Kids Picks
It’s hard to believe that summer is over. Every year it seems to go by faster and faster! Now it’s time to go back to school, back to sports and just back to the craziness that the fall months bring. When you are traveling in the car to your next soccer game, or just have some time to relax, here are some books to help get you back in the school spirit!
Ages 3-5
“First Day Jitters” by Julie Danneberg
First days are always a little bit hard. Sarah Jane Hartwell is not ready to start over again at a new school. She doesn’t know anyone and no one knows her. She knows that it’s going to be horrible. But her dad talks her into finally going. Mrs. Burton is ready for her and helps ease her nerves. Maybe a new school won’t be so bad after all?
“Kindergarten Rocks!” by Katie Davis
Dexter is ready to start kindergarten but has a lot of first-day fears he needs to conquer first. What if everyone is mean to him? What if he doesn’t like his teacher? What if his friends aren’t his friends anymore? Dexter is nervous, but his sister Jessie reminds him that everything will be fine because, after all, kindergarten rocks!
Ages 6-8
“Be Kind” by Pat Zietlow Miller
It’s seems that now more than ever, children need to learn how to be kind. But what does it mean? What do you say to make someone feel better when they spilled juice all over their dress? How can you help the kid being bullied in your class? “Be Kind” is a moving story about what kindness is and how anyone can make a difference in someone else’s life.
“Do Not Bring Your Dragon to Recess” by Julie A. Gassman
Dragons love recess, too! They love to swing on the swings and go down the slide just like children. But recess proves to be challenging for some dragons. The yellow one runs over the principal on his way outside. The green one’s legs are too short for the monkey bars, the blue dragon makes the merry-go-round go way too fast and the purple dragon spits out flames when she gets excited! Can the dragons ever get through recess without a disaster? With the help of some close friends, they can!
Ages 9-12
“Forget Me Not” by Ellie Terry
Calliope June is starting the year at a new school. She’s nervous that the kids will notice she has Tourette’s syndrome. This means she makes faces and noises that she doesn’t mean to make. She tries hard to hide it but it isn’t before long that the kids catch on. Only her neighbor, also the popular student-body president, sees Calliope for the wonderful person and friend that she is. The only problem is that no one knows they are friends. Will he be brave enough to let everyone know?
“Making Friends” by Kristen Gudsnuk
Danielle loves sixth grade. She was in the same room with all of her friends and she sailed through with no worries. Seventh grade isn’t looking too promising. Now she’s in a new middle school, her friends are all in different classes making new friends and Danielle is a mess. When she inherits a magical sketchbook from her great-aunt, she draws herself a new, imaginary best friend, Madison. Madison comes to life and right off of the page! Unfortunately, even when you create a best friend, you won’t always agree on everything. To add to her problems, Danielle also drew a cartoon villain, and he too has come to life. Can she and Madison work together to stop him from causing any problems?
