2nd Grade Reading List
Curated by DeISD Libraries
Birthday Basket for Tia (Humor) by Pat Mora
With the help and interference of her cat Chica, Cecilia prepares a surprise gift for her great-aunt's ninetieth birthday.
Camp Can't (Fiction) by Diana Gallagher
Claudia is really looking forward to camp this year, even though she has to watch her annoying annoying neighbor on the bus ride. She's got it all planned out. Claudia knows exactly how she'll impress the camp staff so she'll be asked to be a junior counselor. But the second second she gets to her cabin, things start going wrong.
Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred, The (Spanish Picture Book) by Samantha Vamos
This is the story of how the farm maiden and all the farm animals worked together to make the rice pudding that they serve at the fiesta. With the familiarity of "The House That Jack Built," this story bubbles and builds just like the ingredients of the arroz con leche that everyone enjoys. Cleverly incorporating Spanish words, adding a new one in place of the English word from the previous page, this book makes learning the language easy and fun.
Day the Crayons Came Home, The (Picture Book) by Drew Daywalt
One day, Duncan is happily coloring with his crayons when a stack of postcards arrives in the mail in the mail from his former crayons each of which has run away or been left behind, and all of which want to come home.
Duck on a Tractor (Picture Book) by David Shannon
Pleased with his success in riding a bike, Duck decides to drive the farm tractor, and invites all the other farm animals along for the ride--all the way to town.
Hagis and Tank Unleashed: All Paws on Deck (Graphic Novel) by Jessica Young
This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow! Tank is an outgoing Great Dane. Haggis is a grumpy Scottie dog. In the first book in the series, Haggis and Tank set sail as pirates. At first, Haggis doesn't see what Tank does--that an adventure awaits them with just a little imagination! But soon, Haggis joins in and the two friends go on a pirate adventure. They talk like pirates, swab the deck, and even search for buried treasure. This series is full of clever wordplay and homophones that make Haggis and Tank's adventures even more fun!.
Henry and Mudge and the Big Sleepover (Realistic Fiction) by Cynthia Rylant
Henry and Mudge are going to a sleepover at Patrick's house! There are pizza and popcorn, games and monster movies...and Mudge even has his own sleeping bag (he's too big to share Henry's). But will anyone at this sleepover ever get to sleep?
High Time for Heroes (Fantasy) by Mary Pope Osborne
Jack and Annie are on a mission for Merlin the magician! This time, the magic tree house whisks them off to Thebes, Egypt, to find Florence Nightingale, a world-famous nurse. But when they find her, the Florence Nightingale they meet is not a famous nurse at all—she’s not even a regular nurse! Have they found the right person? Or did Merlin make a mistake? An easy mission turns dangerous when Jack and Annie try to solve the mystery!
Hot Rod Hamster: Monster Truck Mania (Realistic Fiction) by Cynthia Lord
It's Fair Day, and Fearless Franco's famous Monster Truck Mania has come to town. Hot Rod Hamster and his friends are geared up for a roaring, soaring great time, so they set out to find the best ride at the fair. The water boats, spinning teacups, and bumper cars are great, but Hamster can't seem to find the BEST ride. That is, of course, until Fearless Franco needs a last-minute back-up driver for his monster truck. Can Hot Rod Hamster help him out, and still find the best ride of all? In this rollicking new adventure, Hot Rod Hamster proves once again that being small doesn't mean you can't think BIG!
Houndsley and Catina and the Birthday Surprise (Fiction) by James Howe
Houndsley is sad. Not because it’s raining or because there are holes in his sweater, but because he doesn’t know when his birthday is. And now Catina is sad, too. But friends are good at cheering each other up, and Houndsley and Catina are the best of friends. So it won’t be long before they each discover, in a most surprising way, how a first-rate friend can brighten even the saddest days.
I Am Rosa Parks (Biography) by Brad Meltzer
Kids always search for heroes, so we might as well have a say in it, Brad Meltzer realized, and so he envisioned this friendly, fun approach to biography – for his own kids, and for yours. Each book tells the story of one of America’s icons in a vivacious, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers, those who aren’t quite ready for the Who Was biography series. Each book focuses on a particular character trait that made that role model heroic. For example, Rosa Parks dared to stand up for herself and other African Americans by staying seated, and as a result, she helped end public bus segregation and launch the country’s Civil Rights Movement.
