Going back to school after a long summer is both exciting and scary, no matter how old you are. Here are some book recommendations from the New Orleans Public Library to ease those back-to-school jitters and get students of all ages back-to-school ready:

Young Readers

Olu’s Teacher: A Story About Starting Preschool by Jamel C. Campbell & Lydia Mba

This sweet, reassuring story about first-day-of-school-jitters follows Olu as he finds his fears allayed by his teacher, who is warm, approachable, and looks just like him.

The First Week of School by Drew Beckmeyer

Readers follow along as an ensemble cast of characters experience an extraordinary first week of school in this hilarious picture book that takes an unexpected turn when an out-of-this-world visitor shows up to class. 

Betty the Yeti and the First Day of School by Mandy R. Marx & Antonella Fant

Betty the Yeti is nervous about her first day of school full of humans, but she learns that being different is what makes her wonderful.

Middle Grade

Art Club by Rashad Doucet

After the art programs are cut at his school, Dale Donovan recruits talented artists to create an after-school art club.

The Liars Society by Alyson Gerber

When the money for their school trip is stolen at their elite Boston School, Weatherby and Jack are invited to solve this high-stakes mystery–which would guarantee their entrance into the oldest, most powerful society in the world.

The School for Invisible Boys by Shaun David Hutchinson

What would you do if no one could see you? In this surreal adventure, a boy who is used to being overlooked literally becomes invisible, only to realize there may be far more dangerous threats in his school than bullies. 

Teen

Advice to 9th Graders: Stories, Poetry, Art & Other Wisdom

Drawing from the life experiences of teens, this anthology provides nourishment and support and increases awareness. In keeping with the title, most of the content is practical counsel: Seek out those who allow you to be true to yourself, maintain good study habits, get involved with clubs, and don’t give up.

 Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

Sade Hussein is starting her third year of high school, this time at the prestigious Alfred Nobel Academy boarding school. After being home-schooled all her life and feeling like a magnet for misfortune, she’s not sure what will happen. What she doesn’t expect though is for her roommate Elizabeth to disappear after Sade’s first night. Or for people to think she had something to do with it.

Bunt!: Striking Out on Financial Aid by Ngozi Ukazu & Mad Rupert

Molly Bauer’s first year of college is not the picture-perfect piece of art she’d always envisioned. One day, Molly discovers that her full-ride scholarship has vanished! Thankfully, she finds a loophole–if Molly and nine other art students win a single game of softball, they’ll receive a massive athletic scholarship. Can Molly’s crew of ragtag artists succeed in softball without dropping the ball?