SSD Public Website: Booklists: September

Back to School Read Alouds

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold; Suzanne Kaufman Follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where kids in patkas, hijabs, and yarmulkes play side-by-side with friends in baseball caps. A school where students grow and learn from each other's traditions and the whole community gathers to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
The Book of Rules by Tom Knight (Illustrator); Brian Gehrlein An interactive picture book with dynamic illustrations, in which readers have to follow the rules or risk a run-in with a monster--with a gentle approach to mindfulness along the way. Beware! This book has rules. You must follow all the rules. If you break the rules . . . Dennis the monster will eat you. And you don't want to be Dennis-food--do you? With a laugh-out-loud, interactive style, The Book of Rules invites you to get your sillies out before it's time to focus and listen to directions. And you better get started, because Dennis can't wait to eat--or, um--meet you!
Butterflies on the First Day of School by A. Silvestro The first day of school is exciting--but it can be scary, too! Meet Rosie, a brand-new student who just happens to have butterflies in her stomach.
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson; Rafael López There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you. There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it's how you look, talk, or where you're from; maybe it's what you eat, or something just as random. It's not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it.
Donut Worry by Christianne Jones; Jack Viant (Illustrator) Poor Donut is feeling anxious. School is about to start again, and Donut can't stop all sorts of worries from filling her round donut head. She's tired of her friends and family saying, "Don't worry!" As if it's that easy! Can her new friend, Cookie, help her find ways to manage her anxiety?
First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg; Judy Love Sarah Jane Hartwell is scared and doesn't want to start over at a new school. She doesn't know anybody, and nobody knows her. It will be awful. She just knows it. With much prodding from Mr. Hartwell, Sarah Jane reluctantly pulls herself together and goes to school. She is quickly befriended by Mrs. Burton, who helps smooth her jittery transition.
The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School by Laura Murray When a class leaves for recess, their just-baked Gingerbread Man is left behind. But he's a smart cookie and heads out to find them. He'll run, slide, skip, and (after a mishap with a soccer ball) limp as fast as he can because: "I can catch them! I'm their Gingerbread Man!" With help from the gym teacher, the nurse, the art teacher and even the principal, the Gingerbread Man does find his class, and he's assured they'll never leave him behind again.
Harry Versus the First 100 Days of School by Emily Jenkins In just one hundred days, Harry will learn how to overcome first-day jitters, what a "family circle" is, why guinea pigs aren't scary after all, what a silent "e" is about, how to count to 100 in tons of different ways, and much more. He'll make great friends, celebrate lots of holidays, and learn how to use his words. In other words, he will become an expert first grader.
How to Read a Story by Kate Messner; Mark Siegel (Illustrator) Step One: Find a story. (A good one.) Step Two: Find a reading buddy. (Someone nice.) Step Three: Find a reading spot. (Couches are cozy.) Now: Begin. Accomplished storytellers Kate Messner and Mark Siegel chronicle the process of becoming a reader: from pulling a book off the shelf and finding someone with whom to share a story, to reading aloud, predicting what will happen, and--finally--coming to The End. This picture book playfully and movingly illustrates the idea that the reader who discovers the love of reading finds, at the end, the beginning.
If I Built a School by Chris Van Dusen (Illustrator) Imaginative Jack describes the kind of school he would build--one full of animals, with tubes to transport students directly to their classrooms, and library books that come alive.
