Maret School – Rising 2nd Grade Summer Reading 2017 Summer is an opportunity for students of all ages to enjoy reading in a relaxed and leisurely setting. Summer reading is a vital way that students keep their skills sharp for the upcoming school year. It is also a time when students should have the freedom to find books that they want to read for fun; pursue their personal interests through reading; explore new ideas, cultures, and viewpoints; and develop a lifelong love of reading. The Maret School recommends that students spend at least 20 minutes reading each day during the summer. Students should select books and other reading material that interest and challenge them, and families should consider ways that they can read together or make discussing books a part of their lives over the summer months. We recognize that there is a range of readers at each grade level. If books on this list do not match your child's reading ability, you may choose to read them aloud with your child.

Frankie Pickle series by Eric Wright: Chapter book meets graphic novel in this book about a young boy with a wild imagination. The Notebook of Doom series by Troy Cummings: Alexander Bopp has just moved to a new town where he uncovers all sorts of monsters. Mouse and Mole series by Wong Herbert Yee: Best friends Mouse and Mole go on adventures where teamwork, brainstorming, and good ideas always make for a fun day out. Nancy Clancy series by Jane O’Connor: Sassy Fancy Nancy is now a detective. White Fur Flying by Patricia MacLachlan: A sad and silent boy finds his voice when he moves next to a family that rescues dogs. The Chicken Squad: The First Misadventure by Kevin Cornell: Dirt, Sweetie, Poppy, and Sugar—the chicks of the Chicken Squad—must figure out what tail the squirrel is so afraid of. Ideas Are All Around by Philip C. Stead: In search of writing ideas, an author takes a walk with his dog around the neighborhood.

Emily’s Blue Period by Cathleen Daly: After her parents get divorced, Emily finds comfort in making and learning about art. The Princess in Black series by Shannon Hale: Princess Magnolia must constantly sneak away to fight monsters as her alter ego, the Princess in Black.

The Whale Who Won Hearts!: And More True Stories of Adventures with Animals by Brian Skerry: Information about marine animals and the author's experiences photographing them. Blizzard by John Rocco: After a blizzard, a boy is a hero when he walks to the local store to bring supplies back to his neighborhood. Based on the author's childhood experience.

Bird and Squirrel series by James Burks: Squirrel is afraid of everything, so teams up with fearless Bird, who has a wounded wing, to head south for the winter, closely chased by Cat.

Galapagos George by Jean Craighead George: An introduction to Pinta Island saddleback tortoises, describing how they came to be and why the species became extinct. Going Places by Peter H. Reynolds: Rafael builds his go-cart for the Going Places contest in record time, but when his neighbor Maya has a creative idea for her entry, Rafael decides to help.

Maret School – Rising 2nd Grade Summer Reading 2017

My Two Blankets by Irena Kobald: When a little girl nicknamed "Cartwheel" moves to a new country with her family to be safe, she has a hard time adjusting to her new home.

North, South, East, West by Margaret Wise Brown: A book that relates the story of a little bird's first journey after leaving the nest.

As an Oak Tree Grows by G. Brian Karas: From 1775 to the present, the landscape around a lone oak tree goes through significant changes.

Queen Victoria's Bathing Machine by Gloria Whelan: Prince Albert comes up with a royally creative solution to Queen Victoria's modesty concerns in this true story. A Child of Books by Oliver Jeffers: A young reader introduces a boy to the many imaginative worlds that books bring to life.

The Great Pet Escape by Victoria Jamieson: The class pets at Daisy P. Flugelhorn Elementary School want out…and GW, the deceptively cute hamster in the 2nd-grade classroom, is just the guy to lead the way. Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton: Narwhal is a happy-go-lucky narwhal. Jelly is a no-nonsense jellyfish. The two might not have a lot in common, but they do love waffles, parties, and adventures.

Scholastic News Nonfiction Readers series: This series features vocabulary preview and review pages and backmatter, which gives young readers additional material to discuss or think about. Rookie Readers Science series: Nonfiction texts with larger print and high quality images/photographs on various topics.

I Can Read! series: Appropriately leveled texts often written by experts in the field.

Nonfiction titles by Gail Gibbons: Gail Gibbons is a prolific author who has written and illustrated more than 170 books on various topics for kids.

Zapato Power series by Jacqueline Jules: Freddie Ramos receives a pair of special sneakers that give him super speed.

Calvin Coconut series by Graham Salisbury: Calvin lives near the beach in Oahu with his mom and sister, where he is busy with his friends and trying to avoid Tito, the tough kid. Song Lee series by Suzy Kline: Spring becomes a memorable time for Miss Mackle's classroom because of the antics of Horrible Harry and Song Lee’s special insights. Julian, Secret Agent by Ann Cameron: When Julian, his little brother Huey, and their friend Gloria decide to be "crime busters," they find themselves in one adventure after another.

Bink and Gollie series by Kate DiCamillo: Celebrate the tall and short of a marvelous friendship with each Bink and Gollie adventure. Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot series by Dav Pilkey: Meet Ricky Ricotta and his giant flying robot as they soar through the air and battle diabolical figures trying to take over the world.

Maret School – Rising 2nd Grade Summer Reading 2017 The Secrets of Droon by Tony Abbott: Eric and his friends find entry into the world of Droon by using a staircase in Eric's basement. Roscoe Riley Rules series by Katherine Applegate: Newbery Medal-winning author Katherine Applegate’s hilarious series about an accidental rule breaker.

Tales of Bunjitsu Bunny by John Himmelman: Although she can throw farther and hit harder than anyone else at school, Isabel, aka Bunjitsu Bunny, never hurts another creature unless she has to.

My Happy Life by Rose Lagercrantz: Best friends Ella and Dani do everything together, and when things change, Dani is not prepared.

Binky The Space Cat by Ashley Spires: Binky, a cat who believes the family home is a space station, prepares to travel into outer space where his humans go everyday and need his protection.

A Family Is a Family Is a Family by Sara O’Leary: A teacher asks her classroom to think about the many different types of families in the world. Bad Kitty series by Nick Bruel: Bad Kitty is bad. Very bad. But she doesn't always mean to be. Whether she is trying to be a good little kitty or not, it seems that trouble finds her.

Katie Woo series by Fran Manushkin: Katie Woo is a spunky, sassy, and stylish schoolgirl. Robot Dreams by Sara Varon: The enduring friendship between a dog and a robot is portrayed in this wordless graphic novel.