Super Books for Second Graders

Picture Books

• Bardhan-Quallen, Sudipta. Chicks Run Wild. 2011.
  

  When her little chicks refuse to settle down for the night, Mama decides to surprise them with an unusual request.

• D'Amico, Carmela and Steven. Suki the Very Loud Bunny. 2011.
  

  Unlike most bunnies, Suki loves shouting and playing in the mud, but when she disobeys her mother and leaves the burrow one day, her loud voice is what saves her.

• Griffin, Kitty. The Ride: the Legend of Betsy Dowdy. 2010.
  

  Recounts the legend of North Carolina teenager Betsy Dowdy, whose courageous ride on a cold December night in 1775 may have played a crucial role in the American Revolution.

• Lichtenheld, Tom. Bridget's Beret. 2010.
  

  When Bridget loses the beret that provides her with artistic inspiration like other great artists, she thinks she will never be able to draw again.

• MacLachlan, Patricia and Emily MacLachlan Charest. I Didn't Do It. 2010.
  

  Excited puppies relate such new discoveries as the mailman comes every day and food tastes better eaten off a human's plate.

• O'Malley, Kevin. Animal Crackers Fly the Coop. 2010.
  

  In this humorous take-off of "The Bremen Town Musicians," four animals that aspire to make it big as comedians leave their owners and seek their fortunes.

• Nelson, Marilyn. Snook Alone. 2010.
  

  A monk named Abba Jacob and his loyal rat terrier, Snook, are reunited after being separated by a ferocious storm.

• Numeroff, Laura. Ponyella. 2011.
  

  Ponyella's dream of showing Princess Penelope her tricks at the pony championship comes true with the help of her fairy godmare.

• Sauer, Tammi. Mostly Monsterly. 2010.
  

  On the outside, Bernadette is a lot like the other monsters in her class, but when she shows that she can be sweet, her classmates reject her until she finds a way to fit in again.

• Stein, David Ezra. Interrupting Chicken. 2010.
  

  Little Red Chicken wants Papa to read her a bedtime story, but interrupts him almost as soon as he begins each tale.

Readers

• Hooks, Gwendolyn. Find the Cat!: a Pet Club Story. 2011.
  

  Kayla's cat, Daisy, is missing. Kayla is so worried. She calls her friends, and soon enough the entire Pet Club is on the case.

• Manushkin, Fran. Katie's Lucky Birthday. 2011.
  

  Katie looks forward to celebrating her birthday at school, and then finds a way to make it even more special when her friend Pedro mentions that he has a summer birthday.

• Spinner, Stephanie. Paddywack. 2010.
  

  Paddywack is a spunky pony who jumps, trots and walks beautifully, as long as his rider remembers his treats.

• Weiss, Ellen. Porky and Bess. 2010.
  

  Despite their differences, Porky the messy pig and Bess the fussy cat are best friends and support each other in all their endeavors, from poetry writing to cake baking.

First Chapter

• Jonell, Lynn. Hamster Magic. 2010.
  

  When Celia moves into a new house, she traps an enchanted hamster, who reluctantly agrees to grant one wish in exchange for his freedom.

• Klein, Abbey. The Penguin Problem. 2010.
  

  When Freddy's class discovers some penguins are endangered, they want to help. Can Freddy come up with a good plan to save the penguins?

• Spires, Ashley. Binky to the Rescue. 2010. (graphic novel)
  

  When Binky jumps out a window, he and his best friend, Ted, find themselves stranded deep in "outer space."

• Stern, A. J. Frankly Frannie. 2010.
  

  Frannie Miller causes havoc when she tries to help out on a school field trip to the local radio station.

Non-fiction

• Ecomazes by Roxie Munro. 2010. [J 577 MUN]
  

  Go on an exciting (and informative) journey through 12 incredible ecosystems, from lush evergreen forests to colorful coral reefs, from the frozen tundra to hot desert sands.

• How to Clean a Hippopotamus: a Look at Unusual Animal Partnerships by Steve Jenkins. 2010. [J 591.785 JEN]
  

  Learn about the ingenious lifestyles of some of the world's most unusual animal partners.

• Gorillas by Gail Gibbons. 2011. [J 599.884 GIB]
  

  Learn how these peaceful, intelligent animals eat, raise their young and adapt to their environment.

• Goliath by Claudia Friddell. 2010. [J 975.2 FRI]
  

  Enjoy the story of Goliath, a fire horse assigned to Engine Company 15, whose steadfastness led him to become a hero during the 1904 fire in Baltimore, Maryland.

revised April 2011