17 Superb Chapter Books for
Second Graders
by Janssen Bradshaw
Second grade is a magical reading time for many kids. They’re just starting to develop reading fluency and are moving from easy reader books into early chapter books. Of course, this means that picking books for them can be somewhat tricky — they need something that holds their interest but isn’t so difficult that it turns them off to reading altogether. These 17 books and series are surefire winners!
Please note: Retail buttons for a series will direct you to the first book in the series.
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Murray and Bun! Series
Buy from:When a wizard enchants the cat flap in their door, Murray the cat and Bun the rabbit discover a world filled with adventure. Whether they’re learning how to joust or rescuing a friend from a troll, Murray and Bun tackle each new challenge with humor and heart. Kids will giggle their way through each hilarious adventure in this series from an award-winning illustrator.
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Dory Fantasmagory Series
Buy from:It’s hard being the youngest sibling, especially when your brother and sister won’t play with you. Good thing Dory has an unbelievably wild imagination to keep her entertained. With its sharp-toothed robbers, bearded fairy godmothers, and a best friend who just happens to be a monster, this book is a real hoot.
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Jada Jones Series
Buy from:Science-loving Jada Jones is a role model of the best kind, and the lessons she learns throughout the series — about making and keeping friends, and being brave enough to try new things — are wonderfully applicable for this age group.
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The Kids of Cattywampus Street
Buy from:In the spirit of Louis Sachar and Roald Dahl, this title tells the stories of a special group of friends living on Cattywampus Street. While not part of a series, each of the eleven chapters tells a different child’s account, making it perfect as a bedtime read-aloud. Wacky, mysterious, sad, scary, and joyful, each story offers something unique, but they’re all connected to the neighborhood’s local toy shop.
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Amina Banana Series
Buy from:Amina moves from Syria to Indiana in this early chapter book series for fans of Junie B. Jones. Although she is nervous about starting over in a new school and a new country, Amina takes everything in stride. She learns English, makes friends, participates in a spelling bee, and helps her family stretch their budget. Readers who enjoy slice-of-life stories and plucky heroines will love this series.
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Magic Treehouse Series
Buy from:I’ve yet to meet a reader who wasn't totally entertained by the Magic Tree House series. Spanning eons of history, Jack and Annie’s action-packed adventures shine in this revamped collection. Best yet, kids can graduate to the more challenging Merlin Mission series when they’re ready for the next step.
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Esme! Series
Buy from:Esme is an energetic and upbeat little girl who lives with her grandparents on the top floor of an apartment building. Whether she’s planning the biggest birthday bash ever or forming a building-wide troop to help a friend sell cookies, her problem-solving spirit is irresistible.
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Junie B. Jones Series
Buy from:Funny, feisty, and prone to mishaps, Junie B. Jones tackles the challenges of growing up in her own mischievous (and hilarious) way.
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The Magnificent Makers Series
Buy from:Calling all young science lovers! Get ready for an awesome adventure with this STEM-tastic series. Join best friends Violet, Pablo, and their new classmate Deepak on thrilling scientific journeys and experiments. Watch them learn and test out cool scientific concepts while discovering the true value of friendship.
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Class Pet Ghost Detective Series
Buy from:Ghosts, humor, and classroom mysteries combine in this hilarious graphic novel series. When Carter’s class pet, a naked mole rat named Mr. Pebbles, dies, its ghost comes back to help him clear his name of any wrongdoing. In the second book, Mr. Pebbles and Carter take on the case of a missing milk snake. Full-color artwork and a giggle-inducing story make this series irresistible to young readers.
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Woodward and McTwee
Buy from:Second graders will love the unlikely yet dynamic duo of Woodward and McTwee, a hippo and a bird who love to play pranks on each other. Perfect for fans of Mo Willems’s Elephant and Piggie, this pair of stories is sure to entertain.
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Mercy Watson Series
Buy from:My daughter and I love this hysterical series about a buttered-toast loving pig who lives with owners that treat her as something between a child and a pet.
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Alvin Ho Series
Buy from:Alvin Ho is scared of everything. He’s especially scared of school. Too bad he can’t tackle starting second grade as his superhero alter ego, Firecracker Man. Kids will love rooting for Alvin as he learns to conquer his many fears.
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Julia on the Go! Series
Buy from:Julia wants to become the greatest swimmer ever! Follow along as she spends time at her beloved Mountainview Community Center, with the folks who make it wonderful, and tests her swimming limits to be the absolute best, all while navigating the challenges of growing up!
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Humphrey's Tiny Tales Series
Buy from:Humphrey spends his days as the class pet of Room 26 at Longfellow School. With a room full of friends, so much to learn, and a cage with a broken lock, Humphrey’s many adventures are perfect for fans of animal-centered stories.
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The Underdogs Series
Buy from:When a new mystery stumps a couple of dog detectives, they hire a cat to help them out. Together, this unlikely team sets out to solve burglaries, forgeries, and thefts. Second graders who loved The Bad Guys and The InvestiGators will eagerly dive into this rib-tickling chapter book series!
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Dinosaur Club Series
Buy from:Dino-loving kids won’t be able to resist this early chapter book series. In each installment, best friends Tess and Jamie go through a portal to prehistoric times where they encounter various dinosaurs. With 12 books in the series, these highly illustrated chapter books will satisfy the most dino-hungry second grader.
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- Time-Travel Books for Kids Who Love Magic Tree House
- Early Chapter Books With Fierce Female Characters
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2025.