Back to School Book List

These books are great reads for the child heading off to school for the very first time, managing those first day jitters, or just on the theme of school. All these selections are available through the Sussex County Library System. You will find board books, picture books, easy readers, fiction, nonfiction as well as teen selections.

Updated August 18, 2025
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Sussex County Library System (NJ)
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Back to dog-gone school /
Schmidt, Amy,
Paper Book
Dog lovers and kids anxious about going back to school will be delighted by this photographic Step 2 reader with school-themed poems! From the bus stop to the last bell, the school day is covered. The easy-to-read poems were chosen and adapted from the delightful...
Back to school /
Brunstetter, Wanda E.
Paper Book
Rachel's back in school in Lancaster County! And that's where trouble finds her once again! Except this time, trouble is spelled O-R-L-I-E. That's the name of the new boy-the freckle-faced kid with a nasty cowlick-who has an ornery attitude when it comes to Rachel. From mixed-up school lunches...
The Berenstain Bears back to school.
Berenstain, Stan 1923-2005
Paper Book
On the first day of the new school year, the Berenstain cubs are reminded that though school is a challenge, it can also be fun.
Bitsy Bat, School Star
Windness, Kaz
Paper Book
Three starred reviews! 2024 Bank Street Best Children's Book Selection A little bat struggles to fit in only to learn to celebrate differences in this "darling book for all children but especially those with autism" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)...
Breathe like a bear :
Willey, Kira
Paper Book
Breathe Like a Bear is a beautifully illustrated collection of mindfulness exercises designed to teach kids techniques for managing their bodies, breath, and emotions. Best of all, these 30 simple, short breathing practices and movements can be performed anytime, anywhere: in the car to the...
Daddy's back-to-school shopping adventure /
Sitomer, Alan Lawrence
Paper Book
What do glow-in-the-dark glue sticks, an electronic garbage truck pencil sharpener, and neon paper clips have in common? Not one of them is on the list and yet they all end up in the back-to-school cart when Daddy, Jake, and Jenny pick out school supplies while Mommy's off shopping in another part...
David goes to school
Shannon, David 1959-
Paper Book
David is off to school in this board book companion to the Caldecott Honor-winning classic No, David! by bestselling picture-book creator David Shannon! Perfect for little troublemakers who are starting something new. David's teacher has her hands full. From running in the halls to...
The day you begin
Woodson, Jacqueline
Paper Book
First grade stinks
Rodman, Mary Ann.
Paper Book
No share time! Only one recess! Writing is hard! The stories don't end right! FIRST GRADE STINKS! It is the first day of school and Hayley is excited. Things are different now. She isn't a kindergartener anymore; she is a big kid. She is a first grader. ...
The first week of school /
Beckmeyer, Drew,
Paper Book
Follow along as an ensemble cast of characters experience an extraordinary first week of school in this hilarious picture book that's perfect for fans of Jon Klassen and Lucy Ruth Cummins! It's the first day of school. An artist wonders if her drawings are good enough to show. An...
The Goodnight Train Ready for School
Sobel, June/ Huliska-Beith, Laura (ILT)
Paper Book
All aboard the Goodnight Train in this night-before-school companion to The Goodnight Train Halloween and The Goodnight Train Easter. Features peek-a-boo die cuts on every page! The engine chugs slow and steady. Get your brand-new...
Jojo vs. middle school
McCullough, Joy
Paper Book
After having hilariously terrible first days of sixth grade, four girls vow to ride out the super highs and cringe-worthy lows of middle school together, no matter how awkward it gets, in this first book in the Team Awkward middle grade series. Jojo has everything planned out for...
Kindergarten is cool!
Marshall, Linda Elovitz
Paper Book
When you wake up for school you'll get dressed, really cool with your sneakers and socks and your lunch in a box . . . Kindergarten's begun. Big kids say that it's fun. But is that really true? ...
Kindergarten luck /
Borden, Louise
Paper Book
What makes a lucky day? One gloomy morning Theodore found a bright, shiny penny on the way down to breakfast. There was Abraham Lincoln, face up. What luck!  'Oh THANK you, Mr. Famous President!' Theodore said.  And he tucked that shiny, new...
