First Day of School
By Jennifer Rothschild, Collection Engagement Librarian, Arlington Public Library
After the long, hot days of summer, it’s time to start thinking about colorful leaves and freshly sharpened pencils.
Whether your students are starting their first day of kindergarten or their senior year of
high school, here are some great books to slide into their backpacks.
“Betty the Yeti and the First Day of School”
by Mandy R. Marx, illustrated by Antonella Fant
Betty’s very nervous about starting at her new school. All the other students are human, and most have never seen a yeti before.
Her friend Cecilia tells her she has nothing to worry about and helps guide her through her first day, reassuring Betty that her differences are what makes her special. A fun installment of a gentle series about Betty and her family.
Picture Books
“Mr. S”
Written and illustrated by Monica Arnaldo
When the students in Room 2B arrive for their first day of kindergarten, they don’t see their teacher. His name, “Mr. S,” is written on the board, and on the desk sits a sandwich.
Under the watchful olive eyes of Mr. Sandwich, they are model students, conducting their own art class and music lesson.
Meanwhile, eagle-eyed readers will see another storyline out the window involving a falling tree, lightning, someone’s car and a large number of firefighters. A delightful and funny way to start the school year.
Early Elementary
“First Day, Worst Day”
by Andy Nonamus, illustrated by Amy Jindra
The main character of this book has such terrible luck that he’s redacted any mention of his name in the story and hides his face behind a sticker in all the illustrations.
Readers will simultaneously wince in sympathy and laugh at his mishaps—including arriving very late for school while being chased by dogs and being called to the office in a loudspeaker announcement that also mentions underwear and clogged toilets.
Despite the embarrassment, the narrator does have several helpful classmates who might save this from being the worst day ever. A laugh-out-loud series opener.
“Bibsy Cross and the Bad Apple”
by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Dung Ho
Bibsy Cross has always loved school, but this year is shaping up differently. Her best friend, Natia, is in a different class. Bibsy’s new teacher, Mrs. Stumper, has decorated her corkboard with an apple tree.
Every student has an apple on the tree, and if they misbehave, Mrs. Stumper moves their apple from the branches to the dirt below. Mrs. Stumper does not appreciate Bibsy’s chattiness, and eventually declares her behavior rotten and punches a worm hole into her apple.
How can Bibsy show Mrs. Stumper that she’s not a rotten apple and learn to like school again?
Readers will enjoy Bibsy’s outlook on life and look forward to her further adventures.
Middle Grade
“Mascot”
by Charles Waters and Traci Sorrell
When Callie Crossland moves to the fictional D.C. suburb of Rye, VA, she’s struck by the school’s mascot—a stereotypical caricature of a Native American, complete with a tomahawk-chop chant.
Her English teacher then assigns a group writing project about the “Pros and Cons of Indigenous Peoples as Mascots.”
This verse novel told in the voices of seven students from different backgrounds explores the issue and the effects it has on the school and the wider community. A timely and engaging story.
“The Misfits: A Royal Conundrum”
by Lisa Yee, illustrated by Dan Santat
Olive Zhang’s parents are always traveling, so they’ve enrolled her at a boarding art school housed in a former prison.
When Olive gets there, some of the aptitude tests don’t seem very artistic, and she ends up being placed in class to learn how to become a specially trained operative and spy.
Olive finally finds a place to belong, but it may all crumble if she and her fellow misfits fail their first mission—to bring down a jewel thief. A fast-paced and funny series opener.
Teen
“Bunt!: Striking Out on Financial Aid”
by Ngozi Ukazu, illustrated by Mad Rupert
Molly’s excited to start art college, but on the first day, she learns her full-ride scholarship has disappeared and she owes $39,000 for tuition.
Her only hope is an odd loophole—if she and nine other art students can win a varsity softball game, they’ll all get a full-ride athletic scholarship. This hilarious graphic novel offers a fun underdog sports team twist to the college story.
“The Notes”
by Catherine Con Morse
At a prestigious arts boarding school, pianist Claire Wu is taken with her demanding new piano teacher, the enigmatic Dr. Li. Shortly after classes begin for the new term, Claire starts receiving handwritten notes warning her to stay away from Dr. Li.
Many of her friends and classmates agree with the note-writer, but Claire finds herself blooming under Dr. Li’s high standards and finds comfort in having an Asian teacher in her predominantly white school.
A captivating musical coming-of-age novel that sensitively explores racial identity, belonging and mental illness.
