25 Books for 2nd-Graders to Ignite Their Love for Reading

Do you want your kids to develop a better intellectual, physical, and social foundation? If so, you should introduce them to some interactive and engaging hobbies at an early age. Reading is the best hobby to spark curiosity, improve social skills, and boost a child’s overall growth. 

This guide will walk you through the best books for 2nd graders. 2nd grade is an important time in your child’s development chart. It’s the time when your child is already fluent in reading. So, you can leverage their reading skills to introduce them to the beautiful world of stories.

Let’s explore some good books for 2nd graders to read and get inspired from.

Here are some more online reading games to educate and engage your kids!

25 Best Books To Read for 2nd Graders

If you have 2nd graders at home, it is crucial to introduce them to some good books. Reading will not only help them in academics. But also develop their imagination, creativity, and social skills. 

So, based on your child’s reading level and interest, you can choose from the following popular books for 2nd graders:

General Fiction Books for Second Graders

1. Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

Subject: Celebrating diversity, the history and magic behind names

Price: $11.54

When Kora-Jalimuso’s teacher and classmates couldn’t pronounce her name, she felt sad. But then her mother uplifted her mood and told her that her “name is a song.” This is a good book for 2nd graders to teach them the importance of diversity and how to celebrate it. The book beautifully talks about racism in schools and its impact on young minds. 

2. Norman: One Amazing Goldfish by Kelly Bennett

Subject: Love for animals, stage fright

Price: $14.29

Norman: One Amazing Goldfish! is among the most popular books for 2nd graders. Norman is an adorable goldfish. His owner wants Norman to dazzle the crowd at the Pet-O-Rama pet show with his circles, bubbles, and flips. But unfortunately, Norman gets scared on the stage and hides. But his owner plays his favorite song to relax him, and then he impresses everyone with his antics. The book has fantastic illustrations and a storyline to hold a 2nd grader’s attention. 

3. Khalil and Mr. Hagerty and the Backyard Treasures by Tricia Springstubb

Subject: Shared experiences, friendships, companionship

Price: $14.39

Khalil and Mr. Hagerty have nothing in common. Khalil is a young boy who lives upstairs in a crowded and noisy apartment with his family. Mr. Hagerty is an old and quiet man living on the ground floor. One day, Khalil digs land to find a treasure, and Mr. Hagerty gets a pit to plant his flowers. That’s how an expected and sweet friendship blooms between two completely different people. 

4. Ten Ways to Hear Snow by Cathy Camper

Subject: Being observant and attentive to your surroundings 

Price: $5.69

One winter morning, Lina woke to silence and a blanket of snow. She planned to visit her grandmother to cook grape leaves. On her way, she found 10 ways to observe her surroundings which would have gone unnoticed earlier. She found a snowman, ice sidewalks, and other beauties of snow while visiting her grandmother. This book is perfect for teaching your 2nd graders how there is beauty in everything. They have to find a way to observe and appreciate it.

Related Reading: Best Teaching Books of All Time

Fantasy Books for Second Graders

5. The Magical Animal Adoption Agency, Clover’s Luck by Kalli George

Subject: Fortune, hard work

Price: $8.05

This is a great fantasy reading book for 2nd graders containing fortune, magic, and evil witches. It is the story of Clover, who thinks of herself as bad luck. One fine day, she visited the woods and found a magical animal adoption agency where different magical creatures were catered, like unicorns, fairy horses, etc. She got a summer job in the agency. However, Clover’s bad luck strikes again when she is left alone to manage the agency, and an evil witch attacks the magical animals. How Clover saves animals is an adventurous tale to tell 2nd graders. 

6. Rainbow Magic Series by Daisy Meadows

Subject: Sisterhood, goodness

Price:$6.99

The Rainbow Magic series is a collection of books for kids to read. Fairyland is where the colorful seven sisters live, known as Rainbow Fairies. They were sent far away by an evil person, Jack Frost. However, they have to return to Fairyland to protect it. In the seven series, kids will read how seven fairies find their way back to Fairyland. 

7. Magic Tree House: Merlin Mission by Mary Pope Osborne

Subject: Friendship, adventure 

Price: $67.00

Magic Tree House is a fantastic fantasy story in which a treehouse takes Jack and Annie to a magical land beyond imagination. It is a magical adventure tale where the duo visit Camelot, a haunted castle, an island lost in the mist, and the Land Behind the Clouds. It is a fantastic adventurous book series to read for 2nd graders. 

