NYC Public Libraries Welcome You Back to School
Get ready to go back to school this fall with NYC public libraries! With more than 200 locations across the five boroughs, there's something for everyone. Check out these highlights!
Previewing the Year Ahead (2024–25 School Year)
With just a few weeks left before the start of the 2024–25 school year, it's the perfect time to start looking ahead to see what's in store for City students and families beginning this September! Check out our official 2024–25 School Calendar, and start planning for the upcoming school year TODAY!
When It Comes to Back to School Preparedness, There’s No Need to Cram
The first day of school is Thursday, September 5! Back to school season can be stressful, but just like preparing for a tough exam, there are a few things every family can do to get ready for the first day ahead of time. As the start of a new year approaches, we’re sharing our top tips to start off on the right foot.
8. Get Connected with NYCPS: Follow us on social media (X/Twitter; Instagram; Facebook) for the latest news you should know. The NYCPS+You newsletter will have updates and highlights about what’s going on in schools across the city. And, of course, don’t forget to come back and visit us right here on The Morning Bell, where we will continue to share resources, information, and more—all year long.
As the first day of school gets closer, check back here for more helpful tips!
We’re excited to be welcoming all of our students back to school on Thursday, September 5! A new school year marks a fresh start, but can also present new challenges to overcome—both in real life, and for the characters in these books! We hope you enjoy them as much as we do, and have a great first day of school this week!
Early Readers (3K–Grade 2)
- The Day You Begin, by Jacqueline Woodson; illustrated by Rafael López
- First Day Jitters, by Julie Danneberg; illustrated by Judy Love
- Harry Versus the First 100 Days of School, by Emily Jenkins; illustrated by Pete Oswald
Elementary (Grades 3–5)
- The Boy at the Back of the Class, by Onjali Q. Raúf
- The Unteachables, by Gordon Korman
- Welcome Back, Maple Mehta-Cohen, by Kate McGovern
Middle School (Grades 6–8)
- The 47 People You'll Meet in Middle School, by Kristin Mahoney
- Free Lunch, by Rex Ogle
- Muddle School, by Dave Whamond
Upper Grades (Grades 9–12)
- Pretty in Punxatawney, by Laurie Boyle Crompton
- The Silence Between Us, by Alison Gervais
- Where You See Yourself, by Clair Forrest
You can find these books and many more great reads on Sora, our Citywide Digital Library, which provides free access to thousands of digital e-books and audiobooks for our students, including those in the “Welcome Back to School” collection!
Missed our previous books of the week?
Check out all of our past recommendations in the Books of the Week Archive!
SPOTLIGHT ON OUR SCHOOLS
School might be out for the summer, but Summer Rising has been keeping kids across NYC busy! With a mix of academic and enrichment activities throughout the day, our summer programs are a fun way for students to stay engaged and keep their skills and knowledge fresh for when fall comes back around. Check out just a few of our favorite moments from Summer Rising so far!
Free Summer Meals for NYC Kids Until August 30
Even after the 2023–2024 school year ends, anyone 18 years old or younger can still enjoy free breakfast and lunch throughout the summer, starting Thursday, June 27, 2024. Learn more about the Free Summer Meals program, including site locations and food menus.
Ready to Read: Literacy Resources for Families
NYC Reads is reshaping the way that we teach our students to read, but the learning doesn't have to stop at the classroom door! Whether it's a family book club or a phonics-based 20 questions game, you can bring the "science of reading" home by using any of our helpful resources that will help your children continue to develop their literacy skills, like:
- Reading Games
- Phonics, Vocabulary, and Storytelling Practice
- And more!
