What kind of books is your second grader reading on her own?

[Anonymous]

i have to say i don't get the harry potter thing. Books where children are being attacked and murdered through dark magic doesn't seem like the right subject material for a 7 year old.

Try some of the new graphic novels and books I don't love the SMILE ones myself (too much annoying adolescent teen stuff) but my kids did read them. And they liked Roller Girl and Primates. Oh El Deafo too. Plus added bonus protagonist navigating a disability which you don't get every day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

NP here. My second grader reads for enjoyment and we have to police her room at night or she will stay up until midnight reading. She will refuse a book if she has trouble understanding the content. I can't imagine there are many kids who will force themselves to read something they don't understand. That sounds like torture.

I'm the poster who suggested The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, but I wanted to chime in here and defend PP above. I've been flamed many times on these boards for describing what my son read in these early grades. I was told my son couldn't possibly understand what he was reading, etc. Unfortunately, many of his teachers thought the same, and it's only now in middle school that he's blossomed in a gifted program, and is actually happy and understood by his teachers. It's sad that in this country so many elementary school teachers lack the necessary intelligence and training in their field.

So I believe you, PP. I knew which stair to avoid so it wouldn't creak while I got my book from downstairs (because my mother didn't trust me), and read it under the covers at night with a flashlight My son used to tune out his teachers in elementary school and read his books under his desk. Now he doesn't have to do that, since he is encouraged to read anything he likes and write about all of them.

Just ugh! Your son ignored his teachers and what they asked of him so he could sneak and read books under his desk and you are proud of that? Why didn't you just homeschool him if the teachers didn't give him what he needed and you were totally okay with him not following their rules. I mean, really. This is awful. I am glad he is in a program that just lets him read all day and do nothing else now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

NP here. My second grader reads for enjoyment and we have to police her room at night or she will stay up until midnight reading. She will refuse a book if she has trouble understanding the content. I can't imagine there are many kids who will force themselves to read something they don't understand. That sounds like torture.

I'm the poster who suggested The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, but I wanted to chime in here and defend PP above. I've been flamed many times on these boards for describing what my son read in these early grades. I was told my son couldn't possibly understand what he was reading, etc. Unfortunately, many of his teachers thought the same, and it's only now in middle school that he's blossomed in a gifted program, and is actually happy and understood by his teachers. It's sad that in this country so many elementary school teachers lack the necessary intelligence and training in their field.

So I believe you, PP. I knew which stair to avoid so it wouldn't creak while I got my book from downstairs (because my mother didn't trust me), and read it under the covers at night with a flashlight My son used to tune out his teachers in elementary school and read his books under his desk. Now he doesn't have to do that, since he is encouraged to read anything he likes and write about all of them.

You're The Longest Day poster, aren't you?

[Anonymous]

I have a boy. He's really into Nate the Great, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and Timmy Failure

[Anonymous]

Horrible harry
Geronimo Stilton

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

NP here. My second grader reads for enjoyment and we have to police her room at night or she will stay up until midnight reading. She will refuse a book if she has trouble understanding the content. I can't imagine there are many kids who will force themselves to read something they don't understand. That sounds like torture.

I'm the poster who suggested The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, but I wanted to chime in here and defend PP above. I've been flamed many times on these boards for describing what my son read in these early grades. I was told my son couldn't possibly understand what he was reading, etc. Unfortunately, many of his teachers thought the same, and it's only now in middle school that he's blossomed in a gifted program, and is actually happy and understood by his teachers. It's sad that in this country so many elementary school teachers lack the necessary intelligence and training in their field.

So I believe you, PP. I knew which stair to avoid so it wouldn't creak while I got my book from downstairs (because my mother didn't trust me), and read it under the covers at night with a flashlight My son used to tune out his teachers in elementary school and read his books under his desk. Now he doesn't have to do that, since he is encouraged to read anything he likes and write about all of them.

