I know it may seem a little early for it, but this list of books looks forward to August and getting back to school!
Schools Past and Present
From the Series Bumba Books ® — Past and Present
Interest Level: Preschool – Grade 1
Compare and contrast what schools were like in the past to schools of the present! Age-appropriate critical thinking questions and a photo glossary help build nonfiction-learning skills and vocabulary, and vibrant visuals keep young readers engaged.
Sofia’s First Day of School
From the Series Cloverleaf Books ™ — Off to School
Interest Level: Kindergarten – Grade 2
It’s the first day of school! Sofia is little nervous at first, but as she meets her new teacher, learns her way around the school, and makes friends, she realizes that school is fun and exciting. Find out what else Sofia learns on her first day of school.
We Go on a School Bus
From the Series Ways We Go (LOOK! Books ™)
Interest Level: Kindergarten – Grade 2
With age-appropriate text and large engaging photos young readers are shown how kids go places on a school bus. “Good to Know” facts give higher-level details.
Note: This book comes out in August, but you can preorder it now!
Bundle of Nerves: A Story of Courage
From the Series Cloverleaf Books ™ — Stories with Character
Interest Level: Kindergarten – Grade 2
Luis is feeling nervous about the first day of school. His stomach hurts, and he’s worried he won’t know what to do if his teacher calls on him! From meeting new friends to asking for help finding his classroom, Luis has many new things to try. Turns out the first day of school isn’t so bad after all! Find out how Luis uses courage to help him get through the day.
The Universe Ate My Homework
Interest Level: Kindergarten – Grade 3
Abby hates doing homework. In fact, she’ll do just about anything to get out of it. So when she discovers an amazing scientific recipe for creating a parallel universe where she’ll never have to do homework again, she’s ready to jump right in. There’s just one small wrinkle—she might not be able to find a way back.
Inspired by mind-bending modern physics, David Zeltser and Ayesha L. Rubio spin the tale of a hilarious girl in a truly out-of-this-world adventure.
Not Without My Whale
From the Series Early Bird Readers — Green (Early Bird Stories ™)
Interest Level: Kindergarten – Grade 3
Arnold doesn’t want to go to school . . . not without his pet whale! Luckily, his neighbor Dora is full of good ideas! Now they just need to sneak it past their teacher. This story about a boy and his whale helps young children learn to read with colorful illustrations and carefully leveled text.
Note: This book comes out in August, but you can preorder it now!
Crunch and Crack, Oink and Whack!: An Onomatopoeia Story
Interest Level: Grade 2 – Grade 5
Rhyming verse from Brian P. Cleary presents the fictional Clip-Clop Elementary School’s celebration of “Onomatopoeia Day.” Enthusiastic young students make their way from band room (Rattle! Boom! Twang!) to the gym (Whiff! Whack! Swish!) to the science lab (Hiss! Spurt! Ding!) and beyond. Brief back matter offers additional examples of onomatopoeias—words that imitate sounds.
Seventh Grade vs. the Galaxy
Interest Level: Grade 4 – Grade 7
PSS 118 is just your typical school—except that it’s a rickety old spaceship orbiting Jupiter. When the school is mysteriously attacked, thirteen-year-old Jack receives a cryptic message from his father (the school’s recently-fired-for-tinkering-with-the-ship science teacher). Amidst the chaos, Jack discovers that his dad has built humanity’s first light-speed engine—and given Jack control of it. To save the ship, Jack catapults it hundreds of light-years away and right into the clutches of the first aliens humans have ever seen. School hasn’t just gotten out: it’s gone clear across the galaxy. And now it’s up to Jack and his friends to get everyone home.
Honor Code
Interest Level: Grade 8 – Grade 12
Sam knows how lucky she is to be part of the elite Edwards Academy. As she dreams of getting into Harvard one day, she’s willing to do anything to fit in and excel at the private high school. Even if that means enduring hazing, signing up for a sport she hates, and attending the school dance with an upperclassman she barely knows.
But when she learns the high cost of entry, will Sam be willing to bury the worst night of her life in order to “keep the community sacred”? As the line between truth and justice blurs, Sam must find out for herself what honor really means.
Series: AI High
Interest Level: Grade 6 – Grade 12
Six months after the US government has officially recognized a group of androids with artificial intelligence as a race of living beings, Fitzgerald High School has started a pilot program to integrate human and android students, earning it the nickname AI High. The goal is for both groups to learn how to live and work together, but whether they’re human or android, teenagers will always have drama.
This is highly engaging, easy to read series of four books has a grade 4 reading level. The subject matter is best for kids in grades 6 to 12.
Note: These books comes out in August, but you can preorder now!
I, Claudia
Interest Level: Grade 8 – Grade 12
A 2019 Michael L. Printz Honor Book
Disaffected teen historian Claudia McCarthy never expected to be in charge of Imperial Day Academy, but by accident, design, or scheme, she is pulled into the tumultuous and high-profile world of the Senate and Honor Council. Suddenly, Claudia is wielding power over her fellow students that she never expected to have and isn’t sure she wants.
Claudia vows to use her power to help the school. But there are forces aligned against her: shocking scandals, tyrants waiting in the wings, and political dilemmas with no easy answers. As Claudia struggles to be a force for good in the universe, she wrestles with the question: does power inevitably corrupt?