October 2022

By Karen Yin, art by Bonnie Lui

Published by Page Street Kids

First line: Mimi doesn’t look like the other ghosts—but she wishes she did.

Elements used: introduces a unique main character and her problem

By Casey Lyall, art by Vera Brosgol

Published by Greenwillow Books

First line: A witch’s favorite treat is Frog Soup.

Elements used: subverts the reader’s expectations

By Ann Whitford Paul, art by David Walker

Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux

First line: If animals trick-or-treated, Mama and Owlet at the pumpkin stall would first choose a pumpkin like Owlet—small.

Elements used: references an activity with universal appeal

By Laura Gehl, art by Lydia Nichols

Published by Abrams

First line: Pumpkins to pick. Ghost pops to lick. Neighbors to trick. Happy Owl-oween!

Elements used: establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in and hints at activities with universal appeal

By CK Malone, art by Alejandra Barajas

Published by Beaming Books

First line: Each Halloween, Charly couldn't’ decide weather to be fabulous or frightening.

Elements used: references a holiday with universal appeal and a universal dilemma

By Ana Siqueira, art by Irena Freitas

Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

First line: If it’s almost Halloween and you have a new babysitter…be wary.

Elements used: references a holiday with universal appeal and makes the reader wonder something

By Tom Fletcher, art by Greg Abbott

Published by Random House

First line: Eeek! There’s a WITCH in your book!

Elements used: Engages the reader and makes the reader wonder something

By Jessica Sima

Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

First line: There was a house on a hill, and that house was worried.

Elements used: introduces an unusual main character and makes the reader wonder something

By Donna L. Washington, art by Jeffrey Ebbeler

Published by Peachtree

First line: There were always Scares in Toadsuck Swamp, but Curly Locks didn't pay 'em much mind.

Elements used: introduces the main character, establishes the setting and the tone, and makes the reader wonder something

By Kevin Jonas and Danielle Jonas, art by Courtney Dawson

Published by Razorbill

First line: Emma loves music.

Elements used: introduces the main character and references the universal appeal of music

By Jennifer Wagh, art by Hallie Bateman

Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

First line: Dear Customer, Thank you for your Eggasaurus purchase.

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something and establishes an unusual premise

By Ji-Li Jiang, art by Nadia Hsich

Published by Creston Books

First line: Long, long ago, there was no written language in China.

Elements used: establishes the setting 

By Marcy Campbell, art by Francesca Sanna

Published by Alfred A. Knopf

First line: Once there was a wide-open field and a boy who loved his grandmother, who loved him back.

Elements used: hints at the universal theme of family

By Kiranjot Kaur

Published by Rebel Mountain Press

Fist line: Sangeet loves music.

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

By Ann Bonwill, art by Kayla Harren

Published by two lions

First line: They told her on a Thursday

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something

By Jacqueline Woodson, art by Leo Espinosa

Published by Nancy Paulsen Books

First line: In Brooklyn in the summer not so long ago grownups always had someplace to be or some kind of work to do, but the minute school ended, us kids were free as air.

Elements used: establishes the setting, references something with universal appeal (out-of-school time)

By Ciara and Russell Wilson, art by Jessica Gibson

Published by Random House

First line: Is there something that you dream of?

Elements used: engages the reader and references the universal theme of dreams

By aimee sicuro

Published by Random House Studio

First line (over two spreads): If you find a leaf you could dream the day away.

Elements used: engages the reader and references an activity with universal appeal

By Sade Smith, art by Ken Daley

Published by Feiwei and Friends

First line: Shelly-Ann Lived on the beautiful island of Jamaica, where the sun is always shining and the weather is sweet.

Elements used: introduces the main character and establishes the setting

By Minh Le, art by Dan Santat

Published by Alfred A. Knopf

First line: From the beginning, there was something different about this child.

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something

By Meg Fleming, art by Richard Jones

Published by Beach Lane Books

First line: WONDER out the window.

Elements used: engages the reader and employs a play on words

By Joanne Linden, art by Estrellita Caracol

Published by Barefoot Books

First line: River clean-up, springtime chore.

Elements used: establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in and hints at a universal chore

By Troy Cummings

Published by Random House

First line: Dear people at school, WOOF!!

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something and establishes the setting

By Shannon Hale, art by Tracy Subisak

Published by Dial Books for Young Readers

First line: Stanley hopped on his bike and zoomed through the cornfield.

Elements used: references an activity with universal appeal and introduces the main character 

By Carrie Finison, art by Erub Kraan

Published by Random House Studio

First line: Guess what day it is!

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something

By Lisa Kerr, art by Lisa Powell Braun

Published by West Margin Press

First line: In the desert, a winter frost melts.

Elements used: references the universal theme of nature 

By Fatima Faisal, art by Anain Shaikh

Published by Modern Marigold Books

First line: Sweet summertime.

Elements used: references the universal appeal of summer

By Bobby Bones, art by Stephanie Laberis

Published by Harper

First line: From the moment Stanley woke up, his belly felt burbly, his legs felt wobbly, and his tongue felt tangled.

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something, introduces the main character, and subverts the reader’s expectations

By Rebecca Kraft Rector, art by Shanda McCloskey

Published by Aladdin

First line: Little Red was pleased as punch.

Elements used: references a beloved classic, introduces the main character, sets the tone for the story, and makes the reader wonder something

By Valerie Bolling, art by Sabrena Khadija

Published by Abrams Appleseed

First line: School’s done!

Elements used: hints at something with universal appeal (out-of-school time)