Second grade is one of my favorite grade levels because they can do more with writing and creating. Author studies are perfect for second grade because you can focus on the author’s craft and have students create related activities. 

Tips for Second Grade Author Studies:

• Pick books that YOU enjoy reading aloud. Your students will feed off of your positive energy!
• Use a document camera and dim the lights to set the mood so students can focus on the detailed illustrations and the style of the books.
• Keep favorite authors and illustrators in a bin on a shelf so students can easily check out the books
• Use a variety of books, including animal characters, people characters, nonfiction books, and biographies.

Second Grade Author Study – Vikram Madan

I am in love with comics by Vikram Madan because they’re short enough to read aloud and super entertaining. They’ll fly off the shelves after you read them! I can’t wait to see what he creates next. Nicola Slater is an excellent illustrator and and you can transition to The Leaf Thief series next!

Favorite Books:

BoBo and Pup-Pup: We Love Bubbles!

BoBo and Pup-Pup: Hatch an Egg

Owl and Penguin

Owl and Penguin: Best Day Ever

Second Grade Author Study – Margaret Chiu

I may be biased because I love pandas and red pandas, but this book is fantastic. It has the most adorable end pages (that make a great lesson!), and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

Favorite Books:

How This Book Got Red

Hooked on Books

Amah Faraway

Second Grade Author Study – Bryan Collier

Bryan Collier does beautiful illustrations for many picture book biographies that are great for older students. I love some of his other books for second grade.

Favorite Books for Second Grade:

City Shapes

Uptown

It’s Shoe Time!

Second Grade Author Study – Andrea Beaty

It’s no secret that students love these books, and I love them for reading aloud to second grade. There are so many creative lessons you can do with them. And it’s a perfect way to introduce the accompanying chapter books!

Favorite Books:

Iggy Peck, Architect

Lila Greer, Teacher of the Year

Sofia Valdez, Future Prez