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Biographies for Kids

Leonardo da Vinci

A biography is a true story written about someone's life. There are many biographies for kids about famous people that students can read. These are written on a variety of reading levels to meet the needs of all types of readers. Famous people that children enjoy reading about can be people from long ago, such as George Washington or Betsy Ross, or from more recent times, such as Neil Armstrong or Ronald Reagan. Reading and learning about biographies of famous people is essential in school. Children enjoy reading about renowned people's lives, and really learn a lot of life lessons by reading them. Some children can even make life connections to the people they read about, and certainly relate to them. We have short biographies for kids to let children explore the joys of this genre. This type of genre is read during class as a read-aloud activity by the teacher, or in small reading groups facilitated by an instructor.

E-books for Kids

biography books for 2nd graders free online

Biographies

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Happy Teacher Mama

The Best Websites for Free Online Books for 2nd Graders

Did you know that if kids read for just 20 minutes per day, they will read 1,800,000 words per year?! That’s a lot of words…and that’s why reading every day is so important!

The more kids read, the more they build their critical and analytical thinking skills. 

But how can you encourage kids to embrace this idea of reading daily?

That’s where these free online books for 2nd graders come in!!

biography books for 2nd graders free online

These helpful websites are a great way to find free eBooks, chapter books, children’s books, and young adult options your second graders might be interested in (without investing any money).

And they are easy to access right on your phone anytime and anywhere!

One quick caveat.

Some of the websites will require you to create an account to access the free content.

So don’t be surprised if you are required to set up a free account to get started because this is just fairly standard operating procedure for most free websites. 

Now that we have all of that clarified (and out of the way), let’s dive right in.

Free Online Books for 2nd Graders

Storyline online.

Storyline online , a sag-aftra foundation website, is an award-winning website where famous actors and actresses (including Kevin Costner, Betty White, and James Earl Jones) read stories using fun voices.

biography books for 2nd graders free online

According to  Storyline Online , “Reading aloud to children has been shown to improve reading, writing and communication skills, logical thinking and concentration, and general academic aptitude, as well as inspire a lifelong love of reading.” 

That’s why you will find these well-known actors and actresses reading popular books in a story time style that is sure to engage your most hesitant readers and increase those reading skills. 

Discover titles such as…

  • Harry the Dirty Dog
  • The Giving Tree
  • A Very Bad Case of Stripes 
  • Amelia Bedelia
  • Rosie Revere Engineer

I highly encourage you to check this website out!

Oxford Owl , created by the Oxford University Press, is another excellent place to find free online books for 2nd graders.

biography books for 2nd graders free online

After you create an account on the homepage, hover over reading, click on reading at home, then scroll down to find books that are appropriate for the age range of your readers.

From there you can choose the book type you want such as a specific series or a particular reading level. 

Then be sure to browse the available books using the Oxford leveled reading option. 

Another bonus on this reputable website is the activities tab.

You will find free developmentally appropriate activities for children ages 0-11 in a variety of subjects including reading, math, and english.

This means that younger children and older children alike can benefit from the myriad of activities on the site. 

Monkey Pen  is a great site to find excellent new books for your second grade students, and as an added bonus, you don’t have to create an account to gain access to the content. 

biography books for 2nd graders free online

The free stories from this online resource are ideal for young readers. 

You have two different options when if comes to accessing the free content.

First, simply allow your learners to select books they would like to read and then read them directly from the website.

If you would prefer, the other option allows your students to select books and then download the books to a computer.

Although the downloaded version is basically just taking the place of the book itself, some young children may find that reading from paper is easier than reading the digital version.

The free access fiction books and  fairy tales  have beautiful illustrations on every page to keep your 2nd grade student engaged and interested in what they are reading making this a great option for early age readers. 

Every young boy and young girl on the planet has probably already got favorite YouTube channels they watch for entertainment.

But did you know  YouTube  is another great option for online books and even free audiobooks of all different levels?

biography books for 2nd graders free online

From bedtime stories to easy reader books and early chapter books, you’ll find a variety of engaging options. 

However, let me caution you with YouTube.

If you are letting your child access YouTube to find free online books for 2nd graders, just be mindful that ads aren’t always appropriate for young children.

You can sign up for a free trial for a limited time to remove the ads, if that is something you are interested in.

But if not, just be aware that ads are very common on YouTube channels and could pose a potential problem for young viewers.

Barnes and Noble

Did you know that  Barnes and Noble  offers thousands of free children’s eBooks? 

biography books for 2nd graders free online

To access these free books, simply go to the Barnes and Noble website, hover over eBooks at the top of the page, then click on free eBooks under “Customer favorites.” 

Then scroll down on the left-hand side their books are grouped by ages. 

Select the age range and pick the book of your choosing. 

You can also download the free NOOK reading app on your smartphone or tablet. 

While it is a Barnes and Noble app, you don’t have to have an account to access Nook books.

Amazon  is another great resource for free online books for 2nd graders. 

To access them, go to Amazon.com and type in free books for second graders. 

biography books for 2nd graders free online

You will get a huge list of options through the Kindle store including fiction stories, nonfiction books, picture books, chapter books, and even kids’ cookbooks. 

Download them directly onto your Kindle or read them on a Kindle cloud reader for free. 

While these resources are free of charge, you will need to log in with your Amazon account to gain access. 

Open Library

Open library  is part of a nonprofit organization library that has millions of free books, movies, music, and many other options. 

biography books for 2nd graders free online

After you create a free account, click on browse and then click on K-12 student library. 

Choose the book your student wants to read, click “borrow”, and start reading! 

This is basically the same method as checking out library books from public libraries, but in this case, you have an e-book or online book as opposed to a physical book.

The load duration for most of the books is 1 hour, but some of the books have a 14 day loan time. 

If there are best sellers your reader is interested in reading, they may not yet be available.

So join the wait list in order to gain access to the book as soon as possible.

Unite for Literacy

Unite for Literacy has an abundance of colorful and kid-friendly free online books for kids. 

These are best for younger kids, but there are definitely some great options for second graders. 

biography books for 2nd graders free online

While this site does not have a way to filter by age or reading level, you will find books separated by topic.

One of the greatest features of this site is the fact that you don’t have to sign up or create an account. 

Just go to the site, choose your first book and start reading. 

BookSpring is a nonprofit organization based in Austin, Texas, that focuses on promoting literacy and a love of reading among children and families. 

biography books for 2nd graders free online

Its mission is to provide books, resources, and programs to support early literacy development and increase access to books for children in underserved communities. 

And one of the amazing offerings they now provide on their website is an entire free digital library full of online books !!

Your young readers will find tons of great titles that cover basic topics like colors and community helpers as well as deeper topics like how simple machines work and cultural similarities and differences.

There is so much to learn and this is an awesome place to begin! 

The Fable Cottage

If your readers are interested in fairy tales, folk tales, and fables, then the Fable Cottage is going to be a winner!

biography books for 2nd graders free online

From fairy godmothers to talking animals, these stories are bound to entertain and educate.

The truly unique aspect of this particular site is the fact that these stories are available in multiple languages including English, Spanish, French, Italian, and German!

Plus, you have multiple formats with which you can interact including text to read, video to watch, and audio to hear.

This is genuinely a WONDERFUL site that your young learners will love!

Wilbooks  is another site that you can find books for children on a 2nd grade reading level. 

biography books for 2nd graders free online

Simply go to their website, and click on free resources. 

From there you will choose second grade (but they do have other grade levels as well). 

They also offer a poetry section, fiction section, guided reading section, and a Spanish section. 

If your child loves a good true story, this resource is one of the best! 

One of the best parts is that no log in is required!

International Children’s Digital Library (ICDL)

International Children’s Digital Library , supported by the University of Maryland, not only offers free books, but their mission is to provide access to a diverse and extensive collection of children’s books from around the world.

biography books for 2nd graders free online

This diverse collection allows children to explore literature from around the world, fostering an appreciation for different cultures and different languages.

The books are categorized by age group, genre, and country of origin, making it simple to find all kinds of books that are age-appropriate.

ICDL offers interactive features such as turning pages, zooming in on illustrations, and searching for books by specific criteria. 

This interactive format enhances the reading experience for children.

Other Places to Find Free Online Books for 2nd Graders

There are other websites that offer free online books including the Library of Congress, Project Gutenberg, StoryNory, StoryBerries, FunBrain, and MagicBlox.

However, I didn’t want to showcase them because they were a bit more limited…

  • The Library of Congress – While you can find thousands of free books on their website, you will discover that most of them are too advanced for second graders.
  • Project Gutenberg – Another site with TONS of books, but most are appropriate for adult readers.
  • StoryNory – A site full of fantastic age-appropriate and free online books for 2nd graders, but there are intrusive ads that can interfere with the reading experience.
  • Storyberries  – Great site with a wide selection of free books from fairy tales and nursery rhymes to comic books and chapter books as well as a few informational text options, but the ads are too much (in my opinion).
  • Fun Brain  – Fantastic place to find free children’s books, but the ads can be very intrusive and hinder your students’ reading experience. 
  • MagicBlox – Great books for young readers, but many of the books are only available with a premium paid subscription.

While visiting public libraries and school libraries is a fun adventure for many kids, the coolest part is being able to apply for your very own library card.

