Enjoy our wonderful compilation of 65 2nd grade books that are sure to help your students become confident independent readers in no time! Meaningful storylines, fantasy stories, hilarious adventures, and humor stories are coupled with colorful collage illustrations in these books for grade two.
1. My Parents Think I'm Sleeping
Enjoy a collection of funny poems about a young boy who is meant to be sleeping, but lies awake enjoying books and a model rocket kit.
Check it out: My Parents Think I'm Sleeping
2. Poppy's Party
Dreamworks' popular Trolls animation is an absolute hit! 2nd graders can step into easy reading as they enjoy Princess Poppy's party.
Check it out: Poppy's Party
3. Second Grade, Here I Come!
Reduce your nerves and look forward to exploring all that second grade has to offer with this collection of silly poems.
Check it out: Second Grade, Here I Come!
4. Amelia Bedelia
What's better than one book? Four of them! Enjoy a collection of Amelia Bedelia books that'll sweep you away on a road trip adventure and 3 other exciting trips with this happy character and her friends.
Check it out: Amelia Bedelia
5. The Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids
Relish in the good times with more than 800 assorted jokes including riddles, rhymes, tongue twisters, knock-knock jokes, and more!
Check it out: The Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids
6. The Best Chef in Second Grade
Ollie sets out on a mission to cook the best dish in second grade when a famed chef visits their school. Follow along as Ollie decides what to make and grows his confidence in the kitchen!
Check it out: The Best Chef in Second Grade
7. Flat Stanley: His Original Adventure!
Turn back the clock and learn how Stanley Lambchop got to be Flat Stanley! A bulletin board falls on Stanley during the night and squashes him as thin as a pancake, but this accident affords him the opportunity of experiencing a world of adventures that would've otherwise been impossible.
Check it out: Flat Stanley: His Original Adventure!
8. Freckle Juice
Andrew dreams of having freckles and is prepared to go to any lengths. After getting Sharon's freckle juice recipe, Andrew sets off on a feat to get freckled like his classmate Nicky who claims to just have been born with freckles!
Check it out: Freckle Juice
9. Ivy & Bean
Ivy and Bean, two very different people, become the best of friends after Ivy helps Bean find a good hiding spot after playing a joke on her sister.
Check it out: Ivy & Bean
10. The Lemonade War
Rival siblings, Evan and Jessie Treski, compete to see who can set up and run a better lemonade stand.
Check it out: The Lemonade War
11. The Boxcar Children
Four orphaned siblings find an abandoned boxcar in the woods and decide to turn it into a home so that they can stick together in this inspirational story.
Check it out: The Boxcar Children
12. Clementine
Clementine has got herself into all sorts of trouble throughout the school week, but can she turn the week around and have a good weekend? Let's explore this hilarious chapter book and find out together!
Check it out: Clementine
13. Socks
Socks feels abandoned by his family after their new baby arrives and sets off to blaze a trail of havoc for the Brickers.
Check it out: Socks
14. My Father's Dragon
Elmer Elevator learns of a captive dragon living on a wild island and decides to stow away on a ship to go and meet the creature in the hopes of charming him into teaching Elmer how to fly.
Check it out: My Father's Dragon
15. The Littles
Mice and cats stir trouble and it's up to Tom and Lucy, the smallest of the Little family, to save the day! A messy family comes to stay in the Bigg's house whilst the Biggs themselves go on vacation and wreak all sorts of havoc.
Check it out: The Littles
16. Magic Tree House - Dinosaurs Before Dark
Be whisked away with Jack and Annie to a prehistoric past, only to have to make your way home again before you're gobbled up by a dinosaur.
Check it out: Magic Tree House- Dinosaurs Before Dark
17. How to Catch a Dinosaur
The Catch Club Kids are on a mission to catch a dinosaur to present at their school science fair. Will the Catch Club Kids be able to prove dinosaurs exist by wrangling a dino before the big day?
Check it out: How to Catch a Dinosaur
18. Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus
In this hilarious read, Junie B Jones gets stuck at school after refusing to jump aboard the school bus.
Check it out: Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus
19. Nate the Great
Nate the Great is the world's greatest detective and is now trying to solve the mystery of the lost picture.
Check it out: Nate the Great
20. Mercy Watson to the Rescue
This endearing book is a classic tale of how pets become part of the family. Mercy Watson, a boisterous pig, makes herself at home in the Watson household and experiences some goes on awesome adventures!
Check it out: Mercy Watson to the Rescue
21. The Princess in Black
Princess Magnolia, a highly esteemed princess, transforms into Princess Black when an alarm sounds- alerting the town that monsters are on the loose and she has to save the day.
