Blogs As summer rolls sweetly on, we know the phrase “back to school” is practically forbidden. So, we hope this back to school topic elicits excitement rather than anxiety: new books for your classroom library!
The start of a new school year is a great time to freshen up your classroom library, and there are many excellent recently published books to choose from. Get excited about the best books of 2024 (so far!) and get ready to spark your students’ love of reading with these fantastic texts.
Elementary Reads
We Who Produce Pearls: An Anthem for Asian America
by Joanna Ho
Beautifully illustrated with Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya’s pop art-style illustrations, We Who Produce Pearls is a poetic reflection of the beauty and diversity within the Asian American community.
Métis Like Me
by Tasha Hilderman and illustrated by Risa Hugo
Celebrate and explore many parts of Métis culture, including food, stories, and music. Discover the beauty of this amazing Indigenous culture and the importance of learning about heritage and community.
The Perfect Place
by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Paola Escobar
Newberry Medal-winning author Matt de la Peña tells the story of Lucas, who discovers that being perfect is not as perfect as it seems. With beautiful illustrations highlighting his journey, Lucas discovers how to love two different aspects of his identity.
Bye Land, Bye Sea
by René Spencer and Rodolfo Montalvo
A bilingual story about two lost children who learn how connection and understanding, this children’s book highlights the powerful ways friendships can extend beyond the languages we speak.
Avocado Magic
by Taltal Levi
Drawing on Levi’s childhood in Israel—where avocados are abundant and freshly picked—this captivating children’s book explores the wonders of gradual change, patience, and growth.
Sydney’s Big Speech
by Malcolm Newsome and Jade Orlando
Follow Sydney as she overcomes her fear of public speaking through the support of her dad and inspiration from real-life female role models. This book reminds us that perseverance, hard work, and believing in yourself can help you achieve your goals.
All Food is Good Food
by Molli Jackson Ehlert and Fanny Liem
Celebrate the diverse and delicious world of food, from familiar favorites to exciting new flavors. This inclusive book encourages readers to embrace all types of food, emphasizing that what matters most is how food makes you feel.
Middle School/High School Reads
Where Wolves Don’t Die
by Anton Treuer
Ezra Cloud, an Ojibwe boy, struggles with his life in Minneapolis, which is far away from the reservation he knows and loves. After being wrongfully accused of arson, Ezra is sent to live with his grandfather. This coming-of-age novel explores themes of self-discovery and love.
Tree. Table. Book.
by Newberry-winning author Lois Lowry
Two Sophies, one young and one elderly, share a special bond as best friends. When the elderly Sophie begins experiencing memory problems, her younger namesake embarks on a mission to help her remember.
Ultraviolet
by Aida Salazar
Eighth grader Elio Solis navigates a whirlwind of changes: puberty, his first relationship, and pressure from his father to “man up.” When heartbreak leads him down a path of revenge, Elio faces unexpected consequences and learns a valuable lesson about masculinity.
Homebody
by Theo Parish
In this graphic novel memoir, Parish shares their journey as a nonbinary person navigating high school’s unspoken gender rules from haircuts to sexuality and all the everyday moments in between.
Just Another Story
by Theo Parish
Based on Carlos’s firsthand experiences and illustrated by his cousin, Ernesto Saade, this graphic novel tells the story of Carlos and his mother’s journey from El Salvador to the United States and offers a personal perspective on the risks and fears migrants face.
Black Girl You Are Atlas
by Reneé Watson and Illustrated by Ekua Holmes
Explore award-winning author Reneé Watson’s powerful collection of poems which celebrates Black girlhood through the intersections of race, class, and gender.
Snowglobe
by Soyoung Park, translated by Joungmin Lee Comfort
This Korean-to-English translation is a dystopian thriller set in a world where the last refuge of warmth is a domed city. Outside, a frozen wasteland forces people to work tirelessly in a power plant, their only escape being the televised lives of Snowglobe’s residents.
Make the most of these sunny summer days by diving into one (or more) of these captivating books, and set the stage for another year of reading adventures in your classroom!
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About the Header
Julie Kuntz holds a B.A. in English and a Master’s in Education. Drawing on her years as a Middle School ELA Teacher, Julie develops content that is practical and highly engaging! Additionally, she is passionate about fostering equity in schools.
Fun Fact: Julie and her husband own a custom home renovation company, Custom by Kuntz!