Honestly, it’s a rite of passage!

biography books for 2nd graders free online

Encourage your learners to still check out books from the library, but supplement by visiting some of the websites we discussed.

Family members of all ages can enjoy using the digital reading platform on each of these sites and thereby foster and model a love of reading .

Reading is essential to being successful as a student and also as a lifelong learner.

And the very best way for your second graders to strengthen their comprehension skills and increase their reading abilities is to have access to high quality literature.

Another awesome feature is that the team carefully selects and reviews the books included in the library to ensure they meet certain quality and content standards in order to maintain a high standard of literature available to children.

biography books for 2nd graders free online

Jennifer is a former elementary school teacher (M. Ed.) turned literacy interventionist, blogger, podcaster, TpT author, and homeschooling mom. When she's not with her husband & boys, she's sharing her love for Jesus, designing websites, helping other teachers pursue online businesses, organizing ALL THE THINGS, or watching New Girl. Read More >>

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  • Picture Book Brain

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29 New and Noteworthy Narrative Nonfiction Books for 2nd Grade

  • February 20, 2022

Looking for the best narrative nonfiction books for 2nd grade kids? These narrative nonfiction picture books for 2nd grade students will be engaging for your students! Books with lesson plans and activities linked. Picture books about various topics such as historical figures, historical events and more for your second graders. Your students will delight in these classic and brand new books!

If you’re a member of the  Picture Book Brain Trust Community , you already have access to EVERY lesson plan and activity for these books! Just click on the Lesson Plans button in the menu!

The secret garden of george washington carver by gene barretta.

The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver

When George Washington Carver was just a young child, he had a secret: a garden of his own.

Here, he rolled dirt between his fingers to check if plants needed more rain or sun. He protected roots through harsh winters, so plants could be reborn in the spring. He trimmed flowers, spread soil, studied life cycles. And it was in this very place that George’s love of nature sprouted into something so much more—his future.

Get the lesson plan and activities for The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver HERE

Looking for the best narrative nonfiction books for 2nd grade kids? These narrative nonfiction picture books for 2nd grade students will be engaging for your students! Books with lesson plans and activities linked. Picture books about various topics such as historical figures, historical events and more for your second graders. Your students will delight in these classic and brand new books!

Manfish: A Story of Jacques Costeau by Jennifer Berne

Manfish

Before Jacques Cousteau became an internationally known oceanographer and champion of the seas, he was a curious little boy. In this lovely biography, poetic text and gorgeous paintings combine to create a portrait of Jacques Cousteau that is as magical as it is inspiring. An excellent book for studying the ocean through the eyes of one of its most well-known explorers.

Get the lesson plan and activities for Manfish: A Story of Jacques Costeau HERE

Grace Hopper Queen of Computer Code by Laurie Wallmark

Grace Hopper Queen of Computer Codes

Who was Grace Hopper? A software tester, workplace jester, cherished mentor, ace inventor, avid reader, naval leader—AND rule breaker, chance taker, and troublemaker. Grace Hopper coined the term “computer bug” and taught computers to “speak English.” Throughout her life, Hopper succeeded in doing what no one had ever done before. Delighting in difficult ideas and in defying expectations, the insatiably curious Hopper truly was “Amazing Grace” . . . and a role model for science- and math-minded girls and boys. An excellent story about a gifted computer programmer for Women’s History Month !

Get the lesson plan and activities for Grace Hopper Queen of Computer Code HERE

Selena: Queen of Tejano Music by Silvia Lopez

Selena Queen of Tejano Music

Selena Quintanilla’s music career began at the age of nine when she started singing in her family’s band. She went from using a hairbrush as a microphone to traveling from town to town to play gigs. But Selena faced a challenge: People said that she would never make it in Tejano music , which was dominated by male performers. Selena was determined to prove them wrong.

Born and raised in Texas, Selena didn’t know how to speak Spanish, but with the help of her dad, she learned to sing it. With songs written and composed by her older brother and the fun dance steps Selena created, her band, Selena Y Los Dinos, rose to stardom! A true trailblazer, her success in Tejano music and her crossover into mainstream American music opened the door for other Latinx entertainers, and she became an inspiration for Latina girls everywhere. In addition to being one of my favorite children’s books about women in sports and entertainment, this would also be an excellent book for Women’s History Month or Hispanic Heritage Month .

Chester Nez And The Unbreakable Code by Joseph Bruchac

Chester Nez and the Unbreakable Code

As a young Navajo boy, Chester Nez had to leave the reservation and attend boarding school, where he was taught that his native language and culture were useless. But Chester refused to give up his heritage. Years later, during World War II, Chester―and other Navajo men like him―was recruited by the US Marines to use the Navajo language to create an unbreakable military code. Suddenly the language he had been told to forget was needed to fight a war . This powerful picture book biography contains backmatter including a timeline and a portion of the Navajo code, and also depicts the life of an original Navajo code talker while capturing the importance of Native American heritage .

Get the lesson plan and activities for Chester Nez And The Unbreakable Code HERE

Above the Rim by Jen Bryant

Above the Rim

Hall-of-famer Elgin Baylor was one of basketball’s all-time-greatest players—an innovative athlete, team player, and quiet force for change. One of the first professional African-American players , he inspired others on and off the court. But when traveling for away games, many hotels and restaurants turned Elgin away because he was black. One night, Elgin had enough and staged a one-man protest that captured the attention of the press, the public, and the NBA.

Get the lesson plan and activities for Above the Rim HERE

Six Dots by Jen Bryant

Six Dots

Louis Braille was just five years old when he lost his sight. He was a clever boy, determined to live like everyone else, and what he wanted more than anything was to be able to read. Even at the school for the blind in Paris, there were no books for him. And so he invented his own alphabet—a whole new system for writing that could be read by touch. A system so ingenious that it is still used by the blind community today. An excellent book for studying people with disabilities .

Get the lesson plan and activities for Six Dots HERE

Knut by Juliana Hatkoff

Knut

When Knut was born, the first polar bear cub at the Berlin Zoo in more than thirty years, he was no bigger than a snowball and unable to care for himself. His mother, a rescued East German circus bear, didn’t know how to take care of Knut and rejected him. Knut would have died if it weren’t for Thomas Dorflein, a zookeeper who nurtured Knut, feeding him, sleeping with him, and giving him the love and attention Knut needed to thrive. But Thomas wasn’t the only one who adopted Knut. The adorable little polar bear captured the world’s attention, and now Knut is loved around the globe. A great story for studies about arctic animals !

Planting Stories: The Life Of Librarian And Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Denise

Planting Stories

An inspiring picture book biography of Latin American storyteller, puppeteer, and New York City’s first Puerto Rican librarian , who championed bilingual literature.

When she came to America in 1921, Pura Belpré carried the cuentos folklóricos of her Puerto Rican homeland. Finding a new home at the New York Public Library as a bilingual assistant, she turned her popular retellings into libros and spread story seeds across the land. Today, these seeds have grown into a lush landscape as generations of children and storytellers continue to share her tales and celebrate Pura’s legacy.

Get the lesson plan and activities for Planting Stor ies: The Life Of Librarian And Storyteller Pura Belpré HERE

You can get a free lesson and activities for Planting Stories here:

Energy Island by Allan Drummond

Energy Island

At a time when most countries are producing ever-increasing amounts of CO2, the rather ordinary citizens of Samsø have accomplished something extraordinary―in just ten years they have reduced their carbon emissions by 140% and become almost completely energy independent. A narrative tale and a science book in one, this inspiring true story proves that with a little hard work and a big idea, anyone can make a huge step toward energy conservation.

Get the lesson plan and activities for Energy Island HERE

The Man Who Walked Between The Towers by Mordicai Gerstein

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

The story of a daring tightrope walk between skyscrapers. In 1974, French aerialist Philippe Petit threw a tightrope between the two towers of the World Trade Center and spent an hour walking, dancing, and performing high-wire tricks a quarter mile in the sky. This picture book captures the poetry and magic of the event with a poetry of its own: lyrical words and lovely paintings that present the detail, daring, and–in two dramatic foldout spreads– the vertiginous drama of Petit’s feat.

Get the lesson plan and activities for The Man Who Walked Between the Towers HERE

The Boy Who Grew a Forest by Sophia Gholz

The Boy Who Grew a Forest

As a boy, Jadav Payeng was distressed by the destruction deforestation and erosion was causing on his island home in India’s Brahmaputra River. So he began planting trees. What began as a small thicket of bamboo, grew over the years into 1,300 acre forest filled with native plants and animals. The Boy Who Grew a Forest tells the inspiring true story of Payeng–and reminds us all of the difference a single person with a big idea can make. Sometimes to solve a problem, it takes a little bit of effort over a long period of time. A great book for Earth Day or Arbor Day .

Get the lesson plan and activities for The Boy Who Grew a Forest HERE

Rosa by Nikki Giovanni

Rosa

Fifty years after her refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus, Mrs. Rosa Parks is still one of the most important figures in the American civil rights movement. This tribute to Mrs. Parks is a celebration of her courageous action and the events that followed.

Get the lesson plan and activities for Rosa HERE

Ada’s Violin by Susan Hood

Ada's Violin

Ada Ríos grew up in Cateura, a small town in Paraguay built on a landfill. She dreamed of playing the violin, but with little money for anything but the bare essentials, it was never an option…until a music teacher named Favio Chávez arrived. He wanted to give the children of Cateura something special, so he made them instruments out of materials found in the trash. It was a crazy idea, but one that would leave Ada—and her town—forever changed. Now, the Recycled Orchestra plays venues around the world, spreading their message of hope and innovation.

