Back to School Book Favorites (and a FREEBIE!)

Finding a good back to school book for uppper elementary can be challenging.  Most of your students have already listened to Chrysanthemum a million times, and are wanting something with a little more content.  One of my favorite back to school chapter books in Wonder by R.J. Palacio.  I read this book last year, and my students loved it!

Wonder is about a 5th grader who is going to school for the first time.  August Pullman's mother has homeschooled him up to this point because he isn't like your typical 5th grader.  Auggis has severe facial deformities which often cause a reaction from both children and adults.  The book takes the reader through the highs and lows of Auggie's school year.
One of my favorite parts of the book is when Auggie's English teacher introduces the class to precepts.  A precept is a general rule that is intended to regulate behavior or thought.  Mr. Browne has a precept of the month.  Students talk about what the precept means to them.  At the end of the school year, Mr. Browne has each student come up with their own precept.  I had my students do this when we finished the book.  Here is my precept...

If  Wonder looks like a book you would like to try with your students, you can download my Wonder Precept Activity for free in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.
You can check out some other great Back to School Book Favorites at the links below!

An InLinkz Link-up

Enjoy and have a great school year!