10 Powerful Goal Setting Books To Inspire Student SMART Goals
- LLX2
- Sep 27, 2023
- 8 min read
Updated: Sep 19
Inside: Searching for goal setting books that truly inspire kids? These powerful titles transform teaching student SMART goals easy, engaging, and fun for every learner!
One student slumps so far down in their chair you can barely see their eyes, pencil rolling off the desk with a clatter.
Another grips their eraser like a lifeline, rewriting the same word until the paper tears.
And then there’s the kid dramatically sliding under the desk, arms crossed, declaring he’s “quitting school forever”… at age 10.
Sound familiar?
How many times this week have you watched frustration bubble over—students groan, snap pencils in half, or bury their heads in hoodies to hide their tears?
It’s heartbreaking.
Because you know these same kids burst with curiosity, energy, and big dreams—but without guidance, their journey can feel messy, overwhelming, and hopeless.
Well, it’s time to flip the script!
Let’s teach them to cheer for every small win and understand that success isn’t about perfection, but following a plan they believe in. Instead of fearing mistakes, let’s help kids see them as stepping stones.
Imagine handing them a roadmap that’s colorful, clear, and fun—a tool that turns frustration into
excitement. That’s what these 10 powerful growth mindset and goal setting books provide.
They use relatable characters, inspiring stories, and meaningful conversations to help kids build a growth mindset and set goals they’re proud of. And to keep the focus on growth clear, we have included insightful discussion questions for each story.
Ready to guide your students through goal setting without extra prep? Pair these strategies with our SMART Goal Setting Slides—a simple, engaging way to kickstart success!
By the end, you won’t just teach growth mindset and goal setting—you’ll spark confidence, grit, and a sense of “I can do this!” in every single one of your students.
What's Ahead:
Student SMART Goals Simplified
Goal setting isn’t just about scribbling dreams on paper. The process inspires students to dream big, create a plan, and confidently navigate their own path to success.
Hand your students a goal setting treasure map: with the right guidance, they’ll have the tools to find their “X” and reach their goals.
Teaching Growth Mindset to Elementary Kids Matters
Elementary school is the perfect time to lay the foundation for a growth mindset!
At this age, kids naturally show curious and eager to try new things—but they also form beliefs about their abilities. Without guidance, “I’m bad at math” or “I’ll never read like the others” can become lifelong labels.
Teaching a growth mindset flips the script:
Brains grow with effort: Kids learn that practice strengthens their brains.
Mistakes become stepping stones: Errors are part of the learning journey.
Confidence becomes the goal: They see themselves as capable learners, not fixed in one box.
You’re not just teaching skills—you’re shaping resilient, confident learners ready to take on challenges.
Student Goal Setting...More Than Just Achievements!
So why teach goal setting at all? Because growth is so much more than a checklist of dreams on paper.
Goal setting ignites a spark—a spark that can encourage personal and intellectual growth, empowering students to see themselves not just as learners, but as capable achievers with a plan!
When students set meaningful goals, they do more than just work toward a grade or a test score.
They develop life skills that will serve them long after they leave your classroom:
Promotes Brain Development: Goal setting activates memory, planning, and critical thinking.
Builds Analysis Skills: Students learn to evaluate their current skills and determine where they want to go.
Fosters Growth Mindset: Kids see effort and perseverance as the key to success.
Encourages Ownership: Students take charge of their learning journey.
Develops Positive Traits: Hard work, confidence, and persistence become habits.
SMART Goals: A Step-by-Step Roadmap for Students
How do you help kids set goals they can achieve—without overwhelm or defeat? Enter SMART goals—a simple, structured process that transforms big dreams into bite-sized, actionable steps.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
S – Specific: Define exactly what they want to achieve and why it matters.
M – Measurable: Track progress so kids can see their growth.
A – Action Plan: Create small, actionable steps that lead to success.
R – Realistic: Goals should be challenging yet achievable.
T – Time Frame: Set a deadline to add focus and motivation.
SMART goals shrink big dreams into bite-sized steps. The goal-setting process becomes a simple, manageable process that provides a scaffold to success!
With time, guidance, and a little patience, your students will write meaningful goals and develop confidence as they see themselves succeed. You'll watch them become experts at setting and achieving their SMART goals, ready to conquer whatever challenges come their way.
Ready to make this a reality in your classroom?
No need to reinvent the wheel—these SMART Goal Setting Slides walk students step-by-step through creating meaningful goals while building confidence and a growth mindset.
Powerful Goal Setting Books: SMART Goal Inspiration
Picture books bring magic in the classroom. They grab attention, spark emotions, and help even tricky concepts stick.
Teaching SMART goals through picture books hands your students a colorful roadmap to success—goal setting feels fun, relatable, and inspiring!
The stories below feature characters your students will cheer for, and the guided questions will spark meaningful conversations about growth mindset, grit, and goal-setting.
10 Must-Read Goal Setting Books to Spark Motivation in Students!
In "Salt in His Shoes," young readers follow Michael Jordan’s inspirational journey from a dream to basketball greatness. Through this story, kids learn about the power of setting ambitious goals and persevering through challenges.
Discussion Questions:
How did Michael Jordan’s determination help him achieve his dreams?
