It’s so much fun choosing second grade books because you have such a wide variety of options. Illustrated books to laugh out loud? Yes! compelling narratives and riveting nonfiction? also if! books of first chapters and graphic novels? yes, those too. If you’re looking to refresh your second grade book collection, check out 60 of our favorite recent titles.
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You are reading: Good books for second graders
1. my daddy has an isabel quintero motorcycle
A girl tells the story of a motorcycle ride through her neighborhood with her daddy. Lean on this title to study character traits and emotions and as a fresh and diverse mentor text for personal narrative writing.
2. if you come to the land of sophie blackall
The illustrations in this new title from two-time medalist Caldecott are superb, as are the book’s themes of connection and inclusion. Share this book to open community building conversations or to support your social studies curriculum. having students write their own “if you come to…” letters would also make a great writing prompt!
3. your name is a jamilah thompkins-bigelow song
When kora-jalimuso’s teacher and classmates can’t pronounce her name, her mother gives her the most motivating and encouraging advice of all: tell them her name is a song. Share this affirming story at the beginning of the school year or to start conversations about celebrating identity. every classroom needs this book!
4. norman: an amazing goldfish! by kelly bennet
No Norman: A Goldfish Story is a long time favorite read aloud. Now there’s a sequel that makes us love that goldfish and its lovable owner even more! The pair are excited to perform a pet-o-rama trick routine, until an unexpected case of stage fright is a goldfish. the details are also perfect for supporting children’s narrative writing.
5. khalil and mr. hagerty and the backyard treasures by tricia springstubb
This sweet intergenerational story celebrates how simple shared experiences can bring people together. as khalil digs for buried treasure and mr. Hagerty searches for vegetables, the pair find a new friendship. We also love how this title helps kids learn to define and give examples to explain vocabulary words.
6. ten ways to hear the snow by cathy camper
lina wakes up the morning she is supposed to visit her grandmother to help her cook grape leaves, only to discover a blanket of fresh snow. her walk to her grandmother’s house inspires a poetic list of ways to “hear” sightings of snowy peaks for her grandmother, who is blind. use this text to support narrative and poetic writing, or just enjoy it on the first snowy morning of the school year.
7. cat problems by jory john
animal problem books are great second grade books for their perfect balance of humor, vocabulary, and curricular connections. in this one, a cat complains about his life inside. meanwhile, a squirrel outside the window reminds the cat how comfortable his life is. ideal for lessons on reading with expression or for discussing points of view.
8. sky watcher by jamie hogan
I so wish I could see the stars, but that’s basically impossible in your bright urban neighborhood. His mom surprises him with a camping trip to make his dream come true. if he needs more second grade books depicting single parents, this is a good one. the back topic teaches readers about astronomy and light pollution.
9. mark hoffman fruit bowl
We love a good double duty read aloud for our second grade books. this one shares a lot of facts about fruits vs. vegetables, but also has broader themes of inclusion and open-mindedness. the tomato presses for a place in the fruit bowl even though the other fruits say it doesn’t belong.
10. heckling chicken and surprise elephant by david ezra stein
A misheard lesson has a little chicken looking for elephants in the stories instead of the “element of surprise” her teacher described. Just like the original fan favorite, this sequel is a good fit for an architectural study of history, or read it just for fun.
11. what are your words?: a book on pronouns by katherine locke
This is an invaluable resource for talking to kids about pronouns and how pronoun choice is just one part of someone’s identity. Uncle Lior, who prefers they/them pronouns, comes to visit and helps Ari explore words that feel right to use.
12. i’m new here and 13. someone new by anne sibley o’brien
This pair of titles tells the story of three recently arrived immigrant children and their peers who must welcome the newcomers into their school community. presenting the two books together offers a unique opportunity to examine an experience from multiple perspectives.
14. hey, green susan wall
Angel notices an ugly, neglected wall stretching across an entire city block near his home and organizes a neighborhood effort to create a mural that celebrates his community. he inspires students with this kid-driven story of art and activism.
15. how to solve a problem: the rise (and fall) of a rock climbing champion by ashima shiraishi
This autobiography shares how ashima shiraishi became one of the best climbers in the world, as a teenager! is an inspiring story that will amaze children (and teachers) and is a unique addition to a biographical genre study.
16. how to write a story by kate messner
Follow illustrated thought bubbles and advice from a young writer as she works through the narrative writing process from seed of an idea to draft, revision, and editing, then showcases her work. share this to inspire a budding author, or use it during a fiction writing unit.
17. facts vs. opinions vs. robots by michael rex
Make an important concept memorable with this fun interactive headline. The clever robotic characters also teach children to respect the opinions of others.
18. the first blade of sweet grass by suzanne greenlaw and gabriel frey
A wonderful story in her own voice about a modern-day Wabanaki girl who joins her grandmother in harvesting sweet grass to make baskets. add this to your growing collection of second grade books celebrating indigenous characters.