Just ugh! Your son ignored his teachers and what they asked of him so he could sneak and read books under his desk and you are proud of that? Why didn't you just homeschool him if the teachers didn't give him what he needed and you were totally okay with him not following their rules. I mean, really. This is awful. I am glad he is in a program that just lets him read all day and do nothing else now.

You are willfully twisting what someone says into the most negative meaning possible.

People on here need to calm down and accept that there all kinds of learners (and readers). It's easy to see that some parents are jealous or ignorant and therefore become angry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

NP here. My second grader reads for enjoyment and we have to police her room at night or she will stay up until midnight reading. She will refuse a book if she has trouble understanding the content. I can't imagine there are many kids who will force themselves to read something they don't understand. That sounds like torture.

I'm the poster who suggested The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, but I wanted to chime in here and defend PP above. I've been flamed many times on these boards for describing what my son read in these early grades. I was told my son couldn't possibly understand what he was reading, etc. Unfortunately, many of his teachers thought the same, and it's only now in middle school that he's blossomed in a gifted program, and is actually happy and understood by his teachers. It's sad that in this country so many elementary school teachers lack the necessary intelligence and training in their field.

So I believe you, PP. I knew which stair to avoid so it wouldn't creak while I got my book from downstairs (because my mother didn't trust me), and read it under the covers at night with a flashlight My son used to tune out his teachers in elementary school and read his books under his desk. Now he doesn't have to do that, since he is encouraged to read anything he likes and write about all of them.

Just ugh! Your son ignored his teachers and what they asked of him so he could sneak and read books under his desk and you are proud of that? Why didn't you just homeschool him if the teachers didn't give him what he needed and you were totally okay with him not following their rules. I mean, really. This is awful. I am glad he is in a program that just lets him read all day and do nothing else now.

You are willfully twisting what someone says into the most negative meaning possible.

People on here need to calm down and accept that there all kinds of learners (and readers). It's easy to see that some parents are jealous or ignorant and therefore become angry.

Please highlight where I am twisting this around. She posted that her son "tuned out his teachers and read books under his desk all thru elementary school" EVERYONE hates those kids and knows it is the Mom that allows that nonsense. If the teacher sends a complaint, the parent is at the principal's office the next day complaining about the teacher and she is not challenging enough. Basically allowing her child to turn their nose up at following directions and paying attention to school authority. It is called ENTITLEMENT. The teachers play rock, paper, scissors to avoid kids like that each year: The know it all kids and their know it all parents.

But yes, sure - I am jealous of that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

NP here. My second grader reads for enjoyment and we have to police her room at night or she will stay up until midnight reading. She will refuse a book if she has trouble understanding the content. I can't imagine there are many kids who will force themselves to read something they don't understand. That sounds like torture.

I'm the poster who suggested The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, but I wanted to chime in here and defend PP above. I've been flamed many times on these boards for describing what my son read in these early grades. I was told my son couldn't possibly understand what he was reading, etc. Unfortunately, many of his teachers thought the same, and it's only now in middle school that he's blossomed in a gifted program, and is actually happy and understood by his teachers. It's sad that in this country so many elementary school teachers lack the necessary intelligence and training in their field.

So I believe you, PP. I knew which stair to avoid so it wouldn't creak while I got my book from downstairs (because my mother didn't trust me), and read it under the covers at night with a flashlight My son used to tune out his teachers in elementary school and read his books under his desk. Now he doesn't have to do that, since he is encouraged to read anything he likes and write about all of them.

Just ugh! Your son ignored his teachers and what they asked of him so he could sneak and read books under his desk and you are proud of that? Why didn't you just homeschool him if the teachers didn't give him what he needed and you were totally okay with him not following their rules. I mean, really. This is awful. I am glad he is in a program that just lets him read all day and do nothing else now.

You are willfully twisting what someone says into the most negative meaning possible.

People on here need to calm down and accept that there all kinds of learners (and readers). It's easy to see that some parents are jealous or ignorant and therefore become angry.

