Recommended Reading List for
Second/Third Grades
The following books are suggestions for independent reading. Some books will indicate a reading level on the cover, but always use your judgment when choosing a book.
If you find a series that you like, read more books by that author. Of course, reading together with a parent or sibling is always encouraged!
Happy reading!
Adler, David Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Television Dog (series)
Pooch, a famous TV dog, disappears, and Cam uses her amazing memory to find him.
Adler, David Lucky Stars (series)
Someone is borrowing more than books from the library. Can "Houdini" and his cousin, Janet, find the thief?
Atwater, Richard and Florence Mr. Popper's Penguins
Mr. Popper ends up with a house full of penguins and some pretty silly adventures. This book is fun to read aloud or to yourself
Baker, Barbara Third Grade is Terrible
Liza thinks third grade is going to be great until the first day of school when she gets switched out of nice Mrs. Lane's class into a class with Mrs. Rumford, the strictest and meanest teacher in
the school.
Blume, Judy Freckle Juice
Andrew wants freckles so badly he pays Sharon $.50 for a secret recipe. If you like this, read about Fudge and his brother Peter in Fudge-A-Mania and Superfudge. (series)
Brown, Marc Arthur Makes the Team
Arthur feels like a klutz on the baseball field, and he's worried that he will let down the team. (an "Arthur" chapter book series actually written by Stephen Krensky)
Brown, Jeff Flat Stanley
Stanley Lambchop is a normal boy until a bulletin board falls on top of him. Imagine what it would be like to be only 1/2 an inch thick and then read about how a flat boy becomes a hero.
Bulla, Clyde Robert Ghost Town Treasure
When Paul and Nora visit Gold Rock, a deserted gold mine town, they bring their Grandfather's diary and try to find the cave where he discovered gold many years ago.
Byars, Betsy The Golly Sisters Go West (series)
May-May and Rose make their way West in a covered wagon entertaining people, especially readers, along the way. .
Byars, Betsy The Seven Treasure Hunts
Jackson and his best friend make up treasure hunts for each other, but someone steals the grand prize. (Also read My Brother, Ant and Ant Plays Bear.)
Cameron, Ann More Stories Julian Tells (series)
Huey and Julian's dad thinks that maybe the boys should "go through a dangerous situation together. He plans a little surprise for them involving an animal... maybe a shark or an alligator.
Catling, Patrick The Chocolate Touch
Everything John touches turns to chocolate. Sounds great, right? Guess again.
Christopher, Matt Baseball Pals
Jimmy is voted captain of his baseball team and makes himself pitcher against the wishes of his friends. Will Jimmy let his team down? (good sports author)
Cleary, Beverly Muggie Maggie
Third grader Maggie does not want to learn how to read or write in cursive until she is selected to be the class messenger. Also, try the Ramona books! (series)
Cole, Joanna The Gator Girls (series)
It's the first day of vacation and best friends, Allie and Amy have all kinds of plans... until Allie has to go away to camp! .
Conford, Ellen What's Cooking, Jenny Archer? (series)
Jenny Archer can't stand the lunches served at school, so she starts a cooking business and sells her creative lunches to her friends.
Dahl, Roald Fantastic Mr. Fox
Read anything by this author and you will laugh. In this story, Mr. Fox has to outsmart three disgusting hunters. (By the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.)
Dalgliesh, Alice The Courage of Sarah Noble
Sarah goes with her father into the wilderness of Connecticut while he builds the family a house. He leaves to gather the rest of the family, but Sarah must stay behind with the Indians.
Danziger, Paula Amber Brown is Not a Crayon
Amber’s best friend, Justin, has to move and everything goes wrong. There is a giant chewing gum ball in the story. (funny series)
dePaola, Tomie 26 Fairmount Avenue
The author describes some very funny things that happened when his family built their house at 26 Fairmount Avenue. Follow this up with the sequel, Here We All Are.
Duffey, Betsy How to be Cool in Third Grade
This is the perfect summer to read this book. Third grade will be here before you know it! .(series)
Estes, Eleanor The Hundred Dresses
This is a book that has stood the test of time. A girl is laughed at by her classmates because she wears the same clothes all the time. When they discover her secret, she gains their respect and
friendship.
Giff, Patricia Reilly Purple Climbing Days
Richard hates Mondays because he has to climb the rope in gym. (Polk Street series)
Gannett, Ruth Stiles Elmer and the Dragon
After rescuing the baby dragon in My Father's Dragon (prequel,) the dragon offers to fly Elmer home. They get caught in a storm and get stranded on Feather Island. Elmer is reunited with an old
friend and helps uncover a buried treasure. Finish with The Dragons of Blueland (sequel).
Gardiner, John Stone Fox
This book has the most amazing dog sled race and the most amazing ending. You will never forget this book.
Greene, Stephanie Owen Foote, Soccer Star (series)
Owen Foote tries to help his friend learn to play soccer and deal with a bully on the team.
Griffith, Helen V. Alex and the Cat
Alex, the dog, tries to be more like the family cat
Haas, Jessie Beware the Mare
Why was the pony Grampa bought for Lily named "Beware?" She has to take things very slowly before she can claim him for her own. A story for horse lovers.
Herman, Charlotte Millie Cooper Take a Chance
Millie is so afraid of not succeeding, that she doesn't even want to try to enter a contest. She finds out that taking a chance usually pays. Also by this author, Millie Cooper, 3B.
Hest, Amy Nannies for Hire (series)
Three friends start a babysitting service. It's a lot more work than they imagined!
Hurwitz, Johanna Class Clown (series)
Lucas does not mean to be the class clown, but things just seem to happen to him.