19. abdul’s story by jamilah thompkins-bigelow
a new favorite! If you are looking for second grade books to inspire students as writers, you absolutely need this one. Abdul has many stories to tell, but writing and spelling are very difficult for him. a visiting author, mr. Muhammad, gives him the reassuring push he needs to shine.
20. a different pond by bao phi
a beautiful story about a father and son navigating life in a new culture.
21. room for all by naaz kahn
See Also: Best Cfa Prep Books
Who says second grade is too old to count books? Not us, especially when it’s so vibrant and fun. a boy and his sister ride a daladala (minibus) to the beach in zanzibar. Along the way, he stops for a myriad of other horsemen, from chickens to sugar cane sellers to scuba divers. is a fantastic concrete story to talk about being inclusive. Plus, we’re eager to make up math problems based on the crazy events.
22. dream street by tricia elam walker
On this street, “the houses and the dreams inside are as different as fingerprints.” This celebration of a diverse neighborhood is based on the author and illustrator’s own childhood in Roxbury, MA. would make a good mentor text for descriptive writing. Or, a class display of student hopes and goals would be a perfect follow-up project.
23. soul and how she got her name by juana martinez-neal
alma sofia hope jose pure candela knows her name is long, but she doesn’t know why, until her dad tells her about all the family members he honors. She has students talk about the stories behind their own names.
24. jory john and pete oswald’s cool bean
If you loved bad seeds and good eggs, you need to know about the cool bean! who knew beans could be such good models of how “cool to be nice” is?
25. terry and eric fan’s night gardener
all fan brothers books are beautiful, but this is one of our favorite second grade books to ponder with students. One morning, William notices a mysterious topiary in his window. Soon, there are changes throughout the city.
26. quiet please owen mcphee! by trudy ludwig
From the team that created The Invisible Child (a must-have classroom tool for all ages) comes this perfect title for listening discussions. owen mcphee talks all the time, but when she gets laryngitis, she learns that being quiet can be powerful too.
27. my mouse dog by eva lindstrom
This unsung hero title is a beautiful, silent story about a girl who walks her neighbor’s dog. is full of examples to use in narrative writing mini-lessons.
28. five minutes (that’s a long time) (no it’s not) (yes it is) by audrey vernick
We reference it all the time, but how long is five minutes really? well, that depends on whether you’re waiting in line or playing your favorite game. Add some fun to your math lessons on telling time by sharing this little gem.
29. one hundred trillion trillion stars by seth fishman
This story tackles the mind-boggling concept of huge numbers. a wonderful book for science, math, or reading aloud.
30. seeding stories: the life of the librarian and storyteller pura belpré by anika aldamuy denise
Narrator and author Pura Belpré was the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York City. treat yourself and your class to this magnificent and inspiring biography that offers just the right amount of detail for reading aloud and classroom discussion. (Also, encourage your students to explore other pure belpré award titles!)
31. now you know how it works by valorie fisher
How often do we stop and think about how the things we use every day, like soap or screws, work? this title explains it all, with labeled diagrams perfect for teaching students how to use nonfiction text features for reading and writing.
32. otis and discover the depths: barb rosenstock’s record bathysphere dive
In 1930, Otis Barton and Will Beebe made the first deep-sea dive in a contraption they invented. how cool is that?
33. the fungus is among us! by joy keller
How much do you really know about fungi and their role in our environment? learn together with your students with this fun non-fiction game. the “meet a mycologist” section on the back can also spark new career aspirations for science buff students.
34. the seeds move! by robin page
Ever thought that seed dispersal involved “hitchhiking,” “catapulting,” or “parachuting”? Robin Page’s fresh and informative text and collage illustrations will get students thinking about grade-level science concepts.
35. we move together by kelly fritsch and anne mcguire
Everyone deserves to be able to move around their world with ease. this is one of our favorite books for all ages to open up discussions about social justice and disability. is especially well-suited for second graders who are eager to connect with others and make the world a fairer place.
36. math of money by david adler
content area book guru david adler addresses money identification and the principle of addition and subtraction. break the stacks of change!
37. elise gravel’s nasty bug series
This series combines science, silly humor, and enough gross facts to delight any young reader.
38. Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly
This book tells the story of four mathematicians who played a key role in NASA’s first space launches.
39. keith haring: the boy who kept drawing by kay haring
Told by the artist’s sister, this story follows Keith Haring’s rise to fame as a pop artist.
40. ruth bader ginsberg: the case of r.b.g. against inequality by jonah winter
ruth bader ginsberg overcame discrimination against Jews, women, and working mothers to become one of our country’s most inspiring symbols of justice.
41. the boy who grew a forest: the true story of jadav payeng by sophia gholz
See Also: 8 WITCHCRAFT BOOKS FOR BEGINNERS – Mademoiselle O&039Lantern
Share this biography of an Indian environmental activist with students when you discuss the role of plants in an ecosystem. After reading, go outside and plant some native plants in your own habitat!
