Bartholemew and the Oobleck by Dr Seuss
Everything that can go wrong for King Derwin of Didd does in this classic Dr Seuss picture book. Only the smart young page boy Bartholemew can save the day. Great for reluctant readers in Grade 2.
Picture book

Brundibar by Tony Kushner
When two children try to raise money for their sick mother by singing, they are thwarted the evil Brundibar who wants to be the only musician in the town. With the help of friends, they hatch a plan to defeat him.
Fable

Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
An unbeatable book for reluctant younger readers. Bright, lively and engaging, this superhero story is great fun and bound to be a hit with a second grade class.
Graphic novel

Cam Jansen by David A Adler
Cam Jansen is a girl with an amazing photographic memory which she uses to outsmart the local police and solve neighborhood crime. Ideal for independent readers in grade 2.
Classic | Mystery

Charlotte’s Web by E B White
The classic tale of Fern’s unlikely pet pig, Wilbur, and his clever and even unlikelier protector, Charlotte the spider. A must-read book to reread again and again.
Classic

Double Bass Blues by Andrea J. Loney
Carefully crafted text and colorful illustrations tell the story of Nic, a young double bass player. Talented and praised at school, he always experiences problems on his journey back home – when his big instrument is seen as a nuisance by others. Once home, he is invited to play at a jazz club – making all his hardships worthwhile. A great story to read to 2nd graders to show how perseverance pays off.
Diverse

Duck for President by Doreen Cronin
Duck decides farm life is just too hard and sets up a vote to replace the farmer. Soon he begins to like elections and gets voted in a Governor, and then – President! A funny and easy read for 2nd graders.
Humor

Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown
The adventures of Stanley Lambchop who is flattened and mailed, amongst other things, and becomes the most unlikely hero in this much-loved classic by Jeff Brown.
Classic

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
A thought-provoking picture book about the importance of giving and not just taking. Excellent for 2nd grade class discussion.
Classic

The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry
A visually awe-inspiring picture book about a man who hears voices from the forest warning him not to cut down the precious rainforest trees. A great introduction to environmentalism and ecology.
Diverse | Environment

If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen
A rhyming easy reader about a young boy who plans to change the world with his amazing ideas. Ideal for imaginative but reluctant second grade readers.
Rhyming

Julian, Secret Agent by Ann Cameron
Julian, his younger brother, and friends, see wanted posters for criminals around town and decide to hunt them down to get the $25,000 reward. But the police chief has other ideas.
Mystery

Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg
Peter and Judy discover an old game that plays like no other and opens up a dangerous and adventurous world. A highly imaginative picture book that is great to read with eight-year-olds.
Picture book

Mr Popper’s Penguins by Richard Atwater
Mr Popper wants a little more out of life. He wants to see the poles and take part in snowy expeditions. One day a penguin arrives in the mail and his life is changed forever. A hilarious adventure, ideal for 2nd grade readers.
Adventure

My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish by Mo O’Hara
When Frankie the goldfish is turned into something very strange and scary with magic powers, Tom’s brother has a lot to answer. Great characters, dialogue and action – and a very funny ending.
Humor

The Notebook of Doom by Troy Cummings
Alexander finds a mysterious notebook with “Doom” written on the cover. Inside are top secret details of many, many monsters – monsters which are living nearby…
Mystery | Fantasy

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
One night a young girl and her father go outside to look for owls. The nighttime walk is a magical adventure, wonderfully illustrated and with few words – ideal for encouraging emerging readers.
Adventure

Race of the Birkebeiners by Lise Lunge-Larsen
Set in snowy Norway, warriors rescue a helpless baby Prince in this heroic adventure and timeless classic. Beautifully illustrated.
Classic

Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty
A great story to inspire effort and resilience. Rosie builds imaginative contraptions and inventions. Not all of them work, but with the help of her grandmother, she doesn’t give up.
STEM

Science Verse by Jon Scieszka
Elementary grade science topics written in rhyming verse with eye-catching illustrations. The poems are pastiches of Frost, Poe and Kilmer, amongst others – so great for parents too!
Poetry | STEM

Stink by Megan McDonald
The adventures of Stink, a boy who gets up to all sorts of mischievous adventures and escapades. Very funny and highly likely to appeal to reluctant readers, especially second graders who prefer shorter stories.
Humor

13 Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths
This book will spark your child’s imagination with the wacky and zany home improvement creations going on in Andy and Terry’s treehouse. Fun and anarchic with great comic-style illustrations.
Humor | Graphic novel

You Can’t Eat Your Chicken Pox, Amber Brown by Paula Danziger
Amber Brown has been looking forward to an exciting vacation to London when all her plans are wrecked by Chicken Pox. But can she make something good come out of this predicament? A heartwarming story.
Contemporary