By second and third grade your child is mastering the skill of reading and as with any new skill is probably eager to show it off. This is an excellent opportunity to encourage him by asking him to read to you and his younger siblings or friends. Whatever his skill level your praise and encouragement is key. This is a time also when a new reader may expand his reading selections to include books about subjects he is interested in, learning that not all books are stories.
Below is a sample of our selections. If you don't find what you want, please ask us to help you, in person or online by email.

Click here for a print copy of this list.

	COOLIES by Yin, 2001 (JP-Y)			FIREBOAT : THE HEROIC ADVENTURES OF THE JOHN J. HARVEY by Maira Kalman, 2002 (JP-K)
As a boy and his grandmother celebrate the Ching Ming Festival, a holiday honoring one’s ancestors, the grandmother tells the story of her great-grandfather, Shek, who came from China to California in 1865 to work on the transcontinental railroad.			This is the real-life story of the John J. Harvey, which was first launched in 1931. After many years of service fighting fires along the Hudson River, the boat was finally retired. Restored in 1995, on September 11, 2001 it served the city again.

	GEORGIE LEE by Sharon Phillips Denslow, 2002 (JE-DEN)			KATE AND THE BEANSTALK by Mary Pope Osborne, 2000 (JP-O)
In this story about a young boy's summer on a farm, the title player moos-Georgie Lee is a cow, and a right smart one at that.			The magic beans, sky-high beanstalk, and fearsome giant are all present, but lazy Jack has been replaced by brave and resourceful Kate.

	HOOWAY FOR WODNEY WAT by Helen Lester, 1999 (JP-L)			I STINK! by Jean Little, 2002 (JP-M)
A shy rat who can't pronounce his r's rises to the occasion and outsmarts a new student who terrorizes the classroom.			An enthusiastic garbage truck describes the hearty joys of its daily rounds.

Selected by Rosalie Hoover, San Carlos Library 2003