15 Superb Chapter Books for
Second Graders
by Janssen Bradshaw
Second grade is a magical reading time for many kids. They’re just starting to develop reading fluency and are moving from easy reader books into early chapter books. Of course, this means that picking books for them can be somewhat tricky — they need something that holds their interest but isn’t so difficult that it turns them off to reading altogether. These 15 books and series surefire winners!
Please note: Unless otherwise indicated, retail buttons for a series will direct you to the first book in the series. Click on the title of the series to see more books.
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Dory Fantasmagory Series
Available from:It’s hard being the youngest sibling, especially when your brother and sister won’t play with you. Good thing Dory has an unbelievably wild imagination to keep her entertained. With its sharp-toothed robbers, bearded fairy godmothers, and a best friend who just happens to be a monster, this book is a real hoot.
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Alvin Ho Series
Available from:Alvin Ho is scared of everything. He’s especially scared of school. Too bad he can’t tackle starting second grade as his superhero alter ego, Firecracker Man. Kids will love rooting for Alvin as he learns to conquer his many fears.
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Junie B. Jones Series
Available from:Funny, feisty, and prone to mishaps, Junie B. Jones tackles the challenges of growing up in her own mischievous (and hilarious) way.
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Mercy Watson Series
Available from:My daughter and I love this hysterical series about a buttered-toast loving pig who lives with owners that treat her as something between a child and a pet.
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EllRay Jakes Series
Available from:EllRay, a third grader with a penchant for getting into trouble, deals with pressure from parents and peers alike in this comical and true-to-life series.
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Absolutely Alfie Series
Available from:Get to know EllRay’s little sister Alfie in a series of her own! Filled with humor and warmth, Alfie deals with the many ups and downs of life as a second grade girl with a strong voice and independent spirit.
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Andy Shane Series
Available from:Andy Shane only wants two things: to win the bike decorating contest in the parade and be a hero. He has plans to do the first, but can he pull off the second, too?
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Gooney Bird Series
Available from:Gooney Bird Greene is not like the other children in her class. Her clothing is flamboyant, she loves being the center of attention, and she tells the best stories, all of which are absolutely true.
Note: Retailer buttons will direct you to the second book in the series.
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Toys Go Out Series
Available from:This delightful trilogy follows three friends (a stuffed stingray, a stuffed buffalo, and a rubber ball) who live in the bedroom of a little girl and have plenty of adventures when she’s out.
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Stink Series
Available from:First seen in the Judy Moody series, Stink finally gets his chance to shine in his own stories. His funny mishaps are accompanied by a series of comic strips, which make the stories that much more fun for young readers.
Note: Retailer buttons will direct you to the second book in the series.
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Humphrey's Tiny Tales Series
Humphrey spends his days as the class pet of Room 26 at Longfellow School. With a room full of friends, so much to learn, and a cage with a broken lock, Humphrey’s many adventures are perfect for fans of animal-centered stories.
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Me and the Sky
Young readers will be swept away by the inspiring story of Beverley Bass, a groundbreaking pilot who led the first all-female crew as an American Airlines captain. Going back to Beverley’s childhood, when she first realized her dream to fly, this vibrant biography is all kinds of captivating.
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Woodward and McTwee
Available from:Second graders will love the unlikely yet dynamic duo of Woodward and McTwee, a hippo and a bird who love to play pranks on each other. Perfect for fans of Mo Willems’s Elephant and Piggie, this pair of stories is sure to entertain.
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Jada Jones Series
Available from:Science-loving Jada Jones is a role model of the best kind, and the lessons she learns throughout the series — about making and keeping friends, and being brave enough to try new things — are wonderfully applicable for this age group.
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Magic Tree House Series
Available from:I’ve yet to meet a reader who wasn't totally entertained by the Magic Tree House series. Spanning eons of history, Jack and Annie’s action-packed adventures shine in this revamped collection. Best yet, kids can graduate to the more challenging Merlin Mission series when they’re ready for the next step.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2020.