Reading is one of the greatest gifts teachers can give students. A classroom filled with books opens doors to new worlds, sparks curiosity and builds confidence in young readers. But the reality is, not every student has easy access to books at home and for many, your classroom library may be their only chance to explore a wide variety of stories.
It is no secret that building a classroom library takes time and, often, money that teachers don’t always have in the budget. (If that sounds familiar, you may want to check out these helpful money-saving tips for teachers.)
If you’re wondering how to get started without breaking the bank, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve created this guide to help you understand why classroom books matter so much, share practical tips for building a library without breaking the bank and give you a list of classroom book recommendations by grade level to get started. Whether you’re starting from scratch or just looking to refresh your shelves, we have ideas to make it easier and more fun along the way.
Why Every Classroom Needs a Great Selection of Classroom Books
When students are surrounded by books, they read more. It’s that simple. A strong classroom library encourages independent reading, builds comprehension, expands vocabulary and supports overall literacy development—all essential goals that align with Common Core ELA standards.
Beyond academics, classroom books help students find joy in reading. They can choose stories that speak to their interests, discover new genres and see themselves reflected in characters on the page. That kind of freedom and representation matters. Having access to books can help students feel seen and give them the confidence to grow as readers and thinkers.
A wide selection of classroom library books can also help support your daily lesson plans and activities. Whether you’re introducing nonfiction texts during a science unit, modeling narrative writing or building background knowledge for a social studies topic, your classroom library becomes a tool you can turn to again and again.
Where to Find Classroom Books (Without Breaking the Bank)
We’re here to give you the best tips, tricks and resources to help you grow your book collection on a budget.
Starting From Scratch
Book Bundles
If you’re looking to stock your shelves quickly, The Book Bundler is a great place to start. They offer themed and grade-specific bundles packed with gently used books at discounted prices. Many bundles include popular titles your students will recognize, along with a few surprises they’ll be excited to discover.
Thrift Stores, Garage Sales and Secondhand Finds
Local thrift shops like Goodwill and The Salvation Army often have shelves full of classroom books for just a few dollars or less. The selection can vary, but with a little digging (and a bit of patience), you can uncover popular titles, classroom staples and even some hidden gems in great condition.
If you’re an early riser, garage and yard sales are also fantastic places to find inexpensive books. Keep an eye on local Facebook groups, Craigslist or apps like Nextdoor to spot sales in your area. You might walk away with an entire box of books!
You can also search Facebook Marketplace for book bundles. Use filters to search for “children’s books” or narrow the results by age range. If you’re comfortable with it, you can even post your own “ISO” (in search of) message explaining that you’re a teacher looking to build your classroom library; many people are happy to donate or offer steep discounts when they know the books are going to a good cause.
Library Sales
Many public libraries host annual or seasonal sales to make room for new books. These events are goldmines for teachers! You can often snag high-quality books for less than a dollar, and some libraries even offer special preview days just for educators. Many libraries will send updates on book sales to their email lists, so be sure to sign up for their newsletters!
Where to Find Your Favorite Titles and Authors
Looking for a particular book, author or series to support a lesson or match a student’s interest? These resources make it easier to track down exactly what you need.
ThriftBooks
ThriftBooks is a go-to resource for affordable, gently used classroom books, many of which are under $5. Through their ThriftBooks 4 Teachers™ program, verified educators can get a free, used book for every four books purchased. It’s an excellent option when you need classroom library books to match a unit, align with student interests or complete a series. They also offer a buyback program, so you can trade in books you no longer need and put that value toward new ones.
Google Shopping
Before defaulting to Amazon, try searching for specific titles on Google Shopping. It’s a quick way to compare prices across multiple retailers. This is especially helpful when you’re buying multiple copies of a popular classroom book or trying to find a specific edition. Google Shopping often includes results from Walmart, Target, Bookshop.org, Better World Books and others, so it can help you spot deals you might otherwise miss. With one quick search, you can stretch your book budget even further without having to jump between websites.
Educator Discounts
Many major bookstores and retailers offer exclusive educator discount programs that can help you save throughout the year. Whether you’re buying new classroom books, teaching materials or supplies, here are a few worth signing up for:
- Books-A-Million Educator Discount Program: 20% off in-store purchases for classroom use.
- Barnes & Noble Educator Program: 20% off classroom and personal purchases, with additional discounts during Educator Appreciation Days.
- First Book Marketplace: Offers new books at deeply discounted prices for qualifying educators, especially those serving Title I schools or low-income communities.
- Lakeshore Learning: Teachers Club members receive 15% off on teaching materials and books, in-store and online.
Many programs require verification (often through SheerID or a school ID), but registration is free and usually takes just a few minutes. Even if you only use the discounts occasionally, the savings can add up over time.
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How to Make Your Classroom Library a Space Students Love
Once you’ve started gathering books, the next step is turning your collection into a classroom library that’s inviting, well-organized and built to last. A little upfront planning helps your library become a beloved space where students feel safe, seen and excited to read.
1. Choose Age-Appropriate Books
Make sure your classroom books match your students’ developmental and reading levels. Add a few chapter books for more advanced readers. Visual learners or students who are still building fluency may benefit from books with illustrations, graphic novels or high-interest nonfiction that’s easy to digest. And don’t forget to include read-aloud favorites that everyone can enjoy together!
2. Label Books and Create a Checkout System
Labeling books by genre, level or series makes it easier for students to find what they’re looking for and return books to the right place. A simple checkout system, like a sign-out sheet, book pocket chart or digital log, can help keep books from disappearing and teach students responsibility along the way.
