The resources are also available as Google Docs that you may customize if you would like.
Explore
ABOUT
My Books Every Day is a books-to-home literacy program with ready-to-go resources for reading and family engagement.
- Students do activities that help develop life skills, boost confidence, and make personal connections to books.
- Families strengthen reading at home with story-centered questions to spark book talks.
- Teachers support independent reading with:
- Literacy messages to send home
- Discussion questions to build book connections and community in the classroom
- Literacy messages to send home
- Discussion questions to build book connections and community in the classroom
Grade 2 Booklist
HOW TO START
1
Review the Materials
- Classroom Conversations include creative activities to connect at-home reading to the classroom.
- Family Communications include messages you can copy and paste to send literacy tips and book information to families. Some messages invite families to write back to spark positive two-way communication.
2
Choose the Materials
Decide if you will be using all or some resources.
- If you use the Classroom Conversations activity prompts, it is helpful to send the Book-Specific Messages first so families will have read the same book at the same time.
- Classroom Conversations can be used in whole group, small group, or to support teaching comprehension strategies like making connections.
3
Plan Your Schedule
Schedule your messages and activities. You may wish to do one picture book per week and one chapter book every two weeks, if applicable.
- There is a sample messaging schedule in the Kickoff Messages document.
4
Enjoy the Conversation
Have fun discussing with students how books connect to our lives and act as models for handling life’s ups and downs. Learn new things about your students, which can generate opportunities to deepen your relationship and their trust in you.
Self-Awareness Pack
The Self-Awareness book pack features characters who learn about themselves by interacting with others and exploring their world. Use these resources to help students see themselves in the stories, make connections, and build confidence.
Classroom Conversations
Family Communications
Classroom Conversations
Use these prompts to build connections to books, energize the classroom community, and learn more about your students. Students will tap into creativity while activating writing, speaking, and listening skills.
Blackout
On a hot summer night in the city, the power goes out. No TV, no phones, no computers—what's a family to do? Stargaze, eat ice cream before it melts, and enjoy being together.
Discuss the Book
1. WRITE
At the beginning of the book, each member of the family is doing something different. When your family is home, what is everyone doing? Write one sentence for each family member, describing their favorite activities. Include your pets!
2. DISCUSS
Why do you think playing board games was important to the child in the story? What about you? Do you like to play games with family and friends? Why or why not? Are you serious about winning or do you just play for fun? Or would you rather be doing something else?
3. CREATE
When the lights are off, the family makes shadow puppets, eats ice cream, and plays board games. What would you do? Fold a paper in half. Label one side “Together” and the other side “By Myself.” On each side, draw or write about your favorite thing to do “offline” (without electricity).
4. POLL
Which idea do you think best captures what this book is about?
● Loneliness and togetherness
● Darkness
● A change from routine
Why? Was there a particular scene in the book that made you think about that idea?
Save a copy of the prompts via Google Docs.
My Family Adventure
Sofia is a fantastic problem solver. With the help of her sisters and cousins, she figures out how to shine in her school photo, find a lost pet, and make her Abuela’s birthday extra special.
Discuss the Book
1. DISCUSS | Pages 4–33
Sofia puts a giant bow in her hair so she’ll stand out in her school photo. Have you ever worn something so that you’ll stand out? Tell us about it! Can you think of times people wear things to stand out on purpose? (Various jobs with uniforms, kids wearing bright clothes to stand out to their parents in a busy airport or amusement park…)
2. CREATE | Pages 34–63
Since Abuela loves playing cards, Sofia and Hector put cards in her piñata. If you couldn’t have candy in your birthday piñata, what would you want instead? Draw a picture of it spilling out of your piñata! Then write a few sentences explaining why you chose that.
3. WRITE | Pages 64–91
Sofia solves a lot of problems in this story. Write a paragraph about a problem, little or big, that you have solved. (You might think about something lost that you found or replaced, or a time you made someone feel better, or something that was hard to learn for example.)
