Books for Kids and Teens Featuring Memorable and Inspirational Teachers
Teachers make a profound difference in the lives of children. Not only do they educate, often in challenging environments, but they inspire kids to reach their potential and help them build self-esteem and confidence inside and outside of the classroom. In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, we're highlighting fiction titles for kids and teens that feature memorable and inspirational teachers.
Picture Books
The Teachers I Loved Best
by Taylor Mali; illustrated by Erica Root
Illustrations and rhyming text celebrate the special teachers who make a difference in our lives.
A Letter To My Teacher
by Deborah Hopkinson; illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
A letter from someone who was once an exasperating second-grader reveals her experiences with a teacher who brought out the best in her.
Lila Greer, Teacher of the Year
by Andrea Beaty; illustrated by David Roberts
When Lila, a worrier, moves to a new town, the what ifs only grow, and she feels alone and invisible until her teacher finds a creative and kind way to make Lila feel welcome and open to new experiences, a lesson that will stay with her long after second grade.
Thank you, teacher!
by Cate Berry; illustrated by Sara Varon
A hilarious, rhyming ode to all the teachers of young children who go above and beyond.
Because I Had a Teacher
by Kobi Yamada; illustrated by Natalie Russell
A little bear reflects on some on some of the lessons he's learned from a great teacher.
Olivia, Wrapped in Vines
by Maude Nepveu-Villeneuve; illustrated by Sandra Dumais; translated by Charles Simard
When Olivia starts to feel overwhelmed by her big feelings, she sprouts vines. They are thorny and twisty and make it impossible for Olivia to do the things she loves to do. Plus, no one wants to come near a giant ball of thorns. Luckily, Olivia has a very special teacher who sees past the prickly and the pokey to the upset little girl and helps Olivia learn to manage the vines.
Middle Grade
Ms. Bixby's Last Day
by John David Anderson
Loving their gifted teacher, who makes them feel like the indignity of school is somehow worthwhile, three boys are dismayed when the teacher falls ill and leaves for the rest of the school year, a situation that compels them to share their stories while cutting class and journeying across town together on a fateful day.
One Time
by Sharon Creech
Possessing an artistic spirit that makes her feel different from other children, young Gina bonds with a mysterious neighbor who becomes her classmate in a new school year where she seeks advice from an inspiring teacher on how to channel her imagination to discover her true self.
The Unteachables
by Gordon Korman
Told in alternating voices, the teacher and students in room 117 find their lives changed over the course of a school year.
BenBee and the Teacher Griefer
by K.A. Holt
Told in multiple voices, four summer school classmates band together to save their teacher and their academic futures after Ms J.'s unorthodox teaching methods are questioned.
The View From Saturday
by E.L. Konigsburg
Four students, with their own individual stories, develop a special bond and attract the attention of their teacher, a paraplegic, who chooses them to represent their sixth-grade class in the Academic Bowl competition.
Because of Mr. Terupt
by Rob Buyea
Seven fifth-graders at Snow Hill School in Connecticut relate how their lives are changed for the better by "rookie teacher" Mr. Terupt.
More in the series: Mr. Terupt Falls Again, Saving Mr. Terupt, and Goodbye, Mr. Terupt.
Teens
Bronx Masquerade
by Nikki Grimes
While studying the Harlem Renaissance, students at a Bronx high school read aloud poems they've written, revealing their innermost thoughts and fears to their formerly clueless classmates.
Also check out the companion book, Between the Lines
The Poet X
by Elizabeth Acevedo
When Xiomara Batista, who pours all her frustrations and passion into poetry, is invited to join the school slam poetry club, she struggles with her mother's expectations and her need to be heard.
The Skin I'm In
by Sharon Flake
Thirteen-year-old Maleeka, uncomfortable because her skin is extremely dark, meets a new teacher with a birthmark on her face and makes some discoveries about how to love who she is and what she looks like.
Bluefish
by Pat Schmatz
Everything changes for thirteen-year-old Travis, a new student who is trying to hide a learning disability, when he meets a remarkable teacher and a sassy classmate with her own secrets.
Push
by Sapphire
Precious Jones, a 16-year-old girl who is pregnant with her second child by her father, is pushed by her courageous African-American teacher to learn to read, and discovers the truth about herself and her life.
Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.