2nd Grade Summer Reading Suggestions

     Parents, it’s important to make time for your child to read for at least 20 minutes every day this summer. For children not reading independently yet, we hope you will take time to read aloud to him or her. For those who are reading independently, a good way to gauge if the book your child has  chosen is at his/her reading level is to have the child read a few paragraphs aloud to you. If he/she is reading haltingly, and you can’t understand the paragraph clearly, that book is probably too advanced, and he/she should make another choice. Remember that this is a list of suggested titles which cover a wide range of reading abilities, it does not mean that your child should be able to read all (or any) of these independently. What is important is that you set aside a special time for reading.
     Please help your child keep track of the books he/she has read by keeping a journal including title and author. Entering second graders will want to include a short note on each book (I liked this book because... ; I would recommend this book because... ; my favorite character was...). If your child isn’t comfortable writing yet, you can help by taking dictation from the child. When the school year begins in September, bring your journal to share with Eve and your classmates!
     Vermont State Standard 2nd grade: Demonstrates the habit of reading extensively* by...Reading one or two books, or one or two medium-long chapters, or the equivalent every day.

Read Aloud or Alone (+ = Good for readers practicing their skills. * = series.)

FICTION

If you like adventure/fantasy stories….
The Secrets of Droon – Tony Abbott *
Spiderwick Chronicles- Tony DiTerlizzi *
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves – retold by Katie Daynes +
The Iron Giant – Ted Hughes
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle - Betty MacDonald *
Magic Treehouse - Mary Anne Osborne *
The Time Warp Trio – Jon Scieszka *
Arabian Nights – retold by Martin Woodside

If you like stories about animals…
Biscuit - Allyssa Capucilli + *
Bramble and Maggie – Jessie Haas *
Lady Lollipop - Dick King-Smith
Horse Crazy – Alison Lester *
Frog and Toad - Arnold Lobel + *
Judy Moody or Stink – Megan McDonald *
Listening to Whales Sing – Faith McNulty +
Fancy Nancy – O’Connor+ *
Stolen! A Pony Called Pebbles – Wendy Orr *

If you like stories where animals are the main characters…
Spunky Tells All – Ann Cameron
Mercy Watson - Kate DiCamillo + *
Benny and Penny – Geoffrey Hayes + * (A Toon Book, graphic novel)
Arthur - Lillian Hoban + *
Frances - Russell Hoban + *
Houndsley and Catina - James Howe + *
Park Avenue Adventures - Johanna Hurwitz *
Fox and His Friends - Edward Marshall + *
Henry and Mudge or Mr. Putter and Tabby or Poppleton – Cynthia Rylant + *
Maybelle – Katie Speck *

If you like funny stories….
Mercy Watson - Kate DiCamillo + *
Little Soup’s Hayride – Robert Newton Peck (short chapter book)
Amelia Bedelia - Peggy Parish + *
Marvin Redpost – Louis Sachar *
Geronimo Stilton – Geronimo Stilton *

If you like historical stories…
American Girl - various authors *
My America – various authors *

If you like mysteries…
Cam Jansen - David A. Adler *
Virtual Cody- Betsy Duffey *
Nancy Clancy, Super Slueth – Jane O’Connor *
Nate the Great – Marjorie Weinman Sharmat + *
Basil of Baker Street – Eve Titus *
American Girl - various authors *

If you like realistic stories…
Twelve Kings of Ice – Ellen Bryan Obed
Ivy + Bean – Annie Barrows *
Seal Island School or Seal Island Seven - Susan Bartlett
Julian and Huey - Ann Cameron *
Ramona - Beverly Cleary *
Amber Brown – Paula Danziger *
Bink & Gollie by Kate DiCamillo *
Soccer Sam – Jean Marzollo +
Cobble Street Cousins – Cynthia Rylant *

NON-FICTION

If you like true stories and books that give information……
Elephants Can Paint Too! - Katya Arnold
Hungry, Hungry Shark – Joanna Cole +
Magic School Bus - Joanna Cole
Titanic Lost & Found- Judy Donnelly +
The Flight of Apollo 11 – Brian Floca
Friends – Catherine Thimmesh (nonfiction-animals)

If you like stories about real people (biographies)….
Lou Gehrig- David A. Adler
America’s Champion Swimmer - David A. Adler
The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer's Bright Ideas and Brand-New
     Colors - Chris Barton
Who was Sacagawea? – Judith Bloom Fradin and Dennis Brindell Fradin *
Who was Babe Ruth? – Joan Holub *
Jim Henson: the guy who played with puppets – Kathleen Krull
Who was Harriet Tubman? – Yona Zeldis McDonough *
Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express – Margaret K. Wetterer +

POETRY TO ENJOY

Poetry for Young People series
Sing a Song of Popcorn
Scared Silly! - Marc Brown
Revolting Rhymes - Roald Dahl
Mammalabilia - Douglas Florian
Dirt on My Shirt Jeff Foxworthy +
Jamberry - Eve Merriam
Now We Are Six - A. A. Milne
Scranimals - Jack Prelutsky
Button Up!: Wrinkled Rhymes – Alice Schertle
Math Curse and Science Verse – Scieszka
Mirror mirror by Singer, Marilyn
Everything On It - Shel Silverstein
Pug: and other Animal Poems – Valerie Worth

Have a great summer!