4. POLL
There are three stories in this book. Which do you most relate to or connect with?
● “Picture Perfect”—wanting to stand out and be noticed
● “Abuela’s Birthday”—planning something unique for a special person
● “The Missing Mouse”—losing something that belongs to someone else
Why? What happened in your life that made you connect to that story?
Save a copy of the prompts via Google Docs.
Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt
Narwhal decides to become a superhero but doesn’t know what his superpower is. Luckily, his two friends Jelly and Star—and even his frenemy, Crab—help him figure it out.
Discuss the Book
1. WRITE | Pages 5–24
Narwhal and Jelly are great friends, but they’re different from each other. What about you and someone close to you? Are you alike or different—or both? Write 2–5 sentences explaining your answer and give an example of how you and the person are alike, different, or both.
2. CREATE | Pages 25–38
One of Narwhal’s ideas for getting Star back into the sky is to build a rocket ship. Draw a picture of Narwhal and Star—and you!—in the rocket ship, on your way to space. Design a way for you to each stay stuck to your seats for liftoff. Write a few sentences describing your picture.
3. DISCUSS | Pages 39–64
Jelly feels pretty sad about Crab calling him “Jelly Dolt.” (Crab shouldn’t have called him that—it’s never right to call someone a mean name.) How does Narwhal make Jelly feel better? And how—and why—does Narwhal also make Crab feel better? What can people do for you when your feelings have been hurt?
4. POLL
Which character from Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt are you most like?
● I’m like Super Narwhal—I’m a problem-solver but I don’t always think things through.
● I’m like Jelly Jolt—I’m super smart but I worry a lot and sometimes feel blue.
● I’m like Star—I’m friendly but sometimes I feel out of place.
● I’m like Crab—I’m grouchy but my friends can snap me out of it.
Explain your answer. (Choose more than one if you want to!)
Save a copy of the prompts via Google Docs.
Mommy’s Hometown
When a boy and his mother visit the Korean village where she grew up, he is surprised to see that it has become a big city. But one thing remains the same from her stories—the river she played in as a child.
Discuss the Book
1. DISCUSS
When the boy and his mother arrive at her hometown, they notice the village has grown into a big city. The story says, “the new replaced the old.” That is part of life! How has our town, city, or school changed over time?
2. WRITE
The boy is excited to see the river his mother played in as a child. She has told him lots of stories about it. Imagine you are telling your future child about your favorite play spot. Write a few sentences about what it looks like and what you do there.
3. POLL
What are your favorite kinds of stories to hear from your parents, grandparents, or caregivers?
● Stories about when they were kids
● Stories about what they do in their jobs
● Stories about their goals, hopes, or dreams
What are some of your favorite family stories?
4. CREATE
Near the end of the book, the boy imagines his mother as a child. In the illustration, he and his mother are both children, playing together. Think of an adult you love who you’d like to play with as a child. What would you do? Draw a picture, then write a few sentences to explain your ideas.
Save a copy of the prompts via Google Docs.
Look Up With Me: Neil deGrasse Tyson: A Life Among the Stars
When astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson was a child, he went to the Hayden Planetarium in New York City, fell in love with the stars, and decided to share his passion for outer space with the whole world.
Discuss the Book
1. DISCUSS
Why do you think Neil was so shocked and amazed when he saw the stars at the planetarium? What do you think of the night sky? What would you want to see if you had a telescope? Now let’s make a class list of all the wondrous things that amaze us! What things have you seen in your life that make you feel as amazed as Neil?
2. WRITE
Neil wrote a magazine column in the voice of a made-up character named Merlin, a visitor from another galaxy who answered people’s questions about the universe. Pretend you are writing an article by Merlin. Someone has asked you to describe Planet Earth to them. Write a paragraph explaining what Earth is like and what it’s like to live here!
3. POLL
Neil loves to share mind-blowing facts about the universe. Which fact (from pages 30–31) do you find most fascinating? Explain your choice.
● There are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on Earth’s beaches.
