← All grades2nd Grade Summer Reading List
The top 50 summer reading picks for 2nd Grade — with descriptions and where to find each book. Download the whole list as a free printable PDF.As an Amazon Associate KitQuest earns from qualifying purchases. - 1
Dog Manby Dav Pilkey · Dog Man series**Get ready for Action, Suspense, Romance... and Laffs!** George and Harold have created a new breed of justice. When Greg the police dog and his cop companion are injured on the job, a life-saving surgery changes the course of history, and Dog Man is born. With the head of a dog and the body of a human, this heroic hound digs into deception, claws after crooks, rolls over robbers, and scampers after squirrels. Will he be able to resist the call of the wild to answer the call of duty? - 2
- 3
- 4
Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Busby Barbara Park · Junie B. Jones series · 69 pages-*-In her own words, a young girl describes her feelings about starting kindergarten and what she does when she decides not to ride the bus home. -*-Illus. in black-and-white. Meet Junie B. who tells in her own words the hilarious story of how she gets locked in school after her first day of kindergarten. "It's hard for anyone to resist Junie B."--Booklist. -*-"It's a real hoot!"--School Library Journal -*-''A genuinely funny, easily read story.''--Kirkus' - 5
The Bad Guysby Aaron Blabey · The Bad Guys seriesMr Wolf gets together a band of former bad guys to do good deeds. There's Mr Wolf, Mr Snake, Mr Shark and Mr Piranha. They start by rescuing a kitten stuck up a tree and then head for the bigger challenge of liberating an entire pound of dogs. Success is guaranteed as long as they don't squabble too much and they don't eat each other or scare the animals they are rescuing to death. Humorous and clever series. - 6
Narwhal: Unicorn of the Seaby Ben Clanton · Narwhal and Jelly series · 64 pagesNarwhal is a happy-go-lucky narwhal. Jelly is a no-nonsense jellyfish. The two might not have a lot in common, but they do they love waffles, parties and adventures. Join Narwhal and Jelly as they discover the whole wide ocean together. - 7
The Princess in Blackby Shannon Hale · Princess in Black series · 96 pagesWho says princesses don’t wear black? When trouble raises its blue monster head, Princess Magnolia ditches her flouncy dresses and becomes the Princess in Black! - 8
Nate the Greatby Marjorie Weinman Sharmat · Nate the Great series · 80 pagesJoin the world’s greatest detective, Nate the Great, as he solves the mystery of the lost picture! Perfect for beginning readers and the Common Core, this long-running chapter book series will encourage children to problem-solve with Nate, using logical thinking to solve mysteries! CAN NATE SOLVE THE CASE FOR HIS FRIEND ANNIE? Nate the Great has a new case! His friend Annie has lost a picture. She wants Nate to help her find it. Nate the Great must get all the facts, ask the right questions, and narrow the list of suspects so he can solve the mystery. - 9
Mercy Watson Goes for a Rideby Kate DiCamillo · Mercy Watson series · 72 pagesMr. Watson's usual Saturday drive in his Cadillac with his favorite pig, Mercy, turns into an adventure when an unexpected passenger shows up in the back seat and Mercy finds herself behind the wheel. - 10
Ivy and Beanby Annie Barrows · Ivy and Bean series · 120 pagesWhen seven-year-old Bean plays a mean trick on her sister, she finds unexpected support for her antics from Ivy, the new neighbor, who is less boring than Bean first suspected. - 11
Press Start! Game Over, Super Rabbit Boy!by Thomas Flintham · Press Start! series · 80 pagesMeanie King Viking and his robot army have stolen Singing Dog, and all the happiness has gone out of Animal Town! Super Rabbit Boy races through the levels of his video game world to save the day, while in the real world a boy named Sunny plays along at home. - 12
Owl Diaries: Eva's Treetop Festivalby Rebecca Elliott · Owl Diaries seriesHaving a Bloomtastic Festival at school to celebrate spring is a great idea--but Eva Wingdale, a young owl, discovers that it is also a lot of work, and there is nothing wrong with asking her friends for help. - 13
Flat Stanleyby Jeff Brown · Flat Stanley series · 87 pagesWhen a bulletin board falls on Stanley Lambchop overnight, he wakes up only half an inch thick. Being flat has its perks: he slides under doors, is mailed to California in an envelope, flies like a kite — and even helps catch a pair of sneaky art thieves. - 14
Stuart Littleby E.B. White · 131 pagesThe classic story by E. B. White, author of Charlotte's Web and Trumpet of the Swan, about one small mouse on a very big adventure! This edition features the classic art in full color. Stuart Little is no ordinary mouse. Born to a family of humans, he lives in New York City with his parents, his older brother George, and Snowbell the cat. Though he's shy and thoughtful, he's also a true lover of adventure. Stuart's greatest adventure comes when his best friend, a beautiful little bird named Margalo, disappears from her nest. Determined to track her down, Stuart ventures away from home for the - 15
