Hawaiʻi State
Public Library System

Posted on: August 1, 2025 | Category: Spotlight

As a new school year begins, the Hawai‘i State Public Library System (HSPLS) is here to support young learners, from toddlers to teens, with recommended back to school book titles and free online tools available 24/7 with a library card.

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For Preschoolers

Recommended Book Titles

• How Do Dinosaurs Go to School? by Jane Yolen
• It’s Time for Preschool by Esmé Raji Codell
• The Night Before Preschool by Natasha Wing
• Pete the Kitty’s First Day of Preschool by Kim Dean
• Rosie Goes to Preschool by Karen Katz

Online Resources

• BookFlix – Bring reading to life with animated storybooks paired alongside engaging nonfiction videos that build early literacy skills.
• Kanopy Kids – Stream educational films, documentaries, and animated stories perfect for class projects or enrichment.
• Scholastic Teachables – Engage your PreK and Kindergarten learners with fun, easy-to-use printable activities.

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For Elementary Students (Grades K–5)

Recommended Book Titles

• First Day, Hooray! by Nancy Poydar
• The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes: A Growth Mindset Book for Back to School for Kids by Mark Pett & Gary Rubenstein
• Kindergarten Diary by Antoinette Portis
• Lena’s Shoes are Nervous: A First-Day-of-School Dilemma by Keith Calabrese
• The Pigeon Has to Go to School by Mo Willems

Online Resources

• BookFlix – Explore reading with engaging animated stories paired with nonfiction videos that boost comprehension and curiosity.
• Kanopy Kids – Stream educational films, documentaries, and animated stories perfect for class projects or enrichment.
• Primary Search – Find kid-friendly magazine articles, images, and reference materials for school projects and curiosity-driven research.
• Scholastic Teachables – Download printable worksheets, activities, and mini-books to support learning at home.

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For Middle School Students (Grades 6–8)

Recommended Book Titles

• The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf
• A Good Kind of Trouble by Lisa Moore Ramée
• Middle School Bites by Steven Banks
• Millicent Min, Girl Genius by Lisa Yee
• New Kid by Jerry Craft

Online Resources

• Explora Middle School – An online research tool that offers age-appropriate articles, videos, and reference materials for middle school students.
• Kanopy – Stream educational films, documentaries, and animated stories perfect for class projects or enrichment.
• Middle Search Plus – Explore biographies, historical documents, and full-text articles tailored to middle-grade readers.

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For High School Students (Grades 9–12)

Recommended Book Titles

• Fighting Invisible Tigers: Stress Management for Teens by Earl Hipp
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens on the Go by Sean Covey
• Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie by David Lubar
• The Stress Survival Guide for Teens by Jeffrey Bernstein

Online Resources

• CQ Researcher & Points of View Reference Center – Find trusted, research-ready sources for essays, reports, and speech & debate.
• Kanopy – Access a huge collection of movies and documentaries for free, perfect for high school students who want to explore new ideas and stories.
• Mango Languages – Learn over 70 world languages—including ʻōlelo Hawai‘i—through fun, interactive lessons.
• Peterson’s Test Prep – Practice for the SAT, ACT, AP exams, and explore tools for college and career planning.
• PressReader – Stay informed with digital access to thousands of newspapers and magazines from around the world.

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If you need assistance obtaining a book copy or with an online resource, please contact your local library.