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Second & Third Grade



Last updated: August 16, 2011

Extraordinary People

The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer's Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer's Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors by Chris Barton
The story of two brothers who stumbled on a formula for colors that glows with an extra-special intensity-Day-Glo colors.
Summer Birds: The Butterflies of Maria Merian Summer Birds: The Butterflies of Maria Merian by Margarita Engle
The story of a young girl living in the Middle Ages who took the time to observe the life cycle of butterflies--and in so doing disproved a theory that went all the way back to ancient Greece.
Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 by Brian Floca
Can you imagine going to the moon? Follow the historic journey of Apollo 11 to the moon and back.
Emma's Poem: The Voice of the Statue of Liberty Emma's Poem: The Voice of the Statue of Liberty by Linda Glaser
Read about Emma and her work with immigrants in New York. Learn about the Statue of Liberty and Emma's poem, The New Colossus which helped raise money for the statue is on a plaque at the statue today.
The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy) The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy) by Barbara Kerley
Thirteen-year-old Susy Clemens wants the world to know that her papa, Mark Twain, is more than just a humorist and sets out to write a comprehensive biography of the American icon.
The Boy Who Invented TV: The Story of Philo Farnsworth The Boy Who Invented TV: The Story of Philo Farnsworth by Kathleen Krull
This picture-book biography explains how Farnsworth held on to his dream to develop television and the scientific concepts behind it.
Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya by Donna Jo Napoli
The story of Wangari Maathai, who in 1977 founded the Green Belt Movement, an African grassroots organization, and in 2004 was the first African woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters by Barack Obama
This picture book is a tribute to thirteen groundbreaking Americans and the ideals that have shaped our nation.
Skit-Scat Raggedy Cat: Ella Fitzgerald Skit-Scat Raggedy Cat: Ella Fitzgerald by Roxane Orgill
Follows the beloved American jazz singer's rise to fame, describing the difficult historical and cultural factors that she overcame.
All-Star!: Honus Wagner and the Most Famous Baseball Card Ever All-Star!: Honus Wagner and the Most Famous Baseball Card Ever by Jane Yolen
The Honus Wagner baseball card is the most valuable baseball card of all time! But he was born poor, ugly, bow-legged, and more suited to shoveling coal in his Pennsylvania mining town than becoming the greatest shortstop of all time. How could it happen?

Extraordinary Animals

Bug Zoo Bug Zoo by Nick Baker
This colorful guide shows children how to turn backyard bugs into fascinating pets and create a zoo of insects, spiders, worms, and other common creepy-crawlies.
Christian the Lion: Based on the True Story of Anthony (Ace) Bourke, John Rendall and Christian the Lion Christian the Lion: Based on the True Story of Anthony (Ace) Bourke, John Rendall and Christian the Lion by Anthony (Ace) Bourke & John Rendall
Recounts the story of a lion cub purchased by two friends from a London department store, written from the point of view of Christian, the lion. He is ultimately sent to Kenya to be released into the wild.
Wolfsnail: A Backyard Predator Wolfsnail: A Backyard Predator by Sarah C. Campbell
Stunning photographs and a fact-filled story deliver a closeup look at a day in the life of a tiny, and unexpected, predator-the seriously slimy wolfsnail.
Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle by Brian Dennis, Kirby Larson, Mary Nethery
The story of a wild dog who befriended Marine Major Brian Dennis in Iraq, and, when they were separated, trekked seventy miles through the desert winter to rejoin his friend.
Life in the Boreal Forest Life in the Boreal Forest by Brenda Z. Guiberson
The boreal forest is buried in ice and snow during winter. But in summer lakes teem with fish, and bogs swarm with insects.
How Do Spiders Make Webs? How Do Spiders Make Webs? by Melissa Stewart
Shows how arachnids use their webs to catch food, escape enemies and protect their eggs.
From the series: Tell me why, tell me how.

