The Day You Begin
by Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael López • Related Edition: Spanish-Language
64 Total Resources 12 Awards View Text Complexity Discover Like Books
- Grade
- PK-2
- Genre
- Poetry
- Realistic Fiction
- Picture Book
- Cultural Experience
- Latino (US / Canada)
- African American
- Asian American
- Disability
Year Published 2018
Word Count 622
- Text Complexity
- Lexile Level: 980L
- ATOS Reading Level: 4
- AR Quiz Numbers
- Quiz 197645, 0.5 AR Points
- Curricular Area
- English Language Arts
- Social Studies
- Subject Headings
- JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / Friendship
- Individuality
- Schools
- Immigrants
- Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Prejudice & Racism
- Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emotions & Feelings
- Individuality--Fiction
- JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / Prejudice & Racism
- Immigrants--Fiction
- Schools--Fiction
- Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
- Friendship--Fiction
- Friendship
- Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction
- JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / Emotions & Feelings
- Lists With This Book
- Race, Racism and Resistance
- Window and Mirrors
- Conversations through Literacy
- Netflix Bookmarks
- Black Lives Matter: Diversity
- Black Lives Matter: Empathy
- Social Emotional Learning Picture Books
- Sample: Skyline ELA Texts
- Sample: Skyline Math Texts
- Sample: EL Education, Grades K-8
- Sample: EL Education
- Preventing Bias-Based Bullying Elem.
- Sample: Bookworms Grade 2 Classroom Libr
Our Original Resources 11

Meet-the-Author Movie with Jacqueline Woodson
Created by TeachingBooks
Meet-the-Illustrator Recording with Rafael López about The Day You Begin
Created by TeachingBooks
Audio Name Pronunciation with Jacqueline Woodson
Created by TeachingBooks
Audio Name Pronunciation with Rafael López
Created by TeachingBooks
TeachingBooks Guest Blogger: Rafael López “Stirring the Pot of Color: Illustrating Picture Books”
Created by the TeachingBooks Blog
Nonfiction Read and Respond Multi-Leveled Lesson
Created by TeachingBooks
Story Map Multi-Leveled Lesson
Created by TeachingBooks
Cultural Representation Reflection
Created by TeachingBooks
Poetry Multi-Leveled Lesson
Created by TeachingBooks
View Comprehensive Text Complexity Measures
Created by TeachingBooks
Submit Qualitative Text Complexity Rubric
Created by TeachingBooks
Book Guides, Activities & Lessons 14
Nonfiction Read and Respond Multi-Leveled Lesson
Created by TeachingBooks
Story Map Multi-Leveled Lesson
Created by TeachingBooks
Cultural Representation Reflection
Created by TeachingBooks
Poetry Multi-Leveled Lesson
Created by TeachingBooks

Educator's Guide from Penguin Books for Young Readers
Created by Penguin Books for Young Readers

Parent/Family Discussion Guide from Anti-Defamation League
Created by Anti-Defamation League

Educator Discussion Guide from Anti-Defamation League
Created by Anti-Defamation League
Skills Building and Enrichment Activity from SEL Dallas
Created by SEL Dallas
Read Aloud Tips from New Balanced Literacy Schools
Created by New Balanced Literacy Schools

Educator Guide from Penguin Publishing Group USA
Created by Penguin Publishing Group USA
Lesson Plan from WITS for Schools
Created by WITS for Schools
Read Aloud Guide from Oakland Literacy Coalition
Created by Oakland Literacy Coalition

Educator's Guide from Vermont Department of Libraries
Created by Vermont Department of Libraries

Teaching Ideas from Unleashing Readers
Created by Unleashing Readers
Book Readings 4
Complete Reading narrated by Julie Andrews
Created by Julie's Library

Complete Video Reading narrated by Jacqueline Woodson
Created by Netflix

Complete Video Reading narrated by Miss Linda
Created by Brightly Storytime

Audiobook Excerpt narrated by Jacqueline Woodson
Created by Books On Tape® / Listening Library
Book Trailers 2
Video Book Trailer from MackinEducational
Created by MackinEducational

Video Book Trailer from Penguin Kids
Created by Penguin Kids
Awards & Distinctions 12

Charlotte Zolotow Award, 1998-2023
Commended, 2019

ALSC Notable Children's Books, 1995-2023
Commended, 2019

CCBC Choices
Selection, 2019

Charlotte Huck Award, 2015-2023
Commended, 2019

ILA Teachers' Choices Reading List, 2015-2020
Selection, 2019

Notable Books for a Global Society, 1996-2022
Selection, 2019

Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts Award, 1997-2022
Selection, 2019

Junior Library Guild Selections, 2012-2022
Nonfiction Selection, 2018

SLJ Best Books of the Year, 2010 - 2022
Selection, 2018
Images courtesy of publishers, organizations, and sometimes their Twitter handles.