By Katie Harrison

To keep your nieces and nephews reading as the summer school break quickly approaches, check out these “end-of-the-school-year” books. They make great graduation gifts for elementary school nieces and nephews.

“When It’s The Last Day of School” by Maribeth Boelts, 2004
4-8 years



This is a great read to remind your nieces and nephews that listening to their teachers can make for a very good day at school… especially on the last day of school before summer break. 

From the publisher: “James can barely contain his excitement on the last day of school, but he vows to be good and get Mrs. Bremwood's last gold sticker of the year. He's determined not to talk during Silent Reading and he will get his drink at the water fountain properly and not spit out any of it because it's warm. At lunch, he'll take the wrapper off his straw and not blow it at his friend Tony, and he won't show Tiffany how he can burp and talk at the same time. It'll be a perfect day and at the end, after giving Mrs. Bremwood the biggest hug ever, he'll explode! When it comes to excited kids, not many days can compete with the last day of school. And this is the perfect book to cap off every school year, for kids and teachers.”

“Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss, 1990
4-8 years



This book is for kids of any age. The message is eternally heartwarming and inspiring. This classic book will leave an impact for years to come.

From the publisher: “A perennial favorite, Dr. Seuss’s wonderfully wise graduation speech is the perfect send-off for children starting out in the world, be they nursery school, high school, or college grads! From soaring to high heights and seeing great sights to being left in a Lurch on a prickle-ly perch, Dr. Seuss addresses life’s ups and downs with his trademark humorous verse and illustrations, while encouraging readers to find the success that lies within. In a starred review, Booklist notes: “Seuss’s message is simple but never sappy: life may be a ‘Great Balancing Act,’ but through it all ‘There’s fun to be done.’”


“Last Day Blues” by Julie Danneberg, 2006
5-8 years



What a wonderful way to show kids just how important their teachers are! This story gives your nieces or nephews ideas of how they can thank their teachers for an awesome school year.

From the publisher: “It's the last week of school, and Mrs. Hartwell's class is excited to leave for summer vacation. The only problem is that the kids don't want their teacher to miss them while they're gone. The class comes up with a plan to make sure Mrs. Hartwell won't be sad. But Mrs. Hartwell and the other teachers have some plans of their own.”


“Last Day, Hooray!” by Nancy Poydar, 2004
5-8 years



Even teachers need help cleaning the classroom. This story reminds kids that even they can help clean up for the summer... but you’ll have to read until the end of the book to find out the surprise!

Publisher:  “Last Day, Hooray! Four, three, two, ONE! The last day of school is finally here. For Ivy and her friends it's time to take down pictures, clean shelves and say good-bye. But there is also time for one last surprise. In this companion to "First Day, Horray!” Nancy Poydar perfectly captures the excitement and fun of the final day of school and the beginning of summer vacation.”


“The Last Day of School” by Louise Borden, 2006
7-10 years



This story shows that last day of the school year can be happy and exciting. It’s a great sendoff to summer vacation!

From the publisher: “The school year is coming to an end, and everyone at Albert E. Chapman Elementary School is counting down, including Mrs. Mallory's third grade class. In the last weeks of school there is much to be done, from putting away supplies to cleaning out desks to finding a summer home for the class pet, Rhoda. Now -- finally -- the last day is here! Matthew Perez, one of Mrs. Mallory's students, has a perfect good-bye gift for his teacher, and he can't wait to give it to her. But when is the right time? Not in the morning when other kids are giving their gifts. Not during the Last Day fun of kickball and ice cream treats. Will Matt get his chance before the school day is over? The last Day of School will resonate with all children who know the excitement, energy, and bittersweet emotions that the final days of a school year bring.”

Photo: monkeybusinessimages
Published: May 11, 2016