How to Start First Grade — Cathy Hapka / Catherine Hapka

It's back to school for Steve! Will his first day of first grade be ruined by the new kid? A hilarious Step 2 reader about self-confidence and friendship!

Steve is so excited to start first grade with all his buddies from kindergarten! But then a new kid joins the class, and, boy, is she impressive! Hannah is from Alaska, and she's really cool. Even her show-and-tell is way more exciting than Steve's. But exaggerating to make himself seem cooler just lands Steve in the principal's office. Will he get into worse trouble, or can he maybe make a new friend?

This book is a perfect follow-up to How to Start Kindergarten and a great choice for any kid getting ready to go back to school. Emergent readers will see themselves in this very relatable series. And when they're ready, they can read about the zany antics of Steve and his older brother, Will, in How Not to Start Third Grade, How Not to Babysit Your Brother, and How Not to Run for Class President (Step 3 books).

Step 2 readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories. They are perfect for children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help.