Get the lesson plan and activities for Ada’s Violin HERE

For the Right to Learn by Rebecca Langston-George

For the Right to Learn

She grew up in a world where women were supposed to be quiet. But Malala Yousafzai refused to be silent. Discover Malala’s story through this powerful narrative telling, and come to see how one brave girl named Malala changed the world.

Get the lesson plan and activities for For the Right to Learn HERE

Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin

Snowflake Bentley

Wilson Bentley was always fascinated by snow. In childhood and adulthood, he saw each tiny crystal of a snowflake as a little miracle and wanted to understand them. His parents supported his curiosity and saved until they could give him his own camera and microscope. At the time, his enthusiasm was misunderstood. But with patience and determination, Wilson catalogued hundreds of snowflake photographs, gave slideshows of his findings and, when he was 66, published a book of his photos. His work became the basis for all we know about beautiful, unique snowflakes today. A really interesting biography picture book for the winter months !

Get the lesson plan and activities for Snowflake Bentley HERE

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures by Julia Finley Mosca

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures

When young Temple Grandin was diagnosed with autism, no one expected her to talk, let alone become one of the most powerful voices in modern science. Yet, the determined visual thinker did just that. Her unique mind allowed her to connect with animals in a special way, helping her invent groundbreaking improvements for farms around the globe!

Get the lesson plan and activities for The Girl Who Thought in Pictures HERE

The Girl Who Ran by Frances Poletti

The Girl Who Ran

When Bobbi Gibb saw the Boston Marathon her mind was set-she had to be a part of it. But when the time came to apply for the marathon, she was refused entry. They told her girls don’t run, girls can’t run. That didn’t stop Bobbi. This picture book tells the true story of how she broke the rules in 1966 and how, one step at a time, her grit and determination changed the world. A really heroic part of women’s history .

Get the lesson plan and activities for The Girl Who Ran HERE

Storm Run by Libby Riddles

Storm Run

In 1985, Libby Riddles made history by becoming the first woman to win the 1,100-mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race . This brand-new edition of Riddles’s timeless adventure story is complete with updated narrative details, sidebars on all aspects of the race, photographs, and all-new illustrations by beloved illustrator Shannon Cartwright. An inspiration to children and adults everywhere, this is a compelling first-hand account of the arctic storms, freezing temperatures, loyal sled dogs, and utter determination that defined Riddles’s Iditarod victory.

Get the lesson plan and activities for Storm Run HERE

Margaret and the Moon by Dean Robbins

Margaret and the Moon

Margaret Hamilton loved numbers as a young girl. She knew how many miles it was to the moon (and how many back). She loved studying algebra and geometry and calculus and using math to solve problems in the outside world. Soon math led her to MIT and then to helping NASA put a man on the moon! She handwrote code that would allow the spacecraft’s computer to solve any problems it might encounter. Apollo 8, Apollo 9, Apollo 10 and Apollo 11. Without her code, none of those missions could have been completed. An excellent book about women in STEM !

Get the lesson plan and activities for Margaret and the Moon HERE

Radiant Child by Javaka Steptoe

Radiant Child

Jean-Michel Basquiat and his unique, collage-style paintings rocketed to fame in the 1980s as a cultural phenomenon unlike anything the art world had ever seen. But before that, he was a little boy who saw art everywhere: in poetry books and museums, in games and in the words that we speak, and in the pulsing energy of New York City. Now, award-winning illustrator Javaka Steptoe’s vivid text and bold artwork echoing Basquiat’s own introduce young readers to the powerful message that art doesn’t always have to be neat or clean–and definitely not inside the lines–to be beautiful. This is the most memorable narrative nonfiction books for 2nd grade, especially if you’re studying art and artists .

Get the lesson plan and activities for Radiant Child HERE

Danza!: Amalia Hernández And Mexico’s Folkloric Ballet by Duncan Tonatiuh

Danza!

As a child, Amalia Hernández saw a pair of dancers in the town square. The way they stomped and swayed to the rhythm of the beat inspired her. She knew one day she would become a dancer. Amalia studied ballet and modern dance under the direction of skilled teachers who had performed in world-renowned dance companies. But she never forgot the folk dance she had seen years earlier. She began traveling through the Mexican countryside, witnessing the dances of many regions, and she used her knowledge of ballet and modern dance to adapt the traditional dances to the stage. She founded her own dance company, a group that became known as el Ballet Folklórico de México. A great book for Hispanic Heritage Month !

Get the lesson plan and activities for Danza!: Amalia Hernández And Mexico’s Folkloric Ballet HERE

The Poppy Lady by Barbara Walsh

The Poppy Lady

When American soldiers entered World War I, Moina Belle Michael, a schoolteacher from Georgia, knew she had to act. Some of the soldiers were her students and friends. Almost single-handedly, Moina worked to establish the red poppy as the symbol to honor and remember soldiers. And she devoted the rest of her life to making sure the symbol would last forever, most notably on Memorial Day . Thanks to her hard work, that symbol remains strong today.

Get the lesson plan and activities for The Poppy Lady HERE

Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows In The Bronx / La Juez Que Crecio En El Bronx by Jonah Winter

Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows In The Bronx

Before Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor took her seat in our nation’s highest court, she was just a little girl in the South Bronx. Justice Sotomayor didn’t have a lot growing up, but she had what she needed — her mother’s love, a will to learn, and her own determination. With bravery she became the person she wanted to be, and with hard work she succeeded. With little sunlight and only a modest plot from which to grow, Justice Sotomayor  bloomed  for the whole world to see. This is one of my favorite bilingual children’s books as well if you teach in a bilingual classroom.

Get the lesson plan and activities for Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows In The Bronx / La Juez Que Crecio En El Bronx HERE

Paper Son by Julie Leung

Paper Son

Before he became an artist named Tyrus Wong, he was a boy named Wong Geng Yeo. He traveled across a vast ocean from China to America with only a suitcase and a few papers. Not papers for drawing–which he loved to do–but immigration papers to start a new life. Once in America, Tyrus seized every opportunity to make art, eventually enrolling at an art institute in Los Angeles. Working as a janitor at night, his mop twirled like a paintbrush in his hands. Eventually, he was given the opportunity of a lifetime–and using sparse brushstrokes and soft watercolors, Tyrus created the iconic backgrounds of Bambi. One of my favorite narrative nonfiction books for 2nd grade about a lesser known Asian American .

Get the lesson plan and activities for Paper Son HERE

Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos by Stephanie Roth Sisson

Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos

When Carl Sagan was a young boy he went to the 1939 World’s Fair and his life was changed forever. From that day on he never stopped marveling at the universe and seeking to understand it better.  Star Stuff  follows Carl from his days star gazing from the bedroom window of his Brooklyn apartment, through his love of speculative science fiction novels, to his work as an internationally renowned scientist who worked on the Voyager missions exploring the farthest reaches of space .

Get the lesson plan and activities for Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos HERE

Frida by Jonah Winter

Frida

This stunning picture book is the perfect gift for art enthusiasts of all ages. When her mother was worn out from caring for her five sisters, her father gave her lessons in brushwork and color. Later, polio kept her bedridden for nine months, drawing saved her from boredom. When a bus accident left her in unimaginable agony, her paintings expressed her pain and depression – and eventually, her joys and her loves.

Over and over again, Frida Kahlo turned the challenges of her life into art. A playful, insightful tribute to one of the twentieth century’s most influential artists . Viva Frida!

Get the lesson plan and activities for Frida HERE

Conclusion: Best Narrative Nonfiction Books For 2nd Grade

What are some of your favorite narrative nonfiction books for 2nd grade? Are there any must read narrative nonfiction books for 2nd grade that I left out? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll add it!

Remember : You to get a free narrative nonfiction books for 2nd grade lesson plan and activities for Planting Stories here:

Looking for the best narrative nonfiction books for 2nd grade kids? These narrative nonfiction picture books for 2nd grade students will be engaging for your students! Books with lesson plans and activities linked. Picture books about various topics such as historical figures, historical events and more for your second graders. Your students will delight in these classic and brand new books!

Narrative Non-Fiction Books

Here are some of my favorite narrative non-fiction books for kids. If you’re looking for more ideas for specific grade levels I have great narrative nonfiction book lists for each grade level. Check them out here:

Best Narrative Nonfiction Books

15 Narrative Nonfiction Books for Kindergarten

21 Narrative Nonfiction Books for 1st Grade

37 Narrative Nonfiction Books For 3rd Grade

42 Narrative Nonfiction Books for 4th Grade

40 Narrative Nonfiction Books For 5th Grade

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ELA  /  2nd Grade  /  Alternate Unit 4: People Who Changed the World

People Who Changed the World

In this unit, students improve reading and writing standards and skills as they explore biographies of famous leaders and change agents.

Alternate Unit 4

  • Text and Materials

Unit Summary

In this biography-based unit, students explore biographies of changemakers around the world. The unit has three main sections. In the first section, students research and learn about people who have changed the world by inventing or discovering something new. In this section, students will explore how inventions or discoveries can change the world and what it takes to turn an idea into action. 

