The Complete Book Of Reading (Grades 1-2) [PATCHED]
One complete set of the simple printable Unit Readers from the online resources is included for teacher reference. In addition, the Jump Rope Readers series of decodable books (available by separate purchase) provides decodables for select students. (See below for more information.)
The Complete Book of Reading (Grades 1-2)
You want your child to love reading, but sometimes getting them to finish a book can feel more like a chore than a hobby. If this is the case for your early reader, try sharing one of these adventure-filled, high-interest titles. They're made to not only capture kids' attention, but to hold it.
For more tips on finding books at the right level for your child, visit our guide on reading levels for kids. You'll find plenty of insights to get kids to grab a book, including teacher tips for striving readers and books for striving readers in grades 3-5.
The first grade curriculum is designed for an average 6-year-old, and introduces them to beginning reading and math, which is the primary focus in this grade. Previous instruction in these concepts is not required, but a basic understanding of book instruction and counting, such as is taught in the Preschool A-B-C series, gives your child a head start.
Flyleaf Publishing decodable books provide beginning and struggling readers with abundant opportunities to transfer their newly acquired phonics knowledge to meaningful, engaging, and complex narratives, informational texts, and poetry. Our research-based instructional materials support teachers in explicitly guiding students to develop the skills and habits of competent readers. Our decodable books can authentically stand up to the rigors of both foundational skills and close reading instruction, making them a unique and invaluable resource for teachers and for students, who deserve the guidance that will enable them to become accurate, fluent, comprehensive, and joyful readers.
The Ready to Go: Guided Reading series for first to sixth grades includes everything you need for guided reading organization. Each 80-page book is essentially a guided reading set, containing 36 total readers, six discussion guides, and three reproducible pages. Each grade span includes 8 books, focusing on the following reading comprehension strategies:
Written by the author of the Melvin Beederman, Superhero series, these books are about a fourth-grade girl hero - Jo Schmo. Jo comes from a long line of crime fighters, and it's her turn to join the family business. The book is well written with clever jokes and funny wordplay. My only issue is that Jo Schmo is excessively boy crazy; while it's completely harmless, that may make this series better suited for older, struggling readers than for young advanced readers.
This is a beautiful series by the author of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency (my favorite fiction series for adults - you've got to check it out!). Akimbo's father is the head ranger on a game preserve in Africa. Each book focuses on a different animal (Akimbo and the Lion, Akimbo and the Elephants, etc.) Akimbo faces danger and adventure as he looks out for his animal friends. This is an excellent series that would also be great for reading aloud. (5 books in the series)
I love, love, love this series. It's about Alvin, an Asian American second grader who has anxiety about many things. It's laugh-out-loud funny without being mean-spirited. There's some sibling tension, but nothing too serious - and I absolutely love the close relationship between Alvin and his father. I think the content would be a little challenging for young advanced readers, but you could try reading one together first. There are about 6 books in this all-around great series.
When I pick up a David Adler book, I'm reasonably confident that it will be a quality, well-written book. The Andy Russell series is no exception. Kids will enjoy reading about likable, day-dreaming Andy's misadventures. Recommended for older, struggling readers. (6 books in the series)
This is a completely bizarre (and frankly, hilarious) set of chapter books that feel more like graphic novels. My older kids laugh out loud when reading these (and frequently read me a funny page). However, I don't recommend them for young readers because of the bizarre (and sometimes off-color) humor, the @##&* used in place of swear words, and even the political messages that the author squeezes into the books.
This is a fun series about two best friends - one tiny, one tall. These will be welcomed by kids who are new to chapter books because the pages are mostly full color illustrations (indeed, the pictures tell much of the story). Teachers will like them because they include strong vocabulary and plenty of opportunities for making inferences. Since each chapter is a stand alone story, these would work great for guided reading lessons. (3 books in the series.)
This historical fiction series is absolutely wonderful. Calpurnia Tate is an animal-loving 11-year-old who also happens to have six brothers. Since the story is set in 1901, the children have no technology to keep them busy. Instead, they spend their time outdoors observing nature and helping lost or injured animals. If you're familiar with the original novels, be aware that this spin-off series is shorter and at a lower reading level. (Currently 5 books in the series)
You can't go wrong with this classic series about a fifth grade girl detective with a photographic memory. The first book was published in 1980, and the most recent was published in 2014. I loved these as a kid, and they were the series that got my reluctant second grade reader to start reading chapter books. Quality, clean fiction. (34 books in the series)
You know a book is good when you, as an adult, will pick it up and enjoy reading it all on your own. That's how I feel about the Danny's Doodles series - and I have no doubt that kids will also enjoy the adventures of Danny and his quirky friend Calvin Waffle, along with the black-and-white doodles on every page. I appreciate that the characters are realistic and relatable while also being kind, honest, and generous. This series is a welcome change from the mouthiness and name-calling we find in so many early chapter books. Highly recommended! (Currently 3 books in the series ... I hope more are coming!)
All that said, it's a cute series about a girl who is trying to figure out her dream career - with lots of funny adventures along the way. Even though the reading level is a P, the large font and spacing makes it feel easier. The vocabulary issue leads me to say it's a better choice for older reluctant readers than for young advanced readers. (At least 9 books in the series)
In my opinion, every young reader should read (or listen to) Frog and Toad. The simple but profound stories of friendship are funny, interesting, and worth reading again and again. Don't be turned off by the dull colors in the illustrations of these vintage books. The stories are timeless. (4 books in the series)
These books are well written, interesting, and engaging - with a host of relatable characters. In fact, this was the series that finally got my second son comfortable with chapter books and launched a big jump in his reading ability. Horrible Harry isn't really all that horrible (mischievous is a better word). The kids learn lessons, but the books aren't preachy. It's just an all around wonderful series, and worth taking up a shelf in a classroom library. (38 books in the series)
This is a simple series based on the longer Humphrey chapter books. These books about Humphrey (the class hamster) aren't exactly amazing literature, but the story content and vocabulary are both age-appropriate. I recommend investing in the 7-book series if you have a lot of kids reading at this level.
This may be an unfair review, because I'm basing it on just one book in the series - Jasper John Dooley Not in Love - but I thought it as awful. Jasper is being pursued by an overbearing classmate, Isabel, who declares that she's in love with him and wants to marry him. (She pushes her way into being his reading partner at school, actually licks his cheek, and plays weird games with him at recess). Jasper's parents actually encourage this uncomfortable relationship by telling him that he will eventually fall in love with her and setting up playdates, against Jasper's wishes.
This is a wonderful series about a loving, middle class African-American family - featuring Julian, his best friend Gloria, and his little brother Huey. The stories are old (1980's) but continue to be reprinted with new covers. I love the likable characters and entertaining adventures. I also love that each chapter is its own story - making these books perfect for short guided reading lessons.
That said, judging from the Amazon reviews, these comic-book style chapter books are popular and worth trying; there's nothing objectionable content-wise. A caution, though - If your students struggle to retell a Kung Pow Chicken book, try reading one yourself and deciding if it's a good fit. It may be good for strong readers looking for variety, but I'm not sure it's the best bet for struggling readers. (Currently 4 books in the series)
The author wrote these beautiful early-reader books in the 1950's and 60's (with the exception of the last book, written two years before her death). Children have loved reading about Little Bear's adventures for generations - and they haven't lost a bit of their charm. (6 books in the series)
This is a well-written, older series (published in the 90's) about 1o-year-old Max and his friends. Kids will enjoy reading about Max's schemes to get rich quick, his plans to star in a commercial, and his attempts to become a magician. (4 books in the series) 041b061a72