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

Looking for the perfect way to spark inspiration in your young reader? You’re in the right place! Our roundup of inspirational books for 8-year-olds is packed with stories that will excite, educate, and encourage your child. Whether they're embarking on magical adventures or overcoming everyday challenges, these books are sure to ignite a passion for reading. Keep reading to discover our top picks for inspirational books that are perfect for 8-year-olds!

Fun Inspirational Books for 8-Year-Olds

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Classic
  • Synopsis: This beloved tale follows a young pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a wise spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur is in danger of being slaughtered, Charlotte spins words into her web to try to save her friend.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches lessons about friendship, loyalty, and the reality of life and death in a way that is accessible and gentle for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and young readers who are beginning to explore deeper themes in literature.

• The BFG by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young girl named Sophie meets the Big Friendly Giant (BFG) who, unlike other giants, does not eat children. Together, they embark on an adventure to stop the other giants from eating children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a fantastical story filled with humor and heart. It encourages imagination and teaches the value of kindness and courage.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love magical adventures and stories about unlikely friendships.

• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This is the story of Despereaux Tilling, a small mouse with large ears, who loves music and stories, and is in love with a human princess named Pea.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a story about bravery and forgiveness that shows even the smallest creature can have a huge impact. It also highlights the importance of following your heart.
  • Perfect for: Dreamers and anyone who enjoys fairy-tale-like stories with deep moral lessons.

• Matilda by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Comedy
  • Synopsis: Matilda is a brilliant and sensitive child, but her parents are too crude to notice her talents. At school, she meets a kind teacher and uses her telekinetic powers to stand up to the oppressive school principal.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates the power of reading and the resilience of children in the face of difficult circumstances.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who feel misunderstood and those who appreciate stories of triumph over adversity.

• Wonder by R.J. Palacio
  • Genre(s): Contemporary, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: The story centers on August Pullman, a boy with facial differences who goes to a mainstream school for the first time. He strives to be seen as just another student and to make everyone understand he's just like them.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes empathy, kindness, and the acceptance of individual differences.
  • Perfect for: Children who are learning how to appreciate the uniqueness in themselves and others.

Educational Inspirational Books for 8-Year-Olds

• The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: This is the true story of a boy from Malawi who builds a windmill from scraps to save his village from drought and famine.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, engineering, environmental science
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a remarkable tale of ingenuity and determination that shows how one person's efforts can make a huge difference.
  • Perfect for: Young inventors and environmentalists.

• The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Multicultural
  • Synopsis: A Korean girl named Unhei moves to America and decides to choose a new name after her classmates have trouble pronouncing her real name. She learns the importance of her own cultural identity through her interactions with her new friends.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural awareness, social skills, self-acceptance
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages appreciation of one's own heritage and teaches the value of being oneself.
  • Perfect for: Children experiencing or curious about cultural diversity and identity.

• Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Fiction
  • Synopsis: This story follows Alice Rumphius, who longs to travel the world, live in a house by the sea, and do something to make the world more beautiful. She achieves all these goals and finds joy in spreading lupine seeds to beautify her environment.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Environmental awareness, life goals, personal fulfillment
  • Why we recommend this book: It inspires children to dream big and contribute to making their world a better place.
  • Perfect for: Young dreamers and nature lovers.

• Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, STEM
  • Synopsis: Rosie is a brilliant inventor of gizmos and gadgets who dreams of becoming an engineer. After being laughed at for one of her inventions, she might give up, but her great-great-aunt Rose (Rosie the Riveter) shows her that failure is a step towards success.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, perseverance, engineering
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes the importance of persistence and learning from failures, especially in STEM fields.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young engineers and creative thinkers.

• The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Fiction
  • Synopsis: A little girl and her best friend, who happens to be a dog, decide to make the most magnificent thing. Despite several unsuccessful attempts, she learns the value of perseverance and creativity.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, creativity, resilience
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and motivational read that teaches kids it's okay to make mistakes and encourages them to keep trying.
  • Perfect for: Young makers and inventors.

