Luna's Green Pet

By Lucky Diaz, art by Micah Player

Published by Harper

First line: Every Sabado in sunny LA, I dream of guitars in the window display.

Elements used: Establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in, establishes the setting of the story, and hints at the character’s goal

comp tags: upcycling, following dreams, learning something new

By Christine Evans, art by Gracey Zhang

Published by union square kids

First line: Dear Mr. Graham, I am sorry for kicking my soccer ball into your garden.

Elements used: makes the reader feel something

comp tags: epistolary, intergenerational relationships

By Sandra V. Feder, art by Rahele Jomepour Bell

Published by Groundwood Books

First line: I like feeling peaceful.

Elements used: hints at something with universal appeal

comp tags: handling feelings, self awareness, defining peace

By Katie Vernon

Published by RP Kids

First line: I’m Ari, and I have been arranging things all my life.

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

comp tags: bringing order to chaos, letting go

By Ryan T. Higgins

Published by Disney Hyperion

First line: Penelope Rex was seven feet tall and covered in scales.

Elements used: introduces the main character

comp tags: humor, responsibility, class pet, conquering fears

By Tiffany Golden, art by Sawyer Cloud 

Published by Page Street Kids

First line: I want to be big.

Elements used: references a universal desire

comp tags: discontent, wanting to be something you’re not

By Cynthia Rylant, art by Lisa Congdon

Published by Beach Lane Books

First line: There is a softness and a quiet before the rain comes.

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

comp tags: weather, effect of rain

By Chelsea Lin Wallace, art by Hyewon Yum

Published by chronicle books

First line: Oh Bad Morning, eyes are crusty, bones are rusty.

Elements used: references a universal theme and establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in

comp tags : bad day, frustration 

By Dan-ah Kim

Published by Greenwillow Books

First line: Nari lives in a rowdy home in a crowded city.

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

comp tags: imagination, exploring

By Jane Yolen, art by Paolo Domeniconi

Published by Creative Editions

First line: A stick! A Stick! A Remarkable toy. It can bring you much magic and also much joy.

Elements used: establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in and references something with universal appeal

comp tags: imagination, nature, magic, play

By Junauda Petrus, art by Kristen Uroda

Published by Dutton Children’s Books

First line: Can we please give the police department to the grandmothers?

Elements used: engages the reader and subverts the reader’s expectations

comp tags: grandmothers, love, solving problems, 

By Kristen Tracy, art by David Small

Published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons

First line: Sunrise lounger.

Elements used: introduces a beloved main character and makes the reader feel something

comp tags: a cat’s day, rhyming, couplets, spare text, humor

By Joanna Ho, art by Faith Pray

Published by Harper

First line: Asleep in my arms, your hair feels like dandelion fluff against my fingers—a field of wishes waiting to be blown into the sky.

Elements used: engages multiple senses and references something with universal appeal

comp tags: hopes and dreams, growing up

By Fynisa Engler, art by Milanka Reardon

Published by Lawley Publishing

First line: Those who knew Harry said he NEVER listened.

Elements used: Introduces the main character and his problem and makes the reader feel something

comp tags: listening, hearing problems

By Matthew Burgess, art by Evan Turk

Published by chronicle books

First line: On her eighth birthday, when the sun was peeking over the treetops and everyone in the house was still asleep, Maude slipped outside and across the wet grass to the edge of the woods.

Elements used: establishes the setting, engages multiple senses, introduces the main character, and makes the reader wonder something

comp tags: memories, intergenerational relationships

By Nancy Cooper, art by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley

Published by Owlkids Books

First line: Amik hears a slapping sound and sees ripples in the water.

Elements used: engages multiple senses

comp tags: family, badgers, fear of the unknown

By Amy Krouse Rosenthal, pictures based on art by Brigette Barrager

Published by Random House

First line: It was a sunshiny day in the land of unicorns.

Elements used: references something with universal appeal

comp tags: unicorns, tooth fairy

By Daymond John, art by Nicole Miles

Published by Random House

First line: It was the best street fair Daymond had ever seen.

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

comp tags: kid entrepreneur, teamwork

By Kallie George, art by Carmen Mok

Published by Greystone Kids

First line: The ocean has lots to say…if you listen.

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

comp tags: sounds at the beach 

By Lisa Brown

Published by Neal Porter Books

First line: When I went to the hospital, I cried nine times.

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

comp tags: hospital visit, getting sick

By Marianna Coppo

Published by chronicle books

First line: It’s nighttime again.

Elements used: establishes the setting of the story

comp tags: anxiety, friendship, overcoming fear, feelings

By Shadra Strickland 

Published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books

First line: Asphalt sizzles in wait, ropes lie in the corner as bait.

Elements used: establishes the setting of the story, establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in, makes the reader feel something, and engages multiple senses

comp tags: jumprope, summer, rhyming, friendship, unique structure

By Eoin Colfer, art by Christ Judge

Published by Candlewick Press

First line: Erin’s very first word was cat.

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

comp tags: cloud spotting, hospital

By Lesley Younge, art by Lonnie Ollivierre

Published by Sleeping Bear Press

First line: IT WAS THREE O’CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON, and everyone knew that A-TRAIN ALLEN would soon come FLYING by.

Elements used: uses unique formatting, establishes the setting of the story, and makes the reader wonder something 

comp tags: running, fast, excited, grandparent

By Patricia Polacco

Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

First line: It was a sunny day.

Elements used: establishes the setting of the story

comp tags: library, birds

By Mac Barnett, art by Christian Robinson

Published by Candlewick Press

First line: How many animals can you see in this picture?

Elements used: engages the reader

comp tags: (unanswerable) questions

By Jacob Grant

Published by Viking

First line: Jump on your bike, Pablo.

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something

comp tags: fairness, father son outing, sharing

By Brad Montague, art by Brad and Kristi Montague

Published by Dial Books for Young Readers

First line: Welcome to the Fantastic Bureau of Imagination.

Elements used: establishes a unique setting and engages the reader

comp tags: the world of the imagination, creating

By Leslie Odom, Jr. & Nicolette Robinson, art by Joy Hwang Ruiz

Published by Feiwel and Friends

First line: Do you remember when we first met?

Elements used: engages the reader

comp tags: rhyming, parents’ love

By Stuart Hausmann

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

First line: The citizens of Linneopolis were an uptight, straitlaced bunch.

Elements used: establishes a unique setting and uses a play on words

comp tags: conformity, being yourself, tolerance