{"id":85850,"date":"2025-01-13T05:58:32","date_gmt":"2025-01-13T09:58:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/?p=85850"},"modified":"2025-01-14T03:24:52","modified_gmt":"2025-01-14T07:24:52","slug":"books-to-readaloud-to-your-2nd-grade-classroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/books-to-readaloud-to-your-2nd-grade-classroom\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Perfect Books to Readaloud to Your 2nd Grade Classroom"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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My criteria for a fabulous second grade readaloud is that it has to be grade-level appropriate in content while still being interesting, fun, and something that might be a bit difficult for an independent read. I love to introduce my second graders to series and authors they will love, but might not yet be able to tackle on their own. The read-aloud should be long enough to last a few weeks but not so long that it drags through half the year. You know your second grader (or second-grade class) the best, so let this list guide and inspire you!<\/p>\n\n\n

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Join our Patreon community<\/a> to get the printable version of this li<\/b>st<\/strong>! You’ll also get access to other kid lit resources and perks, like our seasonal guides, book tasting menus, and book discussion guides, to inspire you. You can also buy the standalone printable<\/a> from our shop<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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20 Wonderful Books for Your Next 2nd Grade Readaloud<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are some fabulous options to readaloud with your 2nd graders:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Realistic Fiction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Judy Was in a Mood<\/h2><\/div>
By Megan McDonald (Author), Peter H. Reynolds (Illustrator)
Published: January 26, 2010<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The entire Judy Moody series and the spin-off series about Judy\u2019s brother, Stink<\/a>, are always winners with my students. My family has read every single one, some of them multiple times! I think the appeal is the humor mixed with the relatability of all the hijinks that they both find themselves mixed up in. What I love about doing the Judy Moody books with second graders is that many of the students will then start reading these independently because they are at a second-grade reading level, unlike many others on this list. This first book in the series is about Judy’s many moods, but at its heart, it\u2019s about how to change your attitude to get the most out of life. Judy learns to look at the bright side when facing struggles and has lots of laughs along the way!
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Cilla Lee-Jenkins: Future Author Extraordinaire<\/h2><\/div>
By Susan Tan (Author), Dana Wulfekotte (Illustrator)
Published: March 28, 2017<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Cilla (short for Pricilla) has a lot going on! Her baby sister is about to be born, and Cilla is positive her family will forget all about her when the baby arrives. So what is Cilla to do? Become a best-selling author, of course! Cilla has a lot of spunk, like a modern-day Ramona Quimby<\/a><\/em>, making her a fun main character. We have enjoyed reading this one very much!
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The Apartment House on Poppy Hill<\/h2><\/div>
By Nina LaCour (Author), S\u00f2nia Albert (Illustrator)
Published: November 7, 2023<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Ella lives with her two moms in an apartment building at 1106 Wildflower Place in San Francisco, California. She is only 9 years old, but she considers herself the tour guide of the apartment and the keeper of its secrets. The only neighbors Ella doesn\u2019t know are the elderly Robinsons who live on the top floor. And she is determined to change that! Ella reminds me a bit of Eloise of the beloved picture books written by Kay Thompson. This is such a charming read-aloud that my family cherished!<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A Boy Called Bat<\/h2><\/div>
By Elana K. Arnold (Author), Charles Santoso (Illustrator)
Published: March 14, 2017<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Bixby Alexander Tam, or Bat for short, is determined to convince his veterinarian mother that they should keep the skunk kit they are fostering. Bat, who wishes to be a veterinarian himself when he grows up, feels like nobody will be able to care for Thor (named by Bat\u2019s sister) as well as he can. Bat struggles with anxiety in the book and the reader learns that Bat has autism. One year when I read this book to a class a student announced that he too had autism and it was such a heartwarming moment to see the connection! It\u2019s so important for children to see themselves mirrored in books. I also like that this one has a male main character with a strong female role model in his mother. 
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Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker <\/h2><\/div>
By  Shelley Johannes
Published: September 19, 2017<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Beatrice is a plucky heroine who reminds me of Judy Moody or Clementine. She is dealing with a teacher at school who she isn\u2019t sure she likes and a best friend who seems to have made a new best friend and is leaving Beatrice behind. Definitely relatable issues for second graders! I love that the book is filled with illustrations which help break up the chapters for a second grade audience. Beatrice is a free-spirit whose kindness shines through the story. If your second graders love puns, this one is full of them!
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Stella D\u00edaz Has Something to Say <\/h2><\/div>
By  Angela Dominguez
Published: January 16, 2018<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Stella is a shy girl who feels apprehensive about speaking in school because sometimes she slips and says the Spanish word instead of the English word. Stella came from Mexico and now lives in Chicago. She is adjusting to being bilingual and also not having her best friend in her class this year. Stella overcomes her fear of public speaking when tasked with conducting a marine life (her favorite subject!) presentation in class. I always find this story to be empowering and one my students can relate to well. I also love that it encourages empathy!
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Animal Stories<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Heartwood Hotel<\/h2><\/div>
By Kallie George (Author), Stephanie Graegin (Illustrator)
Published: July 3, 2017<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This book is just the sweetest! Mona Mouse is looking for shelter during a terrible storm in the woods when she stumbles upon the Heartwood Hotel. Mona gets hired to be a maid at the hotel where she discovers new friends and encounters some mysterious dangers as well. My children loved this book and the subsequent ones in the series. There are adorable illustrations sprinkled throughout as well!
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Bodega Cats<\/h2><\/div>
By Hilda Eunice Burgos (Author), Siara Faison (Illustrator)
Published: July 23, 2024<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n