Can you relate to a time when you had a big dream or goal? How did you work towards achieving it?
What challenges did Michael Jordan face on his journey, and how did he overcome them?
A determined young girl sets out to invent something magnificent, facing setbacks along the way. The story teaches kids the value of persistence, problem-solving, and working toward a goal step by step.
Discussion Questions:
How does the main character show persistence when things get tough?
Have you ever had a project or goal that seemed challenging or frustrating? How did you handle it?
How can persistence and problem-solving help you achieve your goals?
Vashti learns that creating something beautiful starts with a single dot, showing that small steps can lead to big creative achievements. This story encourages children to set achievable goals and embrace self-expression.
Discussion Questions:
How does Vashti’s “dot” show that small steps can lead to big achievements?
Why is it important to start with something simple when trying something new?
Can you share a time you created something amazing from a small start?
Rosie dreams of becoming a great engineer and learns failures will be part of the journey. Her determination inspires kids to pursue passions, set ambitious goals, and never give up.
Discussion Questions:
What goals does Rosie set for herself, and how does she work toward achieving them?
How does Rosie’s creativity and determination inspire you?
How can you keep trying even when your first attempt doesn’t succeed?
A child discovers the power of nurturing a unique idea, and growing it into something extraordinary. The story encourages students to set goals, believe in themselves, and take steps to make a positive impact.
Discussion Questions:
How does this book encourage you to believe in your own ideas?
What’s an idea or dream you’d like to bring to life?
How might embracing your ideas lead to achieving your goals and making a positive impact?
This playful book turns every spill, tear, and smudge into a masterpiece. Kids will discover that mistakes can spark creativity, imagination, and unexpected brilliance.
Discussion Questions:
How does this book change the way you think about mistakes?
Can you share a time when a mistake led to something positive?
How could embracing mistakes help you reach a goal?
A young girl learns the power of adding “yet” to her thinking, showing that effort and perseverance lead to growth. This story introduces growth mindset in a way that inspires kids to set goals and keep trying.
Discussion Questions:
What does it mean to have a "yet" mindset?
Can you describe a time you worked hard to learn something new?
How can having a growth mindset help you in your everyday life?
Ruby dreams of an education in a time when girls weren’t encouraged to learn, proving that determination can break barriers. Her story inspires students to set bold goals and value persistence.
Discussion Questions:
How does Ruby's determination break stereotypes of her time? What can we learn from her determination when setting your own goals?
In what ways did Ruby's family support her in pursuing her academic goals? Why is having support from others important when working toward goals?
What goal do you have that Ruby’s story inspires you to chase?
Meet Beatrice, a girl who’s “perfect” at everything—until one very public mistake changes everything. This humorous, heartwarming story helps kids see that perfection isn’t the goal; embracing mistakes leads to confidence, growth, and joy in learning.
Discussion Questions:
How does the main character’s attitude about mistakes change?
Have you ever been afraid to make a mistake? What happened?
Why is it helpful to accept imperfection when setting and reaching goals?
This sweet classic tale shows how determination and a positive mindset can help overcome even the biggest challenges. Kids learn that believing in themselves is a powerful step toward achieving their dreams.
Discussion Questions:
How did determination help the little engine succeed?
Can you think of a time when a positive attitude helped you face a big challenge?
How can this story inspire you to keep going when goals feel hard?
Start with one book, spark a conversation, and watch your students light up with excitement about their own potential. Incorporate these goal setting books into your lessons to transforms goal setting from a simple classroom activity into an empowering life skill.
Through these powerful goal setting books, students see themselves in the characters, learn to create a growth mindset, create SMART goals, and build grit, confidence, and a love for learning.
With the right books, you’re not just teaching goal setting—you will inspire kids to dream big and believe they can bring those dreams to life!
Student Goal Setting Easy AND Engaging!
Want to kickstart the SMART goal process in your classroom and get students excited about setting goals?
Pair one of the powerful goal setting books in this post with these ready-to-use SMART Goal Setting Slides Set —your ultimate tool for teaching growth mindset and goal setting with confidence.
With over 70 interactive and informational slides, you’ll have everything you need to:
Introduce mindset and goal-setting basics
Walk students step-by-step through creating their own SMART goals
Inspire them with examples, encouragement, and actionable strategies
The best part?
You can customize and pick the slides that fit your teaching style, lesson plans, and schedule. No prep, no stress—just engaging, meaningful content your students will love.
Start this next season strong by helping students set goals they’re proud of and build confidence to achieve them!
Grab these slides today and turn goal-setting into one of your students’ favorite lessons!
From Frustration to Confidence: Your Next Step
Remember those slumped shoulders, snapped pencils, and dramatic “I quit” moments?
You have the power to change the story.
With the right mix of storytelling, encouragement, and simple tools, you can transform those scenes of frustration into ones filled with curiosity, grit, and confidence.
Start small.
Read a book.
Spark a conversation.
Watch as your students realize that goal setting isn’t scary—it’s empowering.
And when you’re ready to take it a step further, pair these inspiring goal setting books with the SMART Goal Setting Slides. You’ll have everything you need to guide your students from “I can’t” to “I did it!”—no extra prep required.
Your students’ big dreams are waiting. Put success within their reach!
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