#1 Never help the kid next to you when he says he can't see the board.

In this delightful back-to-school tale, one student named Kensley shares her top ten "never-ever" tips for surviving the first week of school. Her advice includes "Never volunteer your little brother as the class pet," and "Never tell your teacher she looks like your Uncle Carl." Kensley's over-the-top warnings and well-meaning suggestions will make kids chuckle and ease their own anxieties about starting the school year.

After the reader watches Kensley fumble her way through her Top 10 tips, the ending holds a heartfelt reminder that while mistakes are made, friendships still form, and school is a place where all belong. The book closes with a letter from the author, a certified school counselor, that includes 10 things kids can practically do to prepare for going back to school.

Both entertaining and supportive, 10 Things to Never Do the First Week of School is a perfect read-aloud for easing first-week nerves and setting the tone for an exciting year build on self-confidence and a community mindset.