Classroom Essentials: 25 Books for Social & Emotional Growth (2024 Edition)
Social-emotional learning (SEL) has taken the world by storm, and for good reason.
Research from CASEL (The Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning) shows that educational environments that support SEL programs see an improvement in academic scores, classroom behavior, and students’ ability to manage emotions.
As district leads know, embedding the five SEL competencies (self-management, self-awareness, social awareness, responsible decision making, and relationship skills) into classroom curriculum allows for students to practice these skills in a safe environment with tiered support systems in place.
One of the easiest ways to introduce SEL topics is through the use of literature. Reading not only provides context for social-emotional learning, but also lets those wary of sharing personal stories participate in the discussion.
Need to upgrade your classroom library? Look no further than the list below. These 25 titles cover all five social and emotional competencies to ensure that your students are learning and practicing the spectrum of SEL skills.
While middle and high school teachers may naturally lean towards the graphic novel or chapter books on this list, remember that picture books aren’t just for little kids. Most of these suggestions are suitable for all ages, whether it’s simply for an introduction to a unit or for a lengthier discussion on a specific SEL standard.
Self-Awareness
The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad: Faizah is excited for the first day of school, but is met with hurtful, confusing words from classmates about her hijab. This is a universal story of adversity, new experiences, and being proud of who you are. (Reading age: 3-8 years old)
The Lights That Stay by Cortney Cino: This story artfully combines the parallels of the sun’s light and a child’s inner light, reminding readers that something inside each of us is enduring and powerful. The Lights That Stay follows the journey of a girl whose inner light grows and transforms in various and profound ways. (Reading age: 3-8 years old)
The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi: No one is born knowing how to do things, which is why each of us is accompanied by a special companion – the Yet. This encouraging book reminds us that we all have things we haven’t learned…yet! (Reading age: 4-8 years old)
Ball Boy by Paul Shirley: Gray Taylor wants to be remarkable (but isn’t). He gets the chance to change, and ultimately feel special, when he moves from L.A. to Kansas and begins playing basketball. (Reading age: 13-16 years old)
Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk: After losing almost everything in the Great Depression, Ellie’s family is forced to leave their home and start over in the wilderness of nearby Echo Mountain. Determined to help her father, who has recently slipped into a coma, Ellie sets out to make her way to the top of the mountain in search of the secrets of a healing woman. (Reading age: 9-12 years old)
Free eBook: An Educator’s Guide to Developing Social-Emotional Learning Skills in Your K–12 Students
Self-Management
Dolly’s Doodle Dreams by Melissa M Eastin: Doodle dog Dolly’s challenges begin as she learns to walk on a leash and resist distractions. This book encourages readers to problem solve and persevere in the eyes of Dolly. (Reading age: 4-7 years old)
The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes: A Growth Mindset Book For Kids To Promote Self Esteem by Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein: Beatrice is perfect and never makes mistakes— until she makes a very public one. This book helps kids realize that mistakes are a part of life, help us grow, and can be funny reminders that we aren’t perfect! (Reading age: 5-8 years old)
Twerp by Mark Goldblatt: When Julian Twerski returns to school after a weeklong suspension, he learns that if he keeps a journal, he can get out of writing a report on Shakespeare. And so begins his account of life in sixth grade… (Reading age: 11-12 years old)
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst: A mother offers a very simple idea to overcoming loneliness, separation, or loss. She tells her children that we are all connected by an invisible string, and that when we feel the physical side effects of grief (such as heartache), it’s simply the person on the other side tugging saying they miss us too. Karst gives adults the words and images to use when discussing connections between loved ones. (Reading age: 3-7 years old)
The Friend I Need: Being Kind & Caring to Myself by Gabi Garcia: Most kids learn how to be good friends to others, but what about being kind to themselves? This book teaches children how to talk to themselves when they make a mistake or are having a hard time. (Reading age: 5-8 years old)
Social Awareness
