Want to inspire your rising second grader to read this summer? Give them a stack of books from this 2nd grade summer reading list. 7 and 8-year-olds (and some 6-year-olds, too) may be starting to enjoy longer books and summer is a great time for these new readers to explore a variety of books to find out just what they like!
As I've mentioned on the first grade summer book list, a group of kids will present at different reading levels and stages. Summer is not a time to be stressing about reading levels.
Meet your kids where they are in their reading journey! Some of you may have kids who still prefer to be read to, or only want to skim longer books, or are still reading easy readers, and other children may be reading fluently by this age.
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Table of contents
Illustrated Chapter Books
Illustrated chapter books entice newly independent readers with large text. Plentiful illustrations aid developing reading comprehension skills.
Bulldozer's Big Rescue (Bulldozer and Friends series) by Elise Broach, illustrated by Kelly Murphy
What kid wouldn't love to read a story about an anthropomorphic bulldozer overcoming his shyness to make new friends in the neighborhood? And did I mention there was a kitten rescue?
They Call Me No Sam! by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Mike Lowery
Written in diary format from Sam the Pug's point of view, this chapter book will tickle your reader's funny bone. Sam's wry observations about humans and their odd behaviors are paired with line drawings depicting his chaotically hilarious adventures.
Little Shrew by Akiko Miyakoshi
This beautifully illustrated book, translated from Japanese, is three short chapters about Little Shrew's day, dreams, and friends. Little Shrew's schedule might be tidy and scheduled, but small activities and discoveries allow for charming moments of joy.
Gumluck the Wizard (series) by Adam Rex
Kids who like magic and silly humor will find the perfect blend in this series about a whimsical wizard and his quirky adventures. Gumluck the wizard wants to be a hero and dispenses with magical favors in the hopes of being voted one at the upcoming festival. Wry and humorous commentary is provided by Helvetica the raven. Absolutely delightful.
Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters (The Questioneers series) by Andrea Beaty
The popular STEM picture book series about creative and inventive kids, Rosie Rever, Ada Twist and Iggy Peck are reincarnated as chapter books in The Questioneers series. If your kids liked the picture books they will enjoy the new engineering and scientific challenges the three kids face. Plus, who doesn't love a little science in the summer?
Polly Diamond and the Magic Book (series) by Alice Kuipers, illustrated by Diana Toledano
Polly is a charming heroine and this is a relentlessly (in a good way!) cheerful book. One day, Polly gets a book and she is delighted to find out that whatever she writes comes true. But there is a catch, Polly must get the wording exactly right. Luckily Polly loves words and stories. As you can imagine, things get a little out of hand but all is well in the end!
Meet Yasmin (series) by Saadia Faruqi
Meet Yasmin is a very early beginning chapter book series about a charming Pakistani-American girl. Each book is divided into four separate stories in which Yasmin uses her creative energy and high imagination to solve problems. Delightful and a good choice for very young readers. There are 12 books so far.
MORE: Our Summer Vocabulary Jar Idea Supports Summer Literacy
Jasmine Toguchi: Mochi Queen (series) by Debbi Michiko Florence
Each book in this fun series incorporates Jasmine’s Japanese-American heritage into the story line. Intrepid Jasmine tackles pounding muchi rice, Japanese Girls’ Day, Japanese drumming, and more.
Pedro's Big Goal (series) by Fran Manushkin, illustrated by Tammie Lyon
This is a great series for the youngest readers, especially 2nd grades who are reading beginning chapter books. In this one, Pedro plays soccer and decides that his goal is to.. well... make a goal!
MORE: Your kids can mark their place in a favorite books with these printable summer bookmarks.
Slug Days (series) by Sarah Leach
Lauren is on the spectrum and "slug days" is how she refers to her days when things seem slow and slimy. In other words, they are the days when things don't go well and others don't seem to understand why she does certain things. But Lauren has certain routines that help her get through slug days and today is special because she meets a new girl and her day might turn out to be a butterfly day after all.
Advanced rising 2nd grade readers will enjoy the books on the 3rd grade summer reading list.
Orris and Timble: The Beginning by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Carmen Mok
Orris the rat decides that in spite of being the natural prey of Timble, he will help the trapped barn owl. Thus begins a unique friendship, in this early chapter book filled with acts of kindness and courage.