Related Reading: What is Taught to Kids in 2nd Grade – Important Topics in the Syllabus

Mystery Books for Second Graders

8. Julian, Secret Agent by Ann Cameron

Subject: Friendship, detective mystery 

Price: $4.99

The story revolves around Julian, his brother Huey, and their friend Gloria. They saw a poster at the post office with a reward of $25,000 to catch a thief who cooks. There are several mysteries and twists before three friends catch a thief and stop bank robberies in the city. It is a perfect online book for 2nd graders to order from Amazon or GoodReads. 

9. The Seven Treasure Hunts by Betsy Byars

Subject: Responsibility, properly understanding the instructions

Price: $4.99

If your 2nd grader is a wilful child, this book is the best book for them to teach how a wrong move can cause big trouble. This book contains the story of two friends, Jack and Goat, who love to create treasures for other people. However, Goat misunderstood one of the instructions and fell into a pit with his sister. This book will teach your children that they should properly read and follow instructions.

10. Tuff Fluff: The Case of Duckie’s Missing Brain by Scott Nash

Subject: Keeping your things in the right place 

Price: $7.01

Duckie is the resident storyteller toy of Los Attic. But he lost some of his brain stuffing, so he can’t tell stories anymore. Tuff Fluff is a private investigator who uses creative surgery to regain Duckie’s brain. It is a fun, quick book for 2nd graders to read during their downtime. 

Related Reading: Storytelling for Kids: Benefits, Books, and More

Graphic Books for Second Graders

11. Baloney and Friends series by Greg Pizzoli

Subject: Bravery, friendship

Price: $7.99 

Baloney is the star of this book series with his three best friends — empathetic Peanut the horse, sensible Bizz the bumblebee, and grumpy Krabbit. Together friends create humorous graphical tales. Your kids will giggle with Baloney and cheer him when he braves to swim and learn to draw clear characters. 

12. Peter & Ernesto Series by Graham Annable

Subject: Friendship, personalities, individuality 

Price: $13.99

Peter & Ernesto is a graphic novel series for elementary students. Oscar-nominated artist and writer have created two different characters — Peter and Ernesto. Both characters are sloths with different personalities but are still best friends. It is a good book for 2nd graders to teach them how two people can become friends despite their different interests. 

13. Norma and Belly series by Mika Song

Subject: Friendship, stealing is bad 

Price: $7.99

Norma and Belly are two hungry squirrels. They are thick as thieves. One day, the sweet scent of a doughnut truck lures them outside of their tree trunk, and they plan to steal some doughnuts. The story is about all the challenges and lessons squirrels learn while attempting to steal some delicious doughnuts. 

Historical Fiction Books for Second Graders

14. An Elephant in the Garden by Michael Morpurgo

Subject: Humanity, animal care 

Price: $7.99

This story is inspired by true incidents during the WWII bombing. The story is about a family who rescued an orphan elephant, Marlene, from the Belfast Zoo. The family faces several unexpected encounters while saving the elephant when the whole city is bombed. It is a sweet tale of survival, kindness, and never losing hope during difficult times. 

15. How I Became a Spy: A Mystery of WWII London by Deborah Hopkinson

Subject: Suspense, thrill, WWII events

Price:$13.99

This is the best book to read for 2nd graders to learn about various WWII events. This book is set in London during the Second World War. It revolves around a 13-year-old English boy — Bertie, an American girl — Eleanor, and a Jewish refugee boy — David. When a young woman goes missing, leaving a coded notebook behind, Bertie sets out to solve the mystery. Leading the trio into fun and adventure that your children will enjoy.

16. Potato: A Tale from the Great Depression by Kate Lied

Subject: Survival, family bond, valuing the little things in life

Price: $7.95

This is a great historical tale for young children during the Great Depression. When an only earning member of a family loses his job during the depression, forcing the entire family to move to Idaho to harvest potatoes. The book has engaging illustrations and a gripping storyline to hook 2nd graders. 

Fun Books for 2nd Graders

17. It’s Raining Pigs & Noodles by Jack Prelutsky

Subject: Funny language and phrases 

Price: $9.99

2nd grade is often when children start picking up curse words and demonstrating rude behavior. So, this fun book for 2nd graders is perfect for teaching them playful words and cute zany phrases. Your children will start laughing from the first line and memorize cute lines to express their growing range of emotions creatively. 