In the second section, students research and learn about people who have changed the world by making the world and environment a better place for everyone. In the third section, students research and learn about people who have changed the world by standing up for what they believe in and fighting for what others think is impossible. In this section, students will explore the ways some leaders have persevered in the face of obstacles and stood up for themselves or their ideas when many had stopped believing in them. Additionally in this section, students are asked to compare and contrast two biographies about the same person. Compare and contrast in this unit should go deeper than text features and structures. Although students can note differences in text features, the main focus should be on comparing and contrasting the different points and the reasons the authors use to support the points in two texts about the same person.

In each of the sections, students read biographies that expose them to a wide variety of themes, content, and history. Because of this, it is incredibly important that the necessary framing is done before reading a text so that students can deeply engage with the biographies and fully understand the challenges and successes of the different people being studied. Without framing or context, students may miss why each person’s actions are inspirational. It is our hope that this unit will open students’ eyes to the multitude of ways in which a person, regardless of race or gender, can influence and inspire change. 

This unit is a combination of Read Aloud and shared/independent reading. While engaging with the text, students continue to notice the connection between events and how noticing connections helps the reader better understand a person’s actions and influence. Students also build on the work they did in previous units by continuing to explore the author’s purpose for writing a text, and how the author’s purpose influences the types of details they include in the text.

Finally, this unit helps students recognize how reading multiple texts about the same topic helps them learn more about a topic, especially because authors include different facts and details depending on their purpose for writing. When discussing the text, students use all of the strategies they have learned in previous units to participate in partner, small group, or whole class discussions. When building on others’ talk in conversations, students continue to work on linking their comments to the remarks of others and asking questions for clarification or further explanation if needed. Students may also begin to critique and analyze the reasoning of others as they build on and respond to their classmates’ comments. 

Students continue to build their writing fluency by writing daily in response to the Target Task question using subordinating conjunctions to write more complex sentences. Students also have multiple opportunities to continue to build their informational writing skills, with an emphasis on crafting strong paragraphs. Students will learn how to brainstorm and write a paragraph using a single-paragraph outline, crafting strong topic sentences, supporting details, and concluding statements. The unit culminates with students having a chance to continue to refine their research and writing skills by participating in a research project about a local changemaker.

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biography books for 2nd graders free online

Texts and Materials

Some of the links below are Amazon affiliate links. This means that if you click and make a purchase, we receive a small portion of the proceeds, which supports our non-profit mission.

Core Materials

Book:  Honda: The Boy who Dreamed of Cars by Mark Weston (Lee & Low Books, 2014)   —  AD870L

Book:  How to Build a Hug: Temple Grandin and Her Amazing Squeeze Machine by Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2018)   —  AD770L

Book:  Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom by Teresa Robeson (Sterling Children's Books; Illustrated edition, 2019)   —  AD960L

Book:  Buzzing with Questions: The Inquisitive Mind of Charles Henry Turner by Janice N. Harrington (Calkins Creek; Illustrated edition, 2019)   —  1010L

Book:  Sharuko: Peruvian Archeologist by Monica Brown (Lee & Low Books; Bilingual edition, 2020)

Book:  Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope by Nikki Grimes (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2012)   —  AD630L

Book:  National Geographic Readers: Barack Obama by Caroline Crosson Gilpin (National Geographic Kids; Illustrated edition, 2014)   —  680L

Book:  Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx by Jonah Winter (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2009)   —  NC840L

Book:  National Geographic Readers: Sonia Sotomayor by Barbara Kramer (National Geographic Kids; Illustrated edition, 2016)   —  750L

Book:  Malala Yousafzai: Warrior with Words by Karen Leggett Abouraya (StarWalk Kids Media, 2014)   —  870L

Book:  Malala Yousafzai: Champion for Education by Jodie Shepherd (Children's Press; Illustrated edition, 2016)   —  520L

Book:  The Watcher: Jane Goodall's Life with the Chimps by Jeanette Winter (Schwartz & Wade, 2011)   —  AD630L

Book:  Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya by Donna Jo Napoli and Kadir Nelson (Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books; Illustrated edition, 2010)   —  AD610L

Book:  Mario and the Hole in the Sky: How a Chemist Saved our Planet by Elizabeth Rusch and Teresa Martinez (Charlesbridge; Illustrated edition, 2019)   —  730L

Book:  Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and Eric-Shabazz Larkin (Readers to Eaters, 2013)   —  AD620L

Assessment Text:  “Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parad” by Melissa Sweet (Clarion Books)   —  AD1000LL

Supporting Materials

  • Resource: Recommended Texts for Independent Reading

These assessments accompany this unit and should be given on the suggested assessment day or after completing the unit.

Download Content Assessment

Download Content Assessment Answer Key

Download Cold Read Assessment

Download Cold Read Assessment Answer Key

Intellectual Prep

Suggestions for how to prepare to teach this unit

Before you teach this unit, unpack the texts, themes, and core standards through our guided intellectual preparation process. Each Unit Launch includes a series of short videos, targeted readings, and opportunities for action planning to ensure you're prepared to support every student.

Essential Questions

The central thematic questions addressed in the unit or across units

  • What does it take to change the world?
  • Why is it important to speak up for those without a voice?
  • Why is it important to ask questions about the world around you?

Reading Focus Areas

Noticing the connection between events helps a reader understand a person's actions.

Authors always have a purpose for writing a book. They use the details in the book to convey their purpose.

Reading multiple texts about the same topic helps readers learn lots of different details. Authors include different details depending on their purpose.

Writing Focus Areas

Informational writing.

Participate in shared research and writing projects.

Brainstorm and outline using a Single Paragraph Outline.

Introduce the topic with a strong topic sentence

Provide a strong concluding statement.

Use facts and definitions to support a point.

Speaking and Listening Focus Areas

Build on others' talk in conversations by linking their comments to the remarks of others.

Ask for clarification and further explanation as needed about topics and texts under discussion.

Literary terms, text-based vocabulary, idioms and word parts to be taught with the text

"dark times" "her roots" Indigenous aghast ambition archeologist atom autism catastrophe cautious champion courageous compost dedicated disobey discouraged diabetes empower encourage federal flinched grueling heritage honor hope indefatigable irrigation judge mechanic nagging nominate ozone layer physics poverty prove prejudice precise resourceful reputation right scholarship scarce textiles thrive unsuspecting

compare contrast

To see all the vocabulary for Unit 4, view our 2nd Grade Vocabulary Glossary .

Supporting All Students

In order to ensure that all students are able to access the texts and tasks in this unit, it is incredibly important to intellectually prepare to teach the unit prior to launching the unit. Use the intellectual preparation protocol and the Unit Launch to determine which support students will need. To learn more, visit the Supporting all Students teacher tool.

Content Knowledge and Connections

Fishtank ELA units related to the content in this unit.

  • A biography is a text about a person's life that is written by someone else. An autobiography is a text about a person's life written by the person.

Bend 1: You can change the world by inventing or discovering something new.

  • Soichiro Honda worked relentlessly to build motorcycles and cars that were safe and better for the environment.
  • Temple Grandin, who has autism, built a “huge machine” that allows people to control the force and length of a hug.
  • Julio Torres, or Sharuko, was a Peruvian archaeologist who made revolutionary discoveries at archaeological sites around Peru, proving that the country’s Indigenous cultures had been established thousands of years ago and celebrating their brilliant accomplishments.
  • Wu Chien-Shiung was a Chinese physicist who made important discoveries in the field, despite never being recognized because of her gender and race.
  • Charles Henry Turner was the first Black entomologist, teaching us that insects and small animals were thinking beings. 

Bend 2: You can change the world by making the world and environment better for everyone.

  • Wangari Maathai empowered the people of Kenya to take care of themselves and their environment by encouraging them to plant trees.
  • Jane Goodall studied chimps in Tanzania, discovering they were more like humans than we realized. She spoke out against the destruction of their habitats and continues to do so.
  • Mario Molina was a chemist who discovered that CFCs were destroying the earth’s protective ozone layer. He was adamant about warning the public and putting a stop to it.
  • Farmer Will Allen turned an abandoned city lot into an urban farm that would feed people across the city.

Bend 3: You can change the world by standing up for what you believe in and fighting for what others think is impossible.

  • Sonia Sotomayor was the first Latinx Supreme Court justice.
  • Barack Obama was the first Black President of the United States.
  • Malala Yousafzai spoke up for girls and women who were being denied an education.

Previous Fishtank ELA Connections

  • Kindergarten ELA - What is Justice?
  • 1st Grade ELA - Inspiring Artists and Musicians

Future Fishtank ELA Connections

  • 4th Grade ELA - Politics and People: U.S. Government
  • 4th Grade ELA - Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans

Describe what steps Honda took toward making his dream come true and why by identifying and explaining details an author uses to support an idea.

RI.2.3 RI.2.8

Describe how Honda changed the world by identifying and explaining details an author uses to support an idea.

RI.2.3 RI.2.6 RI.2.8

Explain why Temple did not like hugs and what solution she invented and its impact by describing the connection between a series of events.

RI.2.3 RI.2.6

Describe why Julio devoted his medical skills to the study of the Indigenous history of Peru by explaining details an author uses to support an idea.

Explain what “and now Peruvians tell their own stories” means by describing how specific reasons support specific points an author makes.

