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Book suggestions for 2nd grader reading at 5th grade level

Reading | Literature 
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thinker

Junior Member
Hello, fellow Daily 5ers:) I've always gotten great advice here, so ...
I have a female second grade student who is reading at a 5th grade level. She's very bright and loves to learn, but is stuck in Magic Treehouse and Amber Brown books. Do you have any suggestions of series books at her higher reading level that are still content appropriate (nothing scary, gory, romantic, etc.)?
Thank you!!
 
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AnnaCanTeach

AnnaCanTeach

Senior Member
Ramona!

Any of the Ramona series are funny, but still clean! It's fun to read them in order and watch Ramona grow up, lots of good writing activities to go with it!
 
sallytomato

sallytomato

Junior Member
My advanced readers

are really into Geronimo Stilton. Granted two out of the three kids are boys but the books are really popular.

Just an idea.
 
censandy

censandy

Full Member
girl series

My daughter was in a similar situation two years ago. She found the A to Z mystery book series through a friend. I suggested the Ramona books by Beverly Cleary and the Judy Moody series since she had already completed the Junie B. Jones series. Keep in mind the maturity level of your student. Although she may be reading on an advanced level, she may not be ready for the content found in the series that 5th graders are reading. Try getting her to think about interests she may have and introduce her to non-fiction texts surrounging those interests. Hope this helps.
 
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jp831

New Member
American Girl

I have found that girls and boys both love the American Girl series. Each girl takes the reader to a different historical time period. I don't think they are 5th grade level, but I have had 5th graders to read and enjoy them.
 
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R

RhondaP

Guest
5th grade level books for 2nd grader

Hi! I am a fifth grade teacher. The Little House on the Prarie series would be very appropriate. Possibly the Saddle Club books or A Series of Unfortunate Events. Hope this helps.
 
McD2

McD2

Senior Member
Happened to me...

I have had some high second grade readers in the past few years. But emotionally or developmentally, they may not ready to tackle longer chapter books.

Ones that are ready for the longer books love Little House (and there is other spin off series of books based on the original Wilder books), American Girl, Ramona, Boxcar Children, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, and the Kate DiCamillo and Andrew Clement's books. (Some of them even give Harry Potter a try!)

Ones that just aren't into reading longer chapter books yet seem to like Judy Moody, Rainbow Fairies, Puppy Place, Ready Freddy, Beast Quest, A to Z Mysteries, Amber Brown, Geronimo Stilton, and Franny K. Stein.

Good luck!
 
DNF08

DNF08

Senior Member
Books

I had a similar student..she loved American Girl books and Little House on the Prairie. Both of these books I loved when I was in 2nd grade so perhaps I'm a little biased!! :)
 
rachelmpd

rachelmpd

Senior Member
Books

Not at a 5th grade level but the Mr. Putter and Tabby books are higher then 2nd and they are not too long (My high students this year don't like long books). Last year I had several high seconds who would read a lot and read thicker books. They enjoyed:
The Dork Diaries and The Diary of a Wimpy Kid books.

Other ideas:
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
Nancy Drew
The Littles (there are two series, one is for low level students, the other series has a few books at the 4th grade level)
The Borrowers

Check out picture books, a lot of them are high.
 
ToReDaisy

ToReDaisy

Junior Member
more books

My fourth graders are really into the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series right now- both boys and girls - nothing inappropriate, despite the title.

I also like books by Marissa Moss. She writes quite a few different types of books, but my favorite are the Amelia's notebook series. Helps with writing, too!
 
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Miss-KimR

Guest
I know a second-grader who reads at the fifth grade level, as well. She too, is fairly content with many of these series mentioned above, but after re-reading them for the upteenth time I want to expose her to new horizons. She has read every Roald Dahl book there is, along with almost every series aforementioned. She has read every Tin-Tin and Calvin and Hobbes, too. I am at a loss.
 
S

Seashelly291

Guest
LuLu Series

Lulu and the Brontosaurus is a great book for kids on a higher level of reading. I believe in guided reading it is a level W or 940 Lexile. She has a few other books in the series too. My students love it.
 
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PAteacher191

Guest
books for young readers / high ability

My first grader is a prolific reader - we gave up trying to have him read at his level and have him read what he enjoys. These are some reads our helpful school librarian has guided us to - most have a few in the series. These are some of our favorites - The According to Humphery book series (stories of a hamster living in a classroom, sweet content upper 4th), Mr. Popper's Penguins, Henry Reed's Babysitting Service (4.7), Carbonel King of Cats (5.0), Homer Price (6.0), The Hundred and One Dalmatians (5.4), The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Invention of Hugo Cabret (5.1), The Best School Year Ever (Christmas Pageant Ever etc.) (5.4), The Cricket in Times Square, (4.9), Pippi Longstocking (5.3), The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Boy (6.2), Fairy Haven and the Quest for the Wand (one of my favorites!) and Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg (4.1). My son is a sensitive kids so nothing in these is too scary or not age appropriate - save for perhaps some of the fighting the CS Lewis series.
 
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GramaCathy

Guest
Protector of the Brilliant

Hi thinker,
I get that it's been 6+ years since you posted this question, but since it's still accessible, I thought I'd answer.
I have a second grade grandson who reads at 5th grade also but hates that there are no pictures.
This was the stumbling block his mom hit in grade 3. Reading was no longer fun.
We discovered the Geronimo Stilton series. These are great, occasional artwork combined with exciting font changes in various color make every page delightful.
He also enjoys the Warrior Cat series. This series has not illustrations at all, but the premise of thinking and talking cats was captivating to him. There is a similar series of bears who solve problems and have adventures.
 
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