The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall: Arthur T. Owens throws a brick at the trash picker. His consequence? One hundred and twenty hours of community service. He soon realizes there’s more to the Junk Man – and people’s trash – than meets the eye. (Reading age: 10-13 years old)
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña: Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. This energetic ride through a bustling city highlights perspective taking, understanding, and gratitude. (Reading age: 3-6 years old)
Canned and Crushed by Bibi Belford: When Sandro Zapote finds out his little sister needs heart surgery, he is determined to help his parents raise the money so she can get treatment. After picking up scrap metal to recycle for cash, Sandro has a brilliant idea: can collecting to save the environment and save his sister. (Reading age: 8-12 years old)
Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor: Life can be hard for a child who is different. Likewise, explaining these differences to classmates may be difficult for the child or their teacher. In Just Ask, Sotomayor writes about children with all sorts of challenges and looks at the special powers those kids have as well. As the kids work together to build a community garden, asking questions of each other and finding connections along the way, this book encourages readers to do the same. (Reading age: 4-7 years old)
Something Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango: Laura Rodrigeuz Colon wants things to go back the way they were: living with her parents and attending her old school. When she finds a puppy, she believes it’s a step in the right direction to finding her way home. (Reading age: 10-14 years old)
Relationship Skills
Don’t Squeal Unless It’s a Big Deal by Jeanie Franz Ransom: There were nineteen students in Mrs. McNeal’s class. And nineteen tattletales. Because most of the problems are kid-sized ones, Mrs. McNeal teaches her students to address feelings and problem solve. (Reading age: 4-7 years old)
The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig: No one ever seems to notice Brian, nor think to include him in any games or activities. When Justin, the new boy, arrives, Brian is the first to make him feel welcome. And when Brian and Justin team up to work on a class project together, Brian finds a way to shine. (Reading age: 5-8 years old)
The Color of Sound by Emily Barth Isler: Twelve-year-old Rosie is a musical prodigy whose synesthesia allows her to see music in colors. She’s never told anyone this, so instead of attending a prestigious summer music camp, she visits her grandparents to experience a summer unlike any other. (Reading age: 11-14 years old)
You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!) by Taraji P. Henson: Lil TJ is ready for her first day of school, but discovers that she’s standing out in all the wrong ways. After remembering her grandma’s advice, she figures out how to make new friends and helps others around her do the same. (Reading age: 4-7 years old)
Willa and the Whale by Chad Morris: When her mother dies, twelve-year-old Willa feels lost and alone except when she connects with things her mom loved about the wonders of the ocean as a marine biologist. She befriends a humpback whale and their friendship helps Willa move through her sadness. (Reading age: 8-11 years old)
Responsible Decision Making
Meet Miss Francy by Irene Latham: Frank is excited to hear that Miss Francy, a retired circus elephant, is moved to a local zoo. When he learns that, because of segregation laws, he isn’t allowed to visit the zoo, Frank proposes a plan to the City Council to work towards his goal. (Reading age: 5-8 years old)
The Whale Who Ate Plastic by Stephanie O’Connor: One day, a very hungry whale meets a little fish who warns him about plastic. Not understanding that plastic isn’t food, the whale eats it, only to feel very sick! (Reading age: 4-6 years old)
Moraline by Cintia Alfonso Fior: Twelve year-old Moraline is about to run away from her problems – again. On a school camping trip, she flees into the woods and meets a Lakota holy man who says it’s her fate to combat injustice wherever she finds it. (Reading age: 8-13 years old)
What If Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick: Breaking the rules may not seem like a big deal, but if everyone did it, the world would be a mess! This book helps kids understand the consequences of their actions in a humorous and age-appropriate way. (Reading age: 3-6 years old)
Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson: ZJ’s dad, a talented pro football star, has always been a hero to everyone. ZJ’s mom explains that things are going to change because of his dad’s head injuries sustained from his career. ZJ has to contemplate his family’s new reality while figuring out how to hold tight to traditions and recollections of the glory days. (Reading age: 10-14 years old)
Want to learn how Xello can help your students develop their SEL skills? Just click on the link below to book a call with our educational consultants and they’ll be happy to help.
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