Recomended Book for Second Grade

Hint: A mix of picture books and short chapter books will help keep your new reader feeling confident!

1. Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and Mary Azarian (Houghton Mifflin, 1998) One man uses his dream of photographing snowflakes to create a gift for the world.  This picture book biography is rich with discussion points, and is a pleasure to share across the grade levels.
2. Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar (Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, 2004) A hilarious Zen guide to elementary education in the schoolhouse that was built thirty stories high.
3. Rickshaw Girl by Matali Perkins (Charlesbridge Publishing, 2007) When Naima tries to maneuver her father's beautiful, newly-painted rickshaw, it appears she has brought rack and ruin to her family, possibly even causing her mother to sell a cherished bangle that has been passed down through generations. Dressed as a boy, she tries to create a new solution that will prevent further hardship. A wonderful example of modern multicultural children’s literature.
4. The Empty Pot by Demi (Henry Holt and Co., 2007) An emperor announces a gardening contest to find his successor, but fraudulent foliage among the competitors is sprouting like weeds. The king has a trick up his sleeve to find the worthy winner.  This parable brings home the importance of honesty without being preachy.  Did you know this illustrator has been known to use a mouse’s whisker to paint these lovely, jeweled pictures?
5. Poop by Nicola Davies (Candlewick Press, 2007) Every page flows over with absolutely fascinating fecal facts, from the double-dose of digesting power that pellets afford to rabbits or the tell-tale dumps of sloths, otters and hippos that speak (or stink) louder than words. Overall, a remarkably engaging and informative science book that rises far above its genre's foul beginnings, and will make a novice scientist out of your favorite fart-joke-teller (you know you have one).  I love this book so much, I keep a copy in my own bathroom.

Other Authors:  Jack Prelutsky, John Sciezka, Chris Van Allsburg, Ruth Stiles Gannett, Suzy Klin

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