Challenging Inspirational Books for 8-Year-Olds

• The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This novel follows a bored young boy named Milo who unexpectedly receives a magic tollbooth one afternoon and drives through it in his toy car. The world beyond is full of weird and wonderful characters, and Milo embarks on a journey of discovery and problem-solving.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative is rich with puns, wordplay, and complex ideas that challenge young readers to think critically about language and logic.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages exploration and learning, showing that knowledge is exciting and the world is full of possibilities.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers and thinkers who love puzzles and wordplay.

• The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Philosophy
  • Synopsis: This timeless tale tells the story of a pilot stranded in the desert who meets a young prince fallen to Earth from a tiny asteroid. The prince tells of his adventures through the galaxy and his love for a rose.
  • Why this book is challenging: It explores profound themes such as loneliness, friendship, love, and loss through metaphoric and philosophical language.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers deep insights into human nature and the complexities of adult life through the innocent eyes of a child.
  • Perfect for: Deep thinkers and dreamers who appreciate stories that explore life's big questions.

• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Alice falls through a rabbit hole into a fantastical world where she encounters various strange creatures and experiences many bizarre and challenging adventures.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure is unconventional, with complex language play, logic puzzles, and a deeply whimsical style that can be a delightful challenge.
  • Why we recommend this book: It stimulates the imagination and encourages readers to question and think creatively about the world around them.
  • Perfect for: Curious minds who enjoy stories that turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.

• Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Folklore
  • Synopsis: In this beautifully crafted story, Minli sets off on an epic journey to find the Old Man of the Moon to ask him how she can change her family’s fortune. Along the way, she meets magical creatures and makes new friends.
  • Why this book is challenging: It weaves Chinese folklore with a complex narrative structure and introduces cultural elements that might be new to young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a wonderful fusion of adventure, fantasy, and cultural education that inspires curiosity and respect for other traditions.
  • Perfect for: Young explorers interested in stories that blend magic with real-world culture.

• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  • Genre(s): Classic, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Mary Lennox, a sour-faced and troubled child, transforms into a kind-hearted girl as she and her new friend, Dickon, bring a neglected garden back to life. The garden's magic also helps her cousin Colin recover from illness and sadness.
  • Why this book is challenging: The text features rich, descriptive language and explores themes of emotional growth and resilience.
  • Why we recommend this book: It illustrates the healing power of nature and the positive changes that nurture and care can bring about in everyone’s life.
  • Perfect for: Nature lovers and any young reader who enjoys seeing characters grow and change.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to inspire your 8-year-old to not only read but love reading, here are some fun exercises that can help develop good reading habits. These are simple, engaging, and designed to make reading a joyful part of their daily life.

• Create a Reading Nook
  • What it is: Designate a special corner in the house just for reading.
  • How it helps: Makes reading a special, enjoyable activity.
  • Tips: Let your child personalize the space with their favorite cushions or posters.

• Book Bingo
  • What it is: Create a bingo card with different types of books (like fantasy, science fiction, biography).
  • How it helps: Encourages children to explore various genres.
  • Tips: Reward them with a small prize for completing a row or the whole card.

• Story Time Swap
  • What it is: Take turns reading with your child, where they read one page and you read the next.
  • How it helps: Builds confidence in reading aloud and improves fluency.
  • Tips: Use expressive voices to make the reading more fun and engaging.

• Reading Challenge
  • What it is: Set a monthly goal for the number of books to read.
  • How it helps: Motivates continuous reading and goal setting.
  • Tips: Keep the goals achievable; celebrate when they meet their challenge.

• Illustrate the Story
  • What it is: Have your child draw scenes from the book they're reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and recall.
  • Tips: Discuss the story with them to spark ideas for their drawings.

• Keep a Reading Journal
  • What it is: Maintain a journal to note down thoughts and favorite quotes.
  • How it helps: Helps establish a routine and keep track of progress.
  • Tips: Make it a habit of filling out the journal every day.

Implementing these exercises can transform reading from a chore to a delightful adventure for your child. Not only will these activities keep them engaged, but they'll also foster a deeper love for reading. So, pick a couple to start with, and watch your little one become a bookworm!