2nd Grade Reading List

Are you looking for reading material for your 2nd grader? This 2nd grade reading list has numerous books to choose from. There is also at least one free lesson for each book included on the list. These lessons vary from book to book. Some are comprehensive unit studies or novel guides, while others are simply a set of discussion questions.

All of the lessons below are free, but you will need to obtain the corresponding books. You can buy used books, borrow them from the library, or click/tap on a book’s cover to purchase it on Amazon.

How I Created the List

When creating this 2nd grade reading list, I looked at what books several different sources recommend for each grade. Often various curriculum providers and book lists will recommend a book for different grade levels. For this list, I used the average of the different recommended grade levels. Because of this, you’ll find that other sources may recommend some of the books on this list for 1st or 3rd grade instead of 2nd.

Please note: As values, beliefs, and standards vary widely by family, I have not attempted to screen these books for appropriateness. I recommend that you read several reviews before choosing books for your child to read. The post How to Choose Age Appropriate Books lists several resources you can use to help ensure the books you pick are suitable for your family.

2nd Grade Reading List

The books below are listed in alphabetical order by title. For additional book options, also check out our reading lists for other grades.

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Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish

A set of comprehension questions is available on Teachers Pay Teachers.

The Prindle Institute provides a discussion guide for the book.

 

Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina

This worksheet set found on Teachers Pay Teachers covers vocabulary and reading comprehension.

Teachers Pay Teachers has a plot sequencing worksheet for the book.

 

Cook-a-Doodle-Doo by Janet Stevens

Teachers Pay Teachers offers a set of thick and thin questions for the book.

This lesson plan created by Ag in the Classroom includes book discussion questions, vocabulary words, agriculture lessons, and activities.

Homeschool Share’s unit study based on the book covers related social studies, science, language arts, math, and more.

 

Curious George by H.A. Rey

This resource from Teachers Pay Teachers includes comprehension questions, vocabulary skills, practice identifying nouns and verbs, and writing activities.

Homeschool Share’s unit study covers language arts, history, geography, science, art, math, and other activities related to the story.

 

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

The Prindle Institute offers a discussion guide for the book.

This creative writing activity is from Teachers Pay Teachers.

Teachers Pay Teachers also has a letter writing activity based on the book.

Learn in Color’s lapbook provides color-matching activities based on the book.

 

A Day’s Work by Eve Bunting

Scholastic offers a set of comprehension questions for the book.

At Reading to Kids, you’ll find discussion topics and craft ideas to go with the book.

Homeschool Share’s unit study covers social studies, geography, science, Bible lessons, language arts, math, and art related to the story.

 

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin

This worksheet set from Teachers Pay Teachers includes vocabulary matching, story retelling, and a taco drawing activity.

This book companion found on Teachers Pay Teachers includes comprehension questions, creative writing, and a dragon party planning activity.

Learn in Color’s lapbook includes story comprehension and taco making activities.

 

Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel

A set of comprehension questions is available at Teachers Pay Teachers.

This book study found on Teachers Pay Teachers includes reading vocabulary, reading comprehension, story sequencing, compare and contrast activities, spelling practice, and more.

Soft Schools has created an online multiple-choice quiz for the book.

 

Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion

This book companion available on Teachers Pay Teachers provides comprehension questions, a story sequencing activity, and a craft idea.

This resource from Teachers Pay Teachers includes writing a story summary and other writing prompts.

The Prindle Institute offers a discussion guide for the book.

Homeschool Share’s unit study covers the story’s plot, story sequencing, vocabulary, and pet care. It also includes art, math, and science related to the story.

 

Henry and Mudge and the Happy Cat by Cynthia Rylant

This book study available on Teachers Pay Teachers includes comprehension questions and vocabulary practice.

Soft Schools has created an online multiple-choice quiz for the book.

Homeschool Share’s lapbook set includes summarizing chapters, rhyming words, character traits, and a poster activity.

 

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

Plain and not so Plain provides comprehension questions for the book.

Soft Schools has created an online multiple-choice quiz for the book.

Homeschool Share’s unit study covers science, math, writing, art, cooking, a Bible lesson, and other activities related to the story.

Freedom Homeschooling lists activity ideas for The Lorax and several other Dr. Seuss books.

 

Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present by Charlotte Zolotow

Reading to Kids provides discussion questions, craft ideas, and activities to accompany the story.

Homeschool Share’s unit study covers the story’s plot as well as related language arts, math, art, science, and more.

 

Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

This resource from Teachers Pay Teachers provides comprehension questions and a drawing activity for the book.

This reading comprehension worksheet is available on Teachers Pay Teachers.

 

A New Coat for Anna by Harriet Ziefert

This lapbook and printables set from Homeschool Share covers aspects of the plot, as well as, further learning on World War II, Germany, and Christmas.

Teachers Pay Teachers has a story sequencing worksheet for the book.

 

Petunia by Roger Duvoisin

Fresh Plans offers discussion questions for the story.

Homeschool Share’s unit study based on the book includes language arts, vocabulary, communities, farm life, animals, first aid, Bible study, and more.

Prairie School by Avi

Plain and not so Plain’s worksheets include comprehension questions and Bible copywork.

This worksheet set from Teachers Pay Teachers has comprehension questions for each chapter.

 

Something Beautiful by Sharon Dennis Wyeth

The Prindle Institute has created a discussion guide for the book.

You’ll find a short multiple-choice quiz for the book at Teachers Pay Teachers.

The book’s illustrator, Chris Soentpiet, has made a lesson plan available on his website. It includes book discussion, language arts, social studies, science, music, art, and more.

 

Sophie’s Masterpiece: A Spider’s Tale by Eileen Spinelli

Miss. Robert’s Blog has discussion questions for the book.

Homeschool Share’s unit study based on the book covers language arts, vocabulary, spiders, artists, The Seven Wonders of the World, math, a Bible lesson, and more.

 

The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett Jan

This resource found on Teachers Pay Teachers provides discussion questions for the book.

This printable available at Teachers Pay Teachers has ten multiple-choice comprehension questions.

Homeschool Share’s unit study based on the book covers setting details, the tundra biome, polar bears, geography, and more.

 

Toot and Puddle by Holly Hobbie

Reading to Kids provides discussion questions and craft ideas for the book.

This worksheet that compares and contrasts the story’s characters can be found on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Homeschool Share’s unit study based on the book covers geography, travel, language arts, math, science, arts, and crafts.

 

When Turtles Grew Feathers: A Tale from the Choctaw Nation by Tim Tingle

August House’s lesson plan provides comprehension questions, writing activities, a craft, math activities related to the story, and more.

This book guide from Learning Heroes includes vocabulary words and discussion questions.

I hope your child enjoys reading these books!

3rd Grade School Reading List

When your child is ready, we also have a 3rd grade reading list. Like our 2nd grade reading list, it includes at least one free novel study or lesson for each book.

More Free Reading Curriculum & Resources

Free Vintage Readers for 2nd Grade– Download free grade-level vintage readers here.

Free Book Guides– This page tells where to find book guides and novel studies for every grade.

Free Reading and Literature Curriculum– On this page, you’ll find many reading and literature curriculum options.

Free eBooks– This post tells where to find free eBooks for the entire family.

Free Audiobooks– This post shares where to find free audiobooks for all ages.