Children's Books for 2nd Graders

Deep in the Ashanti forest, Kwaku Anansi finds a strange moss-covered rock that hums with magic and can knock any creature fast asleep with just seven words. Soon every animal wakes up dazed, with their dinner mysteriously gone. Who is behind the thefts, and can clever little Bush Deer figure out the secret before the whole forest goes hungry? This Bookbot level practices two-syllable words with prefixes, including ‘return’, ’explain’, ‘decline’, ‘unseen’ and ‘undo’.

What happens when a big bird with tiny wings dreams of soaring through the sky? Every day, our hero daydreams of airplanes, spotlights, and cheering fans - but one tumble on the hilltop leaves feathers ruffled and hopes crushed. Can a backpack full of courage, a homemade blueprint, and a whole lot of cardboard prove the doubters wrong? A heartwarming tale about chasing your own path. This decodable reader practices compound words such as ‘backpack,’ ‘daydream,’ ‘hilltop,’ ‘sunshine,’ and ‘blueprint.’

It’s Lisa’s birthday, and her parents have promised her a pet - but what kind will it be? An elephant is too stompy, a crocodile too snappy, and a skunk? Far too smelly! Will Lisa ever find the perfect birthday surprise, or is every animal in the world just a little bit wrong for her hilltop home? Join her hunt for a furry best friend! This decodable reader practices VC/CV syllables in words such as ‘birthday,’ ‘hilltop,’ ‘puppy,’ ‘sudden,’ and ’trumpet.’

When a terrible storm hits at nightfall, Bones the hunting dog bolts from Skel’s side and vanishes into the dark hills. Deep in the woods, lost and hungry, he meets a wolf pack with pale, steady eyes - and starts to run wild with them. But can a dog who has forgotten his home ever find his way back to the friend who loves him? This decodable reader practices compound words such as ’nightfall,’ ‘hillside,’ ‘daybreak,’ ‘sunset,’ and ‘pathway.’

Crow has been flying since daybreak, and he has one big dream: to find friends and wow them with his amazing singing voice. But when he opens his beak, his song sounds more like a firetruck siren than a sweet tune! The animals run for it. Can Crow find a way to share his music without scaring everyone off? This decodable reader practices compound words such as ‘daybreak,’ ‘backyard,’ ‘drumsticks,’ and ‘rooftop.’

Alex grabs her shovel and heads for the hillside, certain something special is hiding deep underground. But what will she find as she digs a tunnel down, down, down? A shiny jewel? A tasty morsel? And while she’s busy swinging her pickaxe below, could a nimble thief be sneaking around up on the grass? This decodable reader practices le/al/el/il words such as ‘shovel,’ ‘bundle,’ ‘scramble,’ and ‘sparkle.’

When Dad comes home with bags bursting with colorful fruit and veg, Girl grabs her sketchpad quick - can she draw it all before dinner? Tomatoes and cucumbers sit still so nicely, but what happens when she tries to sketch Cat, who won’t stop slinking across the floor? Will her pencil ever catch such a wiggly subject? This decodable reader practices words with prefixes such as ‘unpack,’ ‘redo,’ ‘inspect,’ ‘dislikes,’ and ‘remake.’

Steve dug too deep, and now something is flapping right behind him in the dark! Can he outrun the screeching bats, leap across a pit, and hide in water so still that nothing hears a peep? With his pickaxe swinging and his armor rattling, this brave miner is in for the chase of his life - but what waits beyond the cave? This decodable reader practices the ’ee’ sound in words like ‘deep,’ ‘feet,’ ‘flee,’ ‘green,’ and ’trees.’

A new Mage has moved in down the street, and Jill is not impressed. First her chicken is walking on its head. Then her sheep turn blue, green, and spotty! What will this cheeky Mage magic next - and can Jill protect her farm before he meddles with everything she owns? Join Jill as she stomps, sighs, and stands her ground. This decodable reader practices the aw/au phonogram in words like ‘saw,’ ‘fault,’ ‘jaw,’ ‘paws,’ and ’taunt.’

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