L.2.5.a RI.2.3 RI.2.6 RI.2.8

Use subordinating conjunctions to write more interesting and complex sentences.

Explain why a classmate called Charles “indefatigable” by identifying and explaining details an author uses to support an idea.

L.2.6 RI.2.3 RI.2.6 RI.2.8

Explain how Charles Henry Turner filled the world with “questions, questions, questions” and why it is important.

Explain how Wu Chien Shiung lived up to her name by identifying and explaining details the author uses to support an idea.

Explain why Wu Chien Shiung was called the “Queen of Physics” and defend whether others thought so or not by describing the connection between a series of events.

Discussion & Writing

  • How to Build a Hug
  • Buzzing with Questions
  • Queen of Physics

Write an informational report describing how a person made the world a better place by stating a claim and including supporting details from the text.

L.2.6 SL.2.1 SL.2.6 W.2.2 W.2.7 W.2.8

Explain how Wangari changed the country by identifying and describing the connection between a series of events.

Explain why the author describes Jane as a brave woman who was not afraid to do something that had never been done before by describing how specific reasons support specific points an author makes.

RI.2.6 RI.2.8

Describe Mario’s nagging question and why it was important by describing the connection between a series of events.

Explain what Mario means when he says, “We saved our planet once. We can do it again” and why it is important.

Explain how Will Allen can “see what others can’t see” by describing how specific reasons support a specific point an author makes.

  • The Watcher
  • Mario and the Hole in the Sky
  • Farmer Will Allen...

L.2.6 RI.2.8 SL.2.1 SL.2.6 W.2.2 W.2.7

Describe Sonia’s childhood by identifying and describing the connection between a series of events.

Explain what the author means by “You never know what can happen—especially when you water a flower” by describing how specific reasons support specific points an author makes.

Describe how Sonia learned the lesson “You have to get up and try again. That is something really hard to do…” by describing the connection between a series of events.

RF.2.3 RF.2.4 RI.2.3

Describe Sonia Sotomayor’s career as a judge by describing the connection between a series of events.

  • Sonia Sotomayor

Compare and contrast Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx with Sonia Sotomayor by identifying and explaining points presented by two texts on the same topic.

RI.2.9 SL.2.1 SL.2.6

Explain how Hope helped Barack Obama make his dreams come true by describing how specific reasons support a specific point an author makes.

Describe two times that Obama “got up and did something” by describing the connection between a series of events.       

  • Barack Obama: Son ...
  • Barack Obama

Compare and contrast Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope and Barack Obama by identifying and explaining points presented by two texts on the same topic.

Explain why Malala is a warrior with words by describing how specific reasons support specific points an author makes.

Describe Malala using two examples from the text.

L.2.6 RF.2.3 RF.2.4 RI.2.3

  • Malala Yousafzai: Champion...
  • Malala Yousafzai

Compare and contrast Malala Yousafzai: Warrior with Words and Malala Yousafzai: Champion for Education by identifying and explaining points presented by two texts on the same topic.

L.2.6 SL.2.1 SL.2.6 W.2.2 W.2.5 W.2.7 W.2.8

Informative Writing  – 4 days

Research a local changemaker and describe how they changed your community.

L.2.2.a SL.2.3 SL.2.4 SL.2.5 W.2.2 W.2.5 W.2.7 W.2.8

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Common Core Standards

Core standards.

The content standards covered in this unit

Language Standards

L.2.1 — Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

L.2.1.f — Produce, expand, and rearrange complete simple and compound sentences (e.g., The boy watched the movie; The little boy watched the movie; The action movie was watched by the little boy).

L.2.2 — Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

L.2.2.a — Capitalize holidays, product names, and geographic names.

L.2.5.a — Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., describe foods that are spicy or juicy).

L.2.6 — Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts, including using adjectives and adverbs to describe (e.g., When other kids are happy that makes me happy).

Reading Standards: Foundational Skills

RF.2.3 — Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

RF.2.4 — Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

Reading Standards for Informational Text

RI.2.3 — Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.

RI.2.6 — Identify the main purpose of a text, including what the author wants to answer, explain, or describe.

RI.2.8 — Describe how reasons support specific points the author makes in a text.

RI.2.9 — Compare and contrast the most important points presented by two texts on the same topic.

Speaking and Listening Standards

SL.2.1 — Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

SL.2.2 — Recount or describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.

SL.2.3 — Ask and answer questions about what a speaker says in order to clarify comprehension, gather additional information, or deepen understanding of a topic or issue.

SL.2.4 — Tell a story or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking audibly in coherent sentences.

SL.2.5 — Create audio recordings of stories or poems; add drawings or other visual displays to stories or recounts of experiences when appropriate to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings.

SL.2.6 — Produce complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation in order to provide requested detail or clarification.

Writing Standards

W.2.2 — Write informative/explanatory texts in which they introduce a topic, use facts and definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding statement or section.

W.2.5 — With guidance and support from adults and peers, focus on a topic and strengthen writing as needed by revising and editing.

W.2.7 — Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., read a number of books on a single topic to produce a report; record science observations).

W.2.8 — Recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.

Supporting Standards

Standards that are practiced daily but are not priority standards of the unit

L.2.4 — Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 2 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an array of strategies.

L.2.4.a — Use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.

L.2.4.b — Determine the meaning of the new word formed when a known prefix is added to a known word (e.g., happy/unhappy, tell/retell).

L.2.4.d — Use knowledge of the meaning of individual words to predict the meaning of compound words (e.g., birdhouse, lighthouse, housefly; bookshelf, notebook, bookmark).

L.2.5 — Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meanings.

RI.2.1 — Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.

RI.2.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 2 topic or subject area.

RI.2.5 — Know and use various text features (e.g., captions, bold print, subheadings, glossaries, indexes, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text efficiently.

RI.2.7 — Explain how specific images (e.g., a diagram showing how a machine works) contribute to and clarify a text.

RI.2.10 — By the end of year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, in the grades 2—3 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.

W.2.6 — With guidance and support from adults, use a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing, including in collaboration with peers.

Belonging and Friendship: Pinky and Rex

Finding Your Power: Freddie Ramos

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biography books for 2nd graders free online

A great way to teach about history and content-area topics, biographies highlight famous figures, inventors, scientists, civil rights leaders, sports legends, and heros. Many of these mini-books, plays, and passages feature question/response activities, biography worksheets, teaching guides, lesson ideas, and graphic organizers.

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20 Biography Books For Kids To Help Them Dream Big

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Brandie DeRusha

With her MA in English from Rutgers University-Camden, Brandie spends her days chasing around her toddlers and writing. She loves to pair wine with her reading; preferably a Brontë, or an Elliot, or a Woolf novel. Depending on the mood. She currently lives in Florida with her husband, two kids and furry beast.

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Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, I forgot how to dream for my life. It was in between those “you can do anything you put your mind to” platitudes from my mother, to “you’ll never make any money if you get a degree in art” realities — also from my mother. As a good child, I believed everything people would say about my potential. If I expressed interest in writing or journalism, they would scoff at me that it was “too hard” for me; if it was acting or dancing, it was “too competitive.” Clearly it was confusing and sent me into an adolescent identity crisis. Who could I be if I couldn’t be who I was?

Now, as a grown up and a mother, I realize that in order to live our truth…we must follow our curiosity. We must embrace our curiosity. We must be allowed to explore. To get things wrong. To find out how we individually interpret the world around us. That will help us make the world a better place.

Thankfully, the way has been paved before us by millions of amazing people who refused to internalize the negative messages about their dreams. People who were so into what they were doing that nothing else mattered except that one thing. Who knew that what their heart was saying was the way without someone’s expectations of them.

Here are stories of 20 people who made their own way and changed not only their lives but ours. 20 stories of people who followed their curiously, followed their love, and led the way for us to be a better society. These 20 biography books for kids can help your kids dream big.

20 of the Best Biography Books for Kids

biography books for 2nd graders free online

The Story of Harriet Tubman by Christine Platt

Before she became known for her fight to free people from enslavement, she was a little girl who was sad to see her family be separated. Tubman is going to be a key person in most kids’ history classes — so this book also gives a timeline of her life, with age appropriate discussion questions. And if you love this, the series also has Barack Obama, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, and Benjamin Franklin biographies, and more.

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biography books for 2nd graders free online

Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille by Jen Bryant and Boris Kulikov

This picture book biography tells the story of how Louis Braille lost his sight and invented an alphabet. Young Braille wanted nothing more than to be able to read after an accident causes him to lose his eyesight. His invention gave blind kids all over the world a new way to navigate a world that wasn’t made for them. This book is not only inspiring, it shows children that everyone is capable of doing good things.

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Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne and Éric Puybaret

Once there was a boy named Jacques. He loved to explore the oceans. This whimsical and poetic biography of Jacques Cousteau will inspire kids to follow their explorer natures, as well as help them realize that every person who has made history started as a kid with curiosity.

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Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote by Tanya Lee Stone and Rebecca Gibbon

From a young age, Elizabeth understood that things weren’t equal in her life. How could only a few people have the right to vote? Voting is the foundation of our democracy. So she went to college, gathered like-minded friends, and made their statements, not stopping until women in the United States won the Right to Vote. She was a girl who saw a problem, and grew up to find the solution.