Check it out: The Princess in Black
22. Eva's Treetop Festival
The main character, Eva Wingdale, offers to plan the Spring festival at her school. Will she have time for everything that needs to be organized or will Eva the owl need some help? This is a beautiful story that reminds us of the importance of friendship.
Check it out: Eva's Treetop Festival
23. Who Took the Farmer's Hat?
The farmer's hat is swept off his head by a strong gust of wind and this fantastic picture book invites readers to accompany him on a journey to find out which of his animals took it!
Check it out: Who Took the Farmer's Hat?
24. Dragons and Marshmallows
Kid scientist Zoey and her cat Sassafras experiment with ways of helping a sick dragon named Marshmallow who shows up outside of her barn.
Check it out: Dragons and Marshmallows
25. Dory Fantasmagory: The Real True Friend
Dory Fantasmagory sets out on a mission to make a new friend on her first day of school.
Check it out: Dory Fantasmagory: The Real True Friend
26. The Gruffalo's Child
Follow the Gruffalo's child into the woods as she goes on a hunt to find the Big Bad Mouse.
Check it out: The Gruffalo's Child
27. Room on the Broom
This crafty witch loses her hat, bow, and wand, but luckily the items are found by 3 demanding animals. In order to retrieve her belongings, she must give the animals a free ride on her broom, but is there enough room on her broomstick?
Check it out: Room on the Broom
28. The Snail and the Whale
This delightful tale illustrates the interworkings of a rather odd friendship between a whale and a snail and their worldwide travels.
Check it out: The Snail and the Whale
29. The Keeper of Wild Words
If you have a love for words and the beauty of the natural world, then you'll love this special read about a grandmother and granddaughter who explore nature together.
Check it out: The Keeper of Wild Words
30. Lulu and the Brontosaurus
Lulu wants nothing more than to have a Brontosaurus as a pet. She sets off on an expedition to find one and what surprises her most is the discovery that Mr. B the Brontosaurus fancies having Lulu as his pet!
Check it out: Lulu and the Brontosaurus
31. Ralph Tells a Story
Develop a love for short stories with this inspiring read. Ralph is at a loss for ideas on what to base his story on. His classmates soon show him that a story can be about anything his heart desires!
Check it out: Ralph Tells a Story
32. Gooney Bird and the Room Mother
Gooney Bird Greene takes center stage as her second grade class plans their Thanksgiving pageant.
Check it out: Gooney Bird and the Room Mother
33. The Hugging Tree
This inspirational story reminds us of the potential we possess to thrive and grow in all seasons of life.
Check it out: The Hugging Tree
34. Patience, Miyuki
Miyuki learns the value of patience as she waits for a special flower to bloom.
Check it out: Patience, Miyuki
35. Cozy
Cozy, a warm musk ox in Alaska, builds new friendships in the most unlikely way!
Check it out: Cozy
36. Bear and Wolf
Bear and Wolf kindle a unique friendship as they encounter each other one night during a peaceful forest walk.
Check it out: Bear and Wolf
37. Listen
This fantastic read teaches readers to listen to and trust their heart instincts as they explore and learn from the world around them.
Check it out: Listen
38. Backyard Fairies
Explore a whimsical world as a young girl discovers that magical fairies are living in her backyard.
Check it out: Backyard Fairies
39. If I Had a Little Dream
If I Had a Little Dream is about learning to be grateful and appreciative of the world we live in and all of the joy it provides.
Check it out: If I Had a Little Dream
40. The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be
A group of children builds the most amazing and diverse hot air balloons and in working together, realize their own personal strengths and talents and recognize that their differences make them special.
Check it out: The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be
41. We Are the Gardeners
The Gaines family shares their gardening journey in this beautifully illustrated picture book. Read about their fun animal encounters, hurdles, and successes in creating a thriving garden.
Check it out: We Are the Gardeners
42. Tiny, Perfect Things
Explore the tiny perfect things that exist in a local neighborhood as a grandfather and granddaughter enjoy exciting walks in this heartwarming story.
Check it out: Tiny, Perfect Things
43. Pokko and the Drum
Pokko the frog has been gifted a drum and embarks on a music-making journey as she sets off into the forest.
Check it out: Pokko and the Drum
44. Spencer and Vincent, the Jellyfish Brothers
Ocean creatures help reunite Spencer and Vincent, two jellyfish brothers, who are separated by a strong ocean current.
