Talking Books Talk

Talking Books Talk provides news and updates about the Kansas Talking Books Service (KTBS). Talking Books staff will highlight relevant announcements from KTBS and the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

Questions: KTB@ks.gov or 800-362-0699

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Aug 26

Children's Corner: National Back to School Month

Posted on August 26, 2021 at 11:48 AM by Maggie Witte

August is National Back to School Month. Students are already back in school, getting used to be in class all day, making new friends, and settling into routines. As such, we’re focusing on books with school stories.

School can be exciting, frustrating, emotionally trying. Books can help students prepare for school, interpret what they’re feeling, relate to others, and escape from reality when needed. These books will you have laughing out loud, crying, cheering, and more. Check one out today, then be sure to come back for more.

DB104119 Generation misfits by Akemi Dawn Bowman

Eleven-year-old Millie Nakakura joins her performing arts school's J-Pop club. The members form an imitation band of their favorite girl group and help support one another along the way. Commercial audiobook. For grades 5-8. 2021.

DB101269 My life in the fish tank by Barbara Dee

When Zinnia's older brother, Gabriel, is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, it turns her family's world upside-down, especially since they are keeping the information private. For grades 4-7. 2020.

DB 99594 Library books are not for eating! by Todd Tarpley

Students try to find a way to get their beloved teacher, Ms. Bronte, to stop eating the library books. Commercial audiobook. For preschool-grade 2. 2020.

DB 49974 The adventures of Captain Underpants  by Dev Pilkey

George and Harold are usually responsible kids...whenever anything bad happens, George and Harold are usually responsible! And it looks like they're up to their old tricks again! First, they ruined the school's science fair with a series of silly pranks. Then, they accidentally created an army of evil, vicious, talking toilets, intent on taking over the world. Who will stop the carnivorous commodes?!!! This looks like a job for Captain Underpants!  For grades 2-4.

DBC02486 Llama Llama misses Mama by Anna Dewdney

Llama Llama experiences separation anxiety on his first day of nursery school.

DB 48595 Sideways stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar

Thirty humorous stories about the students and teachers from the top floor of a school accidentally built sideways with thirty classrooms stacked on top of each other. Prequel to Wayside School Is Falling Down (DB 48596). For grades 3-6.

DB 53656 Junie B., first grader (at last!) by Barbara Park

Junie B. is not happy the first days of first grade. She feels left out because her old friends are making new friends. And worst of all, Junie B. needs to wear glasses. For grades K-3. 2001.

DB 92229 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

On Harry Potter's eleventh birthday, he learns that he is more than an unwanted orphan. The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry recruits him because he has inherent magical abilities. As he purchases his school supplies--robes, wand, and messenger owl--Harry looks forward to attending his new boarding school. For grades 4-7. Bestseller.

DB 65325 Clementine by Sara Pennypacker

Third-grader Clementine's disastrous week includes cutting her fourth-grade friend Margaret's long hair, chopping off her own hair, and frequenting the principal's office. Her little brother is the easy child, while Clementine, the difficult child, fears that her parents want to get rid of her. For grades 2-4. 2006.

DB 82800 Gabby Duran and the unsittables by Elise Allen

Gabby, a top-notch babysitter, is recruited by a secret agency to take care of extraterrestrial children. But Gabby runs into problems when she realizes that aliens can be a bit more difficult to manage--especially when they have unique abilities. For grades 3-6 and older readers. 2015.

DBC07146 Diary of a wimpy kid: Grey Heffley’s journal by Jeff Kinney

Greg's mom is making him keep a journal (not a diary!) where he records the trials of being an undersize middle-schooler among enormous guys who need to shave twice a day! He struggles to survive and to maintain his friendship with Rowley, who is becoming more popular. For grades 5-8.

DB 79254 Middle school, the worst years of my life by James Patterson

When Rafe Khatchadorian enters middle school, he teams up with his best friend, "Leo the Silent," to create a game to make school more fun by trying to break every rule in the school's code of conduct. Commercial audiobook. For grades 5-8. 2011.

DB 80417 Ella the elegant elephant by Carmela D'Amico

Ella's counting the days until the first day of school, but not because she's eager to start! On the contrary, as the littlest elephant on Elephant Island, she's terribly nervous about the other kids she'll meet. Commercial audiobook. For preschool-grade 2 and older readers. 2006.

DB 78630 Spy school by Stuart Gibbs

When twelve-year-old Ben Ripley is suddenly recruited to attend the CIA's highly secretive Espionage Academy, he is excited but wonders why he was chosen. On his first day, Ben is exposed to flying bullets and a hostage situation. Some strong language. For grades 4-7 and older readers. 2012.