More Great Books for 2nd Graders

“The Year of Billy Miller” by Kevin Henkes

Billy Miller is worried.  He's worried that he won't be smart enough for 2nd grade, and he has good reason to worry.  He started the year off by falling off of a giant statue of the Jolly Green Giant and miraculously coming out of it with only a large bump on his head.  His mom is concerned that he might have long-term issues from the fall, but his dad has assured him that this is going to be "The Year of Billy Miller."

“An Angel for Soloman Singer” by Cynthia Rylant (gorgeous illustrations)

Soloman Singer was an unhappy man… he lived in a place he didn’t love, no balcony, no pets, nothing like his Indiana home, and he was lonely… so he wandered.  One evening he wanders to a little cafe with a kind waiter.  He has no idea that an “Angel” is about to help him change his outlook.  This is the story about how we look at the world around us, how the people we connect to can make such a difference in our lives, and how one man manages to keep his dreams alive while learning to love what’s right in front of him.