There are many parents who decide to homeschool their children this year, and we at biblio want to help. we are putting together lists of popular classic literature suggested by teachers and librarians for each grade. these lists are aimed at our American or English-speaking audience, but can be a good starting point for anyone looking to supplement their children’s reading lists.
Does that book seem too hard for your child to understand? It probably isn’t. books tend to contain more vocabulary than children (or adults) would be exposed to in spoken language or media. that’s good. it grows your brain. Reading has been shown to improve memory and may even fight the development of Alzheimer’s disease in older adults. Reading practice helps develop concentration skills that are critical for both children and adults, both in school and in future careers.
You are reading: Classic books for 2nd graders
Best Classic Books for Second Grade
james and the giant peach by roald dahl
This popular children’s novel was written in 1961 by British author Roald Dahl. James and the Giant Peach is about an English orphan named James who is cared for by his two abusive aunts. James finds a tunnel in a giant peach and enters a magical world where he befriends seven critters. he proceeds to embark on a wild adventure with his insect friends, getting into trouble and saving them from sticky situations.
james and the giant peach has frequently become the target of censorship due to a swear word or two, references to tobacco and whiskey, and potentially frightening content. It might be a good read so you can ask (and answer) questions, as well as provide context on some of the difficult points in the story.
make way for the ducklings by robert mccloskey
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Make Way for the Ducklings is a children’s picture book written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey that was first published in 1941. The book tells the story of a pair of mallard ducks who decide to raise their family on an island in the boston lagoon public garden and we need the help of the community to get there safely! Making Way for Ducklings won the 1942 Caldecott Medal for McCloskey’s illustrations.
beezus and ramona by beverly cleary
Beezus and Ramona is the first of the Beverly Cleary books to focus on Ramona Quimby and her sister Beatrice (Beezus). beezus and ramona is told from the point of view of 9-year-old beezus as he tries to bond with her 4-year-old sister, ramona. This beloved book was published in 1955, and though times have changed, the sibling rivalries shared here are very realistic and hilarious all rolled into one.
stuart little by e. b. white
Although best known for Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little was E. b. white’s first children’s story Published in 1945, it tells the story of a young New Yorker named Stuart Little who had the “shy, pleasant way of a mouse” and, spoiler alert, is actually a mouse! this story has been popular since its publication and was made into a movie in 1999.
lewis carroll’s alice adventures in wonderland
Lewis Carroll’s novel Alice in Wonderland presents the story of a girl in a fantasy world full of peculiar anthropomorphic creatures. Published in 1865, this immensely popular tale of literary nonsense takes the reader on an exploration of logic and absurdities. The story and its sequel, Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There, have been retold numerous times through live performances, cartoons, and movies. its impact on our popular culture is overwhelming, ushering in phrases like “down the rabbit hole” and iconic images like the “mad tea party” and the queen’s orders, “head off!”
gertrude chandler warner’s boxcar kids
The Children of the Wagon is the story of four orphaned children who create a home for themselves in an abandoned wagon in the woods because they fear that their new guardian will be a cruel person. Henry (14), Jessie (12), Violet (10) and Benny (5) go to great lengths to find food and supplies and make their strange home a welcoming place. this novel was first published in 1924 as The Boys in the Wagon, but was republished in a shorter and revised form in 1942.
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There are over 150 children’s books about trucks now, although Warner only wrote 19 of them. Many of the modern books are set in current times and focus more on children solving mysteries or having adventures.
pippi longstocking by astrid lindgren
The wild and raucous character of Pippi Longstocking was created by Astrid Lindgren and named after her daughter, who requested a story to tell while she was home sick. strong and unconventional pippi has been an inspiration to many young women ever since.
pippi was first written and published in sweden in the 1940s, but was translated into an american edition in 1950. pippi’s story has been censored in some translations to make her a little more like a “respectable young lady” , while his anti-authoritarian perspective was more readily accepted in other countries. some of the newer editions have modified some of the insensitive cultural stereotypes used in the original text.
the lion, the witch and the wardrobe by c. yes louis
First published in 1950 by Geoffrey Bles in the UK, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the earliest published and best known of the C.S. Lewis’s popular Narnia series. the story of the children who move in with the professor to avoid the bombing during world war ii and discover a portal inside a cupboard that leads to a magical land called narnia was inspired by real children who stayed with lewis for that grim reason . Today, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is one of the most popular children’s books in print and is included on many Top 100 lists.
jane yolen’s owl moon
Owl Moon is a 1987 children’s picture book by Jane Yolen, illustrated by John Schoenherr. The book won many awards, including the Caldecott Medal for its illustrations, and has been featured on the Reading Rainbow show. yolen described the book as “a positive family story. it is about a girl and her father”.
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heidi by johanna spyri
Heidi is a classic children’s book first published in 1881 in Germany by Swiss author Johanna Spyri. Heidi tells the story of an orphan brought to live with her grumpy grandfather in the Swiss Alpa and how she makes friends with her and wins the hearts of those around her.