DARK CLOUD

By Linsey Davis and Michael Tyler, art by Lucy Fleming

Published by Zonderkidz

First line: Take a look at this page.
Elements used: engages the reader 

By Sandhya Parappukkaran, art by Michelle Pereira

Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers

First line: My name is Zimdalamashkermishkada.

Elements used: introduces the main character and subverts the reader’s expectations

By Marie Tang, art by Jieting Chen

Published by Beaming Books

First line: Yuna watched her mom and dad fold, fit, and tuck old things into new spaces.

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

By Monica Wesolowskas, art by Jerome Pumphrey

Published by Dial Books for Young Readers

First line: Shortly after he was born, Elbert floated into the air.

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

By Julia Denos

Published by Clarion Books

First line: It is dark, but I can see your light.

Elements used: makes the reader feel something

By AsianBossGirl (Melody Cheng, Janet Wang, and Helen Wu), art by Eunice Chen

Published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books

First line: Mama, Baba, and June have a new home.

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something

By Geraldine McCaughrean, art by Peter Malone

Published by Andersen Press USA

First line: The Kingdoms of Arbor and Pomosa stood back-to-back.

Elements used: establishes the setting of the story

By Mary Lee Donovan, art by Brizida Magro

Published by Greenwillow Books

First line: Mi cielito, my angel, my moon and my sun—I call out your name with my heart, little one.

Elements used: makes the reader feel something and establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in

By Katey Howes, art by Dinara Mirtalipova

Published by chronicle books

First line: Clack. Clack. Swish—PULL BACK. Bobbin and Heddle, foot pedal, no slack.

Elements used: engages multiple senses and starts in the middle of the action

By Angela H. Dale, art by Lala Watkins

Published by cameron kids

First line: Sleepy street. Still. Gray. Empty bus stop. School day.

Elements used: establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in, establishes the setting of the story, engages multiple senses, and references a universal theme

By Cori Doerrfeld.

Published by Little, Brown and Company

First line: Finn was in a horrible mood.

Elements used: introduces the main character and hints at his problem, and makes the reader feel something

By Claudio Aguilera, art by Gabriela Lyon, translated by Lawrence Schimel

Published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers

Hook:

First line: It’s still dark when I leave home.

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something

By Polly Faber, art by Harriet Hobday

Published by Nosy Crow

First line: It’s getting dark.

Elements used: establishes the setting of the story

By Jane Yolen, art by Mark Teague

Published by Scholastic Press

First line: How does a dinosaur learn to be kind?

Elements used: introduces a main character with universal appeal, subverts the reader’s expectations, engages the reader, and makes the reader wonder something

By Glenda Armand, art by Keisha Morris

Published by Scholastic Press

First line: “Here comes another one!” I shouted.

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something and engages multiple senses

By Andrew Arnold

Published by Roaring Brook Press

First line: “And that, class, is what we call metamorphosis,” Ms. Gail says.

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something

By John Schu, art by Lauren Castillo

Published by Candlewick Press

First line: This is a word.

Elements used: engages the reader through stating the obvious

By Monique James-Duncan, art by Ebony Glenn

Published by Candlewick Press

FIrst line: Wake up! Sun’s up. It’s morning time, and we just love our Mommy time.

Elements used: establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in 

By Ruth Owen

Published by Ruby Tuesday Books

First line: Why are trees important?

Elements used: engages the reader

By Jessika Von Innerebner

Published by Roaring Brook Press

First line: Somewhere in a little town, there is a small porch.

Elements used: establishes the setting of the story

By Samantha Berger, art by Neha Rawat

Published by Harper

First line: Had I ever heard of a stepmother?

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something and feel something

By Robyn Wilson-Owen

Published by Andersen Press USA

First line: This is the busy town where a busy girl called Ida lived.

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

By Cate Berry, art by Sara Varon

Published by Balzer+Bray

First line: We can’t believe it’s finally here!

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something

By Joy Harjo, art by Michaela Goade

Published by Random House Studio

First line: Remember the sky that you were born under, know each of the star’s stories.

Elements used: hints at a unique premise

By John Sullivan, art by Zach Manbeck

Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

First line: STANLEY was a quiet boy.

Elements used: introduces the main character

By Qing Zhuang

Published by Holiday House

First line: I feel as gray as a pigeon on this rainy Saturday.

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something and engages multiple senses

By Grace lin and Kate Messner

Published by Little, Brown and Company

First line: Alice was tired of heavy sweaters and thick socks and staying inside with nothing to do.

Elements used: introduces the main character and her problem, engages multiple senses, and hints at the universal theme of boredom

By Jenna Beatrice, art by Erika Lynne Jones

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

First line: “It’s Monday,” said Mr. Park.

Elements used: starts to establish the setting of the story

By Eoin McLaughlin, art by Polly Dunbar

Published by Bloomsbury House

First line: Tiger was feeling sleepy.

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something and feel something

By Alliah L. Agostini, art by Shamar Knight-Justice

Published by Farrar Straus Giroux

First line: It’s the weekend, first in June; speaker’s blasting out big tune!
Elements used: establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in and establishes a setting with universal appeal