Junie B., First Grader: Turkeys We Have Loved and Eaten (Fiction) by Barbara Park
Gobble, gobble! With over 50 million books in print, Barbara Park's New York Times bestselling chapter book series, Junie B. Jones, is a classroom favorite and has been keeping kids laughing and reading for over 20 years! In the 28th Junie B. Jones book, Room One is getting ready for their very own Thanksgiving feast! There's even a contest to see which room can write the best thankful list. The winners will get a pumpkin pie! Only it turns out being thankful is harder than it looks. Because Junie B. is not actually thankful for Tattletale May. Or squash. Or scratchy pilgrim costumes. And pumpkin pie makes her vomit, anyway. Will Room One win the disgusting pie? Can May and Junie B. find common ground? Or will this Thanksgiving feast turn into a Turkey Day Disaster?
Krazees, The (Picture Book) by Sam Swope
Stuck inside on a rainy day, Iggie can't help getting a bad case of the crazies. But when they come to life, look out! Suddenly she is overswept by the Krazees--mad, manic creatures who stir her into a mess-making frenzy--"plipple, plop bim bango!"--before they vanish--"poof!"--just as the rain stops and the sun pokes its way out of the clouds. This rollicking picture-book romp soars to the highest heights in Eric Brace's hysterical, high-kinetic pictures
Kiki Koki: la leyenda encantada del Coqui (Spanish Folklore) by Ed Rodriguez
A magical Spanish-language tale, Kiki Koki tells the story of a little Taino Indian boy who is too lazy to help his tribe prepare for the Moon Festival. To punish Kiki Koki, the Moon Goddess turns him into a tree frog. To return to his human form, he must rescue his new frog friends from dangerous pirates, and, in the process, learns that friendship takes courage, dedication, and hard work. With its vibrant illustrations, heartwarming message, and adorable hero, children will love this fun tale.
Mr. Putter and Tabby Hit the Slopes (Realistic Fiction) by Cynthia Rylant
Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, like winter. But when the snow is deep outside and there’s nothing to do inside, even a cozy winter day can be a little slow. Not for long! When Mrs. Teaberry and her good dog, Zeke, pull two sleds out of the garage, the four friends head for the sledding slope for the wildest ride ever. Maybe winter is not so slow after all!
Nancy Clancy, Super Sleuth (Mystery) by Nancy O'Connor
In this first in a series of delightful chapter books, Fancy Nancy takes on the role of detective. When one of Nancy's classmate's most treasured possessions disappear from school, it's up to detective Nancy to solve the mystery and save the day.
With the help of her friend Bree, she follows the clues to an unexpected source. Fans of Nancy Drew's Clue Crew will be among the readers happy to see a new Nancy join the ranks of super sleuths!
Nate the Great, Where Are You? (Mystery) by Mitchell Sharmat
Nate the Great and his dog, Sludge, want to take a break from solving cases. So they hide out in the woods. But soon they hear familiar voices shouting, “Nate the Great, where are you?” There are many mysteries to solve!
Quinitos Neighborhood El Vecindario de Quinito (Spanish Picture Book) by Ina Cumpiano
Quinito’s neighborhood is made up of more than just buildings, streets, and shops — it’s made up of people he knows and loves. Each person has an important job to do, and each knows and values every member of the community. Readers meet them on this delightful neighborhood tour. His cousin Tita, who learns how to make people laugh in clown school. His aunt, who paints murals to brighten up the streets. Rafi, who bakes bread, and Luis Manuel, who sells it. Highlighted by José Ramírez's energetic, jewel-like illustrations, Quinito's Neighborhood inspires readers to explore and appreciate their own neighborhoods.
Second Grade Rules, Amber Brown (Realistic Fiction) by Paula Danzinger
Amber Brown thinks that second grade rules! But when her teacher says desks have to be kept clean, Amber knows that is one rule she cannot follow. She desperately wants the desk fairy, Deskarina, to visit her desk and leave a reward. A messy desk never bothered Amber before, but now that a treat is involved, it does... Following closely on the events in Get Ready for Second Grade, Amber Brown, kids and teachers will applaud this hilarious take on a universal classroom issue
Stink and the Freaky Frog Freakout (Comedy) by Megan McDonald
Stink may be super smart, and Stink may be uber clever, but he’s been in the Polliwog swim class frog-ever and he still can’t bear to put his face in the water. But when Stink starts to see frogs everywhere — in the locker room, in his boot, in the bathtub — and a freaky blue frog licks his arm, his froggy senses start tingling! Could it be that Stink is turning into . . . the amazing Stink-Frog, fighter of slime? Croak! Squeenk! Ribbet!
Two Times the Fun (Fiction) by Beverly Cleary
The real hole -- Two dog biscuits -- The growing-up feet -- Janet's thingamajigs. Jimmy and Janet, four-year-old twins, share the adventures of digging a hole to China, finding a worthy recipient for their dog biscuits, shopping for new shoes, and getting real beds to replace their cribs. and Janet, four-year-old twins share the adventure of digging a hole to China finding a worthy recipient for their dog biscuits, shopping for new shoes, and getting real beds to replace their cribs.