Archive for September 29, 2012

The Magical Life of Mr. Renny

Written and illustrated by Leo Timmers

Buy on Amazon

This is a book about making choices. Mr. Renny, a dog, is a very good artist, his drawings look so much like the real thing that it is hard to tell them apart  However, like many artists, he is not having much success selling his paintings. Mr. Renny is granted a wish that turns his life around, a wish that allows him to have whatever he wants, but, alas, he soon finds himself bored. This book reminded me somewhat of the King Midas story but being written in a way that will definitely appeal to second grade readers.
» Read more

The Way I Act

By Steve Metzger

Illustrated by Janan Cain

Buy on Amazon

Children have a natural curiosity about the world and each responds to the world in their own unique way.   In this second grade book, good character words are introduced so children know what behaviors are expected of them.

The book explores thirteen different ways of behaving in rhyming format that will be easily adored by typical second grade readers.  It is wonderfully illustrated with bright colored pictures that will captivate young children’s attention.
» Read more

Newton and Me

By Lynne Mayer
Illustrated by Sherry Rogers

Buy on Amazon

A boy and his dog, Newton (think Isaac Newton), discover -through everyday play- the laws of motion in their daily activities. The book gives examples of gravity when the boy’s dog drops the ball on the boy’s head and also when the boy throws the ball as hard as he can up in the sky and it continues to come down, leaving the boy puzzled as to why it always came back to him and his pup.
» Read more

Grandpa for Sale

By Dotti Enderle and Vicki Sansum

Illustrated by T. Kyle Gentry

Buy on Amazon

Mrs. Larchmont stamped her foot. “Well, if I can’t buy everything I want, then I won’t buy anything at all.”

Mrs. Bradley Larchmont the Third sweeps into Oldman’s Antiques, miniature poodle in her arms. She wanders through the store, handing Lizzie the things she wants to buy. And then she comes upon Grandpa, asleep on the settee.
» Read more

Miss Fox’s Class Gets It Wrong

By Eileen Spinelli
Illustrated by Anne Kennedy

Buy on Amazon

Miss Fox’s Class Gets It Wrong is a wonderful book for second grade readers. The plot, characters, and vocabulary is excellent for enhancing the reading skills of second graders.

The story is about how two students see their teacher do something and make a mistake in the meaning of what they saw. Rumors begin to fly. Gossip is at its best in the second grade classroom and soon causes trouble. The author does a great job of bringing this lesson into the terms that enhances second grade reading comprehension. The story offers ideas for further classroom discussion to further enforce what the reader understands.
» Read more

Planting the Wild Garden

By. Kathryn O. Galbraith

Illustrated by Wendy Halperin

Buy on Amazon

In the wild garden, there are many ways seeds are scattered and planted. Planting the Wild Garden shows the wind blowing seeds across the field, birds pecking at plants and dropping seed to new places, and animals that carry seed to other locations to grow.
» Read more

I Am So Handsome

Written and Illustrated by Mario Ramos

Buy on Amazon

After breakfast the wolf “puts on his finest clothes,”- a natty blue necktieneatly knotted. That is all. He is ready for a stroll through the forest so “everyone can admire me.” Ah! We sense something different about this wolf.
» Read more

McKenna

By Mary Casanova

Illustrated by Brian Hailes

Buy on Amazon

 
McKenna is a second grade level book in the American Girl series about a young girl interested in gymnastics. The writing is clear and easy for most second grade level students to read and comprehend but the book would definitely appeal to girls over boys.
» Read more

A Topps League Story: Book Three: Zip It!

By  Kurtis Scaletta
Illustrated by Eric Wight

Buy on Amazon

Chad is one of the Pine City Porcupines home field batboys. Two of his classmates also work for the Pines, Abby and Dylan. Normally the Pines just try not to be in last place. But this season, when the Pine’s came back from a traveling week, they were tied for First Place with the Rosedale Rogues.  That’s where they wanted to stay.
» Read more

Lulu and the Duck in the Park

By Hilary McKay

Illustrated by Pricilla Lamont

Buy on Amazon

Lulu and the Duck in the Park is a charming second grade level chapter book that will interest both boys and girls. The plot is one that will hook a new reader because it begins with Lulu and her love for animals. Animals are a big interest for second grade readers. This chapter book is 92 pages for the story and another few pages for second graders to read a preview of the next book in the series. This serves to entice students and encourage them to read more. » Read more

« Older Entries