• Summer Reading, Incoming 2nd Grade

    2nd Grade Summer ReadingSummer reading should be fun. These reading lists have been prepared by the librarians of the Santa Monica Public Library in collaboration with the Elementary Library Coordinators and Librarians of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. The lists provide a selection of good books that kids enjoy. Reading levels are suggestions only, as every student learns to read at his or her own speed.

    You can help by reading with your child and encouraging his or her own interests. Reading takes lots of practice and encouragement. Set aside 15 to 30 minutes every day for your child to read with you. Have fun with the books and help instill the joy of reading in your child. Some titles are also available as audiobooks so families can enjoy a good book together.

    For extra summer fun, visit your local public library for reading programs, many of which offer activities and prizes. Have a wonderful summer vacation and read, read, read! 


    Picture Books (XXF)

    The Curious Garden, by Peter Brown
    Liam tends to a hidden garden, spreading color throughout the gray city.

    But, Excuse Me, That Is My Book (series), by Lauren Child
    Charlie helps Lola learn to use the library.

    I Want My Hat Back, by Jon Klassen
    Follow a bear on his amusing search for his missing hat.

    The Invisible Boy, by Trudy Ludwig
    Brian feels invisible at school, but when Justin arrives, everything changes.

    Memoirs of a Goldfish, by Devin Scillian
    A goldfish complains that his bowl has become crowded, but when he is relocated for cleaning, he realizes how much he misses it.

    The Dark, by Lemony Snicket
    Laszlo is afraid of the dark which lives in his big, creaky house, until one night the dark pays him a visit.

    Won Ton: a Cat Tale Told in Haiku, by Lee Wardlaw
    A shelter cat settles in with a good family and finally shares his real name.


    Easy Readers (XXE)

    Bones and the Birthday Mystery (series), by David Adler
    Jeffrey Bones tries to find his grandfather's missing birthday present.

    Young Cam Jansen (series), by David Adler
    Cam’s photographic memory comes in handy for solving mysteries!

    Frog and Toad (series), by Arnold Lobel
    Tales of Frog and his best friend Toad and their many adventures.

    Amelia Bedelia (series), Peggy Parish
    Follow Amelia Bedelia through a series of misunderstandings that arise because she follows instructions literally.

    Mr. Putter and Tabby (series), by Cynthia Rylant
    Mr. Putter and his cat, Tabby, try many new things.

    Nate the Great (series), by Marjorie W. Sharmat
    Nate solves mysteries with the help of his dog, Sludge.

    Lana’s World (series), by Erica Silverman
    An imaginative girl creates her own adventures!

    A Dark and Noisy Night, by Lisa Thiesing
    Peggy wants to sleep, but spooky noises keep her awake.

    Happy Birthday, Good Knight (series), by Shelley Morre Thomas
    The Good Knight tries to help three dragons make a birthday present.

    Oliver Pig and Amanda Pig (series), by Jean Van Leeuwen
    Many adventures of Oliver and his sister Amanda.


    Easy Chapter Books (Bridges XF)

    Notebook of Doom (series), by Troy Cummings
    Alexander has just moved and finds a notebook full of information about monsters.

    Mercy Watson to the Rescue (series), by Kate DiCamillo
    After Mercy the pig falls asleep in the Watsons’ bed, all three awaken to find the bed teetering on the edge of a big hole! (Also Bink & Gollie)

    Houndsley and Catina (series), by James Howe
    Friendship stories about a dog and a cat.

    Horrible Harry (series), by Suzy Kline
    Harry and his classmates have an eventful year in second grade.

    Ling and Ting: Not Exactly the Same (series), by Grace Lin
    Ling and Ting are identical twins that people think are exactly the same, but time and again they prove to be different. 


    Non-Ficton

    X513 MENOTTI
    How Many Jelly Beans?
    A fun and easy way to remember large numbers, as each page shows more and more colorful candies.

    X529 JENKINS
    Just a Second: a Different Way to Look at Time
    With a series of amazing illustrations, this book explores things that can happen in a second, a minute, an hour, a month, and a year.

    X590.73 LIFE-SIZE
    Life-Size Zoo
    See life-size photographs of animals, with fold-out pages and fun charts!

    X595.4 BARTON
    I'm Trying to Love Spiders
    Learn fascinating facts about spiders in an entirely captivating way.

    X597.96 BISHOP
    Snakes
    Learn how snakes hunt and why some are poisonous.

    X811 HOBERMAN
    You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You (series)
    Invites children and families to read each whimsical rhyme together.