42. big and small and in between by carter higgins
Three whimsical chapters make poetic observations about the world based on size. This book invites readers to notice things like how big silence feels when it’s your turn to act, the “in-between” of a wiggling tooth, and how small you feel when you look at the ocean. add this title to your second grade books for poetry month or to start a poetry study unit.
43. at the duck pond by jane yolen
We still read Owl Moon every year, but we also love Jane Yolen’s newest nature offerings as one of our favorite second grade books. here, his characteristic poetic and precise language narrates the brief moment in which a boy walks a dog by a pond.
44. Once Upon a Star: A Poetic Voyage Through Space by James Carter
an explanation of the big bang is complicated when explained to children. but package it into artfully illustrated and eloquent verse? that’s awesome.
45. a place to raise a family : poems about creatures that build by david l. harrison
As anyone who has studied a bird’s nest up close knows, the structures of the animals are amazing. each poem describes how an animal creates a home for its young.
46. gone camping: a novel in verse by raving will wissinger
Read about one family’s camping experience, as described by different members. This fun title also includes a helpful guide to teaching children about different forms of poetry. take a look at I went fishing: a novel in verse also starring the same characters.
47. yasmin series by saadia faruqi
yasmin has a lot of spirit and talent to see the bright side. This beginning of the series of early chapter books adds to the small but growing list of children’s literature titles starring contemporary Muslim Americans.
48. diary of an ice princess series by christina prontotornvat
Second graders love this fantasy series about a princess who lives in the clouds and wields a ton of cool weather-related powers. And teachers shouldn’t be put off by all the pink! the series has a variety of characters and related topics to discuss with children.
49. desmond cole ghost patrol series by andres funky
Desmond stays busy investigating paranormal activity in his town. his friend andres admires his bravery but prefers less excitement. This engaging and fun illustrated series is perfect for hooking new chapter book readers.
50. jasmine toguchi series by debbi michiko florence
Told in the context of her Japanese-American culture, Jasmine’s challenges mirror those of many eight-year-olds, such as proving she’s as capable as a big brother, trying to find her unique talents, or convincing her parents to that they satisfy her. greatest desire.
51. aaron blabey’s bad guys series
Your students will love the hilarious stories of these characters who look and smell like bad guys but are trying to change their image.
52. sammy griffin’s mighty meg books
These stories about a girl turned superhero are engaging and accessible for second grade readers. Meg is nervous about using her new powers, but her desire to help others gives her courage.
53. lola levine series by monica brown
we love how monica brown highlights bicultural and energetic female characters. Lola Levine takes on her share of everyday children’s challenges and overcomes them with grace and grit.
54. the interrogators books by andrea beaty
favorite characters continue their adventures in chapter book format. If she loves sharing Andrea Beaty’s picture books about second graders in Miss Lila Greer’s class, she’ll definitely want these spin-offs for her students to enjoy independently.
55. geraldine pu series by maggie chang
geraldine pu has many relatable school experiences and is proud of her family’s Taiwanese culture. These are the perfect second grade books to introduce children to reading graphic novels. each has a “how to read this book” tutorial to teach kids about speech and thought bubbles and how to read the panels from left to right and top to bottom.
56. class bugs series by kathryn holmes
mrs. Norrell’s second grade class seems normal, but the kids learn in unusual ways. each student has the opportunity to become an animal for a day, giving them an interesting perspective! Relatable themes with an engaging fantasy twist make these excellent second grade chapter books.
57. Classroom 13 Series by Honest Lee and Matthew J. gilbert
Sparks the imagination of 7- and 8-year-olds! These second grade books work well as fun read-alouds in class, book club selections, or independent reading. each short chapter features a student in room 13, where lots of wacky things happen.
58. mac b., mac barnett’s spy kid series
mac barnett tells the story of his childhood as a spy for the queen of england. it’s a parody, of course, but there are real themes here too. This series would be great for advanced but reluctant readers or as a fun read aloud (especially if you’re a kid from the ’80s and treasure your gameboy as much as the author).
59. planet omar series by zanib mian
omar is a fun-loving, imaginative boy who faces relatable childhood challenges, like starting a new school and trying to earn money. These fast-paced illustrated chapter books work well for reading aloud or as independent reading. You’ll especially want to check them out if you’re working to incorporate more literature with Muslim characters into your classroom library.
60. bob by wendy mass and rebecca stead
If you’re looking for an engaging chapter book to read aloud, consider this story of Livy and Bob, the mysterious golem who lives in Livy’s grandmother’s closet and just wants to find his home.
what second grade books have you recently discovered? tell us in the comments!
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kindergarten books
first grade books
third grade books
See Also: Pierce Brown – Book Series In Order