Mr. S by Monica Arnaldo (Illustrator) Prepare for plenty of giggles as a kindergarten class arrives for their first day of school, but can't find their teacher--only a delicious-looking sandwich and the words "Mr. S" scribbled on the chalkboard. Chaos ensues as the kids argue whether or not the sandwich must be their teacher. A comical, first day of school book of mayhem and chaos by Monica Arnaldo, perfect fans of Miss Nelson Is Missing. "This might be the funniest first-day-of-school book I've ever read." --Adam Rex, New York Times bestselling author of School's First Day of School It was the first day of school. But even the kindergarteners of room 2B could tell something was seriously wrong . . . Where was the teacher Who left this sandwich on the desk The only clue, written on the chalkboard, were three simple letters: Mr. S Praise for Mr. S: "Confusion, mystery, and laughs are on the menu in Arnaldo's deliciously goofy back-to-school tale." --Publishers Weekly (starred review) "The tale's genuinely absurd situation, the mystery of the teacher's identity, and the deadpan storytelling make this a memorable read-aloud choice."-- Booklist (starred review) "Mysteries for young readers are few and far between and this one is fun and entertaining." --School Library Journal (starred review)
My School Stinks! by Becky Scharnhorst; Julia Patton (Illustrator) A hilarious back-to-school story told through journal entries about a boy who finds himself at a new school where the other students are REAL animals. Perfect for fans of Ryan T. Higgins's We Don't Eat Our Classmates and Elise Parsley's If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don't! Dear Diary, Today is the first day at my new school and I think there's been a mistake. My desk mate stinks, my locker buddy bites, and my teacher is unbearable! I told Mom my classmates are WILD ANIMALS but she said all little kids are wild animals. I think I'm going to be sick tomorrow. Celebrate back to school (and even calm some back-to-school nerves) with this clever and funny story about a boy who accidentally winds up at a school for animals, but soon realizes friends can come in all shapes, sizes, and species. A great read for kindergarten through second grade!   Praise for My School Stinks!:   "Along with being a good choice for children anxious about their own upcoming "first day," this offers a nifty exercise in reading between the lines."--Booklist   "An encouraging new-kid narrative told from an entertaining perspective." --Publishers Weekly  
Our Class Is a Family by Shannon Olsen; Sandie Sonke (Illustrator) Family isn't always your relatives. It's the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile, and who love you no matter what.
The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! by Mo Willems Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! And what if he doesn't like it? What if the teacher doesn't like him? What if he learns TOO MUCH!?! Ask not for whom the school bell rings; it rings for the Pigeon!
A Pirate's Guide to First Grade by James Preller; Greg Ruth Arr!It's the first day of first grade, and it's all hands on deck for a young pirate and his crew. How much trouble can they get into? What will they do at recess? And, most important, what treasure awaits them at school?
School's First Day of School by Adam Rex; Christian Robinson It's the first day of school at Frederick Douglass Elementary and everyone's just a little bit nervous, especially the school itself. What will the children do once they come? Will they like the school? Will they be nice to him? The school has a rough start, but as the day goes on, he soon recovers when he sees that he's not the only one going through first-day jitters.
We Don't Eat Our Classmates! by Ryan T. Higgins It's the first day of school for Penelope Rex, and she can't wait to meet her classmates. But it's hard to make human friends when they're so darn delicious! That is, until Penelope gets a taste of her own medicine and finds she may not be at the top of the food chain after all...
This Is Not My Lunchbox by Jennifer Dupuis; Carol Schwartz (Illustrator) Join in on a surprising camping trip and discover the favorite meals of all your favorite forest creatures--from the wood frog (who loves a lunch of spiders and snails!) to the moose. Rich art illustrates the beautiful biodiversity found in our forests and expressive, repetitive text helps even the youngest naturalists learn all about herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores--oh, my!

September 11

Fireboat by Maira Kalman (Illustrator) Originally launched in 1931, the Harvey was the most powerful fireboat of her time. After the September 11 attacks, with fire hydrants at Ground Zero inoperable and the Hudson River's water supply critical to fighting the blaze, the fire department called on the Harvey for help. There were adjustments--forcing water into hoses by jamming soda bottles and wood into nozzles with a sledgehammer--and then the fireboat's volunteer crew pumped much-needed water to the disaster site. The John J. Harvey proved she was still one of New York's Bravest!
Ground Zero by Alan Gratz September 11, 2001, New York City: Brandon is visiting his dad at work, on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center. Out of nowhere, an airplane slams into the tower, creating a fiery nightmare of terror and confusion. And Brandon is in the middle of it all. Can he survive -- and escape? September 11, 2019, Afghanistan: Reshmina has grown up in the shadow of war, but she dreams of peace and progress. When a battle erupts in her village, Reshmina stumbles upon a wounded American soldier named Taz. Should she help Taz -- and put herself and her family in mortal danger? Two kids. One devastating day. Nothing will ever be the same.
I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001 by Lauren Tarshis; Corey Egbert (Illustrator) A gripping graphic novel adaptation of Lauren Tarshis's bestselling I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001
I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001 by Lauren Tarshis; Scott Dawson (Illustrator) The only thing Lucas loves more than football is his Uncle Benny, his dad's best friend at the fire department where they both work. Benny taught Lucas everything about football. So when Lucas's parents decide the sport is too dangerous and he needs to quit, Lucas has to talk to his biggest fan.So the next morning, Lucas takes the train to the city instead of the bus to school. It's a bright, beautiful day in New York. But just as Lucas arrives at his uncle's firehouse, everything changes -- and nothing will ever be the same again.
