My Favorite End of the Year Read Alouds

It’s hard to say goodbye, especially at the end of a school year. Here are my favorite end-of-the-school-year read-alouds.

This list is unconventional. Not all stories are specifically about the end of the school year, but some are about embracing change, overcoming fear, and pursuing one’s passion, even when things get tough.

Book Recommendations

The End is Just the Beginning by Mike Bender

This End is Just the Beginning by Mike Bender starts at the end. That’s because the end is the start of something new. It’s a great book to read to students so they are optimistic about the upcoming school year.

What the Road Said by Cleo Wade

What the Road Said by Cleo Wade is for everyone, not just children. It’s a beautifully illustrated poetic book that offers encouraging words for anyone questioning themselves or their path. It’s similar to Dr. Seuss Oh the Places You Go.

Goodbye for Now by Madison Rowe

Goodbye for Now by Madison Rowe is about growth and celebration. It’s a poetic book celebrating students’ development throughout the year by reflecting on the joy they experienced together.

I recommend you read this book and have your students write about their favorite memories for the year.

Here’s another end-of-the-year memory book for your students to capture their favorite memories (it’s a freebie)!

The Year We Learned How to Fly by Jacqueline Woodson

The Year We Learned How to Fly is a class favorite. It’s a story about a bored girl stuck inside on a rainy day. Their grandmother advises: “Use those beautiful and brilliant minds of yours. Lift your arms, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and believe in a thing. Somebody somewhere at some point was just as bored as you are now.” I love how the main character goes from being bored to using her imagination to bring her joy. Any book encouraging children to find solace in their imagination is a win!

Our Favorite Day in the Year by A.E. Ali

Our Favorite Day in the Year by A.E. Ali is a magical book celebrating our differences. Musfa is nervous about the first day of school. As the year goes on, he learns about his classmates’ cultures, traditions, and likes and soon realizes they have much more in common than he previously thought.

This book is an excellent mentor text to get students to share about the holidays they celebrate and even non-religious days.

Do Not Bring Your Dragon to the Last Day of School by Julie Gassman

The title gives away a big plot point: a student takes her dragon to school to disastrous (in a hilarious way) results. It’s a rhyming book, too, which helps make the story fun to read. This book is a fun read-aloud that your students will enjoy.

The Magical Yet by Angela Terilizzi

The Magical Yet is a great book to read all year, but I like reading it at the end of the year. This book is for students who may feel like they can’t do something. It could be riding a two-wheeler, reading a chapter book, or doing hard math YET! It’s a great reminder that we’re all still growing and learning and still have time to accomplish our goals.