Bad Kitty Gets a Bathby Nick Bruel · Bad Kitty seriesTakes a humorous look at the normal way cats bathe, why it is inappropriate for humans to bathe that way, and the challenges of trying to give a cat a real bath with soap and water. Includes fun facts, glossary, and other information. - 16
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friendby Dan Santat · 40 pagesThis magical story begins on an island far away where an imaginary friend is born. He patiently waits his turn to be chosen by a real child, but when he is overlooked time and again, he sets off on an incredible journey to the bustling city, where he finally meets his perfect match and -- at long last -- is given his special name: Beekle. Award-winning author and illustrator Dan Santat combines classic storytelling with breathtaking art, creating an unforgettable tale about friendship, imagination, and the courage to find one's place in the world. - Jacket flap. - 17
My Father's Dragonby Ruth Stiles Gannett · My Father's Dragon series · 86 pagesYoung Elmer Elevator runs away to Wild Island to rescue a baby dragon held captive by the wild animals, cleverly using a knapsack of supplies — chewing gum, lollipops, hair ribbons, and more — to outwit lions, tigers, and a very vain crocodile. - 18
Mr. Popper's Penguinsby Richard Atwater · 139 pagesMr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater. A recommended summer reading selection for grade 2. - 19
- 20
The Year of Billy Millerby Kevin Henkes · 229 pagesSeven-year-old Billy Miller starts second grade with a bump on his head and a lot of worries, but by the end of the year he has developed good relationships with his teacher, his little sister, and his parents and learned many important lessons. - 21
Frindleby Andrew ClementsFrom bestselling and award-winning author Andrew Clements, a quirky, imaginative tale about creative thought and the power of words that will have readers inventing their own words. Is Nick Allen a troublemaker? He really just likes to liven things up at school -- and he's always had plenty of great ideas. When Nick learns some interesting information about how words are created, suddenly he's got the inspiration for his best plan ever...the frindle. Who says a pen has to be called a pen? Why not call it a frindle? Things begin innocently enough as Nick gets his friends to use the new word. Th - 22
The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Partyby Shannon Hale · Princess in Black series · 96 pagesToday is Princess Magnolia’s birthday party, and she wants everything to be perfect. But just as her guests are arriving . . . Brring! Brring! The monster alarm! Princess Magnolia runs to the broom closet, ditches her frilly clothes, and becomes the Princess in Black! She rushes to the goat pasture, defeats the monster, and returns to the castle before her guests discover her secret. But every time Princess Magnolia is about to open her presents, the monster alarm rings again. And every time she rushes back—an inside-out dress here, a missing shoe there—it gets harder to keep the other princes - 23
Dory Fantasmagoryby Abby Hanlon · Dory Fantasmagory seriesDory, the youngest in her family, is a girl with a very active imagination, and she spends the summer playing with her imaginary friend, pretending to be a dog, battling monsters, and generally driving her family nuts. As the youngest in her family, Dory really wants attention, and more than anything she wants her brother and sister to play with her. But she's too much of a baby for them, so she's left to her own devices. - 24
Catwingsby Ursula K. Le Guin · Catwings series · 48 pagesMrs. Jane Tabby's four kittens are born with wings, and she urges them to fly away from the dangerous city streets. The winged kittens make their way to the countryside, where they fend for themselves until they meet two gentle children they can trust. - 25
Henry Hugginsby Beverly Cleary · Henry Huggins series · 176 pagesHenry Huggins feels like nothing very ' exciting ever happens on Klickitat Street ... until one day when a friendly dog sits down and looks pleadingly at Henry's ice-cream cone. From that moment on, Henry and his new dog, Ribsy, are inseparable—and together, they cause more excitement than Klickitat Street can handle! --back cover - 26
- 27
The Chocolate Touchby Patrick Skene Catling · 126 pagesA boy acquires a magical gift that turns everything his lips touch into chocolate. - 28
