Back to school inspired reading

At the beginning of every September - without fail - I am always struck by that "back to school" feeling. The excitement, jitters, and the prospect of fresh beginnings always call to mind the stories of my youth that made school such an engaging place for me. While many of the books below are familiar, they are all worth a second, third, even fourth read for the kids as they head back to school or as a vehicle for nostalgia for adults looking to conjure up that magical feeling once again.

Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus (K-2)

I can remember reading this book with my mother as a young child - kindergarten or first grade - and being captivated by the soft, inviting, illustrations and the storyline of a shy tiger who hasn't quite caught up to his friends. Leo, as the title of ths tory suggests, is a "late bloomer". His father is worried about his apparent ineptitude in academics and sports in comparison to his peers, but as the story unfolds we learn that Leo is simply learning at his own pace, as many children do. As he navigates the world in a time frame that is comfortable to him he eventually catches up to his peers and finds his place in the world. This is inevitably a great lesson for any child who feels alone or left out, but also a humbling one for those children who excel in school and sports as they begin to grasp that everyone will learn at their own pace. In particular, this lesson resonates for children just beginning school in that it teaches patience, acceptance, and the importance of helping others.

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume (grades 2-5)

Judy Blume is a master when it comes to describing the lives of children and this book is no exception. Peter is a fourth grader who is juggling the expectations of fourth grade all while dealing with his younger brother, Fudge, who is an excessively curious, overly precocious, and generally rambunctious kid. Young readers who are new to chapter books will love the humor and descriptive nature of this book while adults will find that they too are laughing along at the accuracy of the sibling rivalry Blume describes.

Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli (grades 5-8)

I read this book as a fifth grader for the first time and vividly recall thinking that it was the first "important" book I had ever read. For many young readers, indeed this is the first book that tackles issues of race, socio-economic status, and homelessness and presents it through the lens of a child. "Maniac Magee", as the main character is referred to, is an orphan and runaway who attempts to bring together a racially divided community not through any conscious efforts, but simply by being his unassuming and genuine self. He has a true belief in the goodness of people and the importance of belonging and his relationships with various children and adults in the small community prove ground-breaking.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (grades 9+)

The protagonist of this story is Charlie, a freshman in high school. Chbosky captures the voice of a 9th grade boy with accuracy and insight that is remarkably relateable. Unlike many stories about high school which feature a lead character and storyline from the perspective of a particular group (nerd, jock, popular girl), this one focuses on the student who simply blends into the backdrop of the social scene. Charlie tells his story through a series of letters to a "friend" and shares his astute observations about high school, cliques, teachers, family, friends, sexuality, and experimentation with drugs. While this book is definitely aimed to appeal to a young adult crowd, it is a quick, engaging read for adults as well...that is, if you can handle conjuring up those high school memories again.

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