● Most shooting stars are smaller than a blueberry.
● A black hole will “spaghettify”—or stretch—your body.
● Outer space is completely silent.
Do you know any other interesting facts about space, the Sun, or the Earth?
4. CREATE
As a child, Neil wondered where comets come from and how big outer space is. What do you wonder about? Draw or cut out a big paper oval and label it “MY BRAIN.” Think about topics that interest you, like animals, music, the ocean, your family’s history… After you write down the questions in your brain, write a sentence about how you could find answers one day.
Save a copy of the prompts via Google Docs.
Family Communications
Copy and paste these messages to communicate with families in English and Spanish. You’ll find messages to:
- Kick off the program
- Introduce each book
- Provide literacy strategies for the home
Introduce the program and inform families of books and communications coming home.
Excite families with messages that introduce each book and encourage book discussion at home.
Build families’ skills with literacy strategies and encourage engagement with questions that elicit two-way conversations about reading.
Additional Family Resources
Interested in viewing additional family materials? Here are digital copies of the print materials families received with the book packs.
Student Journal
Family Guide
Family Site
If you’d like, you may review the Family site in English and Spanish.
Username: mybooks
Password: reader
Challenges and Solutions Pack
The Challenges and Solutions book pack features characters who are figuring out how to tackle problems or face the unexpected. Use these resources to help students strengthen their problem-solving skills and build resilience.
Classroom Conversations
Family Communications
Classroom Conversations
Use these prompts to build connections to books, energize the classroom community, and learn more about your students. Students will tap into creativity while activating writing, speaking, and listening skills.
Don’t Throw It to Mo!
Mo loves to play football, but he rarely gets to play on his team because he’s small. One day, the coach figures out a surprise plan involving Mo. And Mo catches the winning pass for his team!
Discuss the Book
1. DISCUSS
How do you think Mo felt when the coach told the team not to throw to Mo? What is something kind you could have said to Mo in that moment?
2. WRITE
The opposing team didn’t expect Mo to be able to catch the football, but he did! Have you (or someone you know) ever done something that people didn’t expect? How did that feel? Write a few sentences about this.
3. CREATE
Mo’s coach created a plan to surprise the other team. Now it’s your turn to create a surprise for someone—a nice surprise! Who would you like to create a sweet surprise for? What would you do? Write down a plan to make the surprise. Include at least three steps. (Example: 1. Get paper and crayons. 2. Draw a picture of me and my grandparents. 3. Mail the picture.)
4. POLL
Do you think Mo is a good teammate?
Yes
No
Why or why not? As a class, let’s make a list of the qualities that we think make a good teammate and what qualities do not make a good teammate.
Save a copy of the prompts via Google Docs.
Exclamation Mark
An exclamation mark feels sad that he doesn’t fit in with the other punctuation. One day, through meeting a question mark, the exclamation mark realizes that his purpose is making big, exclamatory statements. By figuring out who he is, he gains new confidence and joy.
Discuss the Book
1. WRITE
What kinds of things could an exclamation mark say? Write 3–5 sentences that sound loud and exciting. Don’t forget to end with an exclamation mark!
2. DISCUSS
It took the exclamation mark some time to learn to love what is unique about him. Share something unique about yourself that you love. Why is this something you love about yourself? Is it easy or hard for you to be proud of what makes you unique?
3. CREATE
Draw a picture of an exclamation mark hanging out with the other punctuation after the end of the book. Do you think he would still try to fit in or would he stand out? Add some dialogue bubbles to show what they’re thinking and feeling.
4. POLL
What would you most like to do if you ever feel like you stand out?
Look for things I have in common with others
Enjoy being different
Share what’s unique about me (tell people something about me that they might not know or understand yet)
Have you ever done this before? Would anyone like to tell us about it?
Save a copy of the prompts via Google Docs.
The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes
This biography follows Dr. Patricia Bath, who dedicated her life to treating blindness. She encounters many obstacles but continues to persevere, creating an invention that helps people across the world improve their eyesight.
