Elevate reading ability and confidence in kids with these short and easy chapter books for 2nd graders. The short chapters are perfect for the recommended daily reading for 7-year-olds.
SHORT Chapter Books For Beginning 2nd Graders
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A collection of 35 beginner chapter books that your 7-year-old can read with ease.
You can find them in your local library or nearby bookstores. If they are unavailable locally, you can click on the links or images below to purchase from Amazon.
1. Sydney and Taylor Explore the Whole Wide World
Join Sydney and Taylor – a skunk and a hedgehog in their adventure. And get a few lessons of friendship, bravery along the way. A laugh riot short chapter book that your second grader will truly enjoy. Beautiful charming illustrations complement the story well.
Age: 6 to 9 years | Humor
2. Fair and Square
Read about the friendship of Unicorn and Yeti as they paint pictures, bake, draw together. It is the fifth book in the popular series Unicorn and Yeti. Easy-to-read book with artworks on all pages – the entire series is perfect for new readers.
Age: 5 to 7 years | Early Reader Series
3. The Flat Stanley Collection Box Set
Flat Stanley is a classic chapter book series for the 2nd graders. Read all about the adventures of Stanley as he becomes invisible to help nab robbers, goes to outer space to rescue aliens, and many more. One of the best chapter books to read to 7 year olds.
Age: 6 to 10 years | Classic chapter book.
4. Henry Heckelbeck and the Race Car Derby
Henry Heckelbeck series is a favorite with 2nd grader boys. The words are simple, and the chapters are short. Colorful illustrations are perfect to hold the attention of beginner chapter readers. Henry and his friends are participating in a race. Read on to find out how entry takes part.
Age: 5 – 9 years | Good beginner chapter books
5. Henry and Mudge
Read about sweet and relatable Henry and his pet Mudge. Join them in their adventure. The illustrations are attractive. Books are short enough for daily recommended reading. This is a six-book set.
Age: 6 to 9 years | Sweet relatable read
6. The Doll in the Hall and Other Scary Stories
This book is a collection of five spooky stories – suitable for children. The entire Mister Shivers book series is entertaining as well as scary.
Age: 5 to 7 years | Spooky
7. Trouble at Table 5
Best friends Rosie, Molly, and Simon devise a plan to escape the freezing snow. Will they be successful? Read on to know what happens in this popular chapter book series about the three scheming friends. There are reading milestone markers at the end of each chapter, encouraging readers to read more.
Age: 6 to 10 years | Beginning reader milestones
8. Sparkleton #3: The Mini Mistake
A highly illustrated beginner chapter book about a purple unicorn. Magic and unicorn in a book – perfect combination for unicorn-loving children.
Age: 6 to 10 years | Fantasy
9. The Bad Guys
A teacher’s favorite series about wannabe heroes and bad guys. The first book in the series is a laugh riot. Read on to know how the seemingly bad guys become good guys. A book to teach kids about right or wrong. Check the fun Bad Guys series.
Age: 7 to 10 years | Humor
10. Dragon’s Merry Christmas
This book is part of the popular chapter book series Dragon. The storylines are silly and funny with a beautiful message in the end. Let your child learn all about empathy, compassion, gratitude from these simple enjoyable chapter books.
Age: 5 to 7 years | Easy Read | Good lesson
11. Zoey Lyndon’s Big Move to the Lou
A book for any child trying to fit in a new environment. The book scores on many grounds – girl power, multi-culture, loving family support. Suitable for both boys and girls.
Age: 8 to 11 years | Diversity
12. Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls
This is a box set of five historical fiction chapter books. Each book contains one extraordinary lesser-known woman from around the world. The colorful illustrations and activities at the end keep children engaged for longer.
Age: 6 to 9 years | Book for Girls
13. The Story of Amelia Earhart
Read about the first female pilot to fly across the Atlantic ocean in an airplane. An inspiring and adventurous tale of a courageous woman. The perfect book to inspire young girls. The entire book series is quite an encouraging read for elementary students.
Age: 6 to 8 years | Biography
14. Scaredy Bat and the Missing Jellyfish
Join Scaredy Bat as she searches for the missing jellyfish. The interplay of courage, mystery, and environmental protection keeps the story interesting. It teaches us that sometimes all we need is a little push to reach our goal.
Age: 7 to 10 years | Mystery | Inspirational
15. The Haunted Key
A girl and her father moved into an old house which turned out haunted. This book is the third one in the chapter book series Frightville. A charming ghost story that is just the right amount of scray for the 2nd graders.
Age: 7 to 10 years | Spooky
16. Mr. Marty Loves a Party!
A.J. is turning nine! And his parents hire Mr. Marty. The party turns out to be a mix of hilarious mixups with bubble blower, rival clowns among other things. A goofy book from the humorous series My Weirder-est School.
Age: 6 to 10 years | Funny
17. The Kingdom of Wrenly
Read about mysterious wolves in this adventurous chapter book. The Kingdom of Wrenly book series is perfect for new chapter book readers. A book to increase the reading confidence for the new second graders.
