2nd and 3rd Grade Books for Boys
I went a little crazy at our school book fair this year. First we went before school the first day of the book fair to get the “good books” before they were all gone. Then we went after school, with Grasshopper and Sensei meeting us there since she’s now in middle school.
Then the kids each got money to buy books with their class. My son convinced me to meet him in case he needed more money. He did, of course.
But who can say no to a school fundraiser for books that kids get excited to read? That’s my Achilles heel! Also discounted children’s books. Ok, I can’t resist buying KidLit — it’s a sickness.
These are the books my 2nd grade son picked out on day one.
I picked the two mythology books for myself … ahem, you know I collect them. Plus, you never can find a good kids’ mythology book on Ancient Egypt. Plus, Rick Riordan’s book on Greek Heroes! Need I say more?
PickyKidPix never can find books at the book fair. She’s in 5th grade and I suspect she’s a high performing reluctant reader. She pools her money with her friends to buy her teacher’s — past and present — books from their wish list bin. Each year, I admonish her to buy at least one book for herself. She complies … but it’s always an optical illusion book.
I told her this year that the book Has To Have Words In It. She said Eye Bogglers does. Gad, she loves to defy me.
My 7th grader is less particular but was barely able to find one book at the book fair though there was a decent selection of advanced middle grade books. She’s in 7th grade now and every day she claims that she has nothing to read. She chose Penelope finally after much urging.
Our school librarian picked out these books! My Life as a Book is supposed to be a kindler, gentler Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
2nd and 3rd Grade Books for Boys
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
My son is cranking through this series as a Drop Everything And Read book. I have to say that I now understand this series’ great appeal. He’s Arthur, from Marc Brown’s series and TV show, but in middle school and with more annoying siblings. And the stuff that happens to him is very, very funny.
100 Deadliest Things on the Planet
My son bought the 100 Most Disgusting Things on the Planet last year, so I think it prompted him to try this one as well. With a education policy in Washington D.C. that is putting more emphasis on Non-Fiction, Anna Claybourne’s series is a way to make this fun! Very important because force-fed non-fiction can turn off boys from reading!
Sidekicks
My son spent quite a bit of time at the graphic novel section. I don’t mind. Graphic novels require more inferencing, drawing meaning from both words and images. They are a great way lure in reluctant readers as well! I have no idea what this one is about, but I’m sure I’ll find out soon enough.
The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby
My son came home distraught one day because he drew the lower number at the library causing him to lose out on Super Diaper Baby, a new series by Dav Pilkey of Captain Underpants fame. My son seems to like this author!
My son’s additional visits to the school book fair yielded these books:
The Strange Case of Origami Yoda
I had heard great things about this series so I was happy to convince him to try this series though he’s not much of a Star Wars fan. We just finished it and a few things:
- My son doesn’t think Dwight who’s a middle school loser, weird kid has special needs. I suspect otherwise.
- Author Tom Angleberger’s last name is strangely close to the word “Asperberger’s.” Coincidence? Are there any coincidences in life truly?
- It’s a great book for boys about coming of age, and looking inside a person before you judge him.
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My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
I’m so excited to see someone writing about books for boys – and the kinds of books that I could definitely see my son growing into. Thank you!
Hi Maryanne,
It’s always so fun for me to see what my son picks to read versus what I try to get him to read. He really likes those typical boy books: funny, graphic novel, hybrid graphic novel, interesting and beautifully designed non-fiction. He’s willing to read picture books and chapter books which were staples for my girls, but I have to lead him into it. Our latest find is the You Choose the Ending books … Worst Case Survival Guide chapter books. The book series make you apply knowledge from a Field Guide in the back of the book to scenarios in the book. If you choose the wrong path, bad things happen. He loves these. They are not well written in terms of character and setting but controlling the plot is a really fun way to engage boys. We’ve read Deadly Seas, Amazon and have just started Mars.
Picky Kid Pix is my hero for buying books for teacher. That’s just awesome. I get so excited about book fairs because I have such a strong nostalgic feeling about them- they were really the most exciting part of the whole year for me. I have no problem shelling out lots of cash money for these books.
Hi Jeanette,
The moms who run the book fair every year tell me that they love how PickyKidPix and her same group of friends spend all their time figuring out how to pay for the books they want to give their teachers, as well as choosing the books. They think it’s so sweet (plus, I suppose a good math exercise and cooperation exercise to boot). Still, I wish she’d bring home ONE chapter book for herself to read instead of always complaining how we have nothing good to read at home.
I always try to remember to buy books for the teachers. It’s good for the kids to think about giving back.
Hi Asian Mommy,
I love giving books to teachers too! Especially themed ones that fit them to a T. That’s the fun part for me!
I just printed out the part of this post with books for 2nd & 3rd boys. I have a rising 3rd grader, and it is a real battle to get him to read! I’m going to have him pick out some of the books on this list & then we’re heading to the library!!
Crossing my fingers that this will get him to read!
Thanks for the list.
Hi Sherry,
Crossing my fingers. I am posting on Rising 3rd Graders soon. Also, here is a list of books that my rising 2nd grade son liked. We read a lot of graphic novels to get his excited about readiing last year.
http://www.pragmaticmom.com/2012/11/3rd-grade-books-for-boys/
Here’s a post for you on 7 Fun, Easy and Free Ideas to Get Kids Reading: http://www.pragmaticmom.com/2013/01/10-ideas-to-get-kids-reading/
I hope these help!