This story takes place in NYC and is a fabulous example of an urban animal story. I loved that the book was told from both the cat\u2019s and boy\u2019s point of view. Miguel is a sweet boy who loves art and animals. When a stray cat named Lolo wanders into his parent\u2019s bodega (a small grocery store in a Spanish speaking neighborhood) Miguel is determined to keep him. Peppered with Spanish words, this story unfolds with Miguel and Lolo forming a caring bond. Miguel even creates comic books about his new cat!<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Tumtum & Nutmeg<\/h2><\/div>
By  Emily Bearn
Published: April 1, 2009<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

If a more old-fashioned story is what you crave, this one is perfect! A mouse couple, Tumtum and Nutmeg, essentially adopt two human children who are motherless and live with their eccentric father in a 36 room mansion. They help the children by darning socks and patching shoes all while having adventures like running into pirate rats! Adorable framed illustrations contribute to the old-timey feel of the book. This one is a sweet story with a quick pace and appeals to animal lovers. 
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Rescue on the Oregon Trail (Ranger in Time #1)<\/h2><\/div>
By Kate Messner (Author), Kelley McMorris (Illustrator)
Published: January 6, 2015<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Every class I have read this to has loved it! It\u2019s hard to resist a time-traveling golden retriever! Ranger travels with a family from Missouri to the Oregon Territory in the year 1850. This story is filled with historical details, while still maintaining a fast-paced plot. If your second graders are dog-lovers, adventure lovers or history buffs this is a fantastic choice to read to them. Some of your higher level second graders might even be able to tackle other books in the series independently. The author\u2019s notes at the back share more facts about the difficulties pioneers faced and offer other books to read.<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Violet and Jobie in the Wild<\/h2><\/div>
By  Lynne Rae Perkins
Published: September 13, 2022<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Violet and Jobie are sister and brother mice, living in the lap of luxury with plenty of peanut butter, cheese and even television. They are indoor mice and their only scare is playing the \u201ccheese game\u201d where they sneak cheese from mousetraps placed around the house. But one day they are trapped and released outside and must learn to live a very different type of life in the wild. Sprinkled with pencil drawings this is a gem of a book about leaving home, growing up and finding your way in the world.
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Fantasy Stories<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Harriet Hound<\/h2><\/div>
By  Kate Foster (Author), Sophie Beer (Illustrator)
Published: December 3, 2024<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Harriet is eight years old, lives in Australia and is autistic. She is also a superhero just like her nana! Harriet helps rescue both humans and animals in the three separate stories within the book. Harriet is such a positive example of autistic representation. She discusses her reasons for stimming in a nonchalant way and her heightened sensitivity to the characters in the story help her solve their issues. If you have animal loving second graders who like a bit of adventure this is a great book to share with them. <\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Willodeen <\/h2><\/div>
By  Katherine Applegate (Author), Charles Santoso (Illustrator)
Published: September 7, 2021<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Willodeen is an eleven year old girl who loves all the creatures that live in the village of Perchance. Her favorite of all is the hummingbears, though most in the village call them pests and even monsters. Willodeen is able to understand the interconnectedness of nature in a way that the villagers cannot. She is concerned when the hummingbear numbers begin to dwindle and makes it her mission to figure out why. Willodeen and her friend Connor are determined to save the hummingbears in this fantasy novel about ecology and conservation. Perfect for young environmentalists!
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The Witches<\/h2><\/div>
By Roald Dahl (Author), Quentin Blake (Illustrator)
Published: August 16, 2007<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

