Read-alouds and series
Back-to-school books for kids
Books for first-day worries and for starting a new school year, from kindergarten to middle school.
Titles, authors and publication details were checked against Open Library in October 2026; age ranges follow publisher and library guidance and are approximate. Series order is the order of publication. Checked 2026-10-25. Nobody paid to be here. The buy links are plain search links, not affiliate links, so Peabody earns nothing from them.
The Kissing Hand
Audrey Penn · Ages 3-6
A mother raccoon sends her son to school with a kiss on his hand.
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Chrysanthemum
Kevin Henkes · Ages 4-8
A mouse loves her name until school teases her.
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First Day Jitters
Julie Danneberg · Ages 4-8
Sarah is afraid of starting school; twist at the end.
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Wemberly Worried
Kevin Henkes · Ages 3-7
A mouse who worries about everything starts school.
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David Goes to School
David Shannon · Ages 3-7
The famous naughty kid in a classroom.
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Miss Nelson Is Missing!
Harry Allard · Ages 4-8
Students misbehave and the substitute is a witch.
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The Night Before Kindergarten
Natasha Wing · Ages 3-6
A rhyme for the evening before.
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Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
Kevin Henkes · Ages 4-8
Lilly loves her teacher until he takes her purse.
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Thank You, Mr. Falker
Patricia Polacco · Ages 6-10
A teacher helps a child with reading trouble.
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Frindle
Andrew Clements · Ages 8-11
A fifth grader and a dictionary-loving teacher.
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Sideways Stories from Wayside School
Louis Sachar · Ages 7-10
A school built the wrong way.
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Wonder
R. J. Palacio · Ages 8-12
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