Grade 2 reading books
Recommended reading books for elementary school children in Second Grade ages 7-8
Ignite your second grader’s excitement for reading with this curated list of books that cater to their growing independence while still offering select opportunities for shared reading and discussion moments. The following titles have been carefully selected to engage young readers with imaginative stories, relatable characters, and fun adventures. These books are perfect for developing your child’s reading fluency, comprehension, and critical thinking skills.
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Second grade readers often begin to enjoy immersive story lines created by whole book series. They may also benefit from reading a mix of fiction and non-fiction, with stories that incorporate humor, emotions, and discovery of both the imaginary and real world.
Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark
Mary Pope Osborne
Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark is the first book in the beloved Magic Tree House series, one of today's most popular chapter book series. Jack is prudent and detail-oriented, while younger sibling Annie is fearless and driven by curiosity. Despite their personality differences, each complements the other in how they interact as they discover a magic tree house which teleports the duo to another place and time.
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While the language and relatively simple sentence structures make Magic Tree House a favorite for some first graders, we suggest pairing it with the second-grade level companion guide.
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Adventure, History, STEM
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Magic Tree House: A Nonfiction Companion to Dinosaurs Before Dark
Mary Pope Osborne, Will Osborne
The Magic Tree House: A Nonfiction Companion series, also known as the Magic Tree House Fact Trackers, is a collection of nonfiction books designed to complement the fictional adventures of Jack and Annie in the Magic Tree House series. Each Fact Tracker dives deeper into the historical time periods, events, or subjects that Jack and Annie encounter in their journeys, providing young readers with accurate, engaging, and well-researched information.
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These books are written at a slightly higher reading level than the base fictional series, and are great way to continue shared reading and learning moments with your early elementary child.
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History, STEM, Illustrations
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Amelia Bedelia Means Business
Herman Parish
Amelia Bedelia Means Business is the first book in the lighthearted young Amelia Bedelia chapter books for newly independent readers. In this book, Amelia Bedelia, known for her literal interpretation of things, decides she wants a new bike and comes up with the idea of earning money to buy it herself. Along the way, she tries different jobs—babysitting, dog walking, and more—but her quirky way of taking instructions leads to some hilarious misadventures.
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Like the picture books, these chapter books are well-written and introduces Amelia readers to common expressions. A useful glossary appears at the end of book helping to explain them.
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Language Building, Humor, ASD-friendly
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The Never Girls: In a Blink
Kiki Thorpe
The Never Girls: In a Blink is the enchanting first book in the Never Girls series, where four best friends—Kate, Mia, Lainey, and Gabby—find themselves magically transported to Neverland, the home of Tinker Bell and her fairy friends. It all happens in the blink of an eye, and the girls must navigate this magical world filled with wonder and adventure to find their way back home.
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Boys and girls will love this book for the truly exciting adventure. But adults will appreciate the incredible detail the author uses to describe the characters and magical setting, through the eyes and reactions of the four unique characters.
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Adventure, Imagination, Descriptive Writing
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Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallows
Asia Citro
Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallows is the first book in a magical science-themed series that combines imagination and real-life science concepts. In this first adventure, Zoey finds a sick baby dragon in her barn. Using her mother's scientific journal and her own problem-solving skills, Zoey must figure out how to care for the dragon. She runs experiments, makes observations, and even incorporates marshmallows into her creative problem-solving!
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Adults love this book for its positive parental roles. While mom easily relates to her abilities, both parents are encouraging in their own ways of Zoey's self-driven and responsible nature.
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Ingenuity, Positive Behaviors, STEM, Descriptive Writing
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