:
A sleepy school is tired from its first day of school. The night guard tucks in the chairs, checks the locks, and ensures the silverware is snoring. Everything is where it should be, except for the turtle in room 2A. The tension of near misses from the night guard as she makes her way through the nightly routine grows until, finally, even the turtle makes it to bed.
WHY:
Catherine Bailey expertly peels back the curtain for the readers who wonder what happens to school at night. The illustrations by Cori Doerrfeld are sweetly anthropomorphic, featuring a rug with pillows for eyes and a water fountain that appears to be drooling while sleeping. Children will love pointing out the turtle on each page while being lulled by the rhyme.
ELEMENTARY READERS
Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry Mo
SYNOPSIS:
After immigrating to the United States, Jun feels homesick as she attends her new school. That all changes when she opens her lunchbox to find bao, dumplings, and bok choy, reminding her that home isn’t as far away as it seems. After a few days of school, other kids join Jun at her table and share food with her.
WHY:
Beautifully illustrated, Cherry Mo’s Home in a Lunchbox captures Jun’s emotions in a heartfelt way. The frustration and embarrassment of only knowing a few English words, the way her mother embraces her after her first day of school, and the delicious lunches Jun appreciates every school day encapsulate the experience for immigrants, young and old. Nearly wordless, the illustrations transform from mere pictures into a universal language: art.
MIDDLE GRADE READERS
The New Girl by Cassandra Calin
SYNOPSIS:
Lia and her family are moving across the Atlantic from Romania to Canada. To make things worse, she’s gotten her first period, and now, nothing feels the same. This graphic novel takes readers through the highs and lows of being the new kid in school. As she attends her new middle school, Lia must learn new languages, adapt to an unfamiliar environment, undergo hormone-fueled changes, and, of course, make friends.
WHY:
Cassandra Calin’s art style captures the personality of all her characters with finesse, transforming an everyday middle grade novel into something more influential. Delightfully contemporary, The New Girl‘s use of video calls to wish Lia a happy birthday and text message threads between the newly formed friend group provide insight into the life of a modern 12-year-old. Middle grade readers will relate to Lia’s story in some way or another, as she traverses a new school and tries to make new friends.
With that, we conclude this week’s Three to Read Jr. As we enter into back-to-school season, we hope you’ll enjoy these children’s book recommendations that can help transition your young readers into the new school year. Relatable stories that children can identify with are a fantastic tool for helping ease some of the worries associated with returning to school. Don’t forget to join us next time for more curated recommendations for your little bookworms!
For more children’s book recommendations, dive into more of Bookstr’s Three to Read articles.
Explore our Three to Read bookshelf on Bookshop.org for books like these and much more.