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Turning Pages: My Life Story by Sonya Sotomayor and Lulu Delacre

The first Latina on the Supreme Court, Sonya Sotomayor recollects her life and the steps that brought her there. For her, it was books. Books helped her cope with difficulties in her life, connect with her roots, and helped her see that her future was full of possibilities. In her autobiography, Sotomayor encourages kids everywhere to read, dream, and puzzle for themselves.

biography books for 2nd graders free online

Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai and Kera Ascoet

As a girl, Malala wished for a magic pencil. A tool she could use to make everyone happy. To make the world around her a little brighter. As she got older she realized that even if she didn’t have a magic pencil, she could still work hard to make the world a better place. Told in a way that’s appropriate to children, we learn about the struggles that Malala faced to follow her dreams and how even then she held onto a hope for a better future for herself and her friends.

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Pablo Neruda: Poet of the People by Monica Brown and Julie Paschkis

Sometimes people create with paint, but for a little boy in a city in Chile, words were better. Pablo wrote poems about all the things he loved. Things he found in nature, things his friends made, and the things he found at the marketplace. He wrote about the people of Chile, their struggles and passions. It all started with a little boy who loved to paint with words.

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Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle and Rafael López

Millo Castro Zaldarriaga dreamed of drumming. However, girls weren’t allowed to drum on her little island. She dreamed of pounding tall congas and tapping small bongós. One day, she decided to follow her dream — what happened next when her bright music was heard was magic: people dancing and singing and deciding that boys and girls can make music. Showing that both boys and girls can be free to drum and dream, Millo’s story is an inspiration for children everywhere.

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The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles and George Ford

Ruby was just a normal 6-year-old until she was chosen to be the first Black person to be enrolled in an all white elementary school. A lot of people didn’t like that idea and said some mean and threatening things. Ruby did what she was told to do, and went to school anyway. How does a little girl change the world? By being brave in the face of racism and injustice.

biography books for 2nd graders free online

A Voice Named Aretha by Katheryn Russel-Brown and Laura Freeman

How did a quiet and shy girl from Detroit become the Queen of Soul and the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? She stayed true to herself and her ideals by refusing to play for segregated audiences and never forgetting her roots. She stood up for what was right. Aretha Franklin proved that with passion, perseverance, and R-E-S-P-E-C-T, you can do anything.

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Counting the Stars: The Story of Katherine Johnson, NASA Mathematician by Lesa Cline-Ransome and Raúl Colón

When NASA used mathematicians called “human computers,” one woman stood out among them all. Katherine Johnson was integral in getting John Glen around the world, helping men walk on the moon, and getting Apollo 13 home safely. This book is for girls who love numbers — who don’t let problems stand in the way from the work.

biography books for 2nd graders free online

Vincent Can’t Sleep by Barb Rosenstock and Mary Grandpre

Vincent Can’t Sleep is the story of how one of the most beloved and creative artists found his inspiration. When Vincent Van Gogh couldn’t sleep, he’d walk during the night, giving him the inspiration for his famous painting Starry Night . With lovely poetic writing, it tells kids to follow their passion, even if they don’t see the return in their lifetime. (Maybe wait to walk outside at night alone until after they’ve grown up, though.)

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Magic Ramen by Andrea Wang and Kana Urbanowicz

“Peace follows a full stomach,” thought Momofuko Ando while working in his lab to find a quick, easy, and tasty way of making ramen soup. He wanted to help those in the long daily lines for soup after WWII. This is the story of one man, his commitment to his cause, and the world’s most popular “easy soup.”

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Harlem’s Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills by Renée Watson and Christian Robinson

Florence was a little girl who loved to sing. She also loved her parents, who were formerly enslaved. So when her beautiful singing and dancing inspired patrons and playwrights alike, she knew that she wouldn’t be happy without standing up to the injustice that she saw daily.

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I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy and Elizabeth Baddeley

“Disagreeing does not make you disagreeable” was something that young Ruth Bader Ginsberg had to learn. This book is the first picture book of Ginsberg’s life. Kids get to see how one girl who stood up for what she believed and became the most beloved Supreme Court justice.

biography books for 2nd graders free online

Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos by Stephanie Roth Sisson

“The Earth and every living thing are made of star stuff.” —Carl Sagan. As a boy, Carl Sagan loved learning about the stars. His trip to the 1939 World’s Fair opened up the universe to Carl. A boy who was captured by the wonder of the cosmos became a man who would launch satellites and teach the world about the stars.

biography books for 2nd graders free online

Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson and Sean Qualls

Sometimes being told you can’t do a thing gives you all the incentive to do it more, especially if EVERYONE thinks you can’t. Emmanuel Ofosu Yepoah only had one leg — and this is the true story of how he biked across the entire country of Ghana (almost 400 miles!) and went on change the way many people in his country thought about people with disabilities.

biography books for 2nd graders free online

She Loved Baseball: The Effa Manley Story by Audrey Vernick and Don Tate

Effa Manley loved baseball. She loved to go Yankee Stadium and see Babe Ruth swing for the fences. Soon she became her own hero by becoming the manager and owner of the Newark Eagles. Effa was the first (and only) woman inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame, because of her work with the Eagles. From a girl growing up in Philly to a Hall of Famer, Manley shows us how to swing for the fences.

biography books for 2nd graders free online

Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix by Gary Golio and Javaka Steptoe

Can someone paint pictures with sound? Jimi was a normal kid who loved to paint and listen to music. This is the story of a kid who interpreted the world in his own unique way, and over time learned how to weave music and imagery to become one of the most influential people in the world.

biography books for 2nd graders free online

The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard and Oge Mora

Mary Walker was born into slavery. She had her first child at the age of 20, lived through a Civil War and two World Wars, and worked many many jobs. Finally, at the young age of 116, Mary Walker learned how to read, proving that it is never too late to follow your dreams and also recognize how incredible life can be.

Want even more after reading this list? Check out historical fiction classics for kids and these picture book biographies of Black leaders and creatives.

biography books for 2nd graders free online

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37 Inspiring Martin Luther King Jr. Books for Kids of All Ages

Great books for every day!

Teachers' favorite Martin Luther King Jr. Books.

Our classrooms are filled with heroes in the making, which is why it’s so important to nurture and encourage kids to dream big and follow their hearts. What better way to do that than to introduce them to one of the most influential and inspiring people in history? It’s never too early to share the powerful story and legacy of this incredible man, which is why we’ve put together this list of captivating Martin Luther King, Jr. books for kids of all ages. Remember—these great books are for every day, not just Martin Luther King Day!

(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)

Martin Luther King Jr. Books for Elementary School

1. i am martin luther king, jr. by brad meltzer & christopher eliopoulos.

Cover illustration of I am Martin Luther King, Jr.

Perfect for younger students, this picture book biography tells the story of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. This book shares the timeline of his history and childhood moments that inspired him.

2. When Martin Luther King Jr. Wore Roller Skates by Mark Andrew Weakland & Patrick Ballesteros

Cover illustration of When Martin Luther King Jr. Wore Roller Skates

What was Martin Luther King Jr. like as a little kid? This heartwarming and playful story shares a glimpse into a childhood filled with roller skating and football to help younger readers connect with a historic figure who will inspire them to want to achieve greatness.

3. I am Brave: A Little Book about Martin Luther King, Jr. by Brad Meltzer & Christopher Eliopoulos

Cover illustration of I am Brave A Little Book About Martin Luther King, Jr.

What makes a hero? This friendly, fun biography series focuses on the traits that make our heroes great—the traits that kids can also find within themselves! This book will help even the very youngest readers learn about one of America’s most influential icons.

4. My Little Golden Book About Martin Luther King Jr. by Bonnie Bader & Sue Cornelison

Cover illustration of My Little Golden Book About Martin Luther King Jr.

This Little Golden Book biography is the perfect introduction to nonfiction for young kids and captures the essence of Martin Luther King, Jr. for the littlest readers. Readers will learn how MLK was shaped by his childhood in segregated Atlanta and in his father’s church and went on to become one of the most powerful voices in this nation’s history.

5. Good Night Martin Luther King Jr. by Adam Gamble, Mark Jasper, and Julissa Mora

Cover illustration of Good Night Martin Luther King Jr.

This installment in the popular Good Night Our World series introduces kids to the iconic civil rights leader’s childhood, education, and family members, as well as the Great March on Washington, speeches, peaceful protests, Rosa Parks and the bus boycott, winning the Nobel Peace Prize, and more.

6. Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.? by Lisbeth Kaiser and Stanley Chow

Cover illustration of Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.

This board book biography offers the chronology and themes of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s meaningful life in just a few sentences per page. The eye-catching illustrations are sure to captivate young readers and adults alike.

7. Martin Luther King Jr Coloring Book

Cover illustration of Martin Luther King Jr Coloring Book

A great way to encourage students to express themselves creatively, this set of coloring pages introduces Martin Luther King, Jr. to younger students. Each poster contains MLK quotes that reflect peace and love.

8. Holly Celebrates MLK Day by Kimberly Kendall-Drucker

Cover illustration of Holly Celebrates MLK Day

Holly absolutely adores a celebration, because all her days are Holly-Days! She especially enjoys Martin Luther King Day, because she spends the day gathering her friends and marching in the MLK Day parade to honor Dr. King’s service and sacrifice.

9. Martin Luther King Jr. by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara  (Author), Mai Ly Degnan (Illustrator)

Cover illustration of Little People, Big Dreams Martin Luther King Jr.