Discuss the Book
1. WRITE
Pretend you are Patricia Bath. Write 3–5 sentences acting as Patricia telling her parents about some things she has accomplished. Include how you think she feels after her years of hard work lead to good results.
2. DISCUSS
Why do you think Patricia kept working hard at becoming a doctor and helping other people? Why wouldn’t she give up? What things can you remember about Patricia to help you the next time you feel like giving up?
3. CREATE
Draw a comic illustrating one of Patricia’s patients who can now see after years of blindness. Show how the person reacts when they can finally see. Add a dialogue bubble of what they say to Dr. Bath.
4. POLL
What was your favorite piece of advice in the book?
“Nothing’s off limits—no job, dream, or role.”
“EDUCATION is the KEY to success.”
“So, if helping the world seems too hard, you are wrong. If some say you can’t do it, don’t listen. Be STRONG.”
“Like Patricia, stay FOCUSED. Push FORWARD. Shine BRIGHT . . . And you’ll find all your DREAMS will be well within SIGHT!”
Why? Which piece of advice can you use in your life? How?
Save a copy of the prompts via Google Docs.
Gustavo, the Shy Ghost
Gustavo the ghost wants to make a friend, but his shyness gets in the way. When he holds a special concert to share his favorite hobby with others, he learns that bravery pays off!
Discuss the Book
1. CREATE
Making a friend is important to Gustavo. Draw a picture showing a friendship that is important to you. Show how you and your friend support each other. Write a few sentences explaining your picture.
2. DISCUSS
How do you think Gustavo finds the bravery to invite the other monsters to his concert? Why do you think he finally stops hiding? What do you do when you need to be brave? What advice does our class have for each other?
3. POLL
What would you have done if no one appeared at the concert you were having?
I would have canceled the concert.
I would have played the concert.
I would have invited more guests to the concert.
Why? How do you think you would have felt? What can you do when you have a big, overwhelming feeling?
4. WRITE
Write a story about what Gustavo and his friends do together after the end of the story. You can use the final pages of the book for inspiration (they play soccer and dress up, make shadow puppets and music, and more). Write at least five sentences.
Save a copy of the prompts via Google Docs.
Mango, Abuela, and Me
Mia’s abuela (grandmother) comes to live with her family but doesn’t speak English. With the help of a parrot who repeats both English and Spanish words, they learn each other’s languages and develop a deeper relationship.
Discuss the Book
1. WRITE
Describe a time you learned something new. What helped you learn? How did you feel while you were trying to learn? How long did it take?
2. DISCUSS
Have you ever moved to a new place or a new school before? What was that like for you? If you haven’t moved, share how you think you might react. What could you do to make a big change easier?
3. CREATE
Mia tapes words in English all over things at home (like hamster, flowers) to help Abuela learn the language and understand her. If you were helping someone learn to talk to you, what words should they know first? What things do you like to talk about? Make a list of 10 words.
4. POLL
What feeling do you think Abuela felt most when she moved into Mia’s home?
Excited
Scared
Sad
Unsure
Explain your choice with reasons from the book. How did Abuela’s feelings change by the end of the book? Can you think of a time your feelings changed as time passed?
Save a copy of the prompts via Google Docs.
Family Communications
Copy and paste these messages to communicate with families in English and Spanish. You’ll find messages to:
- Kick off the program
- Introduce each book
- Provide literacy strategies for the home
Introduce the program and inform families of books and communications coming home.
Excite families with messages that introduce each book and encourage book discussion at home.
Build families’ skills with literacy strategies and encourage engagement with questions that elicit two-way conversations about reading.
Additional Family Resources
Interested in viewing additional family materials? Here are digital copies of the print materials families received with the book packs.
Student Journal
Family Guide
Family Site
If you’d like, you may review the Family site in English and Spanish.
Username: mybooks
Password: reader
Exploring With STEM Pack
The Exploring With STEM book pack features characters who develop life skills through STEM situations. Use these resources to help students engage their curiosity, set goals, and build growth-mindset and life skills.
