Adventure-type books for second grader?

[Liberty Belle]

My son is in second grade (will be in third in the fall) and I'm looking for some good books for him this summer. He was into Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but is pretty much over them now. He enjoys humorous books, but lately has really liked adventures. His favorite two books recently read are Kensuke's Kingdom (boy is thrown from boat and stranded on "deserted" island) and Skeleton Man (girl's parents disappear and strange uncle shows up to take her in - dad is Mohawk and tells her a tale of a skeleton man who ate his own flesh and then family's).

Have any of you read these two? Any suggestions for others? I'd say he liked Kensuke's Kingdom the best - so other stranded/survival books would be great!

Thank you!

 

[momof1princess]

what is his reading level? in 1st and 2nd grade, my DD LOVED the magic treehouse books.

 

[SaraJayne]

I was also going to suggest the Magic Treehouse books.

 

[Liberty Belle]

He is reading on grade level, but prefers books a bit higher (or whose content is a little more advanced, I guess). He did like Magic Treehouse and will still read them, but he's not too excited about them.

 

[momof1princess]

hmmm...how about the boxcar children? he might also enjoy the hardy boys. even my DD read those, lol, as well as ALL the nancy drew books.

 

[NaLisa]

My second grade DD also loved the Magic Treehouse books, but she's kinda over them now.

Has he read the Harry Potter books? I read them along with my DD7 and we really enjoyed sharing the experience.

 

[piglet too]

Dragon Slayer Academy is a good series.

 

[McKelly]

Animorphs were a hit around that age. Also, if he liked Diary of a Wimpy Kid, how about Captain Underpants and Big Nate series?

 

[TwingleMum]

Dragon Slayer Academy is a good series.

This sounds interesting. My 2nd grader is on the last Harry Potter book so I'm looking for new books. He really likes the Percey Jackson series. So we may go back to these I think we are on book 3.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Do they still print those "Choose your own adventure" books? I read all of those in 3rd grade and thought they were so cool.

 

[Liberty Belle]

hmmm...how about the boxcar children? he might also enjoy the hardy boys. even my DD read those, lol, as well as ALL the nancy drew books.

I love Boxcar Children! Hmm...I'll have to get the first one and see if I can get him hooked.

My second grade DD also loved the Magic Treehouse books, but she's kinda over them now.

Has he read the Harry Potter books? I read them along with my DD7 and we really enjoyed sharing the experience.

We read all the HP books together. He loves them, though.

Dragon Slayer Academy is a good series.

I'll have to look for those. Thanks!

Animorphs were a hit around that age. Also, if he liked Diary of a Wimpy Kid, how about Captain Underpants and Big Nate series?

He didn't seem to get into Captain Underpants much. Will look for Big Nate. Thanks!

This sounds interesting. My 2nd grader is on the last Harry Potter book so I'm looking for new books. He really likes the Percey Jackson series. So we may go back to these I think we are on book 3.

Percy Jackson - forgot about those! He does have The Lightning Thief. Will look for others.

Do they still print those "Choose your own adventure" books? I read all of those in 3rd grade and thought they were so cool.

I don't know, but that would be cool! I used to read them when I was little, too. I'll see if I can find any.

 

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

Here are series/authors my son enjoyed ...

The 39 Clues series (various authors)
Children of the Lamp series (P.B. Kerr)
Hatchet series (Gary Paulsen)
Swindle, Framed, Zoobreak (Gordon Korman)
Football Hero & Football Genius (Tim Green)
On the Run, Dive, Everest, Island series books (Gordon Korman)
Holes (Louis Sachar)

The Lightning Thief, Percy Jackson series (Rick Riordan)

Mike Lupica books ... Travel Team, Heat, Summer Ball, Two Minute Drill

Goosebumps books (R.L. Stine)

 

[Mkrop]

Some of the advanced readers in DS8's second grade class are really hooked on the Series of Unfornate Events. Also the Star War books are a big hit.

 

[deawd]

My son loved the Secrets of Droon in second grade.

 

[TriMom]

I will second The 39 Clues

 

[piglet too]

Two other good series are Gaurdians of Ga'Hoole and Wolves of Beyond, both by the same author.

 

[poohfriend77]

My husband still has his old Choose Your Own Adventures. DD8 has been reading them, and she loves them! She read all of his, and then found a bunch at her school library as well. I don't know if they are still being published, but you can definitely find them at your local library!

They are not difficult to read, but the content is definitely more advanced that Magic Tree House. I will warn you that many adventures end up with the main character (you) dying. I was shocked at first and thought maybe she was too young for them... but she reminded me that she knows it's not REAL.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Thank you all. I've got a lot to look for now.

I forgot all about Hatchet. I bet he'd love that - wonder if it's too difficult for him.

 

[merekc]

Magic Shop Series - Bruce Coville - good reviews but we never read.

Based on what your son is reading, not sure if this would interest him, but the Baseball Card Adventures (Babe and Me, etc) - Dan Gutman - magic baseball cards, time travel back to meet old players. My son loved this series.

Another vote for Percy Jackson.

My son also recently enjoyed Carl Hiaasen's three kids books (Hoot, Scat, Flush). After reading them, they jumped to the top of his favorite books list. Again, not in line with the type of books you are seeking, but things to put on your radar if he wants some other styles.

ETA: Again, not sure it is the style you are currently looking for but the "How to Train a Dragon" series has about 7 books in it, they are funny and is similar age wise/style wise with Diary of Whimpy Kid.

 

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

Based on what your son is reading, not sure if this would interest him, but the Baseball Card Adventures (Babe and Me, etc) - Dan Gutman - magic baseball cards, time travel back to meet old players. My son loved this series.

Yes ... this is another series my son enjoyed as well. Just pulled out Babe & Me as a quick read for a historical fiction book he needed for Language Arts. Others included players like Satch & Me, Jackie & Me, Mickey & Me.