Discover the childhood experiences that led Martin Luther King Jr. to become an inspiring minister and civil rights activist. After facing injustice and discrimination at a young age, little Martin promised himself he’d fight against injustice using the most powerful weapon of all—his words.

10. Be a King: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream and You by Carole Boston Weatherford & James E. Ransome

Cover illustration of Be A King Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Dream and You

“You can be a King. Stamp out hatred. Put your foot down and walk tall. You can be a King. Beat the drum for justice. March to your own conscience.” This captivating and moving book features a dual narrative of the key moments of Dr. King’s life alongside a modern classroom as the students learn about him. As times change, Dr. King’s example remains, encouraging a new generation of children to take charge and change the world … to be a King.

11. My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr by Martin Luther King III & AG Ford

Cover illustration of My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

What was it like growing up as a son of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? This picture book memoir written by Martin Luther King III provides insight into one of history’s most fascinating families and the special bond between father and son.

12. The Story of Martin Luther King Jr. by Johnny Ray Moore

Cover illustration of The Story of Martin Luther King Jr.

Ideal for very young readers, this sweet little board book tells how Martin Luther King, Jr. grew up, became a minister, and worked to end segregation in America.

13. What Was the March on Washington? by Kathleen Krull

Cover illustration of What Was the March on Washington?

On August 28, 1963, as Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech, more than 200,000 people gathered in Washington, DC, to demand equal rights for all races. With black-and-white artwork throughout and sixteen pages of photographs, this book brings that incredible moment to life.

14. The Story of Martin Luther King Jr. by Christine Platt

Cover illustration of The Story of Martin Luther King Jr.

Before Martin Luther King, Jr. became one of the most important figures in American history, he was a dedicated, smart little boy who loved to learn. This book helps kids explore how MLK went from being a kid with a dream to an inspiring leader who made America a better place for everyone.

15. Martin Luther King Jr. by Inspired Inner Genius

Cover illustration of Martin Luther King Jr.

Courage, honor, and unlimited possibilities take center stage in this kid-friendly biography of Martin Luther King, Jr. Beautifully illustrated and written like a storybook, this addition to your library also includes a gallery and glossary.

16. Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport & Bryan Collier

Cover illustration of Martin's Big Words

Through his own words, this picture book shares the life and message of Martin Luther King, Jr. This biography contains quotes from some of the most beloved speeches of one of the most gifted and influential speakers of our time interwoven with a stunning collage art combining remarkable watercolor paintings with vibrant patterns and textures.

17. I Have a Dream  by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. & Kadir Nelson

Cover illustration of I Have A Dream

Experience history with this picture book of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s best-known speech, including an audio CD. From daughter, Dr. Bernice A. King: “My father’s dream continues to live on from generation to generation, and this beautiful and powerful illustrated edition of his world-changing ‘I Have a Dream’ speech brings his inspiring message of freedom, equality, and peace to the youngest among us—those who will one day carry his dream forward for everyone.”

18. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr (Color and Learn)

Cover illustration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. An Illustrated History Coloring Book For Everyone

These high-resolution coloring pages introduce kids to key events, people, and places that were important for the civil rights movement in the United States. Also find interesting “Did You Know?” trivia with surprising information about how he won the Nobel Peace Prize, a 381-day bus boycott, and much more!

19. My Brother Martin  by Christine King Farris & Chris Soentpiet

Cover illustration of My Brother Martin

Renowned educator Christine King Farris, older sister of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., collaborated with celebrated illustrator Chris Soentpiet to tell the inspirational story of how one boyhood experience inspired a movement that would change the world as we know it.

20. A Place to Land by Barry Wittenstein & Jerry Pinkney

Cover illustration of A Place To Land Martin Luther King Jr. and the Speech that Inspired a Nation

As a new generation of activists demands an end to racism, A Place to Land reflects on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and the movement that it galvanized. Much has been written about Martin Luther King, Jr. and the 1963 March on Washington, but how much do we know about how he came to write it? This book tells the story.

21. National Geographic Readers: Martin Luther King, Jr. by Kitson Jazynka

Cover illustration of Nation Geographic Readers Martin Luther King, Jr.

In this level three biography, difficult concepts are made understandable and transitioned into a more approachable manner. This includes the use of sidebars, timetables, diagrams, and fun facts to hold the interest of the young reader.

22. Free At Last: The Story of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Angela Bull

Cover illustration of DK Readers Free At Last! The Story of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Level 4 readers’ Free at Last! is a biography of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., who encouraged nonviolent protest to fulfill his dream of an America where people would be judged by the content of their character, not by the color of their skin.

23. Martin Luther King Jr.: A Peaceful Leader by Sarah Albee & Chin Ko

Cover illustration of Martin Luther King Jr. A Peaceful Leader

Geared for kids who read on their own, but still need a little help, this book offers an introduction to the life of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is introduced in this early reader biography, which combines a traditional narrative with historical photographs at the back, complete with a timeline, illustrations, and interesting facts.

24. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the March on Washington by Frances E. Ruffin & Stephen Marchesi

Cover illustration of Martin Luther King Jr. and the March on Washington

On August 28, 1963, more than 250,000 people flocked to the nation’s capital by plane, bus, car, and even on roller-skates. The shared goal? To speak out against segregation and to demand equal rights for everyone. Told with a wonderful immediacy, this book captures the spirit of this landmark day in American history and brings Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech to vivid life for kids.

25. Dream March by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson & Sally Wern Comport

Cover illustration of Dream March Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the March on Washington

Set against Dr. King’s historic march on Washington in the summer of 1963, a moving story and powerful illustrations combine to remember not only one of America’s most celebrated leaders but also one of America’s most celebrated moments.

Martin Luther King Jr. Books for Middle & High School

26. stride toward freedom: the montgomery story by martin luther king & clayborne carson.

Cover illustration of Stride Toward Freedom The Montgomery Story

Comprehensive and intimate, Stride Toward Freedom emphasizes the collective nature of the first successful large-scale act of nonviolent resistance in America: the Montgomery bus boycott. A young Dr. King wrote this book, which includes his experiences learning from fellow activities, Rosa Parks and Claudette Colvin, just two years after the groundbreaking event.

27. Dear Martin by Nic Stone

Cover illustration of Dear Martin

This stunning novel follows Justyce McAllister, a good kid, honor student, and loyal friend. When police officers put him in handcuffs, though, everything changes. Justyce looks to the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for answers. But do they hold up anymore? He starts a journal to Dr. King to find out.

28. Martin Luther King Jr.: A Life From Beginning to End by Hourly History

Cover illustration of Martin Luther King Jr. A Life From Beginning To End

While the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. was tragically cut short, his legacy lives on. Through nonviolent direct action and love, he helped pioneer the civil rights movement and changed the world. This book provides a look at his early life, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a brush with death, the March on Washington, and so much more.

29. The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Clayborne Carson

Cover illustration of The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Written in his own words, this history-making autobiography tells the story of Martin Luther King, a mild-mannered, inquisitive child and student who chafed under and eventually rebelled against segregation as a young minister, husband, and father. This book also offers King’s seldom disclosed views on some of the world’s greatest and most controversial figures, including John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, Lyndon B. Johnson, Mahatma Gandhi, and Richard Nixon.

30. A Time to Break Silence  by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. & Walter Dean Myers

Cover illustration of A Time To Break Silence The Essential Works of Martin Luther King, Jr., for Students

The first collection of King’s essential writings for high school students and young people, A Time to Break Silence , presents Martin Luther King, Jr.’s most important writings and speeches which have been carefully selected by teachers across a variety of disciplines. Arranged thematically in five parts, the collection includes nineteen selections, including “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and “I Have a Dream,” as well as lesser-known pieces such as “The Sword that Heals” and “What Is Your Life’s Blueprint?”

31. I Have a Dream: Writings and Speeches That Changed the World by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Cover illustration of I Have A Dream Writings & Speeches That Changed The World

This fortieth-anniversary edition honors Martin Luther King Jr.’s courageous dream and his immeasurable contribution. As Coretta Scott King says in her foreword, “This collection includes many of what I consider to be my husband’s most important writings and orations.” In addition to the famed keynote address, readers will find the “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” the essay “Pilgrimage to Nonviolence,” and his last sermon, “I See the Promised Land.”

32. My Life With Martin Luther King, Jr. by Coretta Scott King

Cover illustration of My Life With Martin Luther King, Jr.

In the words of Coretta Scott King, the widow of the dynamic and beloved civil rights leader, this book recounts the history of the movement and offers an inside look at Dr. King, his sermons and speeches, her relationship to him, their children and family life, and more.

33. Strength to Love by Martin Luther King Jr.

Cover illustration of Strength To Love

This is the most comprehensive, must-read narrative from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. addressing civil rights. His widow, Coretta Scott King, wrote, “I believe it is because this book best explains the central element of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s philosophy of nonviolence. His belief in a divine, loving presence that binds all life.” The insight luminously conveyed in this classic text hints at a personal transformation at the root of social justice. Dr. King states, “By reaching into and beyond ourselves and tapping the transcendent moral ethic of love, we shall overcome these evils.”

