Second Grade > 20 "Big Idea"Books to Read in Second Grade

Parents: When it's time to read, have your second grader decide if he or she wants to read alone, read together with you or listen as you read. Whatever your child decides, make certain that you and your second grader discuss what was read. This will help your child improve comprehension skills and strategies and become a more proficient reader.

The Quiltmakers Gift by Jeff Brumbeau
This charming fable celebrates the joy of giving. The quiltmaker with magic in her fingers creates the most beautiful quilts ever seen, but she will not sell them because they are only for the poor or homeless. When the greedy king wants one of her quilts to add to all his treasures, he is stunned to find she will not make him a quilt. The king and the quiltmaker come to a very unusual agreement, and along the way he learns a wonderful lesson.

One Green Apple by Eve Bunting
Farah feels alone. It's so hard being the new kid in school, especially when you're from another country and don't know the language. Then, on a field trip to an apple orchard, Farah discovers there are lots of things that are the same as home, from the sounds of the dogs running in the field to the laughter of the kids in her class.

The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Catling
Magic gone awryŠhaving the ability to change anything into chocolate may seem like a good idea, but a chocolate mother isn't very useful. This story twists the legend of King Midas. Parents can explain the "golden touch" of Midas to their children, while touching on the topic of over-indulgence and the phrase "be careful what you wish for."

Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary
This classic tale follows the trials and joys of being the youngest sibling in a loving family. Third grade is a big year for Ramona, her mother returns to full-time employment and her father returns to college. Ramona must deal with common childhood issues such as riding the bus alone, dealing with teasing classmates and having a new babysitter.

My Big Lie by Bill Cosby
Little Bill gets in big trouble when he tells a fib to explain why he has come home late for dinner.

The Empty Pot by Demi
When Ping admits that he is the only child in China unable to grow a flower from the seeds distributed by the Emperor, he is rewarded for his honesty.

The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
None of her classmates pay much attention to Wanda Petronski until she announces she has 100 dresses in her closet. Everyone laughs and teases her so much that she stops coming to school. Then, her classmates discover she really does have 100 dresses and discover something about teasing and themselves.

Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship told by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, and Dr. Paula Kahumbu
This is the true story of a frightened young hippo, separated from his family by the devastating tsunami in Asia, who adopted an ancient tortoise as his "mother." This compelling tale presented with full-color photographs captures the drama from the beginning of this unlikely but enduring friendship.

Jamaica and the Substitute Teacher by Juanita Havill
Jamaica copies from a friend during a spelling test because she wants a perfect paper, but her substitute teacher Mrs. Duval helps her understand that she does not have to be perfect to be special.

The Cats in Krasinski Square by Karen Hesse
Set in Warsaw in 1942, this is a powerful story of a young Jewish girl and the way she and some stray cats become heroes during a very dark time in history. The author's note references the true events that inspired this wonderfully crafted story, and can lead to a beginning conversation about the 1940s.

Pinky and Rex and the Bully by James Howe
Pinky learns about being himself and standing up for himself and his choice of friends (a girl, Rex) and favorite color (pink).

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire! by Gordon Korman
As the title suggests, third-grader Zoe has a hard time limiting her imagination and sticking to what she thinks is the boring truth. Zoe finds that people no longer believe what she says and has to change her ways to rebuild trust.

See You Around, Sam! by Lois Lowry
Sam Krupnik, mad at his mother because she won't let him wear his new plastic fangs in the house, decides to run away to Alaska.

Not Afraid of Dogs by Susanna Pitzer
Daniel isn't afraid of spiders or snakes or even thunderstorms. And, no matter what his sister says, he's certainly not afraid of dogs ­ he just doesn't like them. One day he comes to find that his family will be babysitting his aunt's dog. This gentle story looks into the nature of courage, fear and ultimately a loving friendship.

Marvin Redpost: Alone in His Teacher's House by Louis Sachar
Marvin is pleased when his teacher asks him to take care of her dog while she's away, but he soon finds that there's more pressure involved than he likes.

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
The Once-ler describes the results of the local pollution problem.

Brave Irene by William Steig
Her mother, Mrs. Bobbin, isn't feeling so well and can't possibly deliver the beautiful ball gown she's made for the duchess to wear that very evening. So plucky Irene volunteers to get the gown to the palace on time, in spite of the fierce snowstorm that's brewing.

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
This is a magical story about friendship, life and death, love and affection. No child should miss out on this story about Charlotte, Fern and their barnyard (and human) friends and family.

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
A year in the life of two young girls growing up on the Wisconsin frontier, as they help their mother with the daily chores, enjoy their father's stories and singing, and share special occasions when they get together with relatives or neighbors.

The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson
Two girls, one white and one black, gradually get to know each other as they sit on the fence that divides their town