9 Great Back to School Books!

Parents are always looking for books to help their children make that BIG transition to school. These are the books (many of which are available in Spanish) that I suggest to my library patrons for a little biblio-therapy.


listed by reading level

bookcover of First Day by Dandi Daley MackallFirst Day
by Dandi Daley Mackall
illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke

Anxious about the first day of school, the child in this story soon discovers that there is nothing to fear, and they can't wait for the next day of school.


Booksforkids-reviews excerpt from First Day by Dandi Daley Mackall

Word Count: 315
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 1.6 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 71619


bookcover of Best Best Friends by Margaret Chodos-IrvineBest Best Friends
by Margaret Chodos-Irvine

*Starred Review* ALA Booklist

This one’s not so much about starting school as the kinds of preschool relationships children have.

Best friends Clare and Mary go from hugging and playing to being angry at each other. A temporary time out spent playing with others is all it takes for them to realize that they need to patch things up. A drawing leads to reconciliation in this sweet and simply told story. A great way to begin giving preschoolers some tools to work out problems.

BooksforKids-reviews excerpt from Best Best Friends by Margaret Chodos-Irvine
(clicking on image will enlarge it in most browsers)

Word Count: 294
Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reading level: 2.0 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 105497
Lexile: AD540L


bookcover of Will I Have a Friend? By Miriam CohenWill I Have a Friend?
By Miriam Cohen
illustrations by Lillian Hoban

This story is one that will apply to just about every child attending school for the first time. Wondering whether he'll be happy and make friends, this little boy soon discovers that you just have to be patient sometimes for things to 'jell'. A classic, this older book is still a timely gem for toddlers and preschoolers making transitions to new surroundings.

Word Count: 484
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 2.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 30645
Lexile: 300L


bookcover of Wemberly Worried by Kevin HenkesWemberly Worried
by Kevin Henkes

**Starred Review** PublishersWeekly
**Starred Review** SchoolLibraryJournal
**Starred Review** NY Times Book Review

Some of Henkes books always strike me as too wordy or busy for regular recommendation. But this one is a perfect story for the anxious child who might be just a bit worried about school and what will happen. Wemberly is a little girl-mouse who is worries about everything. This book might be especially appropriate for a slightly more sensitive child who needs some reassurance.

Word Count: 525
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 2.7 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 43634
Lexile: 170L

Prudencia Se Preocupa
Word Count: 646
Accelerated Reading level: 2.7 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 43634SP
  • Publisher: Everest De Ediciones Y Distribucion
  • Language: Spanish
  • ISBN-10: 8424110641



bookcover of The Kissing Hand by Audrey PennThe Kissing Hand (Paperback with CD)
by Audrey Penn
illustrations by Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak

Okay, this one’s an important topic. Chester the raccoon is anxious about leaving his mother to go to school, but his mother teaches him a secret way for him to carry his love with her. Separation anxiety is always a tough issue when it happens, this book can offer some recognition of that anxiety and ways of dealing with it.

excerpt from The Kissing Hand by by Audrey Penn
Word Count: 492
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reading level: 2.7 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 30793
Lexile: 520L

Un Beso en Mi Mano
Word Count: 600
Accelerated Reading level: 2.7 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 30793SP


bookcover of Yoko by Rosemary WellsYoko
by Rosemary Wells

*Starred Review* ALA Booklist

Yoko is new to the school and must deal with kids who tease her for being different. She soon learns how to take those differences and turn them into positives, making friends out of her classmates and winning confidence.

Word Count: 623
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 2.9 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 29511

Yoko (Spanish)
Word Count: 699
Accelerated Reading level: 2.9 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 29511SP
  • Publisher: Everest De Ediciones Y Distribucion
  • Language: Spanish
  • ISBN-10: 8444142875


bookcover of Stephanie's Ponytail by Robert MunschStephanie's Ponytail
by Robert Munsch

Okay, it’s not about the beginning of school, but this is a great introductory story to break the ice in a new school year. Stephanie decides to wear a ponytail to school, only to have everyone judge it to be “ugly, ugly, very ugly.” Steph of course, doesn’t care until the next day when every girl wears a ponytail. Then the battle to be different commences with some wild ponytails and a final pay off for Stephanie. Funny as only Munsch can be, the message here is to be yourself and that following the crowd without thinking can lead to some outrageous results!

Word Count: 712
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reading level: 3.0 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 13949
Lexile: 500L

La Cola de Caballo de Estefanía
Word Count: 712
Accelerated Reading level: 3.0 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 13949SP


by Lauren Child

**Starred Review** SchoolLibraryJournal

From the Charlie and Lola series, the irrepressible Lola has decided she cannot go to school and it’s up to Charlie to reassure his skeptical sister that it will all work out. Funny and fun reading, this can be a great way to start a discussion about a child's own concerns and questions.

Word Count: 808
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 3.2 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 78847

Soy Demasiado Pequeña Para Ir al Colegio
Word Count: 760
Accelerated Reading level: 3.2 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 78847SP


bookcover of Chrysanthemum by Kevin HenkesChrysanthemum
by Kevin Henkes

**Starred Review** SchoolLibraryJournal
**Starred Review** Horn Book

Another Henkes title, this one deals with a girl-mouse who is embarrassed by her name and how other kids in school react to it. Learning how to stand up for herself and respect her name helps her to become confident in the classroom and learn to be proud of her name and what it means.

Word Count: 1,141
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 3.3 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 6109
Lexile: 460L

Crisantemo
Word Count: 1,141
Accelerated Reading level: 3.3 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 6109SP
  • Publisher: Everest De Ediciones Y Distribucion
  • Language: Spanish
  • ISBN-10: 8424109716

Happy Reading! ^_^ Shanshad & Pam


Labels: AR 1X , AR 2X , AR 3X , Spanish Versions

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