18. Drooling and Dangerous: The Riot Brothers Return by Mary Amato

Subject: Sibling bond

Price: $7.99

It is a hilarious tale of brothers Orville and Wilbur, along with their school principal and mother. The book will attract young readers who adore their mother and siblings. It is a silly story about brothers falling into trouble and annoying their mother. It is the perfect fun pastime story for 2nd graders. 

19. Gooney Bird Greene Series by Lois Lowry

Subject: Attention seeking, fitting in, confidence

Price: $7.99

Gooney Bird wants to become the center of all attention on the first day of her 2nd grade. So, she arrives at class in the middle of the day wearing a colorful costume. She soon becomes the brightest star in the class with her weird antics and dramatic stories. The story is a perfect mix of entertainment, imagination, and creativity for young readers. 

Related Reading: Popular Nonfiction Books for Kids to Read & Cherish

Classic Books for Second Graders

20. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

Subject: Bravery, adventure, friendship

Price: $5.49

It is a classic book for 2nd graders written in 1961. James is an English orphan boy under the care of two abusive aunts. One day, James finds a tunnel in a peach tree and enters a magical world where he befriends seven bugs and embarks on an adventurous journey. The book contains some explicit content, so read it with your children. 

21. Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey

Subject: Community, Family 

Price: $8.08

Make Way for Ducklings is a classic illustration book written in 1941. The book is about a pair of mallard ducks who plan to raise their family on an island in the lagoon of Boston Public Garden. However, they need the community’s support to reach there safely. The story will teach your children about community bonds. 

22. Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary

Subject: Sibling rivalries 

Price: $5.99

This is a great book for 2nd graders to read about and explore sibling rivalries. The focus is on Ramona Quimby and her sister Beatrice. The story is told from 9-year-old Beezus’s point of view as she tries to relate to her 4-year-old sister. The story is a bit old, but it captures sibling relationships perfectly.

Related Reading: Best Online Resources for Kids to Find Free eBooks

Book Series for 2nd Graders

23. Dory Fantasmagory Series by Abby Hanlon

Subject: Sibling relationships, imagination 

Price: $12.64

It is not easy being the youngest sibling, especially when your brother and sister won’t play with you. If your 2nd grader cribs a lot about their siblings, introduce them to Dory, who has a wild imagination and keeps herself entertained. This book is a real hoot with a bearded fairy godmother, sharp-toothed robbers, and a monster who happens to be the sweetest. 

24. Alvin Ho Series by Lenore Look

Subject: Conquering fears 

Price: $6.99

Alvin Ho is scared of everything, especially going to school. But unfortunately, he can’t skip starting 2nd grade. Your children will learn to conquer their fears while reading Alvin’s courageous tale. 

25. Junie B. Jones Series by Barbara Park

Subject: Feisty, adventure 

Price: $4.00

Junie B. Jones is a popular series for 2nd graders, and the series has been published in 28 installments. Each story revolves around 6-year-old Junie B. Jones and her adventures across kindergarten and first grade.

Let’s Start Reading!

Many fun, valuable, and simple comic and reading books for 2nd graders are available. You can easily introduce tough academic lessons like WWII and life value lessons like friendship, honesty, and kindness with books. So, refer to the best 25 books and help your 2nd grader pick the best ones to read.

Related Reading: Ways to Get Kids Excited About Reading

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the benefits of reading to 2nd Graders?

2nd-grade reading is an important year for your child’s overall development. It helps improve the pronunciation of words and their implication in the real world. In addition, 2nd-grade reading will help your children understand the basic mechanism behind the English language and vocabulary. It also improves their grammatical and phonetic skills.

How can I increase or improve my child's interest in reading?

The best method to enhance your child’s interest in reading is leading by example. You should read more and include a variety of books in your home library. When your child sees you reading, this will automatically spark their curiosity and interest in reading. You can also take your child to the local library or book club to introduce them to different types of literature.

What objectives should children set while reading?

The main purpose of reading is to educate, entertain and explain information, which should be the goal. Reading is a practical and entertaining solution to develop your 2nd graders’ critical thinking skills. To expand their reading options, you can also look at e-book readers like Kindle and get online books for 2nd graders.