CCBC Booklists

CCBC booklist are compiled from books we have recommended in various editions of CCBC Choices. Most of these booklists are updated annually. You can also select books from one or more booklists to create a custom list, which can also include additional books from the CCBC-Recommended Book Search.

To print a CCBC booklist, click on a list below and then use your browser’s “Print” command.  

< Back to booklists

School Stories: Selected PreK-12 Literature about the School Experience

©2025, 2011 Cooperative Children's Book Center

Compiled by Merri Lindgren and Megan Schliesman

From first days to final exams, school is a huge part of the life of children and teens. This bibliography highlights books about various dimensions of the education experience. It is divided into the following categories:

  • First Days: Starting school at a new school, worry about starting school
  • Fitting In: Interacting with peers
  • Terrific Teachers: Adults who make a big difference in the lives of their students
  • Life Lessons: Experiences within and beyond the classroom
  • Classroom Comedies: Humorous school stories or satirical looks at education today

Related CCBC Bibliography:

Thick-Skinned, Thin-Skinned, The Skin I’m In: Books about Bullying, Teasing, and Relational Aggression

First Days

PreK-Grade 3

Edda: A Little Valkyrie's First Day of School
Edda: A Little Valkyrie's First Day of School
by Auerbach, Adam
Illustrated by Adam Auerbach. Christy Ottaviano Books/Henry Holt, 2014. 32 pages. Ages 4-7

The King of Kindergarten
The King of Kindergarten
by Barnes, Derrick
Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin Random House, 2019. 32 pages. Ages 3-7

Lena's Shoes Are Nervous
Lena's Shoes Are Nervous
by Calabrese, Keith
Illustrated by Juana Medina. Atheneum/Simon & Schuster, 2018. 32 pages. Ages 3-7

Camp Tiger
Camp Tiger
by Choi, Susan
Illustrated by John Rocco. Penguin Random House/Putnam, 2019. 40 pages. Ages 4-8

Jack's Talent
Jack's Talent
by Cocca-Leffler, Maryann
Illustrated by Maryann Cocca-Leffler. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2007. 32 pages. Ages 5-7

A New School Year: Stories in Six Voices
A New School Year: Stories in Six Voices
by Derby, Sally
Illustrated by Mika Song. Charlesbridge, 2017. 48 pages. Ages 5-10

Pa Lia's First Day
Pa Lia's First Day
by Edwards, Michelle
Harcourt , 1999. 50 pages. Ages 5-8

Mrs. Watson Wants Your Teeth
Mrs. Watson Wants Your Teeth
by McGhee, Alison
Illustrated by Harry Bliss. Harcourt , 2004. 32 pages. Ages 5-8

My First Day
My First Day
by Phung Nguyen, Quang and Lien Huynh Kim
Illustrated by Quang Phung Nguyen and Lien Huynh Kim. Make Me A World, 2021. 40 pages. Ages 4-8

School's First Day of School
School's First Day of School
by Rex, Adam
Illustrated by Christian Robinson. Neal Porter Books/Roaring Brook, 2016. 32 pages. Ages 4-7

Grades 4-8

365 Days to Alaska
365 Days to Alaska
by Carr, Cathy
Abrams/Amulet, 2021. 263 pages. Ages 9-12

New Kid
New Kid
by Craft, Jerry
Illustrated by Jerry Craft. Harper, 2019. 249 pages. Ages 9-13

A Place at the Table
A Place at the Table
by Faruqi, Saadia and Laura Shovan
Clarion/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2020. 325 pages. Ages 9-12

Where You See Yourself
Where You See Yourself
by Forrest, Claire
Scholastic/Scholastic Press, 2023. 306 pages. Age 12 and older

 
La Mariposa
by Jimenez, Francisco
Illustrated by Simon Silva. Houghton Mifflin , 1998. 40 pages. Ages 8-11

Because of the Rabbit
Because of the Rabbit
by Lord, Cynthia
Scholastic Press, 2019. 183 pages. Ages 8-11

Mr. Wolf's Class
Mr. Wolf's Class
by Steinke, Aron Nels
Illustrated by Aron Nels Steinke. Graphix/Scholastic, 2018. 153 pages. Ages 7-10

Fitting In

PreK-Grade 3

 
My Name Is Maria Isabel
by Ada, Alma Flor
Illustrated by K. Dyble Thompson. Atheneum, 1993. 57 pages. Ages 7-9

The Proudest Blue
The Proudest Blue
by Ali, S. K. and Ibtihaj Muhammad
Illustrated by Hatem Aly. Little, Brown, 2019. 32 pages. Ages 4-8

