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First Day Jitters
Last updated Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Author: Julie Danneberg
Illustrator: Judy Love
Date of Publication: 2000
ISBN: 1580890547
Grade Level: 2nd (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Aug. 2026
Synopsis:
Sarah Jane Hartwell has that sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach - she's nervous and doesn't want to start a new school year. She doesn't know anybody, and nobody knows her. It will be awful. She just knows it.
With a little convincing from Mr. Hartwell, Sarah Jane reluctantly heads to class. Shy at first, she's quickly befriended by Mrs. Burton and is reminded that everyone at school gets the jitters sometimes.
| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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How will you prepare for your first day of school?
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What feelings do you have on the first day of school, and why?
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What are “jitters”? Have you ever had them?
Vocabulary
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Nervous: easily excited or irritated, timid or fearful
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Jitters: a sense of panic
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Stumble: to walk unsteadily or clumsily
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Clammy: being damp, soft, sticky, and usually cool
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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How does Sarah feel about her new school? Why is she nervous?
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In the story, Sarah said she was nervous, how did she show she was nervous? sweaty palms, sick?
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Who is Mrs. Burton and how did she greet Sarah?
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Were you surprised at the end? Why?
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| Craft ideas: |
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Easy: Create a postcard to “send” encouragement to Sarah Jane or friends in your class. What words of encouragement would you like to share with your classmates? Is it -Don’t worry BE HAPPY- WE are in 2nd Grade! Or Join the fun here in second grade! Materials needed: Construction paper, craft items, stencil and scissors.
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Easy: Sarah Jane hides under the covers at the beginning of the book, and maybe you or a few of your classmates did the same! Draw a bed and jot how you or your classmate may have felt one morning before coming to school.
Materials needed: Construction paper, slim markers, crayons, stencil, and scissors.
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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