Fiction books for 2nd graders don’t have to be simplistic. They have to maintain certain standards of clarity, but plenty of fiction out there can still inform and inspire kids. Therefore, we want to give you a list of books that your children or students will not only enjoy but which will help them grow and develop as well.
There are some obvious choices on here and some hidden gems. All of these books are both entertaining and meaningful, so you can be sure that your kids are getting something out of what they read.
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
Charlotte’s Web has been a children’s classic for decades for good reason. The classic tale deals with society’s morals, friendship, and also death from the perspective of a farmyard of animals. The exploits of the matronly spider, Charlotte, and innocent pig, Wilbur, are a classic literary pairing. Personalities meet and change each other forever. A classic.
Me and the Sky by Beverly Bass and Cynthia Williams
This picture book tells the true story of Beverley Bass, who led the first airline crew that consisted solely of female employees. The story returns to her childhood where she dreamed of flying. This book is sure to inspire kids to achieve their dreams and also entertain them with a success story on their level.
Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne
This series of books tells the story of Jack and Annie, who go on exciting adventures by transporting themselves to different times and places using their treehouse. Therefore, this chapter book series can get young kids inspired to read and will certainly encourage a lot of healthy pretend-play.
The Guardians of Ga’Hoole by Kathryn Lasky
These books are definitely on the higher end of the reading level for second graders, but smart kids can handle these epic fantasy adventures about Soren and his owl friends. These books are intense, dealing in their own way with graphic violence and even genetic experimentation. Thus, for deep-themed books, high fantasy on a child’s level, The Guardians of Ga’Hoole are awesome, and awe-inspiring adventures.
Not everything can be safe and sound when kids are reading! They sometimes need a little serious literature to be a lot inspired.
Firefly July by Paul B. Janeczko
Firefly July is actually a book of 36 short poems that go through the seasons of the year. This book encourages imagination and a love of language. You can even use this book to help kids get inspired to write their very own short poetry! Therefore, this is an easy addition to a home or classroom shelf.
Fiction Books for 2ndGraders: The Takeaway
Fiction books for 2nd graders range in material and even reading level, depending on the child. However, you should be able to find something on this list that inspires and interests your young ones. From picture book biographies to collections of poems, some or all of these selections will be right at home in your bookshelf or classroom.
If you want your children to be entertained and also informed by the books they read, you can easily choose from the above options.