Malcolm at Midnight
Malcolm at Midnight
by Beck, W.H.
Illustrated by Brian Lies. Houghton Mifflin , 2012. 265 pages. Ages 7-10

David's Drawings
David's Drawings
by Falwell, Cathryn
Illustrated by Cathryn Falwell. Lee & Low, 2001. 32 pages. Ages 4-7

Henry the Boy
Henry the Boy
by Felder, Molly
Illustrated by Nate Christopherson and Tara Sweeney. Penny Candy, 2019. 36 pages. Ages 5-7

Friends
Friends
by Ikegami, Aiko
Illustrated by Aiko Ikegami. Albert Whitman, 2016. 32 pages. Ages 4-7

The New Kid
The New Kid
by Jukes, Mavis
Alfred A. Knopf, 2011. 277 pages. Ages 7-9

The Apple Orchard Riddle
The Apple Orchard Riddle
by McNamara, Margaret
Illustrated by G. Brian Karas. Schwartz & Wade, 2013. 36 pages. Ages 5-8

The Used-to-Be Best Friend (Jo Jo Makoons, #1)
The Used-to-Be Best Friend (Jo Jo Makoons, #1)
by Quigley, Dawn
Illustrated by Tara Audibert. HarperCollins/Heartdrum, 2021. 62 pages. Ages 5-8

Sona Sharma: A Friend Indeed
Sona Sharma: A Friend Indeed
by Soundar, Chitra
Illustrated by Jen Khatun. Candlewick/Walker, 2024. 114 pages. Ages 7-10

Grades 4-8

The Next Great Paulie Fink
The Next Great Paulie Fink
by Benjamin, Ali
Little, Brown, 2019. 384 pages. Ages 9-12

Out of My Mind
Out of My Mind
by Draper, Sharon M.
Simon & Schuster, 2010. 295 pages. Ages 9-13

Almost American Girl
Almost American Girl
by Ha, Robin
Illustrated by Robin Ha. Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins, 2020. 227 pages. Age 12 and older

Tales of a Seventh-Grade Lizard Boy
Tales of a Seventh-Grade Lizard Boy
by Hill, Jonathan
Illustrated by Jonathan Hill. Candlewick/Walker, 2022. 264 pages. Ages 9-13

You Should See Me in a Crown
You Should See Me in a Crown
by Johnson, Leah
Scholastic Press, 2020. 324 pages. Age 12 and older

Pie in the Sky
Pie in the Sky
by Lai, Remy
Illustrated by Remy Lai. Henry Holt, 2019. 384 pages. Ages 8-12

The Dubious Pranks of Shaindy Goodman
The Dubious Pranks of Shaindy Goodman
by Lowe, Mari
Levine Querido, 2023. 162 pages. Ages 9-12

Can You See Me?
Can You See Me?
by Scott, Libby and Rebecca Westcott
Scholastic Press, 2020. 362 pages. Ages 9-12

The Tryout
The Tryout
by Soontornvat, Christina
Illustrated by Joanna Cacao. Graphix/Scholastic, 2022. 255 pages. Ages 8-12

Play Like a Girl
Play Like a Girl
by Wilson, Misty
Illustrated by David Wilson. Balzer + Bray/HarperAlley, 2022. 258 pages. Ages 10-13

Terrific Teachers

PreK-Grade 3

What Grew in Larry's Garden
What Grew in Larry's Garden
by Alary, Laura
Illustrated by Kass Reich. Kids Can, 2020. 32 pages. Ages 4-7

When Sophie's Feelings Are Really, Really Hurt
When Sophie's Feelings Are Really, Really Hurt
by Bang, Molly
Illustrated by Molly Bang. Blue Sky/Scholastic, 2015. 32 pages.

The Year of Billy Miller
The Year of Billy Miller
by Henkes, Kevin
Greenwillow, 2013. 229 pages. Ages 6-9

Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
by Henkes, Kevin
Illustrated by Kevin Henkes. Greenwillow/HarperCollins, 1996. 32 pages. Ages 4-8

Still Sal (A Miller Family Story)
Still Sal (A Miller Family Story)
by Henkes, Kevin
Illustrated by Kevin Henkes. Greenwillow/HarperCollins, 2024. 248 pages. Ages 5-9

The Upside Down Boy = El Nino de Cabeza
The Upside Down Boy = El Nino de Cabeza
by Herrera, Juan Felipe
Illustrated by Elizabeth Gomez. Children's Book Press, 2000. 32 pages. Ages 6-9