Classroom Conversations
Family Communications
Classroom Conversations
Use these prompts to build connections to books, energize the classroom community, and learn more about your students. Students will tap into creativity while activating writing, speaking, and listening skills.
Make Way for Butterfly
Butterfly’s on a mission to become a VIP—a very important pollinator. They just need to become fuzzier, buzzier, stripier, stickier and sting-ier. Or do they?!
Discuss the Book
1. WRITE
Write a script of a conversation between Butterfly and Bee, then act it out with a partner. Think about how Butterfly and Bee each talk and act in the book. (Who has more energy? Who is more calm?) Will your script be funny or serious? That’s up to you and your imagination!
2. DISCUSS
Bee has been trying to share an important message with Butterfly. What is the message? Why is it important? Why do people always tell you to be yourself? What does that mean, anyway?
3. POLL
Butterfly has learned a lot about pollination in many different ways. How do you like to learn new things? By:
observing (watching closely)
listening
teaming up with a partner
experimenting (testing different ideas)
Why?
4. CREATE
Butterfly tries lots of ideas to become a better pollinator, like gluing on pom-poms and making baskets from acorn shells! Sketch or write about other funny ideas or inventions that Butterfly—or you!—could use to pollinate.
Save a copy of the prompts via Google Docs.
Jabari Tries
Jabari has plans to build a machine that flies. Not to worry, it’ll be easy! … Or will it? Jabari is going to need problem-solving, perseverance, and partnership to get the job done!
Discuss the Book
1. DISCUSS
When it seems like nothing is working, Jabari’s chest feels tight and his neck feels like a sunburn. Jabari wants to cry. Have you ever felt that way? What are some good things to try when you’re feeling frustrated or like you want to give up?
2. CREATE
Jabari and Nika wear astronaut helmets and firefighter helmets; hard hats and pirate hats; and crowns, antennae, and goggles! Design and draw a thinking cap or some cool headgear you can wear when you have a tough problem to puzzle out! Underneath, write a few sentences explaining your choice.
3. POLL
Which of Jabari’s problem-solving strategies do you think is most helpful?
Working with a partner
Making a plan
Talking it out
My own idea
Why? Discuss your choice with the class.
4. WRITE
When Jabari tests his flying machine, the book is filled with words that sound like sounds, like whoosh, swoosh, fizz, and pop. Write a paragraph about an invention you want to create—a marble run, a musical instrument, or another idea. Include the sounds you might hear when you build it and use it!
Save a copy of the prompts via Google Docs.
I Want To Be An Engineer
Visit all of the engineers working together at the construction site! Who knew there were so many ways to be an engineer!? Maybe you’d like to be an engineer too?
Discuss the Book
1. CREATE
Structural engineers make sure buildings are strong and safe. Use paper, scissors, and tape to make a mini-building. As you build, think about ways to fold or roll the paper to make it stronger. Then try fanning your building with a notebook, placing something on top of it, or wiggling the surface you built it on. Can you think of ways to make your building stronger and more stable? Test your ideas!
2. POLL
The engineers in the book are busy solving lots of different problems. If you were an engineer, which challenge would you be most excited to tackle?
Build a rocket that really blasts off!
Make an obstacle course for water to flow through!
Design a skyscraper that reaches up into clouds!
Code a pet robot to play games with you!
What do you think you would need to investigate before you begin? Once you have all your information, what do you think your first step would be?
3. DISCUSS
The environmental engineer figures out ways for buildings to be Earth-friendly (not hurt the environment). What are some of the important steps we can take at home, at school, and in our community to not hurt the Earth?
4. WRITE
Whoa! The mechanical engineer has a robot helper! If you had a robot friend, what are some of the fun ways you could help each other? Write a paragraph (or even a mini story) with your coolest ideas!
Save a copy of the prompts via Google Docs.
