November 2022

By Rebecca Gardyn Levington, art by Kate Kronreif
Published by Sleeping Bear Press
First line: Teacher says it’s time to write.
Elements used: establishes the setting of the story and a rhythm that pulls the reader in

Click here to read about Rebecca's revision process for the first line.

By Joanna McClintick, art by Juana Medina

Published by Candlewick Press

First line: ‘Twas the night before Pride, a warm evening in June.

Elements used: references a beloved classic, engages multiple senses, establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in, and sets the tone of the story 

By Lina Alhathloul and Uma MIshra-Newbery, art by Rebecca Green

Published by minedition

First line: Do you believe you can fly?

Elements used: engages the reader and hints at a universal desire

By Andrea Beaty, art by Vashti Harrison

Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers

First line: I love you like yellow.

Elements used: introduces an unusual premise

By Devin Scillian, art by Sam Caldwell

Published by Sleeping Bear Press

First line: A parliament of owls was the first to arrive.

Elements used: introduces an unusual premise and establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in

By Estelle Laure, art by Paola Zakimi

Published by two lions

First line: The nicest time of day is not when it’s bright.

Elements used: subverts the reader's expectations and makes the reader wonder something

By Karla Courtney, art by Madeline Kloepper

Published by Walker Books

First line: Sometimes I like to go to the island.

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something 

By Sara Cassidy, art by Geraldo Valerio

Published by Groundwood Books, House of Anansi Press

First line: “Hello! I’m Mika. You really like crusts. I’m going to name you Serious.”

Elements used: introduces the main character, starts in the middle of the action, and makes the reader wonder something

By Stephanie Wildman, art by Estefania Razo

Published by Lawley Enterprises LLC

First line: “Wait, don’t throw that out!” Luis yelled out the window.

Elements used: introduces the main character, starts in the middle of the action, and makes the reader wonder something

By Lisa Wheeler, art by Charlie Alder

Published by Dial Books for Young Readers

First line: Babies here! Babies there! Babies raining everywhere!

Elements used: establishes a unique premise

By Tiffany Haddish and Jerdine Nolen, art by Jessica Gibson

Published by Harper

First line: Layla loved summertime in the Overlook Woods.

Elements used: introduces the main character and establishes the setting of the story

By Melissa De La Cruz, art by Primo Gallanosa

Published by Orchard Books

First line: Once upon a time, in the middle of a group of seven thousand happy islands named after King Philip of Spain, there lived a lady named Dona Esmeralda.

Elements used: introduces the main character,   establishes the setting, and references something with universal appeal

By Anna Orenstein-Cardona, art by Juan Manuel Moreno

Published by Beaming Books

First line: On the tropical Caribbean island of Puerto Rico, there was an ancient banyan tree. 

Elements used: introduces a unique main character and establishes the setting of the story

By Monica Silvie, art by Elina Ellis

Published by Kids Can Press

First line: The forest has a criminal.

Elements used: subverts readers expectations and makes the reader wonder something

By Ali Bahrampour

Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers

First line: It’s hard to knit a sweater with your hooves, but Hakim somehow did it.

Elements used: subverts readers expectations and makes the reader wonder something 

By Lindsay Ward

Published by two lions

First line: Hey, Primaries, what are you doing?

Elements used: introduces unique characters and makes the reader wonder something

By Ross Burach

Published by Scholastic Press

First line: Hey! What is all that noise?

Elements used: Makes the reader wonder something

By Joshua David Stein, art by Jing Li

Published by Rise

First line: On Monday, everyone had a sandwich for lunch.

Elements used: references a universal routine

By Joe Cepeda

Published by Little, Brown and Company

First line: Rafa is the happiest when he knows exactly how much.

Elements used: introduces the main character 

By Julie Fortenberry

Published by: Viking

First line: "Let’s turn the TV off,” said Jake’s grandpa.

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something

By Kat Zhang, art by Charlene Chua

Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

First line: When Amy arrives at school, Ms. Mary has a wonderful surprise…a new student!

Elements used: introduces the main character and references a universal experience

By Ali Kamanda and Jorge Redmond, art by Ken Daley

Published by sourcebooks eXplore

First line: Dear boy, Black boy, rise up, it’s time.

Elements used: engages the reader

By Marianna Coppo

Published by chronicle books

First line: This is a box.

Elements used: engages readers by stating the obvious and hints at a universal theme

By Katrina Moore, art by Joy Hwang Ruiz

Published by Dial Books for Young Readers

First line (over two spreads): Wobbly ears, fuzz that’s thick, love is sometimes at first lick.

Elements used: hints at a universal theme and engages multiple senses

By Juana Medina

Published by: Versify

First line: The words in this book are here to remind you how wonderful you are.

Elements used: engages the reader and appeals to the universal sense of self 

By Zana Fraillon, art by Phil Lesnie

Published by Greystone Kids

First line: The Curiosities came at dawn.

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something

By Barney Saltzberg, art by Jamie Lee Curtis

Published by Creston Books, LLC

First line: She took photographs of things she loved and sent them to him.

Elements used: establishes a unique premise and makes the reader wonder something

By Ashlee Latimer, art by Shahrzad Maydani

Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers

First line: Francis loved words.

Elements used: introduces the main character

By Ian Falconer

Published by Michael Di Capua Books

First line: Two dogs, dachshunds.

Elements used: references something with universal appeal

By Melanie Brown, art by Sara Gillingham

Published by Greystone Kids

First line: Daisy had just bloomed, and it felt good to open her petals and turn to the sun.

Elements used: introduces a unique main character