Fantastic Fiction

Stinky and Successful: The Riot Brothers Never Stop Stinky and Successful: The Riot Brothers Never Stop by Mary Amato
The hilarious Wilbur and Orville Riot are back in their third book full of clever fun.
I Spy Fly Guy I Spy Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold
When Fly Guy and Buzz play hide-and-seek, Fly Guy hides in his favorite place, the garbage can. But as Buzz finishes counting, the garbageman drives away with the garbage and Fly Guy, too!
The Golly Sisters Go West The Golly Sisters Go West by Betsy Byars
May-May and Rose, the singing, dancing Golly sisters, travel west by covered wagon, entertaining people along the way.
Legend of --- Captain Crow's Teeth Legend of --- Captain Crow's Teeth by Eoin Colfer
When Will hears the legend of Captain Crow's Teeth from his prank-loving older brother, the nine-year-old fears he will be the bloodthirsty pirate's next victim.
Snake and Lizard Snake and Lizard by Joy Cowley and Gavin Bishop
A collection of stories about the friendship between Snake and Lizard.
Plum Fantastic Plum Fantastic by Whoopi Goldberg
Alexandrea Petrakova Johnson does not want to be a beautiful ballerina, and she does not want to leave her friends in Apple Creek. Unfortunately, that doesn't stop her ballet-crazy mother from moving them to Harlem, or from enrolling Al at the Nutcracker School of Ballet.
Nicholas on Vacation Nicholas on Vacation by René Goscinny & Jean-Jacques Sempé
The adventures of a young French schoolboy who is always getting into trouble.
Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel by Nikki Grimes
Spunky third-grader Dyamonde Daniel misses her old neighborhood, but when she befriends a boy named Free, another new student at school, she finally starts to feel at home.
Mrs. Lizzy is Dizzy Mrs. Lizzy is Dizzy by Dan Gutman
Ella Mentry School's newest teacher, Mrs. Lizzy, has some very strange ideas about learning during recess.
From the series My Weird School Daze.
Bed, Bats and Beyond Bed, Bats and Beyond by Joan Holub
It's dawn and time for bats to go to bed, but Fang's brother Fink can't sleep. Soon the whole family tries different bedtime stories to lull Fink to sleep.
Toys Go Out : Being the Adventures of a Knowledgeable Stingray, a Toughy Little Buffalo, and Someone called Plastic Toys Go Out : Being the Adventures of a Knowledgeable Stingray, a Toughy Little Buffalo, and Someone called Plastic by Emily Jenkins
Six stories relate the adventures of three best friends, who happen to be toys.
Lady Lollipop Lady Lollipop by Dick King-Smith
A quick-witted swineherd and a pig named Lollipop are royally rewarded after they reform a spoiled princess.
Nana Cracks the Case Nana Cracks the Case by Kathleen Lane
Eufala and Bog's very feisty grandmother takes a job with the Crispy County Police Department, searching for a candy thief.
Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School and Other Scary Things Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look
A young boy in Concord, Massachusetts, who loves superheroes and comes from a long line of brave Chinese farmer-warriors, wants to make friends, but first he must overcome his fear of everything.
You and Me and Home Sweet Home You and Me and Home Sweet Home by George Ella Lyon & Stephanie Anderson
Third-grader Sharonda and her mother help volunteers from their church to build the house that will be their very own.
Word After Word After Word Word After Word After Word by Patricia MacLachlan
Every school day feels the same for fourth graders Lucy and Henry and Evie and Russell and May. Then Ms. Mirabel comes to their class-bringing magical words and a whole new way of seeing and understanding.
Stink: Solar System Superhero Stink: Solar System Superhero by Megan McDonald
When Stink discovers that Pluto has been downgraded from a planet to a dwarf planet, he launches a campaign in his classroom to restore its status to that of a full-fledged member of the solar system.
Stitchin' and Pullin': A Gee's Bend Quilt Stitchin' and Pullin': A Gee's Bend Quilt by Patricia C. McKissack
As a young African American girl pieces her first quilt together, the history of her family, community, and the struggle for justice and freedom in Gee's Bend, Alabama unfolds.
Three Stories You Can Read to Your Cat Three Stories You Can Read to Your Cat by Sara Swan Miller
A cat hears three stories about a dull rainy day, a yummy bug, and a good day of destruction in the house.
Looking Like Me Looking Like Me by Walter Dean Myers
Jeremy sets out to discover all of the different "people" that make him who he is, including brother, son, writer, and runner.
Who Will I Be, Lord? Who Will I Be, Lord? by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
A young girl recalls the stories she has been told about the members of her family and wonders what kind of person she will become.
Sweet and Sunny Sweet and Sunny by Coleen Murtagh Paratore
Despite facing a host of problems, old and new, optimistic third-grader Sunny continues her quest to create a national Kid's Day and improve other holidays, especially the upcoming Valentine's Day, while bringing joy to those around her.
Ottoline and the Yellow Cat Ottoline and the Yellow Cat by Chris Riddell
Meet Ottoline Brown and her best friend, Mr. Munroe. No puzzle is ever too tricky for the two of them to solve.
Keena Ford and the Secret Journal Mix-Up Keena Ford and the Secret Journal Mix-Up by Melissa Thomson
When she accidentally leaves her journal in Tiffany's apartment, Keena is afraid that Tiffany will reveal all of her secrets.
Dragonbreath : Attack of the Ninja Frogs Dragonbreath : Attack of the Ninja Frogs by Ursula Vernon
When Suki the salamander--the new foreign exchange student--is being stalked by ninja frogs, Danny, Wendell the iguana, and Suki travel to Great-grandfather Dragonbreath's home in mythical Japan to find a solution for the problem.

Graphic Novels

Deep-Space Disco Deep-Space Disco by Erik Craddock
When an alien shape-shifter named Melvin the Plutarkian has Stone Rabbit tried for crimes Melvin committed and then wreaks havoc on Happy Glades. Stone Rabbit must find a way to get home and save his town and his friends.
From the Stone Rabbit series.
Babymouse 12, Burns Rubber Babymouse 12, Burns Rubber by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm
Babymouse's dreams of being a race car driver come true when she and her best friend Wilson enter a soap box derby. From the Babymouse series.
Sticky Burr: Adventures in Burrwood Forest Sticky Burr: Adventures in Burrwood Forest by John Lechner
Sticky Burr is on the verge of being kicked out of his village in Burrwood Forest because he is not prickly enough to suit some of the other burrs, but when the village is attacked by wild dogs, Sticky Burr and his friends come to the rescue.
Owly. Vol 2, Just a Little Blue Owly. Vol 2, Just a Little Blue by Andy Runton
Owly, a kind, lonely owl, and his friend Wormy find they have to make sacrifices in order to help a family of birds have a safe winter home, and they make some new friends in the process, in this almost wordless book.
Binky the Space Cat Binky the Space Cat by Ashley Spires
Binky is a space cat - at least in his own mind. He's really a house cat who has never left the family "space station." Unlike other house cats, Binky has a mission: to blast off into outer space (outside), explore unknown places (the backyard) and battle aliens (bugs).

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