Books for Kids and Teens Featuring Memorable and Inspirational Teachers

by Taylor Mali; illustrated by Erica Root

Illustrations and rhyming text celebrate the special teachers who make a difference in our lives.

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.

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.

by Cate Berry; illustrated by Sara Varon

A hilarious, rhyming ode to all the teachers of young children who go above and beyond.

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.
 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.
 

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.