Elementary Summer Reading 2025: Fiction, Half Day-2nd Grade

Azaleah can't wait for her class field trip to the National Zoo in Washington D.C., especially when her teacher announces the chance to earn extra credit. But when Azaleah gets home, she quickly realizes extra credit isn't as easy as she thought. Azaleah's younger sister Tiana can't find Greenie, her stuffed animal, and she's sure he's been stolen. With Mama at the restaurant and Daddy at work on a big case, it seems Azaleah is the only one available to track down the stolen stuffie. Can Azaleah get to the bottom of the mystery in time to finish her extra credit?

Third grader Aven Green, who was born without arms but believes that her missing arm cells went to her super-powered brain, tries to solve two cases involving her teacher's missing lunch and the disappearance of her great-grandmother's dog.

A fun-filled chapter book series that answers the question: What if Frozen's Elsa went to regular school? Princess Lina's BFF Claudia is desperate for a dog. So Lina decides to use her Winterheart magic to turn a puppy snow sculpture into the perfect pet. But the magical snow dog has a mind of its own -- and it's running loose at school!Two-color interiors are packed with kid appeal!

In many ways, fourth-grader Frankie D is a typical 'new kid.' He's anxious about fitting in at school, hopes he makes friends and that he doesn't forget where the bathroom is. One major thing sets him apart, though: Frankie is a vampire. But he's not your typical vampire.

Henry Heckelbeck is starting a new year of school. He has a new teacher, makes new friends, and discovers that he has some magical powers of his own thanks to a Book of Spells he finds in his bedroom. But magic can be tricky and when Henry accidentally brings his toy dragon to life, his days of being a normal kid are over.

At the Hotel Balzaar, Marta’s mother rises before the sun, puts on her uniform, and instructs Marta to roam as she will but quietly, invisibly—like a little mouse. While her mother cleans rooms, Marta slips down the back staircase to the grand lobby to chat with the bellman, study the painting of an angel’s wing over the fireplace, and watch a cat chase a mouse around the face of the grandfather clock, all the while dreaming of the return of her soldier father, who has gone missing. One day, a mysterious countess with a parrot checks in, promising a story—in fact, seven stories in all, each to be told in its proper order. As the stories unfold, Marta begins to wonder: could the secret to her father’s disappearance lie in the countess’s tales? Book two in a trio of novellas bound by place and mood—with elegant line art by Júlia Sardà—The Hotel Balzaar masterfully juggles yearning and belief, shining light into every dark corner.

Down at the bottom of the tall buildings of New York City, Magnolia Wu sits inside her parents’ laundromat. She has pinned every lost sock from the laundromat onto a bulletin board in hopes that customers will return to retrieve them. But no one seems to have noticed. In fact, barely anyone has noticed Magnolia at all. What she doesn’t know is that this is about to be her most exciting summer yet. When Iris, a new friend from California arrives, they set off across the city to solve the mystery of each missing sock, asking questions in subways and delis and plant stores and pizzerias, meeting people and uncovering the unimaginable. With each new encounter, Magnolia learns that when you’re bold enough to head into the unknown, things start falling into place.

Orris the rat and Timble the owl are unlikely friends. Each night, Timble visits Orris in the barn and listens to his stories. But Timble is growing up, and one evening when the owl doesn’t appear as usual Orris wonders if Timble has forgotten him. Is their friendship over? Or could it be that Timble has a tale of his own to share? Illustrated with wistful tenderness, the second title in a projected trilogy to feature this charmingly offbeat pair masterfully explores the stories we tell ourselves, the stories we tell each other, and the binding magic of friendship.

Polly Diamond is back in the third book about the magical mix-ups of Polly and her notebook, Spell! In this delightfully funny and magical chapter book series, Polly and Spell have all kinds of adventures together because whatever Polly writes in Spell comes true! But when they join forces to help get the best class pet ever, they get more than they bargained for. Can Polly come up with the right words to save the day?

Meanie King Viking is tired of always losing to hero Super Rabbit Boy. So he's gone to the Secret Lands to search for the legendary Super Power Up, which has powers even Super Rabbit Boy won't be able to defeat. But Super Rabbit Boy is determined to stop King Viking. Can he navigate through the Secret Lands, locate the hidden dungeon, defeat the mini bosses, and claim the legendary Super Power Up before King Viking does it first? With danger everywhere, this may be the most difficult quest yet for Super Rabbit Boy.

Rachel is determined to make this the happiest Hanukkah ever. She's carefully planned eight awesome activities for eight perfect nights. But her brother Aaron insists on being a Hanukkah humbug, and his attitude threatens to ruin the holiday. When Aaron’s grumpiness leads to a big accident, Rachel has to figure out how to save her family’s Hanukkah from disaster. Rachel has plenty of determination, creativity, and holiday spirit―will it be enough to restore the joy of Hanukkah?

When his classmates can’t sit still for a big performance at school, Roscoe Riley takes matters into his own hands with a liberal dose of Super-Mega-Gonzo Glue—which his mom calls the don’t-you-dare glue because Roscoe isn’t supposed to use it. Roscoe doesn’t mean to break the rules—he just can’t help himself! After all, his teacher’s job might be at stake and desperate times call for desperate measures.

Ms. Battersby has announced that Sadiq's third-grade class will be having elections for student government! Everyone is buzzing with excitement, but Sadiq isn't sure about any of it. Should he run for one of the positions? He does lots of research and gets good advice from his parents and siblings. Watching an inspiring speech finally helps him decide exactly what he wants to do. But when a good friend has the same idea, Sadiq questions his decision. Can friendships survive an election?

When a new kid comes to stay with his grandmother at the house next door, Shermy’s plans for a quiet, relaxing summer are completely upended. That’s because Shake is nothing like Shermy. And Shermy is nothing like Shake. Shermylikes to read quietly in the shade of a tree. He knows the proper way to do a puzzle. He collects treasures in the pouch he wears around his neck, and the books on his shelves are alphabetized by author. Shakelikes to play street hockey or space explorers. He gobbles up rocket ice pops and Toaster Tarts. He shows up unannounced and plays board games by his own rules. As the two boys are forced to spend more and more time together, will they learn how to get along? Or will it be one long countdown until Shake goes home?

Imagine a school where you meet your own unicorn and have amazing adventures together! That's what happens for the girls at Unicorn Academy on beautiful Unicorn Island. Olivia hopes her sweet unicorn, Snowflake, will discover her magic before graduation day! Everyone is busy decorating Unicorn Academy for the graduation ball, but it looks like someone is trying to ruin the party. Can Olivia and Snowflake save the day and the school?

When Sophie shows Zoey a special hidden room in her new house, Zoey thinks things can't get any more exciting. But then Zoey hears something Sophie can't. . . could it mean a new magical creature? Soon Zoey learns about a mysterious illness, but she just can't seem to cure it. Will Zoey and Sassafras be able to help their new friends in time?