Check it out: Spencer and Vincent, the Jellyfish Brothers
45. The Wonderful Things You Will Be
The Wonderful Things You Will Be depicts the admiration and hopes that parents have for their children.
Check it out: The Wonderful Things You Will Be
46. I Need a New Butt!
After discovering that his butt has a crack, a young boy becomes very concerned and sets off in search of a new one!
Check it out: I Need a New Butt!
47. Pig and Pug
Pig makes a new friend at the farm when Pug arrives. Now Pig's day is filled with fun and excitement instead of loneliness and despair.
Check it out: Pig and Pug
48. Mac and Cheese
Two alley-cats, Mac and Cheese, are the best of friends but are completely different from one another. Mac is energetic whilst Cheese is lazy, but the day comes when Mac needs Cheese's help! Find out if Cheese will help Mac chase after his favorite hat after it's blown off his head by the wind.
Check it out: Mac and Cheese
49. A Fairy's Gift
One of the best fantasy stories has to be A Fairy's Gift! The Never Girls must save Fairy Hollow by convincing their friends that fairies are real in order to keep their magic alive.
Check it out: A Fairy's Gift
50. Jules vs. the Ocean
Jules is upset with the ocean for smashing the extravagant sandcastles she has built to impress her older sister. When the ocean takes Jules' bucket, she decides that she's had enough and stands up for herself.
Check it out: Jules vs. the Ocean
51. Not Quite Narwhal
Kelp discovers that he is not quite a narwhal after a strong ocean current carries him to the surface one night and he spies a creature that looks more like him than his Narwhal family!
Check it out: Not Quite Narwhal
52. Love, Z
Follow robot Z on his journey to find the meaning of love after he finds a message in a bottle from a girl named Beatrice.
Check it out: Love, Z
53. How to Code a Sandcastle
Pearl and her robot friend, Pascal, are trying to build the perfect sandcastle and decide to code their building to ensure even better results!
Check it out: How to Code a Sandcastle
54. Margaret's Unicorn
After Margaret's recent move to the seaside, she's feeling rather lonely. Whilst watching the waves crash on the shore one day, Margaret notices something beautiful stuck in the nearby weeds. She soon discovers that it's a unicorn who quickly becomes her good friend and fellow adventurer!
Check it out: Margaret's Unicorn
55. Chickenology: The Ultimate Encyclopedia
Discover all things chicken in this unique encyclopedia as you read more about this breed and its quirks.
Check it out: Chickenology: The Ultimate Encyclopedia
56. Save the Ocean
Celebrate the wonders of our oceans with this award-winning book! Follow a cute mermaid and turtle duo as they set out to discover their favorite foods!
Check it out: Save the Ocean
57. If You Come to Earth
Be inspired to care for the planet with this brilliantly touching book that revolves around one very special child.
Check it out: If You Come to Earth
58. Outside In
Outside In perfectly depicts our human connection with the natural world and encourages us to be grateful for all the small wonders that nature affords us.
Check it out: Outside In
59. My Weird School Daze
Humor stories are always a fan favorite! This pack of 12 books explores a class's antics throughout the school year and are the perfect books for 2nd grade reading.
Check it out: My Weird School Daze
60. The Bad Guys Box Set
The Bad Guys are in fact a group of do-gooders who will have you in fits of laughter as they set out on missions to make their city a better place.
Check it out: The Bad Guys Box Set
61. Keena Ford and the Second-Grade Mix-Up
Keena Ford is new to second grade and is looking forward to starting the year on the right foot! When she experiences a small mix-up, will Keena resort to her trouble-causing 1st grade ways just to enjoy a piece of cake, or will she be honest and tell the truth?
Check it out: Keena Ford and the Second-Grade Mix-Up
62. Pax
This heart-warming war story sees a boy reunite with his beloved childhood pet- Pax the fox.
Check it out: Pax
63. Crenshaw
Crenshaw the imaginary cat returns to help his friend Jackson face some rather difficult circumstances.
Check it out: Crenshaw
64. Restart
Chase falls out of a school window and loses his memory. Although he can't remember who he was, the possibilities of who he'd like to be are endless!
Check it out: Restart
65. How to Steal a Dog
Georgia Hayes is on a mission to steal a dog to improve her family's situation, but may just land up becoming attached and wanting to keep him!
Check it out: How to Steal a Dog
If you're looking for anything from adventure stories to classic stories, then you've certainly come to the right place! Help foster a love for reading in reluctant readers by suggesting they pick one of the above books to enjoy outside of the classroom and potentially even start a book club!
65 Great 1st Grade Books Every Child Should Read