17 Best Books for 8-Year-Olds
Welcome to our curated list of the best books for 8-year-olds!
At this age, children are diving deeper into the world of reading, exploring new genres, and developing their own literary preferences. Whether they’re seeking thrilling adventures, heartwarming stories, or fantastical realms, the books on this list are sure to captivate their imaginations and foster a lifelong love of reading.
From classics that have stood the test of time to contemporary favorites, these books offer something for every young reader.
Let’s check these literary gems out right now.
Best Books for 8-Year-Olds
1. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
“Charlotte’s Web” tells the heartwarming story of a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a barn spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur is in danger of being slaughtered, Charlotte writes messages in her web to persuade the farmer to save him.
This classic novel explores themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the cycle of life.
What makes it amazing?
This book is amazing for its ability to teach children about the importance of friendship and compassion through the lens of farm animals.
The characters are memorable and the story is filled with moments that evoke a wide range of emotions.
It’s a timeless tale that also introduces children to the realities of life and death in a gentle, thoughtful way.
2. The Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne
The Magic Tree House series follows the adventures of Jack and Annie, two siblings who discover a tree house filled with books that transport them to different times and places.
Each book in the series takes them on a new adventure, from dinosaurs to ancient Egypt to pirate expeditions, making history and science exciting and accessible.
What makes it amazing?
These books are amazing because they combine fantasy with educational content, sparking children’s imaginations while teaching them about history, geography, and science.
The series encourages reading and learning through adventure and discovery, making it a perfect choice for young readers who are beginning to explore chapter books.
3. Matilda by Roald Dahl
“Matilda” is the story of a brilliant and precocious young girl who uses her intelligence and magical powers to overcome neglectful parents and a tyrannical school principal.
Along the way, she discovers the power of kindness and the joy of reading, making friends with her teacher, Miss Honey, who recognizes and nurtures her talents.
What makes it amazing?
What makes “Matilda” amazing is its celebration of intelligence, creativity, and the strength of character. Roald Dahl’s unique storytelling captivates readers, blending humor, fantasy, and real-life challenges.
Matilda’s resilience and her ability to change her destiny inspire readers to believe in their own potential.
4. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
This is the first book in The Chronicles of Narnia series, where siblings Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy stumble upon a magical world called Narnia through a wardrobe.
In Narnia, they embark on a quest with the noble lion Aslan to save the land from the eternal winter cast by the White Witch.
What makes it amazing?
The book is a captivating blend of fantasy, adventure, and morality. Its depiction of a magical world filled with talking animals and mythical creatures sparks the imagination of young readers.
The themes of bravery, redemption, and the battle between good and evil are woven throughout the story, making it a compelling read that offers deeper lessons.
5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
The first book in the Harry Potter series introduces Harry Potter, an orphan who discovers on his eleventh birthday that he is a wizard.
He attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, makes friends, and uncovers the truth about his parents’ mysterious deaths, all while facing the dark wizard who seeks to destroy him.
What makes it amazing?
“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” is amazing for its intricate world-building, memorable characters, and the way it blends magic with the trials and tribulations of growing up.
The themes of friendship, courage, and the importance of choices resonate with readers. It’s a gateway to a beloved series that has captivated millions of readers around the world.
6. The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
“The Tale of Despereaux” is a fairy tale about a brave mouse with oversized ears named Despereaux Tilling, who loves music and reading books.
Despereaux’s quest leads him on an adventure to rescue Princess Pea from darkness. The story is divided into four sections, each focusing on different characters that eventually intertwine.
What makes it amazing?
What makes “The Tale of Despereaux” amazing is its rich narrative and the depth of its characters. It’s a story about bravery, forgiveness, and the power of stories themselves.
Kate DiCamillo’s storytelling is both enchanting and profound, making it a compelling read that encourages children to be brave and kind.
7. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
“Where the Wild Things Are” follows the story of a young boy named Max who, after being sent to bed without his supper, embarks on a journey to a mysterious island inhabited by wild creatures that crown him as their king.
It’s a beautifully illustrated book that explores themes of anger, imagination, and homecoming.
What makes it amazing?
This book is amazing for its imaginative storytelling and the emotional depth of its illustrations. Maurice Sendak’s ability to capture the wildness of a child’s emotions and imagination is unparalleled.
“Where the Wild Things Are” speaks to the heart of childhood, making it a timeless classic that resonates with readers of all ages.
8. Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
“Pippi Longstocking” is the story of an eccentric and incredibly strong girl who lives alone in Villa Villekulla with her horse and monkey.
Pippi’s adventures with her neighbors Tommy and Annika are filled with humor and the joy of defying conventions. Her independence and strength make her a memorable and inspiring character.
What makes it amazing?
Pippi Longstocking is celebrated for its humor, whimsy, and the way it champions independence, imagination, and unconventional wisdom. Astrid Lindgren created a character who defies societal expectations and embarks on adventures with confidence and a unique perspective on life, making Pippi an enduring role model for children.
9. The BFG by Roald Dahl
“The BFG” (Big Friendly Giant) is about a young girl named Sophie who is whisked away one night by a giant. Unlike other giants, the BFG is kind and refuses to eat children.
Together, they embark on a mission to stop the man-eating giants from terrorizing the human world, forging a deep friendship along the way.
What makes it amazing?
“The BFG” is amazing for its inventive language, imaginative setting, and the gentle nature of the friendship at its heart. Roald Dahl’s creative wordplay and the whimsical world of giants capture the reader’s imagination.
