Mostly 2nd Grade Picks at Our School Book Fair

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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BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 is a book that I created to highlight books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books.

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