Adventure Books for 2nd Graders

Anansi is caught, and Leopard means to eat him at dusk. But how does one small spider outwit a hungry leopard guarding the only way out? When Anansi finds a bundle of fiery pepper in the den, a clever idea begins to spin. Can a whisper about seasoning and a leopard’s proud reputation buy enough time to escape? This Bookbot book practises reading longer words of three or more syllables, like ‘unfortunate’, ‘reputation’, ‘magnificent’, and ‘satisfaction’.

Zom has spent weeks telling Jack and Skel about the amazing dolphin city beneath the waves - coral towers, shell-paved streets, and dolphins doing backflips through seaweed hoops. But when the three friends finally dive down to see it, something is terribly wrong. Why is one dolphin lying exhausted on the ocean floor? What are those spiny green creatures tearing the reef apart? Can Zom and his friends save the city before it’s lost forever? This decodable reader practises 2-syllable open words such as ‘about,’ ‘begin,’ ‘over,’ and ‘ocean.’

Joan’s little house sits by a quiet forest road, and she longs to explore the shadows beyond the trees. But when a white deer steps out of the woods and beckons her to follow, will she remember her mother’s warning? What wonders - and what dangers - wait along the path? Joan is about to find out she’s not alone in the forest. This decodable reader practises the ‘oa’ sound in words like ‘coat,’ ‘road,’ ‘roam,’ and ‘soaks.’

Ned and The Book are heading back into the cave, and this time they’ve brought a torch. But what happens when the pathway suddenly stops at the edge of a huge, dark hole? Can Ned find a way across before the creatures below make him their next meal? And what treasure could possibly be worth such a scary trip underground? This decodable reader practises compound words such as ‘breakfast,’ ‘pathway,’ ‘sunlight,’ and ‘doorway.’

Ned thinks the forest is safe - until a pack of hungry wolves comes charging out of the shadows! Can a boy with nothing but a bag of bones really turn scary wolves into loyal friends? And when night falls and the zombies arrive, will his wild new plan actually work? Join Ned and his magic book for a howlingly fun adventure. This decodable reader practises VC/CV syllables in words like ‘rabbit,’ ‘forest,’ ‘happen,’ and ‘sudden.’

Deep in a dark cave, Ned’s metal armour sparkles as he swings his pickaxe, dreaming of treasure. But what happens when a little chest holds something stranger than gold - a floppy leather lump? And when Ned spots a beautiful white horse in a nearby stable, can he learn to be gentle enough to ride it, or will he tumble right off? This decodable reader practises the le/al/el/il phonogram in words like ‘apple,’ ‘saddle,’ ‘gentle,’ ‘metal,’ and ‘signal.’

Long ago on the southern African plains, Zebra was plain white and absolutely proud of it. But when a cruel dry season swallows every pool, only one waterhole remains, and a fierce Baboon guards it with fire and snapping teeth. How can a plain white horse outwit such a bully? And what happens on the afternoon Zebra finally makes his stand? This Bookbot level practises three or more syllables, with words like ‘absolutely’, ‘afternoon’, ‘finally’, ‘desperate’, and ‘reflection’.

The Tire is tired of the bumpy road, the heavy boxes, and all the crashes! Could a truck be a better home? Maybe a bike? Or a cart with wooden wheels? Poor Tire rolls past bushes and ditches, making wishes for a place where he truly fits - but where could that be? This decodable reader practises es plurals in words like ‘bushes,’ ‘crashes,’ ‘ditches,’ and ‘wishes.’

Ned is bored, bored, BORED - until The Book shows him how to turn sticky honey into soft golden blocks that catch you when you fall. But what happens when Ned decides one small jump is not nearly enough? Can a super-tall tower, a flat patch of ground, and a very nervous Book keep one brave boy safe? Climb up and find out! This decodable reader practises 2-syllable open words such as ‘cosy,’ ‘open,’ ’tiny,’ ‘maybe,’ and ‘ocean.’

Dragon has stolen Shawn’s toy again! Can Dawn and Shawn catch a mischievous dragon who zooms through clouds and never, ever slows down? Hold on tight as they grab Dragon’s mane and shoot up into a sky full of swirling coins and spinning junk. Will they snatch the toy back before Dragon’s jaws chomp it to bits? This decodable reader practises the aw/au sound in words like ‘dawn,’ ‘claws,’ ‘pause,’ and ‘sprawl.’