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Back-To-School Books (Preschool To Sixth Grade)

Kids heading back to school? Keep them interested in reading by shopping this back-to-school book list. It’s separated by grade level with books about that grade.

For more, check out all of our book posts.

Two bookshelves on the wall, filled with books, with a poster above it and the words "Back-To-School Books (Preschool to Sixth Grade)" digitally written on top.

Are your kids heading back to school? This is the time of year when they are so excited about reading and learning. Definitely foster that.

We put together a great list of back to school books for preschoolers through sixth graders. It’s broken down by grade, so just scroll down to your child’s grade and you can start your shopping.

Be sure to leave a comment and let us know which books are your favorite for your child. I’ll add your favorites to the list.

Back To School Books

Affiliate links are included in this post and Drugstore Divas may make a small commission if you use them.

Back To School Books For Preschool:

You can check out a long list of preschool-themed books via that link. Our favorites are below.

Pete the Kitty's First Day of Preschool book cover.

Pete the Kitty’s First Day of Preschool

Pete the Cat is so popular for older kids, so your younger ones will love this Pete the Kitty book.

The Night Before Preschool book cover.

The Night Before Preschool

This little boy is nervous about going to preschool, as many of your kids might be. But after going, he’s super excited about going back … which hopefully many of your kids are too.

What To Expect At Preschool book cover.

What to Expect at Preschool

Kids have questions about preschool, and this book does its best to answer all of them.

Maisy Goes to Preschool book cover.

Maisy Goes to Preschool: A Maisy First Experiences Book

This basic book walks the reader through the things that happen at preschool and what to expect during the day. It doesn’t deal at all with emotion, but rather with just routine.

My First Day at Preschool: ABC Coloring Book for Preschoolers

My First Day at Preschool: ABC Coloring Book for Preschoolers

This doesn’t really focus on going to preschool, but rather, it teaches preschoolers letters and words that start with those letters in a fun way.

Back To School Books For Kindergarten:

You can check out a long list of Kindergarten-themed books via that link. Our favorites are below.

Kindergarten, Here I Come book cover.

Kindergarten, Here I Come!

This book introduces so many aspects of Kindergarten, like the 100th day of school, so it’s perfect for more than just the first day jitters. Plus, this book comes with stickers. Who doesn’t love that?

The Night Before Kindergarten book cover.

The Night Before Kindergarten

This book focuses on the traditional night before preparations (making lunch, checking school supplies) and then the next day (going to school and saying goodbye!).

Kindergarten Rocks!: A First Day of School Book for Kids book cover.

Kindergarten Rocks!

What’s fun about this book is the child in it has older siblings who help him understand what to expect at school. It’s perfect if your kindergartener has older siblings too.

Woohoo I'm Ready for Kindergarten: First Day of School book cover.

Woohoo! I’m Ready for Kindergarten!: First Day of School

This book goes through everything that happens during a school day — including going home!

Off to Kindergarten book cover.

Off To Kindergarten

This rhyming book is really fun for kids as they read about the main character getting ready for the first day of school (and trying to pack his sandbox amongst other funny things).

Back To School Books For First Grade:

You can check out a long list of first grade-themed books via that link. Our favorites are below.

The Night Before First Grade book cover.

The Night Before First Grade

This book is the perfect way to get kids ready for first grade … and it has a twist ending, which kids will love.

First Grade, Here I Come book cover.

First Grade, Here I Come!

First grade seems rough in this book, until the main character’s mom helps him see all the good parts of it. If your kid is having a hard time, this is a great book.

First Grade Jitters book cover.

First Grade Jitters

First grade can be scary, but your kid can read this book and get out all his or her jitters before the big day.

Junie B., First Grader at Last book cover.

Junie B., First Grader (at Last!) (Junie B. Jones, No. 18)

The very popular series is perfect for your kid’s transition from kindergarten to first grade (which is exactly what Junie B. Jones does in this book).

Princess Posey and the First Grade Parade book cover.

Princess Posey and the First Grade Parade

This book is first in the series of Princess Posey first grade books. So if your child likes it, there are a bunch of others in the series for her to read.

Back To School Books For Second Grade:

You can check out a long list of second grade-themed books via that link. Our favorites are below.

Best Chef in Second Grade book cover.

The Best Chef in Second Grade

If your kid loves cooking, like Ollie does in this book, and wants to impress with the perfect recipe, this is the perfect book for him or her.

I Can Read Level 2: The Best Seat in Second Grade book cover.

The Best Seat in Second Grade

This book, about a mischievous hamster on a field trip he shouldn’t be on, is a really fun story for second graders.

Get Ready for Second Grade, Amber Brown book cover.

Get Ready for Second Grade, Amber Brown

Amber Brown is ready for second grade. But is it ready for her? You’ll see.

The One and Only Stuey Lewis: Stories from the Second Grade book cover.

The One and Only Stuey Lewis: Stories from the Second Grade

Stuey Lewis has a rough life (not making his dream soccer team, dealing with annoying girls, lots of second grade drama), but he gets through it with ease in this book.

Keena Ford and the Second-Grade Mix-Up book cover.

Keena Ford and the Second-Grade Mix-Up

Keena has a big problem on her hands. Her teacher things it’s her birthday and brought her a cake and crown. But, it’s not. What should Keena do?

Back To School Books For Third Grade:

You can check out a long list of third grade-themed books via that link. Our favorites are below.

How Not to Start Third Grade book cover.

How Not to Start Third Grade

Steve’s younger brother is starting school, at his school, where he’s supposed to start third grade. That’s really gonna cramp his style.

