10+ Best Horse Series Books for 8-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect read for your young horse enthusiast? Look no further! Our roundup of horse series books for 8-year-olds is packed with tales that gallop right into the heart of adventure and friendship. Whether your child is a budding equestrian or just loves a good story, these books are sure to stir up their imagination. Keep reading to discover our favorite picks that will whisk them away to a world of equine adventures!

Fun Horse Series Books for 8-Year-Olds

• Pony Pals: I Want a Pony by Jeanne Betancourt
  • Illustrator: Paul Bachem
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This book introduces young readers to Lulu, who dreams of having a pony of her own. When she meets a neglected pony named Snow White, she and her friends work together to care for it.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's great for encouraging responsibility and teamwork through a story that combines friendship and animal care.
  • Perfect for: Young animal lovers and children who are beginning to read independently.

• The Saddle Club: Horse Crazy by Bonnie Bryant
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Three girls, Stevie, Carole, and Lisa, form the Saddle Club and share adventures at Pine Hollow Stables. Their love for horses brings them together, creating unbreakable bonds and exciting escapades.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the essence of friendship and the joy of horse riding, making it a fun and engaging read.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy stories about friendship, horses, and adventures.

• Magic Pony Carousel: Sparkle the Circus Pony by Poppy Shire
  • Illustrator: Ron Berg
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Amy climbs aboard the Magic Pony Carousel and is whisked away on an enchanting adventure with Sparkle, the circus pony. Together, they explore the exciting world of the circus.
  • Why we recommend this book: It blends fantasy with real-life lessons, sparking imagination while encouraging a love for reading.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who dream of magical adventures and have a fascination with circuses and ponies.

• Keeker and the Sneaky Pony by Hadley Higginson
  • Illustrator: Maja Andersen
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: Keeker, an eight-year-old girl, meets Plum, a stubborn Shetland pony. Their misadventures begin as they learn to understand each other and form a bond.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's filled with humor and heartwarming stories that are perfect for developing empathy and patience.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy funny, relatable stories and learning about the quirks of new friendships.

• Wind Dancers: If Wishes Were Horses by Sibley Miller
  • Illustrator: Tara Chang and Jo Gershman
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Four tiny, magical winged horses, the Wind Dancers, have adventures in the lush garden of an old farmhouse. They explore their whimsical world with joy and curiosity.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces fantasy in a gentle, delightful way, appealing to young readers' imaginations.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love magical creatures and stories filled with whimsy and charm.

Educational Horse Series Books for 8-Year-Olds

• Nate the Great and the Missing Pony by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
  • Illustrator: Marc Simont
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Join Nate the Great as he solves the mystery of a missing pony during a pet show. With clues sparse and time running out, Nate must use his detective skills to find the pony.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, attention to detail, logical thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an engaging mystery that encourages critical thinking and attention to detail in a fun and accessible way.
  • Perfect for: Young detectives and mystery lovers who also have a soft spot for ponies.

• Bramble and Maggie: Horse Meets Girl by Jessie Haas
  • Illustrator: Alison Friend
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Friendship
  • Synopsis: Maggie meets Bramble, a horse with personality to spare. Together, they navigate their new friendship, learning about trust and care along the way.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, responsibility, caring for animals
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully portrays the development of friendship between a girl and her horse, emphasizing empathy and mutual respect.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are new or aspiring horse riders, and anyone who appreciates stories of friendship.

• Pony Scouts: Pony Crazy by Catherine Hapka
  • Illustrator: Anne Kennedy
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Learning to Read
  • Synopsis: Meg, Jill, and Annie are three friends who share one thing in common: a love for ponies! Join the Pony Scouts as they learn all about ponies and have fun along the way.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic horse care, teamwork, early reading skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an excellent introduction to ponies for beginners, with simple language and engaging stories.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are just starting to read independently and have an interest in horses.

• Ellie's Long Walk: The True Story of Two Friends on the Appalachian Trail by Pam Flowers
  • Illustrator: Bill Farnsworth
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This true story follows Pam and her dog Ellie as they trek the Appalachian Trail. It's not about horses, but the themes of endurance and companionship are similar.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Perseverance, geography, nature appreciation
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches about the challenges and rewards of a significant physical and mental endeavor, much like horseback riding.
  • Perfect for: Adventurous kids who love animals and the outdoors, and who might enjoy learning about different kinds of endurance and companionship.

