A second grader can read a whole book, but they still love being read to. The best books for this age are longer and richer than first grade books, with characters to care about and ideas worth talking about.
Read together, then let your child read a chapter alone. The narration and the word highlighting help them through the harder words, and the story keeps them going.
These books cover the things second graders care about: adventure and animals, science and the world, and stories about friends and feelings. Pick the ones that match what your child is curious about right now.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 3 to 5 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 2 - Easy Readers | Read Along Book | 10 pages, 530 words, about 5 minutes
Amid a snowy Christmas Eve, Lucas experiences a day of sledding, snowmen, meeting Santa, and the enchantment of gifts and winter magic.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 3 to 5 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 22 pages, 1070 words, about 9 minutes
Paola really loves pizza! She enjoys its variety and believes it is the best dish in the world.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 3 to 5 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 8 pages, 385 words, about 3 minutes
Stealing Sally teaches the importance of being honest and truthful and that lying will never solve any problems.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 3 to 5 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 8 pages, 305 words, about 3 minutes
The story of the ant and the grasshopper is a popular Aesop's fable and teaches the importance of hardwork and preparation.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 3 to 5 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 9 pages, 305 words, about 3 minutes
This retelling of Aesop's fable 'The Boy and the Filberts' comes with the lesson: Do not attempt too much at once.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 3 to 5 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 8 pages, 365 words, about 3 minutes
The story of The Disappearing Cow teaches how trying to steal and trick adults is not a good thing to do, and you will get caught for doing something wrong.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 3 to 5 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 8 pages, 470 words, about 3 minutes
The story of The Elephant and the Hare originated from the Maasai tribe of Kenya, a tribe well known for their connection to animals.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 3 to 5 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 8 pages, 365 words, about 3 minutes
The story of The Foolish Lion and the Clever Rabbit comes from the Panchatantra, which is an ancient Indian collection of five volumes of stories centered around animal stories.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 3 to 5 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 8 pages, 405 words, about 3 minutes
The story of the frog and the mouse is a retelling of Aesop's Fable and teaches that those who seek to harm others often come to harm themselves through their own cheating and lying.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 3 to 5 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 8 pages, 545 words, about 4 minutes
The story of The Jeweled Frog and the Condor is a Peruvian folk tale about an actual tree-frog species found in Peru (Hyla miyatai) nicknamed - Jeweled Frog.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 3 to 5 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 10 pages, 460 words, about 4 minutes
The story of the lime tree teaches the lesson of humility and the importance of not being greedy.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 3 to 5 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 8 pages, 405 words, about 3 minutes
The story of the old woman and her pig teaches perseverance and highlights the importance of hard work and problem solving to achieve goals.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 3 to 5 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 8 pages, 355 words, about 3 minutes
The Proud Fox and the Crab is a story that originated from China and teaches the lesson of being overconfident. The rude fox thinks he is better than the crab and is taught the valuable lesson of humility.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 3 to 5 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 6 pages, 305 words, about 3 minutes
This is a retelling of an Aesop's fable with the lesson to not let anything turn you from your purpose.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 3 to 5 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 7 pages, 275 words, about 2 minutes
This is a retelling of an Aesop's fable with the lesson: Do not tell others how to act unless you can set a good example.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 3 to 5 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 5 pages, 260 words, about 2 minutes
This is a retelling of an Aesop's fable with the lesson: It is one thing to say that something should be done, but quite a different matter to do it.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 10 pages, 440 words, about 5 minutes
A fun rhyming story of a young girl afraid of the dentist. Reading this will help encourage your child to keep dental hygiene and learn to cope with the fear of the dentist visit.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 16 pages, 965 words, about 9 minutes
The story follows the daily routines of a responsible and organized 5-year-old Dre and his cat Mimi, who is always by his side, as they go through their day together, from waking up to going to bed.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 11 pages, 590 words, about 6 minutes
Who is the bus driver and what does he do on his job everyday?