September 11, 2001 by Andrew Santella Dramatic and defining moments in American history come vividly the life in the Cornerstones of Freedom series.
This Very Tree by Sean Rubin A month after the attacks on 9/11, a discovery was made at Ground Zero: a tree had endured the destruction. Dubbed the "Survivor Tree," its roots were snapped and burned and its branches broken. But in the thoughtful care of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, the surviving Callery pear was nursed back to health. This is the story of that tree--its journey out from underneath the rubble, its recovery in the Bronx, and its eventual return home to the 9/11 Memorial--and of a nation in recovery. Honoring the legacy of the World Trade Center, the bravery of first responders, and the resilience of the city of New York,

Picture Day

Amira's Picture Day by Reem Faruqi; Fahmida Azim (Illustrator) Ramadan has come to an end, and Amira can't wait to stay home from school to celebrate Eid. There's just one hiccup- it's also school picture day. How can Amira be in two places at once? An ALSC Notable Children's Book Just the thought of Eid makes Amira warm and tingly inside. From wearing new clothes to handing out goody bags at the mosque, Amira can't wait for the festivities to begin. But when a flier on the fridge catches her eye, Amira's stomach goes cold. Not only is it Eid, it's also school picture day. If she's not in her class picture, how will her classmates remember her? Won't her teacher wonder where she is? Though the day's celebrations at the mosque are everything Amira was dreaming of, her absence at picture day weighs on her. A last-minute idea on the car ride home might just provide the solution to everything in this delightful story from acclaimed author Reem Faruqi, illustrated with vibrant color by Fahmida Azim. A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year A CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Year A CSMCL Best Multicultural Children's Book of the Year
Lunch Lady and the Picture Day Peril by Jarrett J. Krosoczka From the author of National Book Award finalist Hey, Kiddo. It's picture day at Thompson Brook, but the students are plagued by a freak acne epidemic. While the Breakfast Bunch scrambles to put their best faces forward, their hifalutin photographer raises Lunch Lady's eyebrows. She suspects the photographer may have an underhanded plan to break into the world of high fashion that puts the students in danger! Will Lunch Lady be able to storm the runway and stop the vogue rogue without blowing her cover?
Picture Day Perfection by Deborah Diesen; Dan Santat (Illustrator)   It's picture day, and the boy at the center of this charming picture book wants to make sure his picture is perfect. It seems as though everything's going wrong for him--he has bedhead, a stained shirt, and a big scowl on his face. But when he goes up for his picture, he thinks about his terrible appearance, and he smiles--because he secretly wants his picture to be the worst ever taken! But just as he smiles, the photo is snapped and his plan is ruined--the photo looks great. Perfectly paired with the larger-than-life silliness of Dan Santat's illustrations, this is sure to be a schoolroom favorite. It will come bound with a picture frame in the back so readers can add their own class photos to the book.   Praise for Picture Day Perfection "A clever tale about a kid who wants this year to be his showcase for the perfect school picture." --Kirkus Reviews   "Colorful yearbook-style endpapers are fun to pore over and even include a place to insert one's own picture, though this feature will be compromised by most library processing. This slapstick picture book will appeal most to school-age kids who will get the jokes peppered throughout the text and the visuals." --School Library Journal "The narrator's malleable features are in a perpetual state of contortion as he plans his photo disaster and reacts to the series of unfortunate events that conspire to bring him glory. Clever bits such as the scribbled emoticons on his September calendar page, and the sepia- and gray-toned faces that play in his imagination add to the fun." --The Bulletin of The Center for Children's Books
Say Cheese! by Lauren Child Lola has promised her mother that she will stay clean and tidy for school picture day. ?It will be easy peasy, lemon squeezy!? says Lola. But staying clean and tidy is not so easy, especially when there is finger painting to do and a game of puddles to play. By the time Lola poses for her picture, she is covered in paint and pink milk, and her extremely special photograph for Mom is ruined. But then Charlie has an idea that just might save the day. Perfect for school picture day or back-to-school, here's a story full of hilarious ?Lola moments? that both parents and kids will find familiar and funny. And don't forget to watch these siblings in action on their hit animated series Charlie & Lola on Playhouse Disney.

