Are these books suitable for second graders?

Curriculum & Teaching Strategies Forum
1

Books for my class…

During morning meetings and spare moments, I enjoy reading chapter books or playing audiobooks. I want to share some stories I enjoyed as a kid. I’m trying to figure out if these books are suitable for my second graders. My parents were pretty relaxed about what I read, so I want to make sure these stories are right for them. I’d like to read a couple of these books to the class. Are these good choices?

A Series of Unfortunate Events (I like the vocabulary building in it)

Percy Jackson (loved learning more about Greek mythology but it might be too advanced for them)

A to Z Mysteries

The Bailey School Kids

Bunnicula

Judy Moody

If you have any recommendations, I’d love to hear them!

2

Those look good. I used to teach second grade and loved reading the Magic Treehouse series to my students. After the first book, they would be excited to read the rest on their own.

3

I always read Bunnicula to my third graders - they loved it!

4

I’m not a teacher, so I can’t say for sure if it’s too advanced, but have you thought about Redwall? I think it’s easier than Percy Jackson and A Series of Unfortunate Events.

I also enjoyed Magic Treehouse at that age.

(P.S. Lemony Snicket’s books were a bit scary for me, like that famous gas mask doctor who episode from Doctor Who when I was a kid.)

5

@MABLE
The ‘Are you my mummy?’ episode is terrifying, even now. I watched Doctor Who as a kid too - my favorite was the Fourth Doctor. Looking back, those episodes weren’t too scary, but I still had nightmares about the Daleks.

6

I read Matilda and The Witches to my class. I think I’ll add Bunnicula this year!

I did Percy Jackson since our curriculum covers Greek mythology, and the kids really enjoyed it.

7

Those seem fine to me, though I think Percy Jackson might be too hard for some of them.

I’d also suggest Jacob Two-Two and the Hooded Fang :smile:

8

Second graders usually enjoy A-Z Mysteries, which is funny since it’s pretty old. I keep checking eBay for them (I’m a teacher librarian) because one of our second-grade teachers reads them and the kids love them, so they ask for more. Bunnicula is a favorite too, and it’s on the Battle of the Books list this year (for grades 3-5, but it will still get a popularity boost). It’s also a great Halloween read. Percy Jackson and A Series of Unfortunate Events might be a bit advanced - some kids might enjoy them, but they won’t appeal to everyone. I was never a fan of Judy Moody, but kids still read it, so it varies.

The One and Only Ivan is very popular with that age group - I can’t keep it on the shelf. Also check out The Mouse and the Motorcycle, The Tale of Despereaux, My Father’s Dragon, and James and the Giant Peach. Maybe Charlotte’s Web too.

9

These all sound great! I’d add a couple more:

-Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary

-Owls in the Family by Farley Mowat (this one’s Canadian so it might be hard to find, but it’s definitely worth it)

-The Sign on Rosie’s Door by Maurice Sendak (might be a bit young, but a lot of fun to read out loud)

10

I think those are excellent choices. I’ve read all of them to my second graders.

11

This is a nice idea.

Ultimately, it’s all about what the parents think.

The admin might not support you on this.

12

A Series of Unfortunate Events is one of my favorites, and I’ve read it to my daughter a few times. The first time we read it, she was in kindergarten. There are a few jokes that some parents might not like. One that made me laugh is from one of the later books where they pass the Church of the Supposed Virgin.