Back to School Books

September 16, 2026

Candace Dipsey

The colorful cover of the book, ”Mac and Cheese: The Origin Story” next to a photo of a smiling man. — HEADSHOT COURTESY MICHAEL L. BENNER

A new school year brings new classmates and friends. Two new books teach important lessons about friendship.

Meet Your Match

Mac is the main character in Mac & Cheese: The Origin Story (above). It was written by MICHAEL L. BENNER. Mac lives in Pastaland. But he does not fit in. He goes on a journey to find a best friend. There are silly and heartfelt moments along the way.

There are times when Mac tries to change himself. Benner says readers should not do that. “The most important thing is to always be yourself,” he told TIME for Kids.

Benner hopes readers never give up on making new friends: “You never know where you will find your BFF!”

Celebrating Brains

The cover of the book ”All Brains Welcome” next to a photo of a smiling woman.

HEADSHOT COURTESY JOHANNA PEYTON

All brains are different. JOHANNA PEYTON introduces many kinds of brains in All Brains Welcome. In the book, Ms. Shepard hosts a brain party. Readers meet kids with different types of brains. One has autism. Another has dyslexia.

Peyton hopes the book will help readers understand other people. Brains all have different strengths. “We are all stronger together because of our differences,” Peyton told TIME for Kids. Sometimes, the differences are hard to understand. It is okay for kids to ask questions. It makes a space “where everyone feels free to be who they are.”