For the Youngest Readers (Toddlers to Kindergarten)

MAISY GOES TO PRESCHOOL
Written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins (CanAdlewick Press)
Maisy has been waiting for her first day of preschool. She learns many things and meets new friends.

STAR OF THE WEEK: A STORY OF LOVE, ADOPTION, AND BROWNIES WITH SPRINKLES
Written by Darlene Friedman, illustrated by Roger Roth (HarperCollins)
Cassidy-Li is the star of the week at her school. Creating her visual poster was one challenge, because she does not know her biological parents. There’s a heartwarming end to this story!

YOKO WRITES HER NAME
Written and illustrated by Rosemary Wells (Hyperion)
Yoko has a talent for writing in her native language, but some of her classmates doubt her ability to write in two languages. She surprises them all and also helps them learn another way to write their names.

For Readers (Kindergarten to 2nd Grade)

LET’S DO NOTHING!
Written and illustrated by Tony Fucile (Candlewick Press)
Frankie and Sal have determined they have done everything there is to do, and now will do nothing. Their results will have readers smiling and hopefully inspire some alternatives to boredom.

IT’S PICTURE DAY TODAY!
Written by Megan McDonald, illustrated by Katherine Tillotson (Atheneum)
This book gives readers another very creative way to approach school picture day. The glue that holds it all together is a wonderful metaphor for the significance of teachers and individual students that make the whole school day possible.

STAMPEDE! POEMS TO CELEBRATE THE WILD SIDE OF SCHOOL
Written by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrated by Steven Salerno (Clarion books)
Readers will connect with the humor and shared school experiences revealed in the poems in this collection.

For Readers (3rd to 6th Grade)

CLASSIC WESTERN STORIES: THE MOST BELOVED STORIES
Compiled by Cooper Edens (Chronicle Books)
From legendary characters to Hollywood stars, this book holds a great collection of stories for Western lovers and students learning about the American West.

THE DUNDERHEADS
Written by Paul Fleischman, illustrated by David Roberts (Candlewick Press)
In this humorous book, an overpowering teacher goes one step too far. The students, labeled dunderheads by their teacher, pool their individual talents and strengths to reclaim some confiscated goods.

THE ASPIRING WRITER’S JOURNAL
Written by Susie Morgenstern, illustrated by Theresa Bronn (Abrams)
Keeping a journal has proved to be a rewarding experience for many writers like Jeff Kinney (Diary of a Wimpy Kid) and Batchelder Award-winning author Susie Morgenstern. This book is filled with ideas to inspire you to start writing. Remember to keep your writing for future possibilities.

Book reviews provided by BSU professor Stan Steiner, the Bookman. For more book suggestions and reviews, visit his web page at http://education.boisestate.edu/stansteiner.