Challenging Horse Series Books for 8-Year-Olds

• King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry
  • Illustrator: Wesley Dennis
  • Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Children's Literature
  • Synopsis: This book tells the story of the Godolphin Arabian, one of the founding sires of the modern Thoroughbred race horse. The story is narrated by Sham, the Arabian himself, and his loyal stable boy, Agba, as they journey from Morocco to France and finally England, facing hardship and adventure.
  • Why this book is challenging: It includes historical contexts and advanced vocabulary that require higher comprehension skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a rich narrative that combines history with a touching story of loyalty and perseverance.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in history and animal stories, especially those who love horses.

• Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Classic
  • Synopsis: Told from the perspective of the horse, this novel chronicles the life of Black Beauty as he passes from owner to owner, experiencing both cruelty and kind treatment. It explores themes of animal welfare, kindness, and the human condition.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative style and Victorian English can be complex for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches important values such as empathy, kindness, and respect for animals.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy emotional stories and are passionate about animal rights.

• Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry
  • Illustrator: Wesley Dennis
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Animal Stories
  • Synopsis: This book follows the story of Paul and Maureen Beebe, siblings who set their hearts on capturing and taming a wild pony named Misty. The narrative beautifully captures the annual pony penning and auction on Chincoteague Island.
  • Why this book is challenging: It includes detailed descriptions of settings and characters that demand visualization and understanding of nuanced storytelling.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a classic tale of adventure and dreams, highlighting themes of determination and the bond between humans and animals.
  • Perfect for: Young horse lovers and readers who appreciate nature and outdoor adventures.

• Justin Morgan Had a Horse by Marguerite Henry
  • Illustrator: Wesley Dennis
  • Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Children's Literature
  • Synopsis: This book tells the story of Justin Morgan, a schoolteacher and music instructor who acquires a little colt and discovers that it grows into a remarkably strong and gentle horse, which becomes the foundation sire of the Morgan breed.
  • Why this book is challenging: The historical setting and breeding aspects of horses introduce complex concepts not typically found in children's books.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines history with the excitement of horse breeding and training, offering a unique learning experience.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy historical narratives and stories about animal lineage and legacy.

• The Black Stallion by Walter Farley
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Animal Stories
  • Synopsis: After a shipwreck, young Alec Ramsay is stranded on a deserted island with a wild Arabian stallion whom he befriends and later trains to race against the fastest horses in the world.
  • Why this book is challenging: The detailed descriptions of horse training and the intense action sequences require advanced reading skills and comprehension.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thrilling adventure story that also explores the deep bond between a boy and his horse.
  • Perfect for: Adventurous readers who love action-packed stories and learning about horse training and racing.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you've got a young reader who's enchanted by the world of horses, diving into horse series books can be a fantastic adventure. To make the most out of this reading journey, here are some fun and effective exercises designed to enhance their reading habits. These will not only keep them engaged but also help them develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the stories they read.

• Set Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide on a number of pages or chapters to read each day.
  • How it helps: Encourages a consistent reading habit and makes completing a book less daunting.
  • Tips: Start with small, achievable goals and gradually increase them.

• Character Connection
  • What it is: Pick a favorite character and summarize their traits, challenges, and achievements.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and empathy by connecting with the characters.
  • Tips: Use a notebook dedicated to character studies for ongoing series.

• Story Map Creation
  • What it is: Draw a map or timeline of the main events in the story.
  • How it helps: Helps with understanding the structure of the story and remembering key events.
  • Tips: Use colors and symbols to mark different types of events or emotions.

• Reading Aloud Session
  • What it is: Take turns reading parts of the book aloud with a parent or a friend.
  • How it helps: Improves pronunciation and builds confidence in reading skills.
  • Tips: Choose a comfortable and quiet place for reading sessions to minimize distractions.

• Question Jar
  • What it is: Write down questions about the story on pieces of paper and put them in a jar.
  • How it helps: Stimulates critical thinking and curiosity about the plot and characters.
  • Tips: Try to answer the questions during or after finishing the book.

• Book Review Blog
  • What it is: Write a short review or summary of each book after reading it.
  • How it helps: Helps with recall and forming opinions about the text.
  • Tips: Include both what you liked and didn’t like about the book.

• Visual Vocabulary Board
  • What it is: Create a visual board with new words learned from the book.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and makes learning new words fun.
  • Tips: Use drawings or magazine cutouts to visually represent the meanings of the words.

By integrating these exercises into your reading routine, your young reader will not only improve their literacy skills but also enjoy their journey through the exciting world of horse series books. Happy reading!