Back to School Books

As ELA teachers, getting kids excited about books is a top priority during that first week of school! It’s also incredibly important to build a classroom community and make sure students feel valued and safe to share ideas and connections. The books below are our absolute favorites to share as we welcome students into our classroom spaces, set rules and expectations, and inspire a new group of readers and writers! 

A Teacher’s Top Secret: Confidential by LaNesha Tabb

Who doesn’t love a fun spy theme? Plain and simple, this sweet book makes students feel like they were specifically chosen to be part of our classroom community. It highlights all the best qualities our students have and addresses the various emotions students may feel at the start of a school year. It’s such a fun and heart-warming read, so we know you’ll enjoy sharing this “top-secret” information with students!

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson

Every child knows what it’s like to walk into a space and worry about being different. This book is the perfect way to address and alleviate those concerns, while also encouraging kids to make connections with one another. We love the conversations that follow this wonderful read aloud! Through discussion, our similarities are highlighted and differences are celebrated!

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman

This is another fantastic quick read that celebrates diversity while sharing the message “all are welcome here.” Written in rhyme with colorful illustrations, it sets a positive tone and is an excellent book to pluck off the shelf and read within the first few minutes of having students in the room. 

The Best Part of Me by Wendy Ewald

We like this book because it naturally inspires a quick writing project that is beautiful to display. Students use the book as a model and select the best part of themselves. We’ll support any book that promotes positive self-image!