Age: 5 to 9 years | Adventure
18. The Startup Squad: Face the Music
This is an inspirational book about the entrepreneurial spirit. The characters are well-etched and relatable. Pretty soon, your young one will start planning on starting a business. The Startup Squad series is perfect for the children’s introduction to the business world.
Age: 8 to 12 years | Empowering
19. Trapped in a Video Game: The Complete Series
A box of five books set, for the computer and video game crazy kids of today. Read what happens when you get stuck in the video game. Or outsmart a super-intelligent android and many such interesting occurrences.
Age: 8 to 12 years | Computer, games
20. Real Pigeons Fight Crime
Laugh out loud at the silly antics of Real Pigeons. The story is fast-paced, keeping readers glued to the mystery. An easy-to-read chapter book for beginner 2nd graders.
Age: 6 to 9 years | Funny
21. The Squatchicorns
This story is about adventure and friendship between Hugo and strange squidges. The book is humorous without being disgusting. Simple writing and clean illustrations make this an easy read. The entire Big Foot Little Foot series is quite engaging.
Age: 6 to 9 years | Adventure
22. Julie
Julie, Kate, and Bailey are ready to go to Miss Annie’s Magic School. They have finally turned eight. Read along as the trio learns to cast magic spells, fly on brooms. Things are not as easy as they seem though. This book along with Bailey and Kate are recommended readings for beginner chapter book readers.
Age: 6 to 9 years | Fantasy & Magic
23. The Princess and the Dragon
Enter Wildflower Kingdom, fantasy land of princesses, unicorns, dragon. Join princess Juniper and her sisters on an adventure. And it gets scary!
Age: 6 to 8 years | Fairytale
More popular chapter books for 2nd graders
24. Sea Serpent of Science
Explore the ocean with Eli and Grace. Read about the adventure as they tackle a Megalodon—a sixty-foot shark. Learn about pufferfish, blobfish, and other sea creatures. Meet Shel, a marine biologist sea serpent.
Other books from the series we love- Word Dragon, Art Monster, Giant of Geography
Age: 6 to 10 years | Educational Adventure
25. Rosco the Rascal Goes to Camp
James and Mandy are off to camp with their German Shephard, Rosco. Read how the trio overcome the struggles and play hero to save the day. A charming, fun story of friendship. Check out other books for Rosco The Rascal series fans.
Age: 8 to 10 years | Charming life lesson
26. Attack of the Shark-Headed Zombie
Keats and Henry need money after they lost their bikes. Answering a random job ad for sweeping, they end up coming face to face with a shark-headed zombie. Which 7-year-old would not love to meet one! Don’t miss the toe-biting carpet, kitchen sinkhole! The graphics are super cool!
Age: 6 to 9 years | Graphical Adventure
27. Elephant & Piggie
A perfect gift set for the fans of Gerald and Piggie. Get the collection of the best friends. Stories are hilarious. The characters are cute and funny.
Age: 4 to 8 years | Humour
28. The Never Girls Collection #1
Four best friends are whisked away to Neverland. And the thrill begins. This collection includes four popular bestselling books – In a Blink, The Space Between, A Dandelion Wish, and From the Mist. This one is for level 4 readers.
Age: 7 to 12 years | Fantasy
29. The Boy Who Never Gave Up
Read the inspiring true story of NBA superstar Stephen curry. Follow the journey as he fought against odds and followed his dream. One of the greatest players of basketball.
Age: 5 to 1o years | Sports Biography
30. Nancy Drew
Check out this detective series after your child is able to read short chapter books confidently. The box set features books 1-4 from the popular classic series. Yay for the future girl Sleuth!
Age: 8 to 12 years | Mystery
31. Bad Kitty Joins the Team
Kitty needs to start exercising. And she has to join a team and be a sport. Can kitty do that? The book is part of the popular 25 book series – Bad Kitty.
Age: 7 to 10 years | Team spirit
More book series for 2nd graders
32. Aliens for Breakfast
An alien climbed out of Richard’s breakfast cereal. Aric, from planet Ganoob, is on a mission to save the evil planet. A bestselling series to keep your new reader glued to reading.
Age: 6 to 9 years | Aliens
33. Rebel Girls Champions
Celebrate the stories of 25 women in sports. Stories with resilience, sportsmanship. The short chapters feature attractive illustrations by female athletes.
Age: 7 to 12 years | Inspirational
34. Narwhal and Jelly Box Set
A bestselling series to keep your new reader glued to reading. This set has three books. The stories are playful tales of friendship.
Age: 6 to 9 years | Graphic Novel
35. The Misfit Donkey
This book is part of the series Lily to the rescue. Lily is a rescue dog that rescues other animals. A chapter book series for animal lovers.
Age: 7 to 10 years | Pet lover series
36. Escape from the Twin Towers
Told from the point of view of Risha, this heartwarming story is about a child’s escape from the world trade center on one memorable day in 2001. An emotional read on recent American events. The 12 book series –Ranger in Time, is perfect for young kids to know about recent American history.
Age: 7 to 10 years | American history
