It’s back to school time! And while that may look a lot different this year for many students and families, it’s still an exciting time of year.  Back to school means fresh starts, new experiences, and learning new things. Get in the back to school groove with this book list for all ages.  These books have all the feels, including excitement, jitters, elation, and the ups and downs of school life.

These books are available in print copies which you can reserve and pick up at one of our Grab & Go Locations as well as some e-book and e-audio options. 

Young Readers & Listeners

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold, illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman Print, E Book

Amelia Bedelia’s First Day of School by Herman Parish, illustrated by Lynne Avril Print

Biscuit Goes to School by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, illustrated by Pat Schories Print, E Audio

Brand New Pencils Brand New Books by Diane De Groat Print

David Goes to School by David Shannon Print, Spanish

Dinosaur VS. School by Bob Shea Print 

Froggy Goes to School  by by Jonathan London, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz Print

How Do Dinosuars Go To School by Jane Yolen, Illustrated by Mark Teague Print

I Am Too Absolutely Small For School by Lauren Child Print

If I Built a School by Chris Van Dusen Print

If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Joffe Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond Print 

Keisha Ann Can by Daniel Kirk Print

Lllama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney Print

Lola Goes To School by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw Print

Pete the Cat: Rocking In My School Shoes by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean Print

Schools First Day of School by Adam Rex, illustrated by Christian Robinson Print, E Book In Spanish

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael Lopez Print, E Book, E Audio

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, illustrated by Ruth E Harper and Nancy M Leak Print, E Book 

The King of Kindergarten by Derrick D. Barnes, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton Print, E Audio

The Pigeon Has to Go to School! by Mo Willems Print

Twindergarten by Nikki Ehrlich, illustrated by Zoe Abbott Print

Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Print, E Audio, Spanish, Chinese

Upper Elementary/Middle School Titles

All’s Faire In Middle School by Victoria Jamieson Print, E-Book

Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova Print

Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea Print, E-Book, E -Audio

Big Nate Makes the Grade by Lincoln Peirce Print, E-Book

Frazzled: Everyday Disasters and Impending Doom by Booki Vivat Print, E-Book, E Audio

How to Survive Middle School by Donna Gephart E- Book

Locker Hero by Rachel Renee Russell Print, E-Book, E-Audio, Spanish

New Kid by Jerry Craft Print, E-Book, E Audio

Planet Middle School by Nikki Grimes Print, E Audio

Posted by John David Anderson Print, E-Book, E-Audio

Public School Superhero by James Patterson Print, E-Book, E-Audio

Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar Print, E-Book

The 47 People You’ll Meet In Middle School by Kristen Mary Mahoney Print, E-Book

The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Perez Print, E-Book

Totally Middle School: Tales of Friends, Family, and Fitting In Print, E-Book

High School Titles 

American Born Chinese Print, E-Book

Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes Print, E-Book

Chloe Snow’s Diary: Confessions of a High School Disaster by Emma Chastain Print

Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson Print, E-Book, E-Audio

Sleeping Freshman Never Lie by David Lubar E-Book

Sophmores and Other Oxymorons by David Lubar  Print, E-Book

Surviving High School by Lele Pons and Melissa de la Cruz  E-Book

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky Print, E-Book, E-Audio, Spanish

Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend. And check out our Staff Picks browse tool for more recommendations!