3. Organize in a Way That Works for You
Use bins, baskets, shelves or book boxes to keep everything neat and accessible. Many teachers sort their classroom library books by genre, author or guided reading level, depending on what works best for their space and students.
To make things even easier, consider using a color-coding system. For example, assign a colored sticker or matching bin label to each genre or reading level—green for nonfiction, blue for picture books, yellow for beginner chapter books and so on. It’s a visual cue that helps students find the right fit quickly, and it’s especially helpful for early readers and students who benefit from visual organization.
4. Create a Cozy Space for Students to Dream and Explore
Your classroom library should feel like more than just a collection of books; it should feel like a little escape. A cozy, inviting space where students can dream, relax and disappear into new worlds. Think soft blankets or pillows, a rug to sit on and warm lighting you can switch on when the overheads are off. Even a small nook can become magical with a little creativity.
The goal is to create an environment where students feel safe, comfortable and free to explore ideas and let their imaginations run wild. When your library space is calm and welcoming, it becomes more than just a reading area; it becomes a favorite hangout where creativity flows and students feel inspired to grow as readers and thinkers.
5. Include Diverse Books and Learning Styles
Representation matters. Fill your shelves with books that reflect numerous cultures, family structures, backgrounds and experiences. Include characters of different races, abilities, identities and perspectives, so every student can see themselves and others on the page. And remember, diversity also includes reading preferences: make sure there are options for visual learners, advanced readers and those who love nonfiction, humor, poetry or fantasy.
6. Rotate Books to Keep Things Fresh
Switch out classroom books regularly to keep students engaged. Highlight seasonal themes, classroom units or current events. For example, rotate in biographies during Women’s History Month or bring out animal nonfiction during a science unit. Themed displays or book baskets make it easy for students to explore new topics and tie reading into what they’re learning in class.
Recommended Classroom Books by Grade Level
Need help choosing books to get started? Here are some tried-and-true favorites organized by grade. These are perfect for independent reading, read-alouds and small group work.
Kindergarten Classroom Books
At this stage, students are just beginning to connect sounds to letters and recognize sight words. Books with rhyme, rhythm, repetition and strong visual storytelling help build early literacy skills and keep young readers engaged. They’re also great for group read-alouds and helping students make predictions or retell events.
Top Picks:
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. & Eric Carle
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
- If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
- Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. & John Archambault
1st-Grade Classroom Books
First graders are beginning to read more independently and develop fluency. They benefit from books with simple sentences, sight word repetition and relatable characters. This is also a great time to introduce short chapter books and stories that reinforce social-emotional learning.
Top books for 1st grade:
- Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems
- Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
- Henry and Mudge series by Cynthia Rylant
- Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff
2nd-Grade Classroom Books
Second graders are developing stronger comprehension skills and a deeper interest in storytelling. They’re ready for early chapter books, character-driven plots and more vocabulary-building. Stories that highlight humor, friendships and simple problem-solving work well at this stage.
Top books for 2nd grade:
- Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne
- Amelia Bedelia series by Peggy Parish
- Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown
- Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows
3rd-Grade Classroom Books
By third grade, many students are reading independently and are ready for deeper themes, longer texts and a broader range of genres. This is also a great age to begin weaving in more nonfiction and stories with stronger emotional or narrative arcs.
Top books for 3rd grade:
- Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
- The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
- Judy Moody series by Megan McDonald
- Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
4th-Grade Classroom Books
Fourth graders are ready to tackle more complex plots, nuanced characters and a mix of fiction and nonfiction. Books with historical or cultural context, deeper messages and opportunities for personal connection work especially well.
Top books for 4th grade:
- Who Was…? biography series – Accessible nonfiction that introduces influential people across history in a fun, easy-to-understand way.
- The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies
- Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
- The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
5th-Grade Classroom Books
Fifth-grade students often crave deeper, more meaningful stories that explore identity, justice, belonging and resilience. They’re ready for books that introduce real-world issues, richer vocabulary and layered plots across genres like historical fiction, fantasy and realistic fiction.
Top books for 5th grade:
- Holes by Louis Sachar
- Wonder by R.J. Palacio
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
- Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Creative Ways to Keep Your Classroom Library Growing
You don’t have to do it all at once, and you don’t have to do it alone. Here are a few ideas to keep your classroom book collection growing over time.
Create an Amazon Wishlist: Share it with families, friends and students’ parents. Many are happy to donate a book or two when they know it will go directly to your students.
Apply for Grants: Sites like DonorsChoose make it easy to request classroom library books or reading-related materials. Click here for more information on grants!
Host a Book Drive: Ask your school community to donate gently used books. You might be surprised how many families have extras they’re happy to pass along.
Celebrate Student Publishing: When your class writes and publishes their own book with Studentreasures, every student gets to see their name in print, and your classroom gets a one-of-a-kind addition to your library.
Build a Lasting Love for Reading with Classroom Books
Building a classroom library is more than just collecting books; it’s about creating a space where students feel safe, inspired and confident as readers. Every book on your shelf is an invitation for students to learn something new, explore a different perspective or fall in love with a story. Every story they pick up, every page they turn and every word they read moves them forward.
And when students become authors themselves, that love of reading grows even stronger. Studentreasures provides FREE classbook publishing kits that turn the writing process into an exciting, hands-on activity. It’s a fun and meaningful way to increase engagement and help students build confidence in their voice as young writers.
For more ideas to get your students engaged and excited to learn, be sure to visit our Teacher’s Lounge—and don’t forget to sign up for your free classbook publishing kit today!