Please highlight where I am twisting this around. She posted that her son "tuned out his teachers and read books under his desk all thru elementary school" EVERYONE hates those kids and knows it is the Mom that allows that nonsense. If the teacher sends a complaint, the parent is at the principal's office the next day complaining about the teacher and she is not challenging enough. Basically allowing her child to turn their nose up at following directions and paying attention to school authority. It is called ENTITLEMENT. The teachers play rock, paper, scissors to avoid kids like that each year: The know it all kids and their know it all parents.

But yes, sure - I am jealous of that.

Jeez, PP. I was one of those kids and I think I turned out ok... I don't think "EVERYONE" hated me, either. My parents didn't "allow" it. I just loved to read. In fact, I used to get yelled at for reading at home when I was supposed to be doing other things, like chores. Calm down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

NP here. My second grader reads for enjoyment and we have to police her room at night or she will stay up until midnight reading. She will refuse a book if she has trouble understanding the content. I can't imagine there are many kids who will force themselves to read something they don't understand. That sounds like torture.

I'm the poster who suggested The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, but I wanted to chime in here and defend PP above. I've been flamed many times on these boards for describing what my son read in these early grades. I was told my son couldn't possibly understand what he was reading, etc. Unfortunately, many of his teachers thought the same, and it's only now in middle school that he's blossomed in a gifted program, and is actually happy and understood by his teachers. It's sad that in this country so many elementary school teachers lack the necessary intelligence and training in their field.

So I believe you, PP. I knew which stair to avoid so it wouldn't creak while I got my book from downstairs (because my mother didn't trust me), and read it under the covers at night with a flashlight My son used to tune out his teachers in elementary school and read his books under his desk. Now he doesn't have to do that, since he is encouraged to read anything he likes and write about all of them.

Just ugh! Your son ignored his teachers and what they asked of him so he could sneak and read books under his desk and you are proud of that? Why didn't you just homeschool him if the teachers didn't give him what he needed and you were totally okay with him not following their rules. I mean, really. This is awful. I am glad he is in a program that just lets him read all day and do nothing else now.

You are willfully twisting what someone says into the most negative meaning possible.

People on here need to calm down and accept that there all kinds of learners (and readers). It's easy to see that some parents are jealous or ignorant and therefore become angry.

Please highlight where I am twisting this around. She posted that her son "tuned out his teachers and read books under his desk all thru elementary school" EVERYONE hates those kids and knows it is the Mom that allows that nonsense. If the teacher sends a complaint, the parent is at the principal's office the next day complaining about the teacher and she is not challenging enough. Basically allowing her child to turn their nose up at following directions and paying attention to school authority. It is called ENTITLEMENT. The teachers play rock, paper, scissors to avoid kids like that each year: The know it all kids and their know it all parents.

But yes, sure - I am jealous of that.

Agree! It doesn't matter if your child wants to read instead of listen to the teacher. He is there to listen to the teacher. Will you tell his college professors or bosses the same thing? Nothing annoys me more than bratty smart kids who ignore the teaacher. There is always one in every class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

NP here. My second grader reads for enjoyment and we have to police her room at night or she will stay up until midnight reading. She will refuse a book if she has trouble understanding the content. I can't imagine there are many kids who will force themselves to read something they don't understand. That sounds like torture.

I'm the poster who suggested The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, but I wanted to chime in here and defend PP above. I've been flamed many times on these boards for describing what my son read in these early grades. I was told my son couldn't possibly understand what he was reading, etc. Unfortunately, many of his teachers thought the same, and it's only now in middle school that he's blossomed in a gifted program, and is actually happy and understood by his teachers. It's sad that in this country so many elementary school teachers lack the necessary intelligence and training in their field.

So I believe you, PP. I knew which stair to avoid so it wouldn't creak while I got my book from downstairs (because my mother didn't trust me), and read it under the covers at night with a flashlight My son used to tune out his teachers in elementary school and read his books under his desk. Now he doesn't have to do that, since he is encouraged to read anything he likes and write about all of them.