The Miniature World of Marvin & James (series) by Elise Broach, illustrated by Kelly Murphy
If I were to recommend a book about beetles jumping into a pile of pencil shavings inside an electric pencil sharpener, you might look at me a little askew. Actually the book is about how the beetle, Marvin, spends his time while his best friend (and human), James, is at the beach. The pencil sharpener incident is simply the most memorable part of the story and the one that my son wanted me to read to him again and again.
Graphic Novels and Hybrids
Don't worry if your child only wants to read graphic novels. Reading is reading!
Tiger vs. Nightmare by Emily Tetri
This book is completely adorable! Every night Tiger and the monster who lives under her bed play together and when Tiger falls asleep, Monster scares all the nightmares away. One night there is a nightmare too scary for Monster to take on by itself so Tiger has to face her fears and banish the nightmare herself.
Fox and Chick: The Party and Other Stories (series) by Sergio Ruzzier
This is a fantastic series about two friends who sometimes annoy each other, but ultimately remember the things that make them friends, with a bit of dry humor along the way. I've always loved Ruzzier's illustrations (after all, he wrote one of my all time favorite books EVER, Amandina) and the comic strip format makes it fun to read. A real winner of a book.
Two Dogs in a Trench Coat Go to School (series) by Julie Falatko, illustrated by Colin Jack
Buy it: Amazon
Two dogs, Waldo and Sassy, decide to rescue their human from the boredom of school (the wonderfully named, Bea Arthur Memorial Elementary School). The canine pals don the titular garment and pose as new student, Salty Woofadogington. As you might imagine, hilarity and shenanigans ensue. Ages 7 and up.
MORE: Find more favorite books to read with our Summer Library Scavenger Hunt
Monti and Leo: A Newcomer in Pocketville (series) by Sylvie Kantorovitz
This beginning graphic novel series about Monti the mole and Leo the lizard will appeal to kids who enjoy quirky stories about friends.
The Bad Guys (series) by Aaron Blabey
I read the first book in the series out loud and my then-8 year old and I could not stop laughing! He subsequently gobbled up the next two books on his own. Mr. Wolf is on a mission to change his reputation and convinces his fellow reprobates, Mr. Snake, Mr. Piranha and Mr. Shark to join him in the Good Guys Club. Their first mission is to free 200 dogs from the Maximum Security City Dog Pound! Absolutely hilarious and extremely silly in the very best way.
MORE: Hilarious Books for Kids Who Love The Bad Guys
The Big Bad Fox by Benjamin Renner
Find it: Amazon
This funny graphic novel kept my son in stitches and so I cannot help but include it. We actually saw the French animation movie before realizing it was based on a book. A hapless fox ends up becoming a mama to some baby chicks that he originally stole in order to raise them up to be his dinner!
MORE: Summer Reading List for 7-9 Year Olds
CatStronauts (series) by Drew Brockington
Cuddly cats in outer space? You know that is bound to be funny. In this series opener a team of cats head to the moon to set up a solar plant. I love that Brockington weaves in some science lessons, too!
Mr. Pants (series) by Scott McCormick and R. H. Lazzell
Find it: Amazon
My 7 year old adores Mr. Pants. I frequently hear him giggling while reading it and he awaiting the next book in the series. Mr. Pants is an odd cat who engages in some standard hijinks and the humor is not exactly highbrow, but there is nothing inappropriate about the text and heh, my kid is reading - so get these from the library.
Binky the Space Cat (series) by Ashley Spires
Binky is a house cat who dreams of rocketing into space and battling aliens. Of course, to Binky, this means going outside, battling bugs and other antics. One day he finds and application to Felines of the Universe Ready for Space Travel and his journey begins. I love the deadpan humor of this book.
MORE: Beginning graphic novels (K-3rd grade)
Gulshan Y Banaji says
very nice, thank you!
Jessica says
I love your reading lists! I entered my email address to have this printable list sent to me, but it never arrived. Is there another way to access the printable list? Thanks!
Kimberly DeMaria says
There is no link for the 2nd grade summer reading list at the end of the post. Can you send me the link for this printable list please?