The story is a delightful blend of humor, adventure, and the message that kindness can make a difference in the world.
10. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
“A Wrinkle in Time” is a science fiction and fantasy novel about Meg Murry, her brilliant brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin O’Keefe, who embark on a journey across space and time to save Meg’s father from evil forces. It explores themes of love, courage, and the battle against darkness.
What makes it amazing?
This book is amazing for its pioneering blend of science fiction and fantasy, its strong female protagonist, and its exploration of complex themes like individuality, conformity, and the power of love. Madeleine L’Engle’s imaginative storytelling and the novel’s underlying message of hope and resilience make it a compelling and inspiring read for young readers.
11. The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
“The Invention of Hugo Cabret” is a visually stunning novel that tells the story of Hugo, an orphan who lives in the walls of a Paris train station, maintaining the clocks.
Hugo’s survival depends on secrets and anonymity until his world intersects with an eccentric girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, leading to a magical and cinematic adventure.
What makes it amazing?
What makes “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” amazing is its unique format that combines elements of a picture book, graphic novel, and film. The story is partly told through Brian Selznick’s detailed illustrations, which pull the reader into the narrative in a visually immersive way. The blend of historical fiction with a mysterious, heartwarming tale captivates and inspires creativity and curiosity.
12. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
“The Phantom Tollbooth” is a fantasy adventure that begins when a bored young boy named Milo receives a mysterious tollbooth. He drives through it in his toy car and finds himself in the Kingdom of Wisdom, where he embarks on a quest to rescue the princesses of Rhyme and Reason. Along the way, he discovers the wonders of learning and the joy of curiosity.
What makes it amazing?
This book is amazing for its clever play on words, imaginative landscapes, and the exploration of themes such as the value of knowledge and the importance of thinking.
Norton Juster created a world that encourages readers to see the world differently, making learning a thrilling adventure.
The whimsical characters and Milo’s transformation from boredom to engagement with the world around him inspire readers to find joy in discovery.
13. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
“Anne of Green Gables” follows the adventures of Anne Shirley, an imaginative and talkative orphan girl who is mistakenly sent to live with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, an elderly brother and sister who intended to adopt a boy to help them on their farm in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island.
Anne’s charm, imagination, and mishaps bring a new spirit of love and adventure to their lives.
What makes it amazing?
The book is amazing for its vivid characterizations, beautiful descriptions of the Prince Edward Island landscape, and the growth of Anne from a naive and talkative girl into a thoughtful and resilient young woman.
L.M. Montgomery’s classic tale celebrates the power of imagination, the importance of belonging, and the endurance of friendship and family.
14. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
“The Secret Garden” is about Mary Lennox, a sickly and unloved 10-year-old girl born in India to wealthy British parents who never wanted her. After being orphaned, Mary is sent to live with her reclusive uncle in Yorkshire, England.
There, she discovers a locked, neglected garden and, alongside her sickly cousin Colin and new friend Dickon, brings it back to life, finding healing and happiness in the process.
What makes it amazing?
This book is celebrated for its themes of rejuvenation and the healing power of nature. Frances Hodgson Burnett masterfully explores the transformation of not only the garden but also the characters themselves.
The mystery of the garden and the transformations it incites encapsulate the wonder of discovery and the positive effects of caring for others and the environment.
15. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
“The Little Prince” is a philosophical tale, with watercolor illustrations by the author, about a pilot stranded in the desert who meets a young prince fallen to Earth from a tiny asteroid.
The story explores themes of loneliness, friendship, love, and loss. Through the prince’s stories of his planet and the people he meets, readers are offered insights into the absurdities of adult behavior.
What makes it amazing?
What makes “The Little Prince” amazing is its profound depth, masked by the simplicity of a children’s story. It’s a book that speaks to the heart, reminding readers of all ages about the importance of looking beneath the surface to find true beauty and meaning in life.
The timeless wisdom encapsulated in the prince’s observations and encounters resonates deeply, making it a cherished classic worldwide.
16. Wonder by R.J. Palacio
“Wonder” tells the story of August Pullman, a boy with facial differences who attends a mainstream elementary school for the first time.
Through the perspectives of Auggie, his classmates, his sister, and others, the book explores themes of kindness, acceptance, and the challenges of fitting in.
What makes it amazing?
This book is amazing for its ability to teach empathy and the importance of accepting others for who they are. R.J. Palacio creates a compelling narrative that encourages readers to see the world from different viewpoints, promoting understanding and compassion.
The story’s impact on promoting anti-bullying awareness has made it a crucial read for children and adults alike.
17. Holes by Louis Sachar
“Holes” is the story of Stanley Yelnats, a boy who is unfairly sentenced to dig holes at a juvenile detention center as punishment for a crime he did not commit.
The story weaves together three distinct timelines, revealing a complex family history and a curse that spans generations. Stanley’s fate is intertwined with the history of the camp, leading to a treasure and a fight for justice.
What makes it amazing?
“Holes” is amazing for its intricate plot, rich character development, and the way it addresses themes of fate, justice, and redemption. Louis Sachar masterfully combines humor with a compelling mystery, making it not only a fun read but also one that prompts deep thought about the consequences of actions and the importance of friendship and loyalty.
The novel’s unique structure and the satisfying resolution of its multiple storylines make it a standout choice for young readers.