Roscoe Riley Rules: Never Glue Your Friends to Chairsby Katherine Applegate · Roscoe Riley series · 96 pagesRoscoe just wants to help: when his class's bee antennae won't stay on and the drummers won't stay in their seats for the big first-grade show, a little super glue seems like the perfect fix — which is exactly how Roscoe learns rule number one: never glue your friends to chairs. - 29
Amelia Bedelia Means Businessby Herman Parish · Amelia Bedelia series"Young Amelia Bedelia will do almost anything for a shiny new bicycle. Her parents say they'll split the cost with her, and that means Amelia Bedelia needs to put the pedal to the metal and earn some dough! With Amelia Bedelia anything can happen, and it usually does"-- - 30
- 31
Zita the Spacegirlby Ben Hatke · Zita series · 182 pagesZita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke (part of the Zita series). A recommended summer reading selection for grade 2. - 32
Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kittiesby Dav Pilkey · Dog Man series · 262 pagesDog Man is back — and so is Petey the cat, whose latest scheme is cloning himself. But the clone turns out to be an adorable kitten, Li'l Petey, whose sweetness complicates Petey's evil plans and wins Dog Man's heart. - 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
Owl Diaries: Eva Sees a Ghostby Rebecca Elliott · Owl Diaries seriesWhen Eva Wingdale sees something large and white flying above her she is convinced that it is a ghost, although most of the other owls just laugh at her--until something large and heavy and white lands on the school roof. "¡Eva ve un fantasma! O al menos, eso piensa& Así que con su mejor amiga, sale en busca del fantasma. Perfecto para niñas a las que les encantan las historias de animales y de amistad. " - 37
Press Start! Super Rabbit Boy Powers Up!by Thomas Flintham · Press Start! series · 72 pagesTired of always losing to Super Rabbit Boy in their video game world, King Viking goes to the Secret Lands to find the Super Power Up that will give him super powers--Super Rabbit Boy must stop him, but first he must make it past goblins, ghosts, and other video dangers. - 38
Super Narwhal and Jelly Joltby Ben Clanton · Narwhal and Jelly series · 64 pagesJoin Super Narwhal and sidekick Jelly Jolt as they take on three SUPER new stories in this early graphic novel series. Happy-go-lucky Narwhal and no-nonsense Jelly find their inner superheroes in three new under-the-sea adventures. In the first story, Narwhal reveals his superhero alter-ego and enlists Jelly to help him figure out what his superpower is. Next, Narwhal uses his superpower to help a friend find his way back home. In the third story, Jelly is feeling blue and Narwhal comes to the rescue. - 39
- 40
- 41
The Stories Julian Tellsby Ann Cameron · Julian series · 71 pagesGreat read aloud for 2nd or 3rd grade. THe story is about a young boy who tells some imaginative stories, is a little mischievous and very creative. My 3rd graders enjoyed it! - 42
The Princess in Black Takes a Vacationby Shannon Hale · Princess in Black series · 96 pagesAfter battling monsters night and day, an exhausted Princess Magnolia finally takes a seaside vacation while the new hero the Goat Avenger watches over the goats. But just as she settles into her hammock — a giant sea monster rises from the waves, and it's back to work for the Princess in Black. - 43
Ivy and Bean Break the Fossil Recordby Annie Barrows · Ivy and Bean series · 120 pagesWhen a book of world records sets their whole second-grade class dreaming of fame, Ivy and Bean decide to become the youngest people ever to discover a dinosaur skeleton — and start digging up Bean's backyard to break the fossil record. - 44
Junie B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouthby Barbara Park · Junie B. Jones series · 69 pagesJunie B.'s big fat mouth gets her in trouble again when she brags that she has the bestest job of all for kindergarten's Job Day — before she has any idea what that job will be. Luckily, a chat with the school janitor helps her find a job worth bragging about. - 45
- 46
- 47
Mercy Watson Fights Crimeby Kate DiCamillo · Mercy Watson series · 70 pagesWhen a small thief named Leroy Ninker — who dreams of being a cowboy — breaks into the Watsons' kitchen at night, toast-loving Mercy the pig hears sounds that could only mean one thing: someone is near the butter. Chaos, and accidental crime-fighting, ensue. - 48
The Bad Guys in The Furball Strikes Backby Aaron Blabey · The Bad Guys series · 138 pagesStill yearning to be seen as heroes, Wolf, Shark, Snake, and Piranha set out to rescue ten thousand chickens from a high-tech cage farm--but one unexpected problem is Mr. Snake himself, also known as "The Chicken Swallower." - 49
Fly Guy and the Frankenflyby Tedd Arnold · Fly Guy series · 30 pagesAfter a fun evening of playing with his best friend Buzz, Fly Guy stays up late working on a surprise — and Buzz dreams that Fly Guy has built a giant monster, Frankenfly! In the morning, the real surprise turns out to be much sweeter. - 50
