Books About New Schools

The Best New Schools Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about new schools? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

#1 in Series

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#1 in Series

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The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About New Schools

Sale price

$474

Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2015

The Secret Kitten

By Holly Webb, Sophy Williams (Illustrator) · Pet Rescue Adventures series

A secret kitten tests a young girl's resolve.

128 pages· 11,935 words· Est. 2 hour read

4.2 Goodreads · 335 ratings

$4.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Alicia discovers a stray kitten and names it Catkin, creating a secret haven in her greenhouse. As her bond with Catkin grows, so does the challenge of keeping the kitten hidden. How long can Alicia protect her secret before it unravels? With each passing day, the stakes rise, and Alicia must navigate the delicate balance between love and discovery. Will her secret be safe, or will it lead to unexpected consequences?

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2013

Words with Wings

By Nikki Grimes

A teacher helps a dreamer transform her daydreams into powerful writing.

Coretta Scott King Honor (2014)

96 pages· 4,117 words· Est. 35 min read

4.0 Goodreads · 3,553 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Gabby escapes her parents' arguments through daydreams, but they consume her life. With a new teacher's guidance, she might turn her dreams into writing that lets her truly soar. Can Gabby find her voice and change her world?

Sale price

$1398

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

The Creature of the Pines

By Adam Gidwitz, Hatem Aly (Illustrator) · Unicorn Rescue Society series

Join a secret society to save mythical creatures from greedy billionaires.

The E.B. White Read Aloud Honor (2019)

176 pages· 15,981 words· Est. 2 hour read

3.9 Goodreads · 2,247 ratings

$14.99Save 7%

Hardcover

Summary: Elliot Eisner's first day at a new school takes a wild turn with a field trip to the eerie Pine Barrens. Led by the eccentric Professor Fauna, Elliot and fearless Uchenna Devereaux stumble into the Unicorn Rescue Society. Their mission? Save a Jersey Devil from the clutches of the greedy Schmoke Brothers. As they embark on this thrilling adventure, Elliot and Uchenna must navigate danger and mystery, testing their courage and friendship. Will they succeed in protecting the mythical world? Dive into this enchanting tale of adventure and discovery.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1139

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2020

Crescent Moon Marching, Vol. 1

By Hamachi Yamada, Arthur Miura (Translator) · Book #1 in the Crescent Moon Marching series

A girl who has never played an instrument joins a fiercely competitive high school marching band.

192 pages

3.8 Goodreads · 114 ratings

$11.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: After leaving her high-pressure Tokyo school, Mizuki moves to small-town Akita to live with her aunt and start over. She has never played an instrument or marched in step, and she has always put studying first. When a grumpy trumpet player introduces her to the school's ultra-competitive marching band, Mizuki takes a leap that could help her find friends, and herself. A full-color manga.

The Collector

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2018

The Collector

Book #1 in the The Collector series

Josie discovers eerie secrets and forbidden paths in her grandmother's unsettling home.

224 pages· 30,655 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

3.9 Goodreads · 5,052 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Josie moves to her grandmother's house, where strange rules hint at hidden dangers. Befriending Vanessa, she ventures into the woods, drawn to a forbidden house that calls to her. As Josie navigates this chilling mystery, dark magic and creepy dolls lurk, threatening her and her sister. What secrets lie within the house, and why is it so alluring?

Sale price

$1597

Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 2006

Augustine

By Melanie Watt

A penguin uses art to connect in a new world.

32 pages· 692 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud

3.9 Goodreads · 303 ratings

$16.95Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Augustine, a young penguin, moves from the South Pole to the North Pole, leaving everything familiar behind. Overwhelmed by new faces and places, she hesitates to attend her new school. Armed with colored pencils and inspired by Picasso, Augustine finds a creative way to connect with her classmates. Can art help her feel at home in this strange land?

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2011

Neville

By Norton Juster, G. Brian Karas (Illustrator)

A boy discovers a creative way to make friends in a new neighborhood.

32 pages· 1,015 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud

4.8/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 1,068 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: A young boy moves to a new neighborhood, feeling like an outsider. As he navigates unfamiliar streets, he discovers a unique way to connect with those around him. Will his inventive approach help him find friendship in this strange place? With whimsical illustrations, this story captures the challenges and joys of being the new kid on the block, inviting readers to explore the power of creativity and connection.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 13–18 · 2010

Happyface

By Stephen Emond

A nerdy artist moves to a new town and hides his past behind a permanent grin.

336 pages· 52,894 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

3.7 Goodreads · 2,809 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Paperback

Summary: After switching schools, a quiet, comic-loving artist slaps on a grin and goes from nerd to big shot, earning the nickname Happyface. His illustrated journal follows him as he makes new friends, hides from a messy past, forgives the people who hurt him and learns to face the world with a real smile.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 5–9 · 2024

Day of the Living Liv

By Liv Livingston, Glass House Graphics (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Spirited series

A girl navigates life in a literal ghost town. Can she find her place?

144 pages· 4,683 words· Est. 1 hour read

3.6 Goodreads · 641 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Olivia Livingston's world turns upside down when her family moves from perfect Pleasant Place to eerie Gloomsdale. In a town where some students have fangs and her new home might be haunted, Liv must adapt to her ghostly surroundings. Will she let the spooky atmosphere dampen her spirits, or can she embrace the supernatural and find her place among the living and the dead? Discover how Liv navigates this spectral adventure and uncovers the secrets of Gloomsdale.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

Bobbie Mendoza Saves the World (Again)

By Michael Fry (Author/Illustrator), Bradley Jackson

Nasty imaginary creatures escape into the real world, and a bounty hunter wants the kids jailed.

272 pages

4.4 Goodreads · 34 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Hardcover

Summary: Bobbie Mendoza just wants to fit in at her new school, but nasty imaginary creatures have escaped into the real world. Bobbie and her friends take on unicorns, farting spiders and a giant nightmare squid, while a Viking bounty hunter tries to land the whole gang in Trans-Dimensional prison. An illustrated, funny sequel to The Naughty List about facing the things that scare us most.

The Bookroo Book Club