Sometimes at the beginning of the year second graders need a little (or big) push to take on a chapter book. Chapter books take a little more time than a picture book, and we all know that 7 and 8 year olds have things to do. However, if you can get a kid hooked on a series, chapter books can soon become a second grader's best friend. They finish the first one and move right along to the next one. They are familiar with the characters and style and gain confidence along the way.
If you have been anywhere near a second grade classroom, you have most likely heard the name Junie B. Jones. Junie B. Jones is the modern day Ramona Quimby (Beverly Cleary). Barbara Park is the author of the Junie B. Jones series. These books are hilarious and are appropriate for readers at the beginning second grade reading level.
Jigsaw Jones books are also popular in my classroom. They are a little more difficult than the Junie B. books, but not much. James Preller is the author of the mystery series. My students enjoy figuring out the codes and trying to solve the mystery featured in each book.
I always have a few readers who are not reading on grade level. I have found the Henry and Mudge books to be appropriate for these kids. Cynthia Rylant is the author of these chapter books. They are very easy to decode and full of sight words. There are lots of pictures for the students who still rely a lot on illustrations to aid in comprehension.
