Books for Back to School

The smell is in the air - you know the one. The smell of pencils sharpening, dusty backpacks being pulled out, new clothes being bought, and special first day of school breakfasts being prepared. 

Let’s face it - summer has been great, but now it’s time to go back to school. Whether you’re in public school, private school, home school, or college, we are all looking ahead to the new academic year. We are brushing off our brains and getting ready to dive back into our education. And for those who aren’t going back to school, maybe this September you can try to learn something new. You’re never too old to learn.
One of my favorite things to do to get in the mood for anything is reading (of course.) Despite the tsunamis of assigned reading that come with the start of school, I still love to read this time of year. Maybe you’re with me, perhaps you’re not. Whatever the case, this week I am sharing 5 books with back-to-school/academic and autumnal vibes.

1. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. 

Part of me thinks the Harry Potter series goes without saying, but I think it’s worth saying again. Every book focuses a good deal on “Back to Hogwarts,” since the majority of all the books happen at the school, these are fantastic books to get you in the mood for school. Hermione’s academic fervor might help you get excited about studying too (maybe…)

“Honestly, don’t you two read?” - Hermoine Granger

2. Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery

All of the Anne books spend a good deal of time in school, but the one that stands out to me the most (and the one that feels the most autumnal), is Anne of the Island. In this third book in the Anne of Green Gables Series, Anne is off to Redmond College. The book follows her successes and failures, conquests and friendships, and by many of my bookish friends, is considered the best book in the entire series. 

“All life lessons are not learned in college,’ she thought, ‘life teaches them everywhere.” - from Anne of the Island

3. Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Although this book doesn’t begin in the Autumn, it’s a great story about first school experiences. It's about a boy named Auggie with a facial deformity, and it covers his challenges as he goes to public school for the first time. He deals with finding friends, facing bullies, and trying to learn how to not hide his face. One of the most tender and sympathetic stories for middle-grade readers, if you haven’t read it, now’s the time.

“A fresh start gives us the chance to reflect on the past, weigh the things we’ve done, and apply what we’ve learned from those things to the future.” -   from Wonder

4. Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster

Oh, you under hyped beautiful book! This book is about Judy Abbot and her college experiences. She is sent to college by a mysterious benefactor whom she calls “Daddy-Long-Legs”. The whole book is told through Judy’s letters to this benefactor and is decorated with whimsical illustrations. 
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“Getting an education is an awfully wearing process!” - Judy Abbot

5. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

This book is another one about a kid’s new school experiences - except this is a homeschooler - the eclectic Stargirl Caraway. It’s about her experiences as she finds that people don’t always like the strange person she is. The whole school is essentially in uproar over her, her strange kindnesses, her habit of bringing her pet rat to school, and her daily ritual of singing happy birthday to people in the cafeteria. The whole story is told through her eventual boyfriend Leo’s eyes, as he witnesses all of the things that Stargirl does. It’s both whimsical and thought-provoking. Possibly one of the best school stories out there. 

“She had no friends, yet she was the friendliest person in school.” - from Stargirl

Will you be reading any books during back to school? What are you most excited about this school year? Let's chat about it in the comments!

Belle Thomas

​Belle is the writer behind An Old Fashioned Girl. She is passionate about Jesus, classic literature, and living a beautiful life.