Friendship Books for 2nd Graders

When Jim sees Len’s shiny new toy boat, something twisty happens in his tummy - and suddenly he’s bragging about owning the best stuff in the WORLD! But Jim’s toy box only holds a dented ball and an old board game. Could borrowing treasures from Grandpa’s plants, Gran’s craft basket, and Mom’s dresser save the day? Or will one missing perfume bottle give the whole game away? This decodable reader practices es plurals through words like ‘boxes,’ ‘bushes,’ ‘fixes,’ ‘dresses,’ and ‘riches.’

Zom the zombie is tired of his neighbors who only want to shuffle, groan, and moan about brains. Isn’t there someone more fun out there? When a gentle buzzing leads him to a busy beehive full of potential new pals, Zom is thrilled - but will the bees want to be friends with a clumsy zombie? And what happens when his big idea for saying hello goes very, very wrong? This decodable reader practices le/al/el/il words such as ‘gentle,’ ’little,’ ‘cattle,’ ‘bundle,’ and ‘stumbles.’

Prince Din just wants big leaves for his leaf ball - but the forest is full of dangerous things, and the guards refuse to go near it! When a huge striped tiger leaps out with a mighty growl, Prince Din runs deeper and deeper into the trees. Is the tiger really chasing him? Or could this fierce creature have a surprising secret? This decodable reader practices the oa phonogram in words like ‘coax,’ ‘croak,’ ‘groan,’ ‘road,’ and ‘roam.’

Diya knows more about butterflies than anyone in her whole school - but she’s far too shy to say a word in class. What happens when her teacher takes the class to the park, and Diya spots a fat striped caterpillar wriggling along a leaf? Could this be the day she finally finds her voice? This decodable reader practices the le/al/el/il endings in words like ‘gentle,’ ‘sparkle,’ ‘giggle,’ ‘crumpled,’ and ‘medal.’

Today is Sen’s birthday, and the giant boy has crawled up from his underground cave with one enormous wish: to find a friend. But when three village children spot him patting a shiny little bike, everything goes CRUNCH! Can a boy with banana-sized fingers and a thunder-loud voice ever show the kids he only wants to play? Will anyone be brave enough to come back? This decodable reader practices suffixes in words such as ‘boldly,’ ‘gently,’ ‘friendly,’ ‘sadly,’ and ‘slowly.’

Jojo spots a boy juggling a football on the other side of the fence, and his feet are a total blur. Can Jojo keep up with this lightning-quick player? And why won’t the boy stop when Jojo calls for a break, no matter how loudly he shouts? When the ball rolls into the road, Jojo has to act fast. This decodable reader practices suffixes in words like ‘bravely,’ ‘quickly,’ ‘hopeful,’ and ‘friendship.’

Jack has never caught a fish - not one, not ever - but today feels different. With a bent oak branch, a bit of string, and Meow padding beside him along the coast, he casts his line into the foam and waits. But what happens when the line yanks back hard, and the thing he pulls from the sea is definitely not a fish? This decodable reader practices the ‘oa’ sound in words like ‘boat,’ ‘coast,’ ‘foam,’ ‘oak,’ and ‘road.’

Joy has been counting down the days, and today is finally the day her cousin Roy is coming to stay! Can she really show him the best day ever? From the golden grain fields to a slippery catch in the stream, and a warm, crispy snack that makes their eyes go wide, this is a day packed with surprises - but what will turn out to be the very best part? This decodable reader practices oi/oy words such as ‘joy,’ ‘hoist,’ ’noise,’ ‘moist,’ and ‘voice.’

Tiger thinks being alone is simply blissful - no noisy pals, no messy friends, just warm sun and peaceful quiet. But when every mouse, fawn, and bird bolts the moment she twitches an ear, her tummy starts to grumble louder and louder. Can a lone hunter really hunt with nobody around? And what happens when the forest goes completely silent? This decodable reader practices suffixes in words like ‘blissful,’ ‘proudly,’ ’tightly,’ and ’loudly.’

Red Bird is sure she’s the boldest, brightest, BEST bird in the yard - but is she really? Up on the hill, Yellow Bird thinks the same. Orange Bird just wants to zoom, Green Bird leads his band, and Blue Bird shoots into the sky. Then a huge gust roars in. Can six very different birds find a way to fly together? This decodable reader practices the ai/ay phonogram in words like ‘paint,’ ’trail,’ ‘stay,’ ‘sway,’ and ‘day.’