Just ugh! Your son ignored his teachers and what they asked of him so he could sneak and read books under his desk and you are proud of that? Why didn't you just homeschool him if the teachers didn't give him what he needed and you were totally okay with him not following their rules. I mean, really. This is awful. I am glad he is in a program that just lets him read all day and do nothing else now.

You are willfully twisting what someone says into the most negative meaning possible.

People on here need to calm down and accept that there all kinds of learners (and readers). It's easy to see that some parents are jealous or ignorant and therefore become angry.

Please highlight where I am twisting this around. She posted that her son "tuned out his teachers and read books under his desk all thru elementary school" EVERYONE hates those kids and knows it is the Mom that allows that nonsense. If the teacher sends a complaint, the parent is at the principal's office the next day complaining about the teacher and she is not challenging enough. Basically allowing her child to turn their nose up at following directions and paying attention to school authority. It is called ENTITLEMENT. The teachers play rock, paper, scissors to avoid kids like that each year: The know it all kids and their know it all parents.

But yes, sure - I am jealous of that.

Agree! It doesn't matter if your child wants to read instead of listen to the teacher. He is there to listen to the teacher. Will you tell his college professors or bosses the same thing? Nothing annoys me more than bratty smart kids who ignore the teaacher. There is always one in every class.

Sure if he wants to be some mediocre mortgage loan officer he will sit, unquestioning thru a dull lesson. But if he is bright and independent, which it sounds like this kid is, - he is finding ways to learn and broaden his mind despite the boring class.

I cant get over the vast number of unimaginative lemmings who exist on these talkboards

[Anonymous]

Hey guys, I think this thread got derailed. I'm the OP and I was just trying to get a sense for what 2nd graders are reading. Only on DCUM does that set the stage for parents to fight about whether kids should read under their desk during class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you buying for your own child or a relative/friend? If you know a reading level, that will help tremendously. There is such a wide variation -- one kid reads Harry Potter, another Ivy & Bean, and another is still decoding words. All within the expected range for 2nd grade.

OP please realize the kids reading the Harry Potter chapter books may be reading most of the words, but they do not truly understand it and the depth of the books, especially book 3 onwards. I think some parents enjoy pushing books that kids can read but not comprehend for some odd reason.

There are so many chapter series out there but I think going back to old-school books are nice gifts. Donald Rahl, Judy Blume, Nancy Drew etc... Even if they are too hard, most parents still read chapter books to kids this age.

Umm, we're talking about second graders, not kindergartners. Some children may be decoding the Harry Potter books without any comprehension, but others are actually reading them.

I wouldn't suggest Harry Potter as a gift, though, unless you're considering those new illustrated versions.

NP here...yes, we know. A second grader may get the fist from knowing the general story, but will miss a tremendous amount of the intended I formation. I know, I know...not your kid.

Yeah, yeah. I thought the same when my six year old read all the HP books in very quick succession. So I found some comprehension tests online. There are lots of them. I have read all the books and couldn't answer many of the questions. My child aced every single one. I assume this is not common and I know she will understand more when she reads them subsequently, but she absolutely would not be reading them if she was not able to understand them and make sense of them. I didn't encourage her to read them at all, her teacher decided she was ready. I was shocked at her ability to read 600 pages in a couple of days. All the other kids her age were just starting to read, with a couple in very basic beginner chapter books.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you buying for your own child or a relative/friend? If you know a reading level, that will help tremendously. There is such a wide variation -- one kid reads Harry Potter, another Ivy & Bean, and another is still decoding words. All within the expected range for 2nd grade.

OP please realize the kids reading the Harry Potter chapter books may be reading most of the words, but they do not truly understand it and the depth of the books, especially book 3 onwards. I think some parents enjoy pushing books that kids can read but not comprehend for some odd reason.

There are so many chapter series out there but I think going back to old-school books are nice gifts. Donald Rahl, Judy Blume, Nancy Drew etc... Even if they are too hard, most parents still read chapter books to kids this age.

Umm, we're talking about second graders, not kindergartners. Some children may be decoding the Harry Potter books without any comprehension, but others are actually reading them.