If your second grader likes to be spooked then this is the perfect book to share with them! Witches is an oldie, but a goodie. It resonates with my students as much now as it did when I first started teaching over 20 years ago. It\u2019s about a boy who runs into The Grand High Witch while staying at a resort with his grandmother. He must be brave and cunning in order to save his own life. There is nothing a witch hates more than children!<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Hocus and Pocus and the Spell for Home<\/h2><\/div>
By  A. R. Capetta (Author), Charlene Chua (Illustrator)
Published: May 28, 2024<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

When a witch named Jinx finds a cute litter of stray pups out in the cold she brings them to the Shelter for Slightly Magical Pets. While three pups get adopted quickly, Hocus and Pocus, spend months waiting for their forever home. Hocus and Pocus aren\u2019t just looking to be adopted though, they only want to be adopted if they can stay together! They each use their unique magical powers to get into some mischief making sure they\u2019ll only be adopted by a witch or wizard who wants them both. Their antics are funny, and I appreciated it when human characters introduced themselves using their pronouns. I read this book to a class with a nonbinary student and they beamed when they felt mirrored in the story.<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Bob<\/h2><\/div>
By  Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead (Author), Nicholas Gannon (Illustrator)
Published: May 1, 2018<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

My students love this quirky book! I can\u2019t compare it to any other book I\u2019ve read because it\u2019s so unique. Mass and Stead are excellent authors and I love what they created together with Bob. It\u2019s been five years since Livy has visited her Gran in Australia and she feels like there is something important she has forgotten when she arrives at Gran\u2019s house. Turns out she is right! She has left behind a small green creature wearing a chicken costume in the closet. And Bob has been patiently waiting five years for Livy to return to him. This fantasy is filled with both magic and mystery and is a testament to true friendship!<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Felix Powell, Boy Dog <\/h2><\/div>
By Erin Entrada Kelly
Published: July 16, 2024<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Felix Powell is inexplicably drawn to an old patched blanket while thrift shopping with his grandmother. Next thing you know, while playing hide-and-seek with his dog Mary Puppins, Felix has turned into a dog!  Now, Felix has always had special powers, such as communicating with animals, but this is something truly amazing! While Felix is learning more than ever before about dogs by being one himself, he is missing being a human boy. My kids and I loved this book for its fast-paced plot, adorable illustrations, and short chapters.<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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How to Train Your Dragon<\/h2><\/div>
By Cressida Cowell
Published: May 1, 2004<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This book definitely has one of the best main character names: Hiccup! Hiccup is a nerd, not heroic in the least, but he finds a small, whiny dragon named Toothless to train. He passes his initiation test, and so the adventures begin. This book is super silly, with plenty of action, short chapters, and illustrations throughout, making it a perfect read-aloud!<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Wishtree<\/h2><\/div>
By  Katherine Applegate
Published: September 26, 2017<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Oh how I love this book! My students and kids do too! And if you\u2019re in the market for a terrific audiobook, this is one of the best out there. Red, an oak tree, narrates this story about a neighborhood witnessing some anti-muslim sentiments, and about how kindness triumphs over ignorance. I think this tale of resilience is one of the most conversation-inducing books I have ever read with my classes.<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fairest of All <\/h2><\/div>
By  Sarah Mlynowski
Published: May 1, 2012<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

My own kids loved reading the Whatever After series books with me! Each one is a spin-off of a fairy tale, with lots of action and adventure. Abby is a ten-year-old girl with a magical mirror in her basement. She and her seven-year-old brother Jonah travel through the mirror at night, entering a different tale in each installment. Fairest of All <\/em>is a version of Snow White<\/em>, while other versions are about The Princess and the Pea<\/em>, Little Red Riding Hood<\/em>, Jack and the Beanstalk<\/em>, and more. Just the right amount of tension mixed with a happy ending is a perfect fit for second graders!<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Join our Patreon community<\/a> to get the printable version of this li<\/b>st<\/strong>! You’ll also get access to other kid lit resources and perks, like our seasonal guides, book tasting menus, and book discussion guides, to inspire you. You can also buy the standalone printable<\/a> from our shop<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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More 2nd Grade Book Recommendations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n