34. Why We Can’t Wait by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. & Jesse Jackson

Cover illustration of Why We Can't Wait

In this remarkable book—winner of the Nobel Peace Prize—Dr. King recounts the story of Birmingham in vivid detail, tracing the history of the struggle for civil rights back to its beginnings and looking to the future. Above all, Dr. King offers an eloquent and penetrating analysis of the events and pressures that propelled the civil rights movement from lunch counter sit-ins and prayer marches to the forefront of American consciousness.

35. All Labor Has Dignity by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. & Michael K. Honey

Cover illustration of

Dr. King had a dream of economic equality and spoke out about labor rights and justice. Gathered in one volume for the first time, the majority of these speeches will be new to most readers and begins with King’s lectures to unions in the 1960s, including addresses made during his Poor People’s Campaign.

36. My Life with Charles Billups and Martin Luther King  by Rene Billups Baker & Keith D. Miller

Cover illustration of My Life with Charles Billups & Martin Luther King

Despite being a pivotal leader during the climax of the entire civil rights movement, little has been said about Charles Billups—until now. Daughter, Rene Billups Baker, relates his torture by the Ku Klux Klan and reveals his participation in Martin Luther King, Jr.’s key strategy sessions at the Gaston Motel.

37. Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Vincent Harding & Coretta Scott King

Cover illustration of Where Do We Go From Here Chaos or Community?

In 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., rented a house in Jamaica and isolated himself from the demands of the civil rights movement as he labored over his final manuscript. In this prophetic work, which has been unavailable for more than ten years, he lays out his thoughts, plans, and dreams for America’s future, including the need for better jobs, higher wages, decent housing, and quality education. With a universal message of hope that continues to resonate, King demanded an end to global suffering, asserting that humankind has the resources and technology to eradicate poverty.

Want more book suggestions? Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter so you can get our latest picks.

38 Inspiring Martin Luther King Jr. Books for Kids of All Ages

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Tigers – levelled reader

tigers

Another great creative commons book from Mustard Seed Books.

By:  Mustard Seed

This book is also available in a Spanish version here –  https://freekidsbooks.org/los-tigres-tigers-spanish-version/

Sample Text From Tigers

Tigers are big cats that live in the wild. Have you seen a tiger at the zoo?

What do you know about tigers?

Baby tigers are called cubs. When cubs are born, they are blind and helpless.

Cubs grow quickly and spend lots of time play fighting with their brothers and sisters.

The mother takes care of her cubs and teaches them how to hunt. The cubs leave home when they are around two years old.

Tigers are carnivores, which means they eat meat. A full grown tiger eats thirty to forty pounds of meat a day.

Tigers are the heaviest cats found in the wild. They can weigh up to 660 pounds.

Tigers have large, sharp teeth that help them hunt and eat. They hunt at night when it’s easier to sneak up on their prey.

Tigers live in the jungle or the forest so they can hide in the plants and trees and sneak up on their prey. Tigers always live close to water.

Most cats don’t like to swim, but tigers do. They can swim up to four miles. Tigers cool off by laying in a pool of water.

Most tigers have over 100 stripes. The stripes help the tiger hide in the jungle and forest.

Tigers can be orange, white or golden. White and golden tigers are rare and are found mostly in zoos.

Next time you go to the zoo, visit the tigers and watch them eat, sleep and play!

<End of text from Tigers – a levelled reader>

Select the buttons below the post to read online or download.

Read along with Kiwi Opa :

If you love big cats, there are lots more books about them here on FKB, see our Cats Category , or our Animals Category ,

Or see these adorable picture books about big cats:

Lions are always brave – a cute big cat story for young children.

Illustrated by Carlos Amato, Written by Daniel Browde

Lions are Always Brave is a cute animal story about a little lion, who is strong, fast, stretchy, and br…br….brave?

The Lion Who Wouldn’t Try – A picturebook promoting better behaviour

Illustrated by Andre Kieswetter, Written by Liza Esterhuyse

In the Lion Who Wouldn’t Try is a story about trying, we see a story of a lion who is too afraid of failure to attempt anything. All the other animals are having fun, while the lion is moping around. He is too afraid of losing that he never ends up having any fun.

Wild Cat! Wild Cat! Non-fiction for the very young

Author: Sejal Mehta, Illustrator: Rohan Chakravarty

This very cute non-fiction book for young children is all about wild cats, from common big cats to more diverse, it also makes a great learning to read age book which can spark some research ideas for homeschool or general interest study.

Comments 15

Perfect for many ages at a time. Pics are great!

Hi! So I loved this book so much, tigers are my favorite animals! (One of them) I actually had no idea that tigers came in a variety of colors. This was a very fun book to read and I hope you make more. Thank you ~Pinkypuffs43

I like this book because it has things that l don’t know before and now I know .

I like it because they have good pictures

Yes, I liked it, because the pictures are really good, and there are bold words that show which words are important.

Because They are Largest and Heaviest Cats on Earth

Great for kids doing report writing

i liked the book it was funny .

I really got surprised that white tigers are rare 🙂

We enjoyed this informational text! The students used it in writing about the tiger. Thank you!

[…] Tigers […]

ellora writes: it is really good good

Shabana writes: Thank u it is the best book

Fernando Landa writes: It’s a short but nice book. It was very helpfull for me, because I’m learning English.

emma writes: had so many intresting facts about tigers peice out dood

amaraih writes: tigers are amazing.

Faith writes: enjoyed this book it was a nice read for my 5 year old.

John Nguyen writes: It is an interesting kid’s book. I enjoy reading it as I am a pupil at grade 4

Ana victoria writes: I like the book

Abdullah writes: I learnt in this book about tigers.I did not know that tigers can swim in the water but now I know.

Ludovica writes: So cool

Gary writes: This book was a really good book and very informational

Kta writes: nice

noora writes: I loved it so much because it have a lot of information

foofy writes: it was amazing

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    The Story of Coretta Scott King (Board Book) by Patricia A. Pingry (shelved 1 time as biographies-for-2nd-grade) avg rating 4.33 — 3 ratings — published 2007 Want to Read Rate this book 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars The Story of Benjamin Franklin (Board Book)

  13. 13 Great Places To Find Free Children's Books Online

    Check their ebook shelves for books you can download free of charge, or find some children's titles on the books tagged as "free online." 13. Library OF CONGRESS. The Library of Congress provides a number of classic children's books free online, without requiring a library card. With full page scans, this service allows you to get the ...

  14. 2nd Grade ELA

    Book: Honda: The Boy who Dreamed of Cars by Mark Weston (Lee & Low Books, 2014) — AD870L Book: How to Build a Hug: Temple Grandin and Her Amazing Squeeze Machine by Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2018) — AD770L Book: Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom by Teresa Robeson (Sterling Children's Books ...

  15. Non-Fiction

    Categories: Age 2-5 Years, Age 6-9 years, All FKB Books, Beginner English, biology, Children, Conservation, Grade 1 to Grade 3, Grade K and Pre K, Nature, Non-Fiction, Read along video, Storyweaver-Pratham, Toddlers I do not use plastic bags but I use cloth bags instead. Reviews (2) Read Online Views:680 Download Free PDF - Downloads : 4849

  16. Biography

    Biography. A great way to teach about history and content-area topics, biographies highlight famous figures, inventors, scientists, civil rights leaders, sports legends, and heros. Many of these mini-books, plays, and passages feature question/response activities, biography worksheets, teaching guides, lesson ideas, and graphic organizers.

  17. 20 Biography Books For Kids To Help Them Dream Big

    Mary Walker was born into slavery. She had her first child at the age of 20, lived through a Civil War and two World Wars, and worked many many jobs. Finally, at the young age of 116, Mary Walker learned how to read, proving that it is never too late to follow your dreams and also recognize how incredible life can be.

  18. Shark Lady by Jess Keating I Read aloud I Biography books for kids

    To buy the book: https://amzn.to/3afjeLDOne of New York Times' Twelve Books for Feminist Boys and Girls!This is the story of a woman who dared to dive, defy,...

  19. Free Second Grade Books

    Access to outstanding, inspirational, educational, and free reading books is top priority for our founder Colleen Grandt! She has been a classroom teacher, reading specialist, math specialist, an apprentice to teachers, in-service provider, researched and analyzed how children learn, as well as her far greater role of being a parent and grandmother.

  20. Martin Luther King Jr Books to Share with Students of All Grade Levels

    1. I am Martin Luther King, Jr. by Brad Meltzer & Christopher Eliopoulos. Perfect for younger students, this picture book biography tells the story of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. This book shares the timeline of his history and childhood moments that inspired him. 2.

  21. Tigers

    Tigers - A non-fiction book all about tigers. This book is levelled to guided reading Level H, for grades 1 to 2 with 245 words. Learn simple facts about tigers as reading and science subjects for early elementary school children. Another great creative commons book from Mustard Seed Books. This book is also available in a Spanish version ...

  22. 2nd Grade Free Choice Children's Book Collection

    Discover new children's books on Epic. With thousands of books and audiobooks there is no limit to what children can learn and explore. View the 2nd Grade Free Choice collection on Epic plus over 40,000 of the best books & videos for kids.

  23. Free Second Grade Language Arts Books

    Bee Buzz. Take Me Out to the Ball Game. Yankee Doodle. Beach Rhymes. On Top of Spaghetti. I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy. Page 1 out of 5. Use our library of Free Second Grade Language Arts Books to help your child find a book they will love. We offer over 1,000 free childrens books for readers from preschool to third grade.