Kinsey-Warnock, Natalie The Canada Geese Quilt
Ariel gives her grandmother a special gift to help her get well. This is a fabulous book.
King-Smith, Dick Jenius the Amazing Guinea Pig
Judy has a brilliant guinea pig for a pet. Another fun book by the author of Babe the Gallant Pig and The Merman.
Kline, Suzy Horrible Harry and the Green Slime (series)
Harry and Doug discover the joy of green slime.
Kline, Suzy What's the Matter With Herbie Jones? (series)
Raymond is really worried about his pal, Herbie, when he sees that "puppy dog" look in his eyes. Could he really be in love with Annabelle?? Try the "Mary Marony" series too.
Landon, Lucinda The Case of the Missing Babe Ruth Baseball (series)
Meg follows a series of notes hidden in her grandfather's house to solve an old mystery of a missing baseball signed by Babe Ruth.
LeGuin, Ursula Jane on Her Own (series)
This is the newest addition to the "Catwings" series. Jane finally gets reunited with her mother.
Levy, Elizabeth Something Queer in Outer Space (series)
Read any of these funny mysteries. This one has some great scenes with Fletcher, the dog. .
MacDonald, Betty Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's Magic (series)
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle invites children over every day for tea and fun. She also has a magic cure for every imaginable childhood ailment including children who hate to take baths and
"thought-you-saiders." Read all four Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books.
Marshall, James Rats on the Roof and Other Stories
By a favorite author (George and Martha, Fox on the Job, Three By the Sea, etc.) this is a funny collection of short stories about proud, vain, greedy and love-stricken creatures. If you like this book,
look for Rats on the Range.
Moore, Lilian Junk Day on Juniper Street
Do you have any junk around your house? Maybe it's time for you and your neighbors to have a Junk Day. Also read The Magic Spectacles.
Osborne, Mary Pope "Magic Treehouse" series
The magic treehouse whisks Jack and Annie to the Arctic, the Amazon, ancient Egypt, Australia and who knows where next. A riddle to solve, some danger, some quick thinking, and you have a
great series.
Parish, Peggy Key to the Treasure (series)
Ready for a treasure hunt? Keep a pencil and paper handy to solve the secret codes.
Peterson, John The Littles to the Rescue (series)
Aunt Lily may not make it to the Littles in time for Mrs. Little to have the baby. Read about another adventure of these wee people.
Roy, Rob The Absent Author (series)
Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose solve a kidnapping and meet their favorite mystery writer in the process.
Rylant, Cynthia "Henry and Mudge" series
Read and reread the adventures of Henry and his huge and lovable, dog Mudge. Cat lovers, read the "Mr. Putter and Tabby" series.
Rylant, Cynthia "Cobble Street Cousins" series
Rosie, Lily, and Tess always have fun when they stay at their Aunt's house. Good beginning chapter books.
Sachar, Louis Marvin Redpost: Is He a Girl? (series)
Marvin Redpost thinks he is turning into a girl since he accidentally kissed his elbow.
Sachar, Louis Wayside School is Falling Down (series)
Wayside School is not like any other school. It has thirty floors, only there is no 19th floor. Mrs. Jewls is very nice, but she teaches children about gravity by dropping a computer out the window.
These books are very funny.
Scieszka, Jon Knights of the Kitchen Table (series)
Joe, Fred, and Sam find themselves face-to-face with a knight in black armor aiming a giant shish-kebab skewer right down their throats. It all started with a few knight pictures in The Book, a
birthday present from Joe's magician uncle. Will they ever find their way back to the present? Read all the "Time Warp Trio" books.
Sharmat, Marjorie Nate the Great (series)
Nate, is a great detective.
Smith, Janice Lee The Kid Next Door and Other Headaches (series)
Adam Joshua and Nelson are best friends even though they are opposites. Read about these two funny kids and George, the dog.
Sobol, Donald Encyclopedia Brown (series)
Match your wits with the expert! Encyclopedia Brown solves cases which stump even his police chief father. The solutions to ten mysteries are given at the back of the book. No cheating!
Spinelli, Eileen Lizzie Logan Wears Purple Sunglasses (series)
Heather is a little scared of this crazy kid with purple sunglasses who announces before the moving truck is even unloaded that, "I'm giving you a chance to be my best friend.". funny
Stevens, Carla Lily and Miss Liberty
Lily finds a great way to raise money to buy a pedestal for "Miss Liberty" (the famous statue.) You'll even learn how to make your own Miss Liberty crown.
Tripp, Valerie Meet Josefina (series)
Josefina tries to help keep her household running after her mother dies. Read any American Girl book.
Warner, Gertrude Chandler Mystery in the Old Attic (series)
Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny discover a diary and a valuable diamond ring.
Willner-Pardo, Gina Jumping Into Nothing
Sophie faces her fear of the high diving board!
Ziefert, Harriet Egg-Drop Day (series)
How would you drop a raw egg from a second-story window so that it won't break?. The children in Mr. Rose's science class have to do just that. Pretty yucky business!
FAMILY READ_ALOUDS
Gurney, James Dinotopia
Join Arthur Denison and his son as they explore the lost continent where dinosaurs and humans live together. (sequel)
Kipling, Rudyard Jungle Book
Read about Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves and Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, a mongoose who heroically saves his family from cobras. Just So Stories, also by Kipling, are very entertaining.
Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
On his 10th birthday, orphan Harry is summoned to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. If you haven't read this yet, you will soon be hooked. . (series)
White, E.B. The Trumpet of the Swan
Louis is a trumpeter swan who was born without a voice. The only way he can win his love is by learning how to play a trumpet. Read anything by this author.
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