I Was a Third Grade Spy book cover.

I Was a Third Grade Spy

Josh’s dog Arthur can talk. Which is an act that can win a talent show. As long as the boys can find out what the girls are doing for their act.

How to Be Cool in the Third Grade book cover.

How to Be Cool in the Third Grade

Robbie knows what it takes to be cool in third grade. But can he do it?

Third Grade Angels book cover.

Third Grade Angels

Suds wants to be the first “Third Grade Angel” of the school year, which means he has to be nice, like, all the time. And that’s not easy.

The Clue of the Left-Handed Envelope/The Puzzle of the Pretty Pink Handkerchief: Third-Grade Detectives #1-2 book cover.

Third-Grade Detectives: The Clue of the Left-Handed Envelope/The Puzzle of the Pretty Pink Handkerchief

You get two books in one with third Third-Grade Detectives book. Solve the first mystery, then flip the book over to read the second.

Back To School Books For Fourth Grade:

You can check out a long list of fourth grade-themed books via that link. Our favorites are below.

Fourth Grade Rats book cover.

Fourth Grade Rats

Remember Suds from the earlier book, Third Grade Angels? He’s back in this one and since he’s in fourth grade now, he’s supposed to be tough (and a little mean to the younger kids). He needs to learn to get tough or stay a wimp.

Fourth Grade Weirdo book cover.

Fourth Grade Weirdo

When things start going missing and Dexter’s teacher is the prime suspect, it’s up to Dexter to figure out who the real culprit is.

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing book cover.

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

Probably the most popular book about fourth grade, this story about brothers Peter and Fudge, is a must read for every fourth grader.

Help! Somebody Get Me Out of Fourth Grade book cover.

Help! Somebody Get Me Out of Fourth Grade

Hank is worried he might get left back and will have to redo fourth grade, so he puts together an elaborate scheme so his parents won’t make the parent/teacher conference. But, of course, things don’t go as planned.

Mason Dixon: Fourth-Grade Disasters book cover.

Mason Dixon: Fourth-Grade Disasters

Mason has to join the school choir in fourth grade, which means he has to sing at the concert. He has a way to get out of it … a way that turns into a disaster.

Back To School Books For Fifth Grade:

You can check out a long list of fifth grade-themed books via that link. Our favorites are below.

Tales of a Fifth-Grade Knight book cover.

Tales of a Fifth-Grade Knight

In an unexpected turn, Isaac finds a mysterious realm in his school’s basement and he and his friends have to escape before they get stuck there forever.

Nothing's Fair in Fifth Grade book cover.

Nothing’s Fair in Fifth Grade

Everyone in fifth grade is mean to the new girl until they really get to know her. (I actually remember reading this one, but when I was in fourth grade.)

My Life as a Fifth-Grade Comedian book cover.

My Life as a Fifth-Grade Comedian

Everything’s good for class clown Bobby, until his dad and the staff at school want to transfer him because he’s not taking school seriously.

President of the Whole Fifth Grade book cover.

President of the Whole Fifth Grade

Briana’s hero becomes president of her fifth grade class, so Briana vows to do the same.

Amelia's 5th-Grade Notebook book cover.

Amelia’s 5th-Grade Notebook

Readers get a look into Amelia’s notebook, which journals her entire fifth grade year.

Back To School Books For Sixth Grade:

You can check out a long list of sixth grade-themed books via that link. Our favorites are below.

President of the Whole Sixth Grade book cover.

President of the Whole Sixth Grade

Remember Briana from President of the Whole Fifth Grade? She’s back with new ideas and a new challenger who wants to be the new class president.

Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja book cover.

Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja

Chase starts a new school … and then is recruited by a group of ninjas. If your kids like his story, there are a bunch more in the series.

6th Grade Spy book cover.

6th Grade Spy

There’s a cheater on the loose, and Nolan and his friends have been given the task of finding out who it is.

Sixth Grade Can Really Kill You book cover.

Sixth Grade Can Really Kill You

Helen is having trouble reading and is worried she’ll be in sixth grade forever … until a teacher recognizes her struggles. If your child is having trouble reading, this is perfect.

The Night Before Kindergarten book opened by a man's hand.

Purchase Back-To-School Books online:

Of course, these aren’t the only back to school books, just the ones that we thought were the best. For more back-to-school books, check out the following online stores:

Be sure to check a store’s minimum cart total to qualify for free shipping. Also, consider instore or curbside pickup to avoid shipping charges.

Big Bird's Red Book Little Golden Book with the words "Top Classic Little Golden Books To Add To Your Collection" digitally written above it.

More Book Ideas:

If you need more books ideas, we have a couple posts you might enjoy:

What are your favorite Back-To-School Books? Let us know in the comments so we can add them.

HolyVeggies

Tuesday 20th of August 2019

thanks so much for the reccomentations. Will have to look them up carefully as the school system is a bit different where I live :)

Cindy Ingalls

Monday 19th of August 2019

My nephew and niece are big readers so I know they would love so many of these books. Reading about going back to school can help make the transition to a new year a little easier.

Monidipa Dutta

Sunday 18th of August 2019

I have no kids but yup I have some neighbours and friends with kids and I guess these preschool books will help them and their kids. I'll recommend it to them.

alexandra cook

Saturday 17th of August 2019

I have been looking for some new books to check out! My kids love reading but haven't done as much as they like lately due to being busy. they also rarely read a book more than once!

Kiwi

Saturday 17th of August 2019

Great books for all young kids starting school. My niece is starting 6th grade I would love to get her a few of these books!