Book Guide:
May, 2025
Stories Discussing Change and Transition
Spring is the season of change — a time when goodbyes gently turn into new beginnings and the world feels full of possibility again. It’s when everything starts to bloom, not just in the gardens around us, but within ourselves too. These stories capture that spirit perfectly. Reminding us that growth isn’t always easy, but it’s always beautiful. Through friendship, discovery, grief and transformation, each book invites readers to see how change can lead to something even more wonderful.
Picture Books
Goodbye, Friend! Hello, Friend!
This sweet story follows two friends as they navigate the ups and downs of change, showing how every goodbye can lead to a new hello. Through simple, heartfelt moments, it reminds readers that transitions—whether small daily ones or big life changes—are a natural part of growing up.
Perfect for guiding end-of-year conversations, this story validates children’s feelings while also showing them the hope and beauty waiting on the other side of change. A gentle, playful way to help kids see that with every goodbye comes the promise of a new hello.
Grades: Preschool - 3rd Buy the book!
My Dad Use To Be So Cool
My Dad Used to Be Cool is a witty and heartwarming look at how life changes once kids come into the picture. For all of the’90s kids who grew up blasting Green Day and living for late nights, this book hits especially close to home. Suddenly, the punk rock band is traded for soccer practice drop-offs, the loud music becomes loud little voices, and those long nights turn into early mornings with mini-messes waiting for you.
It’s a reminder that when you become a parent, you step into the role of “designated adult”—responsible, steady, and often a little sleep-deprived. And yet, through the eyes of a child, those sacrifices don’t make you less cool. In fact, they reveal a new kind of cool: the kind that comes from love, care, and being present for all the small, everyday adventures.
Grades: 1st - 5th Buy the book!
Wherever You Go
Wherever You Go is not just a book about roads these friends take—it’s about resilience, connection, and the hope of what comes next. A truly moving way to end a school year and inspire young travelers on their next journey.As a teacher, I save this book for the very last read-aloud of the school year. It is the perfect story to help my students reflect on the journey we’ve shared together and to prepare them for the new road ahead. We look back at what we’ve learned, say our goodbyes, and then turn our hearts toward the future. I want my students to understand that, though our roads may now separate, we remain connected by the experiences we’ve shared. And as they step into summer and beyond, a new road is waiting for them on the other side.
Grades: Preschool - 3rd Buy the book!Coming of Age Novels
Counting By 7’s by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Twelve-year-old Willow Chance’s life is turned upside down when her adoptive parents die suddenly, forcing her to navigate a world completely changed by grief. A brilliant and eccentric girl who finds comfort in counting by sevens and observing the natural world, Willow must learn to rebuild her life from the ground up. Through her journey, Sloan explores how change and loss can coexist with growth and connection. As Willow forms unexpected bonds with a school counselor, a struggling family, and a kind taxi driver, she slowly transforms her pain into resilience. What begins as a story of tragedy becomes one of renewal, showing that even through profound grief, it is possible to find new roots, new love, and a new sense of belonging.
Grades: 5th - 8th Buy the book!
Hello Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
Four very different kids—Virgil, Valencia, Kaori, and Gen—are brought together when Virgil is trapped in a well. Through their daring rescue, each child faces fears, stands up for themselves, and discovers their own strengths. Told from multiple perspectives, the novel celebrates courage, empathy, and the quiet power of coming of age, showing how unexpected challenges can spark growth, build confidence, and create lasting connections.
Grades: 4th - 8th Buy the book!
Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman
Ellie has spent years trying to hide in a world obsessed with weight, following her self-imposed “Fat Girl Rules” to stay invisible. But through swimming, the love of her new friend Catalina, and support from her dad and therapist, Ellie begins to find her voice and confidence. The novel beautifully explores self-acceptance and the courage it takes to shed old fears, showing how growth and coming of age often mean learning to take up space, embrace yourself fully, and starfish unapologetically in life.
Grades: 4th - 8th Buy the book!