Classroom Community Books: My 26 Favorites for Back to School
The first weeks of school can feel like a whirlwind. You’re trying to teach procedures, establish routines, and build a classroom community… all while managing emotions, supplies, and that one kid who showed up without a backpack.
Books can help.
Reading aloud is one of the easiest, most powerful ways to connect with your students, especially those still unsure or reluctant to dive into a new school year.
That’s why I’ve rounded up 27 of my favorite back-to-school books that help set the tone for a respectful, inclusive, and connected classroom. Whether you’re in a traditional classroom or homeschooling a neurodivergent learner, these stories open the door to empathy, discussion, and shared values.
Let’s jump in.
1. Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen
This sweet, simple story is a go-to for building classroom community from day one. It helps students understand that your classroom is a safe place where everyone belongs…like a family.
Even upper elementary students respond well to the warmth of the message (especially when you pair it with a meaningful activity!). After reading, I love doing a bulletin board craft where students share how they’ll help the class feel like a family. It’s the perfect mix of social-emotional learning and first-week fun.
1. You’re Here for a Reason by Nancy Tillman
A heartwarming read that reminds students they matter. This book is perfect for teaching about small acts of kindness and the ripple effect our actions can have.
Try pairing it with a classroom kindness challenge or a shout-out board to help students recognize and celebrate thoughtful behavior. I’ve shared more details about how to get started here: How to build classroom community the first days of school.
2. What Do You Do with a Problem? by Kobi Yamada
This beautifully illustrated book tackles the emotional side of problem-solving. It helps kids name their feelings and realize that problems are opportunities in disguise.
Use it to kick off your problem-solving anchor chart or a discussion about growth mindset.
3. Wordy Birdy by Tammi Sauer
Wordy Birdy talks non-stop…and rarely listens! This humorous story is great for introducing listening skills, class discussion norms, and modeling active listening.
Upper elementary students love the playful tone, and it’s a great gateway to co-creating class expectations.
4. What Do You Do With An Idea? by Kobi Yamada
This book celebrates creativity and the courage to share your voice. It’s a powerful message for students who are hesitant to raise their hand or share their thinking.
Perfect for pairing with a “big ideas” classroom journal or reflection routine.
5. Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller
Simple, relatable, and deeply effective. This story explores what kindness looks like in real life, even when it’s hard.
Use it to launch a kindness pledge or role-play activity around helping peers.
6. The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill
This is a very cute rhyming story that talks about bullying on the playground.
It is so important to explicitly teach appropriate recess behavior because it is a time where students are not as easily supervised. Free play can lead to mischief and hurt feelings unless clear rules and expectations are set from the beginning.
Consider following up with a student-created “recess rules” poster or a classroom agreement about conflict resolution.
7. The Bad Seed by Jory John & Pete Oswald
This story is narrated by a bad sunflower seed who explains all the reasons he is so bad, and it is perfect for discussing rules and behavior.
With humor and heart, this story explores behavior and second chances. The Bad Seed shows kids it’s okay to mess up — and try again.
It’s a great opener for goal-setting or a “classroom reset” talk.
8. I Am Enough by Grace Byers
Celebrate self-worth and the value of every learner. This poetic book is ideal for affirming students’ identities and setting the tone for an inclusive space.
The story itself is full of metaphors about reaching goals, being proud, and trying your best. It celebrates individuality and opens the conversation about differences within the classroom.
Try using it as a springboard for student-created affirmations or a class poem.
9. We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
A silly, relatable story for the first day of school, especially when you want to talk about feelings and making friends.
Penelope Rex is a dinosaur nervous about her first day of school. She is surprised to find out that her classmates aren’t dinosaurs like her but…children! No one wants to be friends with a dinosaur who eats her classmates!
This book made me laugh out loud a few times, and it is great for all ages. Younger students love the dinosaur twist, while older students can discuss empathy and belonging.
10. The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
This beautiful story speaks to every child who has ever felt different or left out. It encourages courage, connection, and compassion.
Whether they’ve been separated from friends, are brand new to the school, or just don’t feel like they fit in, this story reminds us that we all feel like we don’t quite fit in sometimes. It focuses on teaching students to push forward and be courageous anyway, because they never know who might make the perfect friend.
Great for discussion circles or a classroom community quilt project.
11. The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School by Laura Murray
A fun adventure that introduces school staff and helps students learn their way around.
The Gingerbread Man is left behind when his class leaves for recess, but he is determined to find his class. On his quest, he meets the school nurse, the gym teacher, and even the principal.
Pair it with a school scavenger hunt or an introduction-to-our-school hallway walk.
12. Sorry, Grown-Ups, You Can’t Go to School by Christina Geist
Funny and lighthearted, this story flips the narrative and helps students see school as a place where they belong.
The story is funny and fast-paced, and students love the illustrations. It is a great opportunity to discuss personal responsibility. I love making the connections that their parents aren’t in our class, so it isn’t mom or dad’s responsibility to remember to come prepared to learn each day. Instead, I remind my students that THEY can take this on themselves this year.
13. My Creature Teacher by Laura Leuck
This monster-themed book introduces school rules in a way that’s fun and memorable.
I especially love that this book goes through classroom, lunchroom, and playground scenarios to help start a discussion about how students should act in those different settings.
Perfect for reinforcing classroom behavior expectations in an engaging, non-threatening way.
14. Ten Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break if You Want to Survive the School Bus by John Grandits
This laugh-out-loud story is perfect for launching transportation procedures. Bonus: it also models flexible thinking.
The main character, Kyle, is nervous about his first day riding the bus. His older brother explains the 10 unbreakable rules he must follow. However, during the ride Kyle is faced with scenarios that go in the face of each rule his brother has taught him. By the end, he realizes that the bus isn’t so bad and that he might even have a few tricks to teach his big brother.
