Books about Starting School and Making Friends
by Karin Tramm, MAMF Director of Education
Soon thousands of military-connected students will hear the bell ring for the start of the 2025-26 school year. Excited faces, the smell of new crayons, and Boo-Hoo Breakfasts are fond first day memories from my years working in DoDEA schools. One third of the student body is new every year and a diversity of students thrive in an environment of acceptance and respect where all learners are welcome. To all of our military connected families, stateside or overseas, MAMF wishes a happy and healthy new school year, new friends, and new memories!
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We Don’t Eat our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
It’s the first day of school for Penelope Rex, and she can’t wait to meet her classmates. But it’s hard to make human friends when they’re so darn delicious! That is, until Penelope gets a taste of her own medicine and finds she may not be at the top of the food chain after all. . . . Readers will gobble up this hilarious story. |
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The Seeds of Friendship by Michael Forman
Adam feels alone in the strange new city. He misses his old friends and the colors of his faraway home. It’s fun to build snow animals with children in his new neighborhood, but Adam’s concrete surroundings still make him wish for something more. So when a teacher gives him a few seeds, it plants an idea in him—an idea that could transform his gray world forever. |
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The Word for Friend by Aiden Cassie
Kemala the pangolin is sure she’s going to make friends at her new school in her new country. After all, Kemala loves to talk. The kids at school like talking, too–but their words are all different. This country speaks a language Kemala doesn’t know. At first, no one understands Kemala either. This realization makes her curl into a little ball, like most pangolins do when they’re nervous. But soon, Kemala is learning the most universal language of all: friendship
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The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
Being the new kid in school is hard enough, but what happens when nobody can pronounce your name? Having just moved from Korea, Unhei is anxious about fitting in. So instead of introducing herself on the first day of school, she decides to choose an American name from a glass jar. But while Unhei thinks of being a Suzy, Laura, or Amanda, nothing feels right. With the help of a new friend, Unhei will learn that the best name is her own. |
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All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold Discover a school where all young children have a place, have a space, and are loved and appreciated. Follow a group of children through a day at school where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where students from all backgrounds learn from and celebrate each other’s traditions. A school that shows the world as we will make it to be. |
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The Pigeon HAS to go to School by Mo Willems
Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! And what if he doesn’t like it? What if the teacher doesn’t like him? What if he learns TOO MUCH!? |
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Exit Strategy By Lauren Allbright
Twelve-year-old Ross tries to discover the formula for being funny and getting his new classmates to like him in this laugh-out-loud MAX novel! |
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One Kid’s Trash By Jamie Sumner From the acclaimed author of Roll with It and Tune It Out comes a funny and moving middle grade novel about a boy who uses his unusual talent for decoding people’s trash to try to fit in at his new school.
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