Second Grade Summer Reading Recommendations

Inspector Flytrap, by Tom Angleberger and Cece Bell (illus.)

Click here to access a digital version through Annie Wright’s ebook collection.

On his first caper, Inspector Flytrap heads to the Art Museum’s Secret Lab to discover what important message lies in a mysterious glob on a recently discovered Da Vinci flower painting. The ingenious solution: Da Vinci was allergic to flowers, and the glob is, er, evidence of that ancient sneeze.
 
Combining wacky humor and a silly cast of characters with adventure, friendship, and mystery, the powerhouse team of Tom Angleberger and Cece Bell have created a uniquely engaging series that is perfect for newly independent readers and fans of Ricky Ricotta, Captain Underpants, and the Galaxy Zack series.

My Father’s Dragon, by Ruth Stiles Gannett and Ruth Chrisman Gannett (illus.)

Click here to access a digital version through Annie Wright’s ebook collection.

My Father’s Dragon is a children’s novel by Ruth Stiles Gannett about a young boy, Elmer Elevator, who runs away to Wild Island to rescue a baby Dragon.

The narrative mode is unusual, in that the narrator refers to the protagonist only as “my father”, giving the impression that this is a true story that happened long ago.

Guinea Dog, by Patrick Jennings

Click here to access a digital version through Annie Wright’s ebook collection.

Rufus has been dreaming of getting a dog. His best friend has one. His worst friend has one. But his dad has a few objections: They whine. They gnaw. They bark. They scratch. They beg. They drool.

Rufus pays no attention when his mom offers her think-outside-the-box suggestion, because she can’t be serious. She can’t be.

She can be. And she actually comes home with a guinea pig. And if Rufus’s dad thinks dogs are a problem, he won’t know what hit him when he meets the Guinea Pig that Thinks She’s a Dog. She barks. She bites. She’ll eat your homework.

I am Jane Goodall, by Brad Meltzer and Christopher Eliopoulos (illus.)

We can all be heroes. That’s the inspiring message of this New York Times bestselling picture book biography series from historian and author Brad Meltzer. Learn all about Jane Goodall, the chimpanzee scientist.

The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors, by Drew Daywalt and Adam Rex (illus.)

From acclaimed, bestselling creators Drew Daywalt, author of The Day the Crayons Quit and The Day the Crayons Came Home, and Adam Rex, author-illustrator of Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, comes a laugh-out-loud hilarious picture book about the epic tale of the classic game Rock, Paper, Scissors.

Additional Recommendations

Rosie Revere, Engineer, by Andrea Beatty and David Roberts (illus.) | Click here to access the digital version

The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate| Click here to access the digital version

Stuart Little, by E.B. White & Garth Reynolds (illus). | Click here to access the digital version| Click here to access the audiobook version

Dog Man, by Dav Pilkey

Where Are You Going, Baby Lincoln? by Kate DiCamillo and Chris Van Dusen (illus.)

Second Grade Summer Reading Recommendations

The Hidden Stairs and the Magic Carpet, by Tony Abbott

Eric, Julie, and Neal have just found something magic in Eric’s basement. They have discovered a staircase to another world! The world of Droon is amazing – full of magic, flying lizards, and fun, furry creatures. But how will Eric, Julie, and Neal find their way home? (from publisher’s note)

Rosie Revere, Engineer, by Andrea Beaty & David Roberts (illus.)

Click here for an e-book edition available through the AWS Library

Rosie may seem quiet during the day, but at night she’s a brilliant inventor of gizmos and gadgets who dreams of becoming a great engineer. When her great-great-aunt Rose (Rosie the Riveter) comes for a visit and mentions her one unfinished goal–to fly–Rosie sets to work building a contraption to make her aunt’s dream come true. (from publisher’s note)

Shackleton’s Journey, by William Grill

Young, up-and-coming illustrator William Grill weaves a detailed visual narrative of Shackleton’s journey to Antarctica. Grill’s beautiful use of colored pencils and vibrant hues effortlessly evokes the adventure and excitement that surrounded the expedition. His impeccably researched drawings, rich with detail, fastidiously reproduce the minutiae of the expedition. (from publisher’s note)

The Most Magnificent Thing, by Ashley Spires

Click here for an e-book edition available through the AWS Library

A girl has a wonderful idea. “She is going to make the most MAGNIFICENT thing! She knows just how it will look. She knows just how it will work. All she has to do is make it, and she makes things all the time. Easy-peasy!” But making her magnificent thing is anything but easy, and the girl tries and fails, repeatedly. Eventually, the girl gets really, really mad. She is so mad, in fact, that she quits. But after her dog convinces her to take a walk, she comes back to her project with renewed enthusiasm and manages to get it just right. (from the publisher’s note)

Guinea Dog, by Patrick Jennings

Click here for an e-book edition available through the AWS Library

Rufus has been dreaming of getting a dog. His best friend has one. His worst friend has one. But his dad has a few objections: They whine. They gnaw. They bark. They scratch. They beg. They drool. Rufus pays no attention when his mom offers her think-outside-the-box suggestion, because she can’t be serious. She can’t be. She can be. And she actually comes home with a guinea pig. And if Rufus’s dad thinks dogs are a problem, he won’t know what hit him when he meets the Guinea Pig that Thinks She’s a Dog. She barks. She bites. She’ll eat your homework. (from publisher’s note)

Additional Recommendations

The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate | Click here for an e-book edition

Me…Jane, by Patrick McDonnell

Do Not Open this Book, by Michaela Muntean & Pascal Lemaitre (illus.)

Mercy Watson to the Rescue, by Kate DiCamillo & Chris Van Dusen (illus.)  | Click here for an e-book edition

Stuart Little, by E.B. White & Garth Reynolds (illus). | Click here for an e-book edition

Tagged 2nd Grade, ebooks