Returning to school after the holidays can be an intimidating prospect for children of all ages. The classroom routine is a big adjustment after time away, and the start of a new term can bring all sorts of worry-inducing changes, from new classmates and friendships to increasingly challenging classwork. Some students might even be starting at an entirely new and unfamiliar school.
Stories can be a great way to open up a discussion about this period of transition with your child or student, creating a space where they can talk through their concerns and find reassurance. So, we’ve pulled together a list of our top recommendations that we hope will help to alleviate back-to-school anxiety for young people across all year-groups.
All our books have a dyslexia-friendly layout, typeface and paperstock so that even more readers can enjoy them. And you can read a chapter sample by following the link for each book.
Jellybean / Ages 11+
Ellie battles feelings of anxiety about school that she can't explain in this sensitively told tale exploring school avoidance (which affected 17.8% of pupils in 2024/5*), written by acclaimed author Eve Ainsworth.
A sensitive look at school avoidance and mental health, with resources included at the back of the book.
* Source: childrenscommissioner.gov.uk
The List / Ages 11+
Jake is gutted that his best friend Denny is moving away, but agrees to help with his list of scores to settle and wrongs to right before he goes. Then a secret is unearthed that could end their friendship forever ...
A pitch-perfect story for younger teens exploring friendship, growing up and the inevitability of change.
Hetty and the Battle of the Books / Ages 9+
Hetty's school library has been her refuge since falling out with her best friends from primary school. So she's horrified to learn that it's closing due to funding cuts. Can she repair her friendships and save the library?
A joyful love letter to books and libraries that addresses the move from primary to secondary with lots of heart and positivity.
Me and My Brian / Ages 9+
Josh has always called his brain Brian. Brian can sometimes be his best friend, but he can also be his worst enemy – and he's getting louder ...
A gentle and funny tale about how we can manage our worries.
Game Over / Ages 9+
Jay is excited to discover a newfound passion for game-design at Computing Club. But there's a problem: it clashes with football. Can you be true to yourself without losing your friends along the way?
A funny and authentic look at peer pressure and balancing friendships with following your own path. Set in the first year of Secondary school.
Test Trouble / Ages 9+
Arun is determined to get out of a Maths test at school. But how? A protest? Pretend to be sick? He's ready to try anything, but maybe he's not the only one who feels this way, and in the end it's better to face your fears ...
A funny and lighthearted look at a worry-inducing part of school for many children.
Back of the Net / Ages 9+
Eva's football skills shine at break-time, but after being horribly bullied at her last school due to a painful skin condition, she's terrified for her new friends to find out. Can she find the courage to take to the pitch?
A sensitive look at body image and bullying, with a positive friendship story at its heart.
Bigfoot and the Wild Boys / Ages 9+
Joe is tired of being called average and is determined to re-invent himself before the start of Secondary school. So when a Bigfoot-like beast is sighted in the nearby woods, he senses an opportunity ...
A laugh-out-loud survivalist adventure, set in the summer holidays before the move to Secondary.
Crow / Ages 7+
When Hattie feels out of place at her new school, she creates a scarecrow to protect her. But as Crow's behaviour gets scarier and scarier, will Hattie realise that he's ruining her chances at friendship before it's too late?
A fantastical, unique take on the anxieties around starting at a new school, perfect for sparking discussion about big changes and forming friendships.
The Broken Dragon / Ages 7+
Tyra is off to a tough start at her new school, and things go from bad to worse when her beloved china dragon is smashed. Can she find a way to repair her treasure and make some new friends along the way?
A heartwarming story about starting at a new school, making friends and fitting in, with a relatable main character.
Sidney Makes A Wish / Ages 5+
If Sidney can wish for just the right thing from the wishing well, surely Billy will want to be friends with him again? But as Sidney makes his wishes, what he doesn't realise is that the friend he's been longing for has been beside him the whole time ...
Perfect at capturing playground dynamics for this age range, Sidney's story gently addresses worries around changing friendships at school.
Dimple and the Boo / Ages 5+
Dimple the Gnome is having a very bad day and he just can't find the right words to tell anyone how he's feeling. Then along comes the Boo ...
A funny and charming look at dealing with change and learning to express the difficult feelings that come with it.
