Summer Reading for Students Entering Second Grade

This summer we want you to focus on enjoying reading.  One of the best ways to grow as a reader is to read various     genres of books and to read often.  Students are being asked to read at least 3 books, but we hope you will read many more!  Please write the title and author for each book you read on the enclosed leaf.  Please save the leaves and return them to school in the fall.  Feel free to make more leaves for every book you read this summer.  On the following pages is a list of recommended books, but your choice is not limited to these books. Have fun reading!

Great Starts

The Best Teacher in Second Grade by Katharine Kenah

Davy Crockett: A Life on the Frontier by Stephen Krensky

Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas by Cynthia Rylant

Iris and Walter by Elissa Haden Guest

Minnie and Moo: The Case of the Missing Jelly Donut

by Denys Cazet

Mr. Putty & Tabby Bake the Cake by Cynthia Rylant

The Octopus by Denys Cazet

On the Go with Pirate Pete and Pirate Joe!

by Ann Edwards Cannon

Pish and Posh by Barbara Bottner

Why do Dogs Bark? by Joan Holub

Young Cam Jansen and the Substitute Mystery

by David A. Adler 

On My Way

Amber Brown Sees Red by Paula Danziger

Ivy and Bean by Ann Barrows

The John Hancock Club by Louise Borden

Julian’s Glorious Summer by Ann Cameron

Just Juice by Karen Hesse

Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride by Kate DiCamillo

Nate the Great and Me: The Case of the Fleeing Fang

by Marjorie Sharmat

Pinky and Rex and the Double-Dad Weekend by James Howe

Pirates Drive Buses by Christopher Morgan

Fun Series

A-Z Mysteries Series by Ron Roy

Cam Jansen Series by David Adler

Franny K. Stein Series by Jim Benton

Hank the Cowdog Series by J. Erickson

Horrible Harry Series by Suzy Kline

Katie Kazoo, Switcheroo Series by Nancy E. Krulik

Magic Treehouse Series by Mary Pope Osborne

Zach Files by Dan Greenberg

Poetry and Nonfiction

Guess What’s Growing Inside This Egg by Mia Posada

Living Color by Steve Jenkins

Math-terpieces by Greg Tang

My Parents Think I'm Sleeping by Jack Prelutsky

Popcorn: Poems by James Stevenson

Shout: Little Poems That Roar by Brod Bagert

Spectacular Science: A Book Of Poems

by Lee Bennett Hopkins

Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Dilly Songs

by Alan Katz

The ABC’s of Reading To And With Your Child

Ask questions while reading together. “What do you think will happen next?”

   Buy books as gifts for birthdays, Christmas, Hanukkah, or other holidays.

      Chat about what is happening in the book and how it relates to everyday life.

Drop everything and read.  Set aside 20 minutes a day during which the whole

                            family reads.

  Examine book illustrations in detail. Select books that have large bright pictures.

      Find books that interest your child. Make suggestions, but don’t turn reading

                            into work.

Give hints when your child gets stuck on a word.

   Have fun. Smile and enjoy the story. Read with a slow, relaxed voice and be

                            expressive.

      Invite your child to the bookstore. Take time to lounge in the chairs and

                            browse the books.

Join in your child’s reading successes. Celebrate every small step with sincere

                            praise.

   Kids love to receive mail. Send your child a magazine subscription that interests

                             him or her.

         Learn to read with, and not just to, your child daily. Read aloud, share ideas,

                            and answer questions.

Model reading. Share with your child, whether you’re reading for information or

                            for entertainment.

   Never force your child to read. If you’re both too tired or discouraged to read,

                             take a break.

       Offer your child a variety of reading materials, such as books, magazines,

                            cereal boxes, comics, and newspapers.

Predict story elements, draw conclusions, and retell the story with your child.

   Quiz your child at the end of a story. Informally, of course!

       Reread books to familiarize your child with words and to build

                            self-confidence.

Sing songs, recite poetry, and do fingerplays to help develop language and listening

                             skills.

   Try to help your child understand that it’s okay to make mistakes.

       Understand that reading is developmental and that it takes time and

                            practice to become fluent.

Visit your local library on a regular basis. Sign your child up for his or her own

                            library card.

   Welcome wordless picture books into your collections. They generate

                            conversation and allow the nonreader to create his or her own

                            stories.

“eXhibit” patience when your child is selecting books. Your support is empowering.

   You are the most important person helping your child develop a lifelong love of

                            reading.

       Zealous readers are the result of supportive and nurturing role models.