Add a map activity to extend the learning across subject areas.
15. The Exceptionally Extraordinarily Ordinary First Day of School by Albert Lorenz
A highly imaginative tale that encourages kids to feel excited about sharing their own stories.
The story revolves around John, who is new to his school. When asked if this school is different than his old school, his reply creates a wacky and wild tale that thrills his new classmates and leaves them riveted.
This book is truly hilarious, and it is great for helping new students feel a little more comfortable in their new classroom. Extend the story by inviting students to write their own “wild tale” about what their summer was like.
16. The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett
Beatrice is perfect — until she’s not. This story is ideal for discussing growth mindset and creating a safe space for academic risk-taking.
The perfectionists in your classroom will relate to Beatrice, the main character. She never forgets homework, always does everything she is supposed to, and even wins the talent show EVERY YEAR.
This book is truly hilarious, and it is great for helping new students feel a little more comfortable in their new classroom.
17. First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg
A perennial favorite for a reason. This story normalizes nerves and starts the year with laughter.
So many students can relate to Sarah Hartwell’s worries as she faces the first day of school in a new place. With Mr. Hartwell’s help, Sarah pulls herself together for the ride to school and faces her fears head-on with the help of the school principal.
This is such a good story for the first day, and the kids love the plot twist at the end. When you finish reading, ask students to share what they were nervous about and how they overcame it.
18. Back-to-School Rules by Laurie B. Friedman
Percy’s guide to surviving school is filled with humor and back-to-school truth. A great lead-in to setting class expectations.
Students love hearing about the trouble Percy gets himself into and the tips he has for a new school year, and the story lends itself to a discussion about what the rules and expectations are for your classroom.
Have students brainstorm their own “rule list” to contribute to your classroom norms or use it as a jumping off point for building your social contract.
19. The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
This touching story is about identity, belonging, and the power of names. It opens up space for every child to feel seen.
The story revolves around Unhei, who has just arrived in the United States from Korea. As she begins the school year, she wonders if she should choose an American name and struggles with how she will choose.
Extend the story with a name art project, student interviews, or a Venn diagram project.
20. Dear Teacher by Amy Husband
Silly letters, wild excuses, and a kid trying to avoid the first day of school. This story is pure fun.
This story is a perfect opportunity to get your students giggling. Written in the form of letters from a student named Michael, this book is packed with zany adventures. Michael writes his new teacher to tell her tales that include pirates, space adventures, and more…but none of it can save him from the first day of school. Or can it?
Follow up with a friendly letter-writing activity for students to introduce themselves.
21. Adventures to School: Real-Life Journeys of Students from Around the World by Miranda Paul & Baptiste Paul
This nonfiction read is great for starting a global conversation about school routines and transportation.
Try shaking things up by reading Adventures to School with your students. It shares how thirteen different students from around the globe get to school each day. While all the journeys are different, each ends with the same goal.
While you are reading, you can plot each child’s home on a map for added learning. Then discuss the various ways your students arrive and depart school before reviewing dismissal procedures on the first day.
22. How to Get Your Teacher Ready by Jean Reagan
Turn the tables with this playful book that has students preparing the teacher. It builds community and excitement.
In this version, the students explain how to make your teacher feel welcome during the school year. It is quite funny, and it really would lend itself to great conversations about procedures and building community at the beginning of a new school year.
Let students brainstorm what their teacher will need to thrive this year!
24. This School Year Will Be the Best by Kay Winters
Each student shares a hope for the year, from silly to sincere. This story is perfect for vision setting.
The book revolves around a new class discussing what they’d like to happen during the school year. From the familiar to the zany, each student shares his or her hopes. With engaging and hilarious illustrations, your students are sure to love this story and it lends itself perfectly to a discussion of what the new year might hold.
Try it with a “Hopes for the Year” writing or art activity.
24. I Didn’t Do My Homework Because… by Davide Cal
Wild excuses and creative illustrations make this a great way to talk about responsibility.
With all kinds of crazy excuses about why the student’s homework isn’t complete, this story gets wilder with each page turn. Your students will love the illustrations, and you’ll love that you get to discuss homework without getting glazed-over expressions from your students.
Have students create their own zany excuse page to build engagement and reinforce expectations.
25. The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
A quiet, powerful story about inclusion, empathy, and friendship. Brian’s journey will resonate with many of your students.
This story is about Brian, who no one seems to notice and is always left out. However, when a new student comes to class, Brian is the first to welcome and befriend him. When the pair team up on a class project, Brian finally gets his chance to shine.
This story is perfect for discussing being inclusive and welcoming all students. Use it to spark a class discussion or buddy-building activity.
26. The Sandwich Swap by Queen Rania of Jordan Al Abdullah
Speaking of books that are all about accepting differences, this one is a real back-to-school read-aloud winner.
The story is about best friends who love doing things together, especially eating lunch. Lily eats peanut butter and Salma eats hummus. No big deal, right? Until it is…
As students watch the story unfold, Salma and Lily find a way to put aside their differences and learn that we are all unique and that our differences shouldn’t get in the way of friendship.
You can follow up this book with a “Find Someone Who” activity that helps students focus on their similarities with peers they may not have known before.
Free “Find a Friend” Back-to-School Activity
Building a strong classroom community is about helping students see what they have in common and feel good about what makes them unique.
To help your students make meaningful connections during those first days, grab this free printable: a “Find a Friend” activity designed to spark conversations and build bridges.
Looking for more back-to-school teaching tips, book-based activities, and ready-to-use resources for your first week?
Explore my Back-to-School Activities for easy-to-implement tools that help you focus on what matters most: building a classroom where every student feels seen, safe, and ready to learn.
Looking for more great books for your classroom?
Look no further than these posts I’ve created on my blog.
