Summer Reading for Rising 2nd Graders
Enjoy reading quality books aloud to your child this summer! There are so many wonderful children’s books to choose from at your public library or local bookstore, or you can select from the list of suggestions below. Our hope is that you will choose many and read often to your child. This would be an ideal time to establish the habit of a nightly read aloud time together. Please submit a photo of your child reading to [email protected] or bring a photo to share with your class at the beginning of the year. We hope that this will help to build a love of books and interest in reading that will contribute to a great start to the new school year!
Picture Books
Chapter Books in a Series
A to Z Mysteries Ron Roy
With strong stories, short chapters, large type, and a dash of illustrations, this series offers a smooth transition between full-color beginning readers and middle-grade chapter books.
Bad Kitty Nick Bruel
A look at the humorous activities of Bad Kitty.
Flat Stanley Jeff Brown
Ever since Stanley was flattened by a bulletin board, he has captured imaginations with his ability to travel by mail. Now, he's off on a global tour in an all-new, geography-themed chapter book series packed with physical high jinx and geographical detail.
Galaxy Zack Ray O’Ryan
Planet hop with Zack Nelson on his galactic adventures as he moves from Earth to Nebulon in the year 2120, explores a newly discovered planet, helps a dinosaur get back to its prehistoric home, and befriends a space monster! Packed with cool futuristic adventures.
Henry and Mudge Cynthia Rylant
Henry doesn't have any brothers or sisters, but he doesn't feel lonely...he finds companionship and love in a big dog named Mudge...and they're having loads of fun together!
Humphrey’s Tiny Tales Betty J. Birney
Humphrey, the classroom hamster of Room 26 at Longfellow School, is a favorite of boys, girls, and grown-ups everywhere. Now even younger fans can read about his adventures in a new illustrated chapter-book series! With charming illustrations, shorter page counts and an easier reading level, Humphrey's Tiny Tales are just right for emergent readers.
Ivy and Bean Annie Barrows
Features humorous stories about two mischievous and delightful girlfriends, Ivy and Bean who never meant to like each other.
The Kingdom of Wrenly Robert McPhillips
Eight-year-old Lucas, Prince of Wrenly, is eager to explore and Clara, daughter of the queen's seamstress, knows the kingdom well, so they team up to find a lost jewel and visit all of the land's main attractions as they search.
The Littles John Peterson
When the Biggs go on a three-month vacation and an untidy family from the city moves into the house, the Littles must take action.
Magic Tree House Mary Pope Osborne
A popular series about Jack and Annie and their adventurous travels through time, both historical and mythical, in their magic tree house filled with books.
Mercy Watson Kate DiCamillo
Have Mercy! She's not just the Watson's pet pig--she's a porcine wonder and loads of fun.
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle Betty Bard MacDonald
Read-aloud stories about Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, who loves children-- good or bad--and never scolds but has positive cures for 'Answer-Backers', 'Never-Want-to-go-to Bedders', and other boys and girls with strange habits.
Nate the Great Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
After a generous breakfast of pancakes, Nate, the boy detective, plunges into each new and baffling case, solves the mystery, and tracks down the culprits.
Stink Megan McDonald
Recounts the hilarious adventures of Judy Moody's shorter, younger "bother"--oops, "brother". These funny, homespun sagas are enhanced by a series of comic-strips, drawn by Stink himself.
Toys Go Out Emily Jenkins
A highly acclaimed trilogy written by Emily Jenkins & illustrated by Caldecott Medal Winner Paul O. Zelinsky. .Each book contains six linked-stories relating the extraordinary adventures--and misadventures--of three best friends who happen to be toys--stuffed animals Lumphy & StingRay & Plastic, who isn't quite sure what she is. They all belong to the Little Girl who lives on the high bed with fluffy pillows. A very nice person to belong to. Together is best for these three best friends. Together they look things up in the dictionary, explore the basement, and argue about the meaning of life. Together they face dogs, school, TV commercials, & the vastness of the sea.
With strong stories, short chapters, large type, and a dash of illustrations, this series offers a smooth transition between full-color beginning readers and middle-grade chapter books.
Bad Kitty Nick Bruel
A look at the humorous activities of Bad Kitty.
Flat Stanley Jeff Brown
Ever since Stanley was flattened by a bulletin board, he has captured imaginations with his ability to travel by mail. Now, he's off on a global tour in an all-new, geography-themed chapter book series packed with physical high jinx and geographical detail.
Galaxy Zack Ray O’Ryan
Planet hop with Zack Nelson on his galactic adventures as he moves from Earth to Nebulon in the year 2120, explores a newly discovered planet, helps a dinosaur get back to its prehistoric home, and befriends a space monster! Packed with cool futuristic adventures.
Henry and Mudge Cynthia Rylant
Henry doesn't have any brothers or sisters, but he doesn't feel lonely...he finds companionship and love in a big dog named Mudge...and they're having loads of fun together!
Humphrey’s Tiny Tales Betty J. Birney
Humphrey, the classroom hamster of Room 26 at Longfellow School, is a favorite of boys, girls, and grown-ups everywhere. Now even younger fans can read about his adventures in a new illustrated chapter-book series! With charming illustrations, shorter page counts and an easier reading level, Humphrey's Tiny Tales are just right for emergent readers.
Ivy and Bean Annie Barrows
Features humorous stories about two mischievous and delightful girlfriends, Ivy and Bean who never meant to like each other.
The Kingdom of Wrenly Robert McPhillips
Eight-year-old Lucas, Prince of Wrenly, is eager to explore and Clara, daughter of the queen's seamstress, knows the kingdom well, so they team up to find a lost jewel and visit all of the land's main attractions as they search.
The Littles John Peterson
When the Biggs go on a three-month vacation and an untidy family from the city moves into the house, the Littles must take action.
Magic Tree House Mary Pope Osborne
A popular series about Jack and Annie and their adventurous travels through time, both historical and mythical, in their magic tree house filled with books.
Mercy Watson Kate DiCamillo
Have Mercy! She's not just the Watson's pet pig--she's a porcine wonder and loads of fun.
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle Betty Bard MacDonald
Read-aloud stories about Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, who loves children-- good or bad--and never scolds but has positive cures for 'Answer-Backers', 'Never-Want-to-go-to Bedders', and other boys and girls with strange habits.
Nate the Great Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
After a generous breakfast of pancakes, Nate, the boy detective, plunges into each new and baffling case, solves the mystery, and tracks down the culprits.
Stink Megan McDonald
Recounts the hilarious adventures of Judy Moody's shorter, younger "bother"--oops, "brother". These funny, homespun sagas are enhanced by a series of comic-strips, drawn by Stink himself.
Toys Go Out Emily Jenkins
A highly acclaimed trilogy written by Emily Jenkins & illustrated by Caldecott Medal Winner Paul O. Zelinsky. .Each book contains six linked-stories relating the extraordinary adventures--and misadventures--of three best friends who happen to be toys--stuffed animals Lumphy & StingRay & Plastic, who isn't quite sure what she is. They all belong to the Little Girl who lives on the high bed with fluffy pillows. A very nice person to belong to. Together is best for these three best friends. Together they look things up in the dictionary, explore the basement, and argue about the meaning of life. Together they face dogs, school, TV commercials, & the vastness of the sea.
The book summaries on this summer reading list are reproduced with the permission of Follett Library Resources, Inc. Copyright 2018. All rights reserved.