Some help for parents searching for good books for their child:

1. A note on series: Books in a series are very motivational. The children develop a sense of satisfaction as they follow their beloved characters through different experiences! It also helps a child know just where to go when looking for another just-right book (see #3 below).                                                                                                                                                                               

2. Books with two characters’ names in the title are usually about friendship. For example Mr. Putter and Tabby, Henry and Mudge, Pinky and Rex…These are wonderful because the child gets to know the main characters and can follow relationships and journeys. They’re also highly motivational and relatable.

3. To find books that are “just-right" or a "good fit" for your child you can have your child read a page or two of a book they are interested in. Use the “5-finger-rule". If there are 5 words, phrases, or ideas on the page that cause any trouble, the book is too difficult. (That does, to some extent, depend on the length of the page. In some books you might make it three, or even one.) The child must understand not just the decoding, but the meaning. It is better at this stage to be reading a book a little too easy than way too difficult.  


Book List:

(Appropriate for 2nd Grade)

Henry and Mudge- C. Ryland

Annie and Snowball- C. Ryland

Tony Baloney Series- D. Gutman

Katie Woo Series- F. Manushkin

Pedro Series- F. Manushkin

Andy Shane Series- J. Jacobson

My Weird School Daze Series- D. Gutman

Danny and the Dinosaur- S. Hoff

Mr. Putter and Tabby- C. Ryland

Cam Jensen or Young Cam Jansen- S. Adler

Frog and Toad- A. Lobel

Nate the Great- S. Sharmat

Amanda Pig and her Brother Oliver- Van Leeuwen

Amelia Bedelia- Parish

Horrible Harry- S. Klein

Song Lee- S. Klein

Judy Moody- McDonald

The Littles- John L. Peterson

Magic Tree House- Mary Pope Osborne

Zack Files- D. Greenburg

Pinky and Rex- J. Howe

Flat Stanley- J. Brown

The American Girl Series

Ready Freddie 

Roscoe Riley

A to Z/Calendar Mysteries

Stink

Jake Maddox Sports series