Layla and the Bots: Happy Paws
Happy Days Amusement Park is set to close. Where have all the customers gone? Can Layla and her robots save the park with a “huge and wild idea”—inventing rides for dogs?
Discuss the Book
1. WRITE | Chapters 1–3
Layla figures there are 4,000 homes in Blossom Valley and half of the households have dogs. That means there are 2,000 dog owners in the valley! Try writing a few fun word problems of your own. Trade problems with a classmate and help each other solve them! (Example: There are 55 dog treats in the jar. I invited 30 dogs for a dog party today. Each dog ate 1 treat. How many treats are left? Could I give each dog another treat tomorrow, or will I need to buy more treats?)
2. DISCUSS | Chapters 4–5
Layla tells Wade she has an idea to save the Happy Days Amusement Park—but inside, her stomach is flipping. She’s not sure if she can do it. What advice would you give Layla? What do you tell yourself when you have to do something that is challenging?
3. POLL | Chapters 6–7
If you could choose one of the characters from the book as your partner for your science fair project, whom would you choose?
Layla—an inventor
Beep—knows things
Boop—builds things
Bop—codes things
Talk with your classmates about your choice. Why do you want to team up with that character? What kinds of things are you interested in making together?
4. CREATE | Chapters 8–9
Make big plans! Design a map for an amusement park you'd love to visit! Make sure you have at least four unique experiences at your park. Which rides, attractions, and other special features will it have?
Save a copy of the prompts via Google Docs.
Rock Man vs. Weather Man
Ah-ha! Tim has a great idea for his latest comic book creation. Come along for the ride as Rock Man and Weather Man face off in a rock-cycle battle royale! Can Rock Man withstand the heat or will he crumble under the pressure?
Discuss the Book
1. DISCUSS
Rock Man vs. Weather Man tells the story of the rock cycle—the steps by which rocks break down and form again over time. Cycles are events that happen in the same order over and over again, like a pattern. Which kinds of things can you think of that happen in cycles? (Hint: seasons, days of the week, plant growth, the water cycle, a classroom routine) Try working with a classmate to identify all the repeating steps of a cycle you thought of.
2. WRITE
Rock Man and Weather Man face off in Tim’s comic book creation. Write a comic of your own about an epic contest. Try ideas like Unicorns vs. Mermaids, Plants vs. Animals, or Captain Broccoli vs. Kid Carrot.
3. CREATE
Ms. Frizzle’s school bus twirls and whirls and transforms into a helicopter. Dream and draw up the plans for an object, vehicle, or device that can transform into something else!
4. POLL
If you could have a superpower inspired by the story, which would you pick?
Grow big or shrink small
Fix anything that’s broken
Keep getting up no matter how many times you’re knocked down
Visit the past or the future
Why? What would you do with your superpower?
Save a copy of the prompts via Google Docs.
Family Communications
Copy and paste these messages to communicate with families in English and Spanish. You’ll find messages to:
- Kick off the program
- Introduce each book
- Provide literacy strategies for the home
Introduce the program and inform families of books and communications coming home.
Excite families with messages that introduce each book and encourage book discussion at home.
Build families’ skills with literacy strategies and encourage engagement with questions that elicit two-way conversations about reading.
Additional Family Resources
Interested in viewing additional family materials? Here are digital copies of the print materials families received with the book packs.
Student Journal
Family Guide
Family Site
If you’d like, you may review the Family site in English and Spanish.
Username: mybooks
Password: reader
Administrator Resources
My Books Every Day is a books-to-home literacy program with ready-to-go reading resources to support students, families, and the classroom.
Background
Students build reading identities with:
- Books for home
- Activities that help develop life skills, confidence, and problem-solving
Families strengthen reading at home with:
- Story-centered questions to spark book talks
- A digital site with literacy tips and encouragement
Teachers support independent reading with:
- Literacy messages to send home
- Discussion questions to build book connections and classroom community
Grade 2 Booklist
K-5 Booklist
Surveys
Use these survey templates to gather meaningful feedback on the program from educators and families.