Hispanic Heritage Month: Sept. 15- Oct. 15

Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal (Illustrator) If you ask her, Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela has way too many names: six! How did such a small person wind up with such a large name? Alma turns to Daddy for an answer and learns of Sofia, the grandmother who loved books and flowers; Esperanza, the great-grandmother who longed to travel; José, the grandfather who was an artist; and other namesakes, too. As she hears the story of her name, Alma starts to think it might be a perfect fit after all -- and realizes that she will one day have her own story to tell.
Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows by Ryan Calejo "This is a perfect pick for kids who love Rick Riordan's many series, particularly for those eager for mythologies beyond Greek and Roman stories." --Booklist (starred review) "A winner for all kids, but it will be especially beloved by Latinx and Hispanic families." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) The Lightning Thief meets the Story Thieves series in this middle grade fantasy inspired by Hispanic folklore, legends, and myths from the Iberian Peninsula and Central and South America. Charlie Hernández has always been proud of his Latin American heritage. He loves the culture, the art, and especially the myths. Thanks to his abuela's stories, Charlie possesses an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the monsters and ghouls who have spent the last five hundred years haunting the imaginations of children all across the Iberian Peninsula, as well as Central and South America. And even though his grandmother sometimes hinted that the tales might be more than mere myth, Charlie's always been a pragmatist. Even barely out of diapers, he knew the stories were just make-believe--nothing more than intricately woven fables meant to keep little kids from misbehaving. But when Charlie begins to experience freaky bodily manifestations--ones all too similar to those described by his grandma in his favorite legend--he is suddenly swept up in a world where the mythical beings he's spent his entire life hearing about seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Hispanic folklore and into his life. And even stranger, they seem to know more about him than he knows about himself. Soon, Charlie finds himself in the middle of an ancient battle between La Liga, a secret society of legendary mythological beings sworn to protect the Land of the Living, and La Mano Negra (a.k.a. the Black Hand), a cabal of evil spirits determined to rule mankind. With only the help of his lifelong crush, Violet Rey, and his grandmother's stories to guide him, Charlie must navigate a world where monsters and brujas rule and things he couldn't possibly imagine go bump in the night. That is, if he has any hope of discovering what's happening to him and saving his missing parents (oh, and maybe even the world). No pressure, muchacho.
Dreamers by Yuyi Morales We are resilience. We are hope. We are dreamers. Yuyi Morales brought her hopes, her passion, her strength, and her stories with her, when she came to the United States in 1994 with her infant son. She left behind nearly everything she owned, but she didn't come empty-handed.
Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos by Monica Brown; John Parra (Illustrator) The fascinating Mexican artist Frida Kahlo is remembered for her self-portraits, her dramatic works featuring bold and vibrant colors. Her work brought attention to Mexican and indigenous culture and she is also renowned for her works celebrating the female form. Brown's story recounts Frida's beloved pets--two monkeys, a parrot, three dogs, two turkeys, an eagle, a black cat, and a fawn--and playfully considers how Frida embodied many wonderful characteristics of each animal. 
Jose Feeds the World by David Unger; Marta Álvarez Miguéns (Illustrator) The true story of José Andrés, an award-winning chef, food activist, and founder of World Central Kitchen, a disaster-relief organization that uses the power of food to nourish communities after catastrophe strikes. When a terrible earthquake hit Haiti in 2010, chef José Andrés knew he needed to help. Within a few hours of the disaster, he had gathered friends, they flew to the island, and they began cooking rice and beans for the hungry locals. This trip changed the life of the successful chef and led him to found World Central Kitchen, a disaster-relief organization that has fed more than 200 million people affected by natural disasters, the COVID pandemic, and war. This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a passionate chef who uses the power of food to nurture people in need, one plate at a time.
La Princesa and the Pea by Susan Middleton Elya El principe knows this girl is the one for him, but, as usual, his mother doesn't agree. The queen has a secret test in mind to see if this girl is really a princesa, but the prince might just have a sneaky plan, too . . .
Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina Winner of the Newbery Medal A New York Times Bestseller Thoughtful, strong-willed sixth-grader Merci Suarez navigates difficult changes with friends, family, and everyone in between in a resonant new novel from Meg Medina. Merci Suarez knew that sixth grade would be different, but she had no idea just how different. For starters, Merci has never been like the other kids at her private school in Florida, because she and her older brother, Roli, are scholarship students. They don't have a big house or a fancy boat, and they have to do extra community service to make up for their free tuition. So when bossy Edna Santos sets her sights on the new boy who happens to be Merci's school-assigned Sunshine Buddy, Merci becomes the target of Edna's jealousy. Things aren't going well at home, either: Merci's grandfather and most trusted ally, Lolo, has been acting strangely lately -- forgetting important things, falling from his bike, and getting angry over nothing. No one in her family will tell Merci what's going on, so she's left to her own worries, while also feeling all on her own at school. In a coming-of-age tale full of humor and wisdom, award-winning author Meg Medina gets to the heart of the confusion and constant change that defines middle school -- and the steadfast connection that defines family.
Octopus Stew by Eric Velasquez What do you do when an octopus captures Grandma? Put on your superhero cape and rescue her!
One Is a Piñata: a Book of Numbers by Roseanne Greenfield Thong Children discover a fiesta of numbers in the world around them, all the way from one to ten. Many of the featured objects are Latino in origin and all are universal in appeal.
Roberto Clemente by Jonah Winter; Raúl ón (Illustrator) On an island called Puerto Rico, there lived a little boy who wanted only to play baseball. Although he had no money, Roberto Clemente practiced and practiced until--eventually--he made it to the Major Leagues. As a right-fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, he fought tough opponents--and even tougher racism--but with his unreal catches and swift feet, he earned his nickname, "The Great One." He led the Pirates to two World Series, hit three-thousand hits, and was the first Latino to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. But it wasn't just baseball that made Clemente legendary--he was was also a humanitarian dedicated to improving the lives of others.
Separate Is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh When her family moved to the town of Westminster, California, young Sylvia Mendez was excited about enrolling in her neighborhood school. But she and her brothers were turned away and told they had to attend the Mexican school instead. Sylvia could not understand why--she was an American citizen who spoke perfect English. Why were the children of Mexican families forced to attend a separate school? Unable to get a satisfactory answer from the school board, the Mendez family decided to take matters into its own hands and organize a lawsuit.   In the end, the Mendez family's efforts helped bring an end to segregated schooling in California in 1947, seven years before the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education ended segregation in schools across America.
Sofia Valdez, Future Prez by Andrea Beaty Every morning, Abuelo walks Sofia to school . . . until one day, when Abuelo hurts his ankle at a local landfill and he can no longer do so. Sofia misses her Abuelo and wonders what she can do about the dangerous Mount Trashmore. Then she gets an idea-the town can turn the slimy mess into a park! She brainstorms and plans and finally works up the courage to go to City Hall-only to be told by a clerk that she can't build a park because she's just a kid! Sofia is down but not out, and she sets out to prove what one kid can do.
Training Day by Raúl the Third Task #1: Getting out of bed. Usually that's not so hard, but being the champion luchador isn't easy. Today, El Toro is feeling uninspired. But his coach, Kooky Dooky, knows that practice makes better and it's important for El Toro to stay in shape and keep training!
Turning Pages by Sonia Sotomayor; Lulu Delacre (Illustrator) As the first Latina Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor has inspired young people around the world to reach for their dreams. But what inspired her? For young Sonia, the answer was books! They were her mirrors, her maps, her friends, and her teachers. They helped her to connect with her family in New York and in Puerto Rico, to deal with her diabetes diagnosis, to cope with her father's death, to uncover the secrets of the world, and to dream of a future for herself in which anything was possible.
¡Vamos! Let's Go Eat by Raúl the Third Little Lobo is excited to take in a show with wrestling star El Toro in his bustling border town. After getting lunch orders from the luchador and his friends to help prepare for the event, Little Lobo takes readers on a tour of food trucks that sell his favorite foods, like quesadillas with red peppers and Mexican-Korean tacos.
Waiting for the Biblioburro by Monica Brown; John Parra (Illustrator) Ana loves stories. She often makes them up to help her little brother fall asleep. But in her small village there are only a few books and she has read them all. One morning, Ana wakes up to the clip-clop of hooves, and there before her, is the most wonderful sight: a traveling library resting on the backs of two burros‑all the books a little girl could dream of, with enough stories to encourage her to create one of her own.   Inspired by the heroic efforts of real-life librarian Luis Soriano, award-winning picture book creators Monica Brown and John Parra introduce readers to the mobile library that journeys over mountains and through valleys to bring literacy and culture to rural Colombia, and to the children who wait for the BiblioBurro.   A portion of the proceeds from sales of this book was donated to Luis Soriano's BiblioBurro program.