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 12 pages, 770 words, about 7 minutes
Abigail loves rainbows! One day, she sets off on an adventure with her dog Poodles to find out where rainbows actually begin and end.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 10 pages, 600 words, about 5 minutes
This classic fairy tale is a timeless story that teaches the importance of kindness, perseverance, and believing in our dreams.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 10 pages, 820 words, about 7 minutes
Cody's grandfather has died and the whole family is in turmoil. Join Cody on his journey as he comes to terms with death and learns how to cope with grief in positive ways.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 21 pages, 1035 words, about 10 minutes
Teach your children about different kinds of professionals who serve in communities.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 13 pages, 665 words, about 6 minutes
Teach your children about common tools that are used around the house.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 20 pages, 1620 words, about 13 minutes
Teach your children about the most common traffic signs seen on the road and what they mean.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 11 pages, 655 words, about 7 minutes
Who is a construction worker and what does he do on his job everyday?
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 15 pages, 1530 words, about 13 minutes
Discover the ten different cuisines around the world and how each one is different than the other.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Hearable Book
This fictional story is about self- acceptance. Join Delilah the ladybug as she discovers that she is perfect just the way she is!
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 11 pages, 745 words, about 7 minutes
Who is a doctor and what does he do on his job everyday?
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 10 pages, 790 words, about 9 minutes
Entra al mundo de imaginación con este libro lleno de diversiones que presenta a un niño que quiere ser un dinosaurio.Enter the world of imagination with this fun-filled book about a boy who wanted to be a dinosaur.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 11 pages, 690 words, about 6 minutes
Who are engineers and what do they do on their jobs everyday?
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 12 pages, 935 words, about 9 minutes
This is the story of a little boy who avoids talking to other kids and suffers from anxiety due to his stuttering. How will his classmates react when they hear him stutter?
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 11 pages, 730 words, about 6 minutes
Who are farmers and what do they do on their jobs everyday?
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 11 pages, 700 words, about 7 minutes
Who is a firefighter and what does he do on his job everyday?
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 8 pages, 520 words, about 5 minutes
Children will learn to use adjectives and adverbs, and choose between them depending on what is to be modified.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 7 pages, 535 words, about 5 minutes
Children will learn to use collective nouns (e.g. group).
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 12 pages, 730 words, about 7 minutes
Children will learn to form and use frequently occurring irregular plural nouns (e.g., feet, children, teeth, mice, fish).
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 9 pages, 610 words, about 7 minutes
Children will learn to form and use the past tense of frequently occurring irregular verbs (e.g., sat, hid, told).
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 6 pages, 335 words, about 3 minutes
Children will learn to capitalize holidays, product names, and geographic names.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 9 pages, 550 words, about 5 minutes
Children will learn to use an apostrophe to form contractions and frequently occurring possessives.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 5 pages, 355 words, about 3 minutes
Children will learn to use commas in greetings and closings of letters.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 8 pages, 480 words, about 5 minutes
Children will learn to use reflexive pronouns (e.g., myself, ourselves).
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 11 pages, 860 words, about 8 minutes
Children will learn to produce, expand, and rearrange complete simple and compound sentences.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 18 pages, 1845 words, about 14 minutes
Learn about the different types of houses from around the world including an igloo, geodesic dome, pueblo, tree houses and many more.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 16 pages, 1485 words, about 13 minutes
Read about ten different individual sports, how they are different from team sports, and some world famous athletes.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 11 pages, 730 words, about 7 minutes
Who is a judge and what does he do on his job everyday?
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 20 pages, 825 words, about 6 minutes
A delightful story about a girl who discovers how much fun she can have with the simplest of toys and how building blocks help her choose what she wants to be when she grows up.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 13 pages, 800 words, about 9 minutes
Welcome to the Silliest Show on Earth! Leo and Mia are out to make everyone laugh with invisible sandwiches, wobbly dances, and the goofiest tricks you've ever seen.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 11 pages, 610 words, about 6 minutes
Lee-Lee and La-La are sisters and best friends. Suddenly, their mother's belly begins to grow and they learn that they will soon welcome a little brother or sister.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 11 pages, 675 words, about 7 minutes
Who is a librarian and what does he do on his job everyday?
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 12 pages, 795 words, about 8 minutes
Maja loved fairytales and dinosaurs. She dreamed of meeting a real dinosaur.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 14 pages, 1295 words, about 11 minutes
This is a great introduction to kids about the major religions of the world, the religious symbols, how and where their followers worship.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 20 pages, 1590 words, about 16 minutes
Six-year old Emma doesn't understand her brother's new friend, Kyle, at first. Kyle has autism, and once Emma understands that, she is comfortable around him.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 8 pages, 510 words, about 5 minutes
Tessy was not bothered by the messes and never cleaned up her room which is why she was known as Messy Tessy.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 22 pages, 1500 words, about 12 minutes
A colorfully illustrated book about the various mythical creatures that we hear about in stories and legends from around the world.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 11 pages, 720 words, about 7 minutes
Who are Nurses and what do they do on their job everyday?