The Best Teacher in Second Grade
The Best Teacher in Second Grade
by Kenah, Katharine
Illustrated by Abby Carter. HarperCollins, 2006. 48 pages. Ages 5-7

Another Squiggly Story
Another Squiggly Story
by Larsen, Andrew
Illustrated by Mike Lowery. Kids Can, 2022. 32 pages. Ages 6-9

The Homesick Club
The Homesick Club
by Martinez, Libby
Illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon. Groundwood/House of Anansi, 2020. 32 pages. Ages 5-8

Grades 4-8

What Stars Are Made Of
What Stars Are Made Of
by Allen, Sarah
Farrar Straus Giroux/Macmillan, 2020. 276 pages. Ages 9-12

Love That Dog: A Novel
Love That Dog: A Novel
by Creech, Sharon
HarperCollins/Joanna Cotler Books, 2001. 84 pages. Ages 8-12

Hate That Cat
Hate That Cat
by Creech, Sharon
HarperCollins/Joanna Cotler Books, 2008. 153 pages. Ages 8-11

The Lucky Ones
The Lucky Ones
by Jackson, Linda Williams
Candlewick, 2022. 308 pages. Ages 8-12

Deer Run Home
Deer Run Home
by LeZotte, Ann Clare
Scholastic/Scholastic Press, 2024. 224 pages. Ages 10-13

Bluefish
Bluefish
by Schmatz, Pat
Candlewick, 2011. 240 pages. Ages 10-14

Locomotion
Locomotion
by Woodson, Jacqueline
Putnam, 2003. 128 pages. Ages 9-12

Life Lessons

PreK-Grade 3

Henry, Like Always
Henry, Like Always
by Bailey, Jenn
Illustrated by Mika Song. Chronicle, 2023. 40 pages. Ages 4-8

When Sophie Thinks She Can't...
When Sophie Thinks She Can't...
by Bang, Molly
Blue Sky/Scholastic, 2018. 32 pages. Ages 4-8

John's Turn
John's Turn
by Barnett, Mac
Illustrated by Kate Berube. Candlewick, 2022. 32 pages. Ages 5-8

Those Shoes
Those Shoes
by Boelts, Maribeth
Illustrated by Noah Z. Jones. Candlewick, 2007. 32 pages. Ages 5-8

Priscilla Gorilla
Priscilla Gorilla
by Bottner, Barbara
Illustrated by Michael Emberley. Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, 2017. 40 pages. Ages 4-7

The Secret Pocket
The Secret Pocket
by Janicki, Peggy
Illustrated by Carrielynn Victor. Orca, 2023. 30 pages. Ages 6-9

I Forgive Alex: A Simple Story about Understanding
I Forgive Alex: A Simple Story about Understanding
by Kerascoet,
Illustrated by Kerascoet. Random House/Random House Studio, 2022. 32 pages. Ages 4-8

The Dinosaur Expert
The Dinosaur Expert
by McNamara, Margaret
Illustrated by G. Brian Karas. Penguin Random House/Schwartz & Wade, 2018. 32 pages. Ages 4-8

One Boy Watching
One Boy Watching
by Snider, Grant
Illustrated by Grant Snider. Chronicle, 2022. 52 pages. Ages 4-7

Grades 4-8

We Still Belong
We Still Belong
by Day, Christine
HarperCollins/Heartdrum, 2023. 249 pages. Ages 9-12

Not an Easy Win
Not an Easy Win
by Giles, Chrystal D.
Random House, 2023. 245 pages. Ages 9-12

Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone
Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone
by Keller, Tae
Random House, 2022. 277 pages. Ages 9-12

We Dream of Space
We Dream of Space
by Kelly, Erin Entrada
Greenwillow/HarperCollins, 2020. 391 pages. Ages 9-12

The 47 People You'll Meet in Middle School
The 47 People You'll Meet in Middle School
by Mahoney, Kristin
Knopf/Random House, 2019. 291 pages. Ages 9-12

Merci Suarez Changes Gears
Merci Suarez Changes Gears
by Medina, Meg
Candlewick, 2018. 355 pages. Ages 9-12

Tiger Boy
Tiger Boy
by Perkins, Mitali
Illustrated by Jamie Hogan. Charlesbridge, 2015. 140 pages. Ages 7-10

A Good Kind of Trouble
A Good Kind of Trouble
by Ramee, Lisa Moore
Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins, 2019. 358 pages. Ages 10-13

Black Brother, Black Brother
Black Brother, Black Brother
by Rhodes, Jewell Parker
Little, Brown, 2020. 239 pages. Ages 10-13

