Whether you’re starting at a new school or going back to a familiar place, whether you can’t wait or are dreading it, the first day of school is always ripe with possibility. From first days around the world to middle school noir, from picking out the perfect outfit to studying abroad, there’s something here for everyone.
By Jennifer Rothschild, Collection Engagement Librarian, Arlington Public Library
Picture Books
“Scarecited on the First Day of School”
by Alliah L Agostini, illustrated by Lala Watkins
The first day of school brings big emotions — and often more than one. Afua is scarecited (scared and excited) to start! She’s sadbarrased (sad and embarrassed) when her teacher mispronounces her name and bravous (brave and nervous) when she corrects her. Afua’s fun approach to language reassures young readers about all the big feelings they may feel throughout the day and hopefully, like Afua, they leave feeling prelieved (proud and relieved).
“The Tour at School”
by Katie Clapham, illustrated by Nadia Shireen
Our narrator has the very important job of showing a new student around their school. She takes this very seriously and knows you should sound very excited so the new student knows the tour will be amazing. She also knows the most important place to show them is the bathroom (and you need to point out what an amazing-zing-zing echo it has!) and the playground. She introduces the new student to her friends, but also realizes when they’re getting overwhelmed. After all, last year our narrator was the new student, so she empathizes with how hard starting at a new school can be but also knows it’ll all be OK — wisdom she’s happy to share with her new classmate.
“Fish Don’t Go to School”
written and illustrated by Deb Pilutti
Henry loves his fish costume — it’s orange and sparkly (like his own pet goldfish) on the outside, but warm and cozy on the inside. He wears it to the store and when playing, and plans on wearing it on the first day of school. His mother tries to talk him into a more standard outfit, but the costume feels like “wearing a hug,” so he wears it. As Henry feels more comfortable, he starts to shed parts of the costume to more easily participate (such as taking off the fins so he can more easily use scissors for an art project) and the school day ends with Henry and his new friends excitedly planning what to wear tomorrow.
Early Elementary
“This Makes Me Anxious: First Day of School”
by Courtney Carbone, illustrated by Jennifer Amaris
Everything about starting school makes the narrator of this beginner reader feel anxious. From feeling overwhelmed at the number of choices when shopping for school supplies to being unable to sleep the night before the first day, she breaks down in tears when her mom tries to take her first day of school picture. Her mom and grandmother reassure her and urge her to talk about her feelings. Once at school, her teacher is welcoming, and when she asks anyone who is feeling nervous to raise their hands, everyone in the class does. The teacher then guides them through some deep breathing to make everyone feel a little calmer. A reassuring read for kids just starting to read on their own.
“Welcome to Scare School”
by Jarrett Lerner
Bash, an insecure young ghost, is very nervous to start scare school. His older sister, Bella, was always really good at ghost stuff, but Bash isn’t. While everyone is nice, the classes are really hard and Bash doesn’t know if he’ll be able to pass his exams on passing through walls or turning invisible. Luckily, his spider roommate, Itsy, is there to help and cheer him on, as are letters from his sister. Fans of this early chapter book will want to pick up the sequel, Forest Frights.
“First Day Around the World”
by Ibi Zoboi, illustrated by Juanita Londoño
Travel the world as kids go through their first day of school. From breakfast to the classroom and back home again, brief sentences and bright illustrations show all the ways school days differ in culturally specific ways, but the overall effect is one of global connection.
Middle Grade
“Team Awkward: Jojo vs. Middle School”
by Joy McCullough and Veeda Bybee
Jojo has planned the perfect first day of sixth grade. Unfortunately, she oversleeps, the cat pukes on her outfit and it’s only after she’s in school that she realizes the cat also ripped a hole in her leggings, so people can see her underwear. To avoid possible further humiliation at lunch, Jojo ditches the cafeteria and eats in an old locker room where she discovers she’s not the only one having a terrible day. Three other girls are hiding out, and the four quickly bond in this humorous series opener.
“Bubblegum Shoes: The Case of the Contraband Closet”
by Goldy Moldavsky
When the contraband closet at Marlowe Middle School is robbed, the principal, Mr. Spade, gives Maya and three other suspects one month to find the real culprit and clear their names. This mystery series opener is full of throwbacks to classic noir, school hijinks and friendship drama as the middle school detectives attempt to crack the case.
“The AI Incident”
by JE Thomas
Since his parents died, Malcolm has bounced between numerous foster homes, but he has a plan to find his forever home and get adopted. When his school’s AI-powered robot offers its advice, Malcolm follows along, even when it doesn’t make much sense. Meanwhile, the robot is gaining more and more access to the school’s systems and possibly going rogue. Underneath the enjoyably madcap plot is a tender story of belonging and sentience.
Teen
“Love Craves Cardamom”
by Aashna Avachat
Archana is excited for her semester abroad in Jaipur, India, and her dream internship at the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum. (It’s attached to a palace!) She’s more interested in learning about art curation and the city her parents come from than boys, but early on she meets the devastatingly cute Shiv, who happens to work at the palace and is more than happy to show her around town. But, as their relationship deepens, Archana learns that Shiv has been keeping some royally large secrets about his identity that she is unsure she can forgive.
“Run Like a Girl”
by Amaka Egbe
Dera’s life is falling apart. Due to financial troubles, her mother sends her to live with the father she hasn’t seen much of since her parents divorced when she was 6. Dera dreams of running in the Olympics, but her new school doesn’t have a girls’ track team. She’s allowed to join the boys’ team, but most of her teammates aren’t happy about it. Add in her emotionally distant father, being a Black girl in a predominately white suburb and the online bullying that comes when a girl running with the boys makes the news, and Dera’s coming-of-age is one of resilience, identity and friendship.
“All-nighter”
by Cecilia Vinesse
Senior year is drawing to a close, and Autumn needs a fake ID so she can go see her crush read at the community college’s poetry reading. Only, the shoo-in for valedictorian is so strait-laced that she has no idea where to get one. The only person Autumn can think of to help is her nemesis, Tara, the school’s resident rebel. Only tonight, Tara needs to buckle down and write her English essay if she wants to graduate. Over the course of one hijinks-filled night, they start to realize their hate might be closer to love after all in this delightful romcom.
