Second graders are starting to gain reading fluency and confidence. It can feel exciting to a young reader to pick up a chapter book just like the big kids!
Since a second grade classroom full of 7- and 8-year-olds includes students of a wide range of reading levels, it's important to have a selection of good, diverse chapter books for second graders at the ready. That's where this book list is useful.
You want to find just the right book for your beginning chapter book reader, a book or series that holds their interest and keeps them reading. The books on this list include a variety of genres and protagonists from all walks of life so every kid can find a story they will love.
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Best 2nd Grade Chapter Books
Depending on reading level, all these books for second graders are appropriate for kids ages 6-10. Would it help you to have a printable version of this book list? At the end of the post you can get one!
JOJO MAKOONS (series) by Dawn Quigley, illustrated by Tara Audibert
JoJo is a clever, spunky heroine and she makes lots of mistakes–but she's learning! JoJo's narrative voice is irresistible, and Quigley includes wonderful word play and sly humor throughout. The story centers around JoJo's experiences at school and with her friend, Fern, with whom she's having some difficulties. A wonderful new series!
J.D. AND THE GREAT BARBER BATTLE (series) by J. Dillard, illustrated by Akeem S. Roberts
This is a sweet and very funny series! J.D.'s mom has given him a terrible haircut, and when J.D. tries to remedy the situation he discovers that he is actually a hair-cutting genius! But when the town barber gets fed up with losing all his clients to J.D., it's time for a show-down!
THE CHICKEN SQUAD (series) by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Kevin Cornell
In this very funny series, Dirt, Sugar, Poppy, and Sweetie are chicks with varying degrees of intelligence. They solve backyard crimes that inevitably involve the squirrel population, a friendly dog, and a lot of laughs.
MORE: Funny chapter books for 6-10 year olds
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 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!
BADIR AND THE BEAVER by Shannon Stewart, illustrated by Christian Down
One day Badir, a recent Tunisian immigrant to Canada, spots a beaver. He is entranced by the animal, which he thinks is a large swimming rat. Badir soon learns that the beaver is the national animal of Canada and that some residents want the "pest" removed from the park because of damage to trees. Badir and his friends rally to learn all they can about beavers and help the animal. Stewart deftly weaves themes of belonging and cultural diversity into this marvelous story.
SATO THE RABBIT by Yuki Ainoya
Ainoya's lyrical book series has much less text than the other 2nd grade reading choices on this list. However, the vocabulary is still challenging and the story sweeps you up into Sato's imagination. A young child wearing a rabbit suit uses their imagination to transform ordinary tasks into the extraordinary. Water from the hose becomes a winding river, a watermelon is a boat, a walnut is a tiny home. Surreal and enchanting. Would make a great read aloud.
MORE: Best chapter books in translation
DEFINITELY DOMINGUITA (series) by Terry Catasus Jennings, illustrated by Fatima Anaya
This is a great chapter book series with an indomitable, book-loving heroine. In the first book of the series, Dominguita's abuela has just moved away and Dom loves reading Don Quixote, abuela's favorite book. It makes her feel closer to abuela. Dom attempt to set out on some knightly adventures of her own and prove to the class bully that girls can be knights.
A BEAR NAMED BJORN by Delphine Perret
Find it: Amazon
Perret's story and line-drawn illustrations of a bear and and his forest friends is both calming and whimsical. The short, episodic tale takes place over six chapters and fans of Winnie-the-Pooh will enjoy reading about Bear's acquisition of a new sofa, Owl's prescription for Bear to wear glasses and Bear's hunt for the perfect gift, among other droll events. Utterly delightful and I love that the pages are green!
THE FABLED STABLES (series) by Jonathan Auxier, illustrated by Olga Demidova
Willa the Wisp is the first title in The Fabled Stables series. Auggie lives on an island and has a job taking care of one-of-a-kind animals. His sidekick is a shape-shifting stick-like creature called a "Stick-in-the-Mud," named Fen. When a new stall magically appears in the stables, Auggie knows there is a creature who needs rescuing. Thus begins his quest to find and save a will-o'-the-wisp. This is a truly magical series, perfect for kids who love magic and mythical beasts.
MORE: Action and adventure early chapter books
HOCKEY NIGHT IN KENYA by Danson Mutinda and Eric Walters, illustrated by Claudia Dávila
Set in modern day Africa, this book about boys dreaming of playing ice hockey is an inspiring read. Two boys, Kitoo and Nigosi, learn about Canadian ice hockey in a book they check out from the library. They are determined to play this intriguing sport, despite the lack of snow and ice in their home country. It's a wonderful, positive story about friendship and perseverance.
MORE: Beginning chapter books with diverse characters
KONDO & KEZUMI VISIT GIANT ISLAND (series) by David Goodner, illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi
This is a very easy chapter book series with colorful illustrations that's likely to appeal to even reluctant readers. Kondo and Kezumi are great friends who spend their days frolicking and looking for berries. One day a message with a map in a bottle washes up on shore and the pair build a boat and set out to see the islands on the map. After visiting Dairy Isle and Fireskull Island, they land on Giant Island where they meet Albert, an anthropomorphized mountain who is so delighted to have some company he doesn't want them to leave. Not to worry, it all ends happily.
OUR FRIEND HEDGEHOG: THE STORY OF US (series) by Lauren Castillo
What a marvelous book. I have long admired Castillo's illustrations and this gentle chapter book is perfect for kids who like cozy and gentle reads. A storm carries away Hedgehog's stuffed toy dog, Mutty, leaving Hedgehog feeling lonely. She sets out to find Mutty, following clues that lead her to encounters with other friendly animals who help her. Eventually all the creatures meet a human, Annika May, who has lost something of her own. All the animals have charmingly distinctive personalities. With full color illustrations, Castillo's book is also a great read aloud for young children.
AVEN GREEN, SLEUTHING MACHINE (series) by Dusti Bowling, illustrated by Gina Perry
Find it: Amazon
I adored Bowling's middle grade novel, Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, and its heroine, Aven Green, is now the star of her very own early chapter book series. In this series, Green is a third-grader who has a penchant for solving mysteries. A funny series with a unique and tremendously likable protagonists.
MORE: Mystery early chapter books
MAYBE MAYBE MAYBE MARISOL RAINEY (series) by Erin Entrada Kelly
Marisol Rainey is trying to be brave enough to climb the magnolia tree in her backyard but she has a fear of falling. Her friend, Jada, climbs the tree and Marisol hopes that this is the summer in which she will get over her fears. This is a lovely chapter book about friendship, courage and family relationships.
BROWN (series) by Håkon Øvreås, illustrated by Øyvind Torseter
Find it: Amazon
I love this book from Norwegian author, Øvreås. Rusty is the target of three bullies. He decides it's time to take matters into his own hands and creates an alter ego, a superhero named "Brown." Brown wears (you guessed it) brown clothes and enacts revenge with brown paint. Two of his friends become "Black" and "Blue" and together they roam at night, leaving their colored calling cards around the town. Full of tongue in cheek, laugh-out-loud humor. Oh, and don't worry, the bullies get their comeuppance.
MIA MAYHEM (series) by Kara West, illustrated by Leeza Hernandez
This is an easy and good chapter book series about an 8-year-old girl who finds out she is a superhero when she receives an invitation to attend an after school Program for In-Training Superheroes. Now she must figure out a way to be both a regular girl AND a secret superhero.
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