Looking for a new book to read as the school year starts? Warsaw Community Public Library has some ideas. Photo provided.

By Sarah Neel
Communications Manager
Warsaw Community Public Library

WARSAW — As the school bells ring once again and college campuses come back to life, I find myself wrapped in the nostalgia of the back to school season. And before I start waxing poetic about buying school supplies and sending people bouquets of newly sharpened pencils like the characters in You’ve Got Mail, I’m channeling that energy into something a bit more appealing to others: book recommendations. Whether you have little ones feeling those first-day jitters, teens who think they’re too cool for school, or you’re an adult also feeling a big nostalgic, here are a few books to consider borrowing from Warsaw Community Public Library.

Picture Books

“Llama Llama Misses Mama” by Anna Dewdney (J P DEW) — A comforting story for children anxious about being away from their parents on the first day of school.

“We Don’t Eat Our Classmates” by Ryan T. Higgins (J P HIG) — A funny and charming story about a little dinosaur who has trouble fitting in with her human classmates.

Older Kids

“Anne of Green Gables” by L.M. Montgomery (J FIC Mon) — The timeless adventures of Anne Shirley, whose vivid imagination and fiery spirit make her schooldays in Avonlea unforgettable.

“Wonder” by R.J. Palacio (J FIC PAL) — A powerful narrative about August Pullman, a boy with a facial difference, who navigates school life and teaches his peers the true meaning of kindness.

Teens

“A Deadly Education” by Naomi Novik (YA SF NOV) — A dark and thrilling fantasy set in a magical school where survival is not guaranteed, and the stakes are life and death for its students.

“A Study in Charlotte” by Brittany Cavallaro (YA FIC CAV) — A modern twist on Sherlock Holmes, featuring the teenage descendants of Holmes and Watson solving mysteries at their boarding school.

Adults

“Educated” by Tara Westover (B WES 536) — A memoir recounting one woman’s journey from a survivalist upbringing in rural Idaho to earning a doctorate, showing the transformative power of education.

“The Secret History” by Donna Tartt (FIC TAR) — A gripping tale of a group of elite students whose pursuit of knowledge leads them down a dangerous, morally ambiguous path.

Whether you’re gearing up for another school year or simply reminiscing, these books offer a chance to explore new worlds and revisit old memories. Stop by Warsaw Community Public Library to find your next favorite read.