Picture Book 10 for 10: Ten Picture Books to Read the First 10 Days of Middle School
Middle schoolers love picture books. Picture books are filled with lessons, promise, and fun. Start your school year with these ten picture books for your middle school classroom:
School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex — The first day of school, told from the school’s point of view. First Day read. Open the year with some thinking, conversation, and fun.
One Day, The End by Rebecca Kai Dotlich — Short, Very Short, Shorter-Than-Ever Stories. What happens in the middle? Students love the book that teaches how to offer a good story.
Nothing Ever Happens On 90th Street by Roni Schotter. A young writer tries to find inspiration from her neighborhood stoop, but nothing ever happens on her street. Or is she missing something? Each neighbor teaches the girl to “look closely” and “use her imagination” as a writer.
The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak — I dare you to read this to middle schoolers. Just do it! LOL!
Big Plans by Bob Shea and Lane Smith — “A Little Boy sits in the corner of a classroom, plotting his future. He’s got plans…Big Plans!” Make sure you take the time to look at all the pictures closely in this one.
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires — Mistakes can lead to genius inventions. Watch this girl and her dog try and try again to invent the “most magnificent thing.”
Ish by Peter H. Reynolds — A beautiful look at what makes a person happy instead of “getting it right.”
Du Iz Tak? by Carson Ellis — A hilarious story about animals creating and building, in their own language. Read this aloud several times during the year for a good stress reliever and some laughs.
What Do You Do With An Idea? by Kobi Yamada — “A single idea can change everything.” This story inspires learners to welcome their ideas and give them space to grow.
More Than Anything Else by Marie Bradby — More than anything else, Booker wants to learn to read. Many students are like Booker T. Washington. An inspirational story to begin the school year.
Have a great start to your school year! Read a lot, think carefully, and have fun along the way!
Reading Teacher Writes 
August 11, 2017 at 3:34 PM
I love sharing picture books with older readers – there’s so much value and enjoyment to be found in a great picture book, but all too often adults push them aside as “too childish”, which can make young readers feel too self-conscious or embarrassed to pick them up! Reading them aloud in class can help remove some of that stigma, and help kids feel more confident reading whatever feels right.