Nonfiction Books for 2nd Graders

Dive in and sail east across the Minecraft world - have you ever wondered what lies beneath those endless blue waves? From warm seas where fish weave through kelp to bleak frozen chunks of ice, every ocean hides something different. Which mobs swim in peace, and which ones might be a threat? Can you help keep our real oceans healthy too? This decodable reader practices the ’ea’ phonogram in words like ‘beach,’ ‘clean,’ ‘heat,’ and ‘reach.’

Have you ever wandered across the wide, green plains of Minecraft? Cows munch grass, pigs snuffle along, and horses gallop in every direction you can see. You might spot sunflowers swaying in the sun, or fish leaping in a quiet lake. But what happens when too many hooves trample the same patch of ground? Can a clever farmer keep the land healthy for all? This decodable reader practices the ai/ay phonogram in words such as ‘may,’ ‘plains,’ ‘stay,’ ’trail,’ and ‘raise.’

ROAR! Did you know scientists can figure out what a dinosaur ate just by looking at its teeth? Or that T-rex might have had feathers and could be related to a chicken? Join one boastful T-rex as it meets long-necked giants, pack hunters, and gentle parents - and slowly discovers there is far more to dinosaurs than size and a big set of jaws. This decodable reader practices 3+ syllable words such as ‘dinosaurs,’ ‘incredible,’ ‘velociraptor,’ and ‘unfortunately.’

There are a lot of stories about dragons that have been told through time. They are not real, but they can tell us a lot about the places that they are from. In this book, we will look at some ways that people told stories about dragons in Europe long ago.

Did you know dolphins aren’t fish? Meet the Irrawaddy dolphin—a smart, playful mammal that lives in rivers and can even work together with other dolphins to catch food! Discover what makes these amazing creatures so special and why we need to protect them.

Ladybug has found a teeny, tiny vine in the yard, and she is certain she can grow it into the most magnificent garden anyone has ever seen. But have you ever watched a vine climb a little too quickly? What happens when golden blossoms, fat pumpkins, and curling tendrils start wrapping around everything in sight? Snail tries to warn her, but Ladybug has big plans! This decodable reader practices suffixes in words like ‘brightly,’ ‘proudly,’ ‘quickly,’ ‘growers,’ and ’lovely.’

Discover the wonderful world of hats! From silly party hats to protective hard hats, there’s a hat for every occasion and adventure. Join people of all ages as they explore why we wear different hats—some keep us safe, some keep us cool, and some just make us smile. What hat will you wear on your next adventure?

Did you know that grasshoppers can spring super high, ladybugs help protect crops, and some insects have been around since dinosaur times? Discover fascinating facts about the insects all around you—from tiny jumping spiders to stinky bugs with smelly defenses. But wait, are all creepy crawlies actually insects? Explore the amazing world of bugs and learn what makes a true insect!

Meet the Javan leopard—a spotted big cat hiding in the forests of Indonesia! Did you know that those beautiful rosette markings are actually the leopard’s secret camouflage? Discover fascinating facts about these stealthy hunters, what they eat, and how they survive in the wild. But there’s a problem… and humans might be the biggest threat of all.

Each day I choose, it’s what I do, My path I plan, both old and new. Choices are big, they help me grow, I look and think, it’s good to know. For school or play, I pick my look, Good things I get, right off the hook.