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 11 pages, 745 words, about 7 minutes
Who are pilots and what do they do on their job everyday?
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 11 pages, 720 words, about 6 minutes
Who is a police officer and what does he do on his job everyday?
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 10 pages, 305 words, about 3 minutes
This rhyming story introduces children to the wonderful world of puppetry and explains the various genres.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 2 - Easy Readers | Read Along Book | 19 pages, 1465 words, about 14 minutes
This heartwarming story celebrates the magic of friendship, inclusion, and teamwork.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 19 pages, 725 words, about 8 minutes
A fun rhyming book that helps children learn 17 shapes and recognize these in common everyday things that they see.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 11 pages, 700 words, about 6 minutes
Who are teachers and what do they do on their jobs every day?
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 16 pages, 1595 words, about 12 minutes
Read about ten different team sports, how they are different from individual sports, and some world famous athletes.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 10 pages, 770 words, about 6 minutes
Enter the world of imagination with this fun-filled book about a boy who wanted to be a dinosaur.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Hearable Book
Isabelle plays a silly prank on her friend but things go horribly wrong. She learns that telling the truth is always the best solution.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 10 pages, 820 words, about 8 minutes
This is the story of a little girl with heterochromia and how she overcomes the confusion caused by it during her first day at school.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 10 pages, 645 words, about 5 minutes
This classic Danish fairy tale is a timeless story of a mermaid who dreams of becoming human and living on the surface herself.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 2 - Easy Readers | Read Along Book | 11 pages, 615 words, about 6 minutes
Join Leo, Aunt Sara, and their friends on a magical elevator adventure! Discover how this 'moving room' can take you up, down, and all around, while learning the secret rules to stay safe and ride like a pro.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 6 pages, 365 words, about 3 minutes
Read this story about the three baby elephants that somehow are separated from their parents and the herd. Will the farmer be able to help them?
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 12 pages, 650 words, about 5 minutes
A bright and fun book that helps children learn about basic colors and their significance.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Hearable Book
Ben, the bear loves books but does not like to read alone. See how he finds friends to read together.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 12 pages, 725 words, about 6 minutes
An educational book that teaches children to tell time as they follow Tricia as she keeps track of time on her birthday.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 11 pages, 145 words, about 2 minutes
A book that helps young children understand the basic emotion of anger, how they feel, what they go through, and how to deal with it in a positive way.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 11 pages, 110 words, about 2 minutes
A book that helps young children understand the emotion of happiness, what they feel, how they feel, and how to deal with it in a positive way.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 11 pages, 140 words, about 2 minutes
A book that helps young children understand the basic emotion of sadness, how they feel, what they go through, and how to deal with it in a positive way.
Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 11 pages, 130 words, about 2 minutes
A book that helps young children understand the basic emotion of fear, how they feel, what they go through, and how to deal with it in a positive way.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 24 pages, 1740 words, about 17 minutes
Six-year old Emma doesn't understand why her friend Nika isn't participating in a game of license plate bingo during a field trip. Nika has dyslexia, and once Emma learns this, the friendship between the girls deepens.
Ages: 5 to 7 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 12 pages, 540 words, about 5 minutes
In a small town, Zhen learns about inflation when he and his mom discover the rising prices of apples at the market. A kind apple seller explains the concept, teaching Zhen the importance of compassion and helping others.
Ages: 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 10 pages, 185 words, about 2 minutes
A beautiful poem about how a smile can help spread friendship and love in each others' hearts and in turn help conquer the world.
Ages: 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 48 pages, 365 words, about 3 minutes
Based on the Dolch second grade level, each sight word is pronounced and used in a sentence.
The books are picked for second grade, mostly Level 2 easy readers and Level 3 intermediate readers, with a few Level 4 advanced readers for confident children. The facts line on each book shows its level.
Choice helps most. Let them pick the topic, whether it is animals, adventure, or science. A book they chose is a book they will finish.
Yes. Listening to a story that is a little above their reading level builds vocabulary and understanding. It also keeps reading fun, which is what matters most.
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