Not Your All-American Girl
Not Your All-American Girl
by Shang, Wendy Wan-Long and Madelyn Rosenberg
Scholastic Press, 2020. 243 pages. Ages 9-12

Harbor Me
Harbor Me
by Woodson, Jacqueline
Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin Random House, 2018. 176 pages. Ages 9-12

Grades 9-12

Vinyl Moon
Vinyl Moon
by Browne, Mahogany L.
Crown/Penguin Random House, 2022. 166 pages. Age 13 and older

Here to Stay
Here to Stay
by Farizan, Sara
Algonquin, 2018. 265 pages. Age 13 and older

The Passing Playbook
The Passing Playbook
by Fitzsimons, Isaac
Dial/Penguin Random House, 2021. 299 pages. Ages 11-15

The Silence that Binds Us
The Silence that Binds Us
by Ho, Joanna
HarperCollins/HarperTeen, 2022. 437 pages. Age 14 and older

The Henna Wars
The Henna Wars
by Jaigirdar, Adiba
Page Street, 2020. 387 pages. Age 12 and older

On the Bright Side
On the Bright Side
by Sortino, Anna
Penguin Random House/Putnam, 2024. 305 pages. Age 12 and older

Watch Us Rise
Watch Us Rise
by Watson, Renee and Ellen Hagan
Bloomsbury, 2019. 360 pages. Age 12 and older

Louder Than Words
Louder Than Words
by Woodfolk, Ashley and Lexi Underwood
Scholastic/Scholastic Press, 2024. 320 pages. Age 13 and older

My Flawless Life
My Flawless Life
by Woon, Yvonne
HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Books, 2023. 337 pages. Age 13 and older

Classroom Comedies

PreK-Grade 3

A Fine, Fine School
A Fine, Fine School
by Creech, Sharon
Illustrated by Harry Bliss. HarperCollins, 2001. 32 pages. Ages 4-8

The Dunderheads
The Dunderheads
by Fleischman, Paul
Illustrated by David Roberts. Candlewick, 2009. 54 pages. Age 8 and older

We Don't Eat Our Classmates
We Don't Eat Our Classmates
by Higgins, Ryan T.
Illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins. Disney/Hyperion, 2018. 40 pages. Ages 4-8

Snow Day!
Snow Day!
by Laminack, Lester L.
Illustrated by Adam Gustavson. Peachtree, 2007. 32 pages. Ages 5-9

Lulu and the Duck in the Park
Lulu and the Duck in the Park
by McKay, Hilary
Illustrated by Priscilla Lamont. Albert Whitman, 2012. 104 pages. Ages 4-7

Superhero School
Superhero School
by Reynolds, Aaron
Illustrated by Andy Rash. Bloomsbury, 2009. 32 pages. Ages 6-10

The World's Best Class Plant
The World's Best Class Plant
by Scanlon, Liz Garton and Audrey Vernick
Illustrated by Lynnor Bontigao. Penguin Random House/Putnam, 2023. 32 pages. Ages 4-8

Grades 4-8

No Talking
No Talking
by Clements, Andrew
Illustrated by Mark Elliott. Simon & Schuster, 2007. 146 pages. Ages 8-11

The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School
The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School
by Fleming, Candace
Schwartz & Wade, 2007. 186 pages. Ages 8-11

Spy School
Spy School
by Gibbs, Stuart
Simon & Schuster, 2012. 290 pages. Ages 9-12

Amelia Westlake Was Never Here
Amelia Westlake Was Never Here
by Gough, Erin
Little, Brown/Poppy, 2019. 356 pages. Age 12 and older

Sal & Gabi Break the Universe
Sal & Gabi Break the Universe
by Hernandez, Carlos
Disney/Hyperion/Rick Riordan Presents, 2019. 382 pages. Ages 10-13

To Catch A Cheat
To Catch A Cheat
by Johnson, Varian
Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic, 2016. 241 pages. Ages 9-13

The Great Greene Heist
The Great Greene Heist
by Johnson, Varian
Arthur A. Levine Books, 2015. 226 pages. Ages 9-13

Lunch Lady and the League of Librarians
Lunch Lady and the League of Librarians
by Krosoczka, Jarrett J.
Illustrated by Jarrett J. Krosoczka. Knopf/Random House, 2009. 96 pages. Ages 7-10

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Our Recommended Book Search includes access to CCBC-recommended titles based on subject headings created by our staff.

Please send questions or comments about CCBC booklists to ccbcinfo@education.wisc.edu.