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Suggested Realistic Fiction for Second Grade

Sometimes we just want to read about what's familiar or what's possible. Here are some suggestions for books that feature a high level of realism. You won't find many dragons or wizards or outer space adventures here, but you will find stories about things that really could happen. Books are suggested for Second Grade, but remember that each Reader is different, and might find something interesting at another level.

Ana and Andrew: The perfect pet by Christine A. Platt

Ana & Andrew are getting a new pet! They research different pets before choosing the best pet for their family. Then they pick a name for it! Read more about Ana and Andrew.

Carlos and Carmen want to make this Mother's Day special. But they need a little help from Papá. Everything is going great until their fluffy, yummy surprise sinks right before their eyes. Luckily, the twins have a great idea that turns their mistake into a really special Mother's Day surprise. Read more Carlos and Carmen.

Charlie & Mouse by Laurel Snyder

Four hilarious children's stories, two inventive brothers, one irresistible and award-winning beginner chapter book. Join Charlie and Mouse as they talk to lumps, take the neighborhood to a party, sell some rocks, and invent the bedtime banana. Read more Charlie and Mouse.

When Hank leaves his bike in the driveway to be run over by his dad, he needs to help pay for a new one. But Hank is a kid. What can he do? Pet-sitting sounds easy! But Hank's first customer is huge, homesick Otis. When Janie, Hank's pesky next door neighbor, tries to help, things spin even more out of control. What if Otis isn't just homesick? Read more Hank the Pet Sitter.

Seven-year-old Ty gets into mischief and big-hearted schemes while navigating second grade and becoming a big brother.

Salma the Syrian chef by Ahmad Danny Ramadan

All Salma wants is to make her mama smile again. Between English classes, job interviews, and missing Papa back in Syria, Mama always seems busy or sad. A homemade Syrian meal might cheer her up, but Salma doesn't know the recipe, or what to call the vegetables in English, or where to find the right spices! Luckily, the staff and other newcomers at the Welcome Center are happy to lend a hand--and a sprinkle of sumac.

Sam the Man & the chicken plan by Frances O'Roark Dowell

Sam the Man needs a job. Even his sister gets twenty bucks a pop for mowing people's lawns! But seven-year-olds aren't allowed to mow lawns, so Sam decides to ask his next door neighbor if she needs help doing other chores. It turns out she'll pay him a whole dollar each time he can convince her dad, Mr. Stockfish, to join him for a walk. But it turns out that getting Mr. Stockfish to leave the living room isn't easy. AND a dollar a pop isn't going to cut it.

Slug days by Sara Leach

On slug days Lauren feels slow and slimy. She feels like everyone yells at her, and that she has no friends. Today there is a different bus driver; Dan and Sachi are sitting in Lauren's seat on the bus; and Lauren's teacher interrupts her reading time. It is definitely a slug day. But not every day is like this. On butterfly days Lauren makes her classmates laugh, or goes to get ice cream, or works on a special project with Mom.

Also available in: e-book | audiobook

The shortest kid in the second grade, James Moody, also known as Stink, learns all about the shortest president of the United States, James Madison, when they celebrate Presidents' Day at school. Read more about Stink.

Tooth trouble by Abby Klein

Unhappy to be the only one in his class who still has not lost a tooth, first-grader Freddy tries to find a way to expedite matters but then is faced with another problem. Read more Ready, Freddy.