I'm telling you, Dex, kindergarten rocks!
Davis, Katie (Katie I.)
Paper Book
Beloved children's book author-illustrator Katie Davis reassures young readers off to their first day of school with this upbeat tale about first day of school jitters. Dexter Dugan is starting kindergarten and his stuffed dog Rufus is terrified for him. Thankfully, third...
The King of Kindergarten /
Barnes, Derrick D,
Paper Book
The morning sun blares through your window like a million brass trumpets.It sits and shines behind your head--like a crown. Mommy says that today, you are going to be the King of Kindergarten! Starting kindergarten is a big milestone--and the hero of this story is ready to make...
Old School
Korman, Gordon
Paper Book
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Unteachables comes a hilarious story about a boy who is homeschooled in his grandmother's retirement community...until he is forced to go to public school.  Dexter Foreman is twelve going on...
Planet Kindergarten
Ganz-Schmitt, Sue
Paper Book
A genius way to ease kids into the new adventure that is kindergarten." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review This clever picture book will prepare young explorers to boldly go where they have never gone before: Planet Kindergarten. Suit up for a daring adventure as our hero...
Princesses Love School!
Mcnish, Bri Marie
Paper Book
Inside this beautifully illustrated picture book, readers will get to join fan-favorite Disney princesses Belle, Cinderella, Mulan, Tiana, Ariel, Moana, and Raya as young girls during their first day of school! As the princesses go through the day's events in their own worlds,...
School jokes /
Paper Book
If you have poor penmanship, you'll never make straight A's! Normally serious subjects such as report cards and the principal's office are suddenly light-hearted and humorous in the context of this colorful collection of jokes. Students and teachers are sure to never look at school the same way...
School's first day of school /
Rex, Adam,
Paper Book
"An essential purchase that is simultaneously funny, frank, and soothing. A perfect first day read-aloud."― School Library Journal, starred review A heartwarming and clever first day of school tale, from New York Times bestsellers Adam Rex (The Legend...
Schoolbot 9000
Hepburn, Sam (Comics creator)
A hilarious--and ominous--new graphic novel series about what happens when one school's human teachers are replaced by robots! "Freethinkers, rebels and techno-skeptics will find a lot to love here."--The New York Times James Gordon is already annoyed by the...
Super Saurus saves kindergarten /
Underwood, Deborah.
Paper Book
Nothing can keep Super Saurus from conquering kindergarten in this funny story about a young dinosaur who learns how to be himself, with or without a cape--perfect for back-to-school and year-round storytime. Arnold has a plan. The evil...
Tiny T. Rex and the first-day oopsies /
Stutzman, Jonathan
Paper Book
It's Tiny T. Rex's first day of school! In this addition to the bestselling series, Tiny is certain he's ready for anything at his BIG new school--but learns that even the best-prepared dinosaur will still meet some "oopsies" along the way!   Tiny...
Tyrannosaurus wrecks :
Gibbs, Stuart,
Paper Book
In the latest novel in New York Times bestselling author Stuart Gibbs's FunJungle series, Teddy Fitzroy returns as FunJungle's resident sleuth to solve his most improbable mystery yet--with a victim that's 65 million years old. Teddy was all set for a campout at his friend...
Ups and downs :
Wohnoutka, Mike,
Paper Book
In a feel-good concept book, the Geisel Award-winning illustrator of See the Cat gives young children a vocabulary for naming--and managing--their emotions. From delight to disgust, excitement to fear, worry to confidence, boredom to curiosity, feelings can shift in a...
We share this school :
Saks, Dan,
Paper Book
A rhyming, heartfelt celebration of school communities and the vital role they play in young children's lives. This formative board book is an appreciation of school communities and the many ways in which they help develop empathy, compassion, and collective responsibility....
Wow! School!
Neubecker, Robert.
Paper Book
From science and storytime, to music and math, Izzy's classroom is full of new things to explore, and she's not going to miss one of them! This essential book in the WOW! Series captures all the excitement of a bright, colorful new classroom, reducing first-day jitters all the...

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