I wouldn't suggest Harry Potter as a gift, though, unless you're considering those new illustrated versions.

NP here...yes, we know. A second grader may get the fist from knowing the general story, but will miss a tremendous amount of the intended I formation. I know, I know...not your kid.

Yeah, yeah. I thought the same when my six year old read all the HP books in very quick succession. So I found some comprehension
tests online. There are lots of them. I have read all the books and couldn't answer many of the questions. My child aced every single one. I assume this is not common and I know she will understand more when she reads them subsequently, but she absolutely would not be reading them if she was not able to understand them and make sense of them. I didn't encourage her to read them at all, her teacher decided she was ready. I was shocked at her ability to read 600 pages in a couple of days. All the other kids her age were just starting to read, with a couple in very basic beginner chapter books.

Ha I obviously knew many would think, "My kid iS the exception being so extraordinary and all." Hand your brilliant 6 year old these words...can she define and pronounce them? I literally flipped open a few of the books and randomly found these words:

Disinherit
Moulder
Tawdry
Unerring
Bastard
Epitaph
Pompous
Ancestor
Suffice
Annihilate
Conundrum
Denouement
Facade
Fallible
Homicidal
Hue
Obscure
Premonition
Refuge
Placid
Resonances
Furtive

I found many other easier words that are on my kid's "gold division" (for the gifted kids) Wordmasters challenge this year...my kid is in 5th grade. I didn't even list those because I'm sure they are too easy for your child. Looking forward to hearing back from you...

[Anonymous]

I say: you can't go wrong with Captain Underpants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you buying for your own child or a relative/friend? If you know a reading level, that will help tremendously. There is such a wide variation -- one kid reads Harry Potter, another Ivy & Bean, and another is still decoding words. All within the expected range for 2nd grade.

OP please realize the kids reading the Harry Potter chapter books may be reading most of the words, but they do not truly understand it and the depth of the books, especially book 3 onwards. I think some parents enjoy pushing books that kids can read but not comprehend for some odd reason.

There are so many chapter series out there but I think going back to old-school books are nice gifts. Donald Rahl, Judy Blume, Nancy Drew etc... Even if they are too hard, most parents still read chapter books to kids this age.

Umm, we're talking about second graders, not kindergartners. Some children may be decoding the Harry Potter books without any comprehension, but others are actually reading them.

I wouldn't suggest Harry Potter as a gift, though, unless you're considering those new illustrated versions.

NP here...yes, we know. A second grader may get the fist from knowing the general story, but will miss a tremendous amount of the intended I formation. I know, I know...not your kid.

Yeah, yeah. I thought the same when my six year old read all the HP books in very quick succession. So I found some comprehension
tests online. There are lots of them. I have read all the books and couldn't answer many of the questions. My child aced every single one. I assume this is not common and I know she will understand more when she reads them subsequently, but she absolutely would not be reading them if she was not able to understand them and make sense of them. I didn't encourage her to read them at all, her teacher decided she was ready. I was shocked at her ability to read 600 pages in a couple of days. All the other kids her age were just starting to read, with a couple in very basic beginner chapter books.

Ha I obviously knew many would think, "My kid iS the exception being so extraordinary and all." Hand your brilliant 6 year old these words...can she define and pronounce them? I literally flipped open a few of the books and randomly found these words:

Disinherit
Moulder
Tawdry
Unerring
Bastard
Epitaph
Pompous
Ancestor
Suffice
Annihilate
Conundrum
Denouement
Facade
Fallible
Homicidal
Hue
Obscure
Premonition
Refuge
Placid
Resonances
Furtive

I found many other easier words that are on my kid's "gold division" (for the gifted kids) Wordmasters challenge this year...my kid is in 5th grade. I didn't even list those because I'm sure they are too easy for your child. Looking forward to hearing back from you...

Yes. Just asked her. She knew and correctly defined all except two. Her pronunciation isn't perfect but that's common in kids who learn and use new words they've picked up entirely by reading. As you're clearly an expert I'm surprised you didn't know that.