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

Are you on the hunt for the perfect read aloud books for 8-year-olds? Whether you're a parent, teacher, or simply a loved one, finding engaging stories to share with kids at this curious age can be a delightful adventure. In this blog, we'll explore a variety of captivating read aloud books for 8-year-olds that are sure to spark imagination and joy. Keep reading to discover our top picks that will make your shared reading sessions unforgettable!

Fun Read Aloud Books for 8-Year-Olds

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Children's Literature
  • Synopsis: This beloved tale follows the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur is in danger of being slaughtered, Charlotte crafts clever messages in her web to save her friend.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story that teaches about friendship, loyalty, and the cycle of life, all woven together with gentle humor and wisdom.
  • Perfect for: Children who love animals and stories about friendships.

• 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 his giant peers, refuses to eat boys and girls. The two form a friendship and hatch a plan to save the world from the other, less friendly giants.
  • Why we recommend this book: It sparks imagination with its creative language and whimsical adventures, making it a delightful read that also emphasizes the values of kindness and courage.
  • Perfect for: Adventurous young readers and those who enjoy stories of unlikely friendships and fantastical worlds.

• Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by Lauren Child
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: Pippi Longstocking is an eccentric, super-strong, and fun-loving girl who lives alone with her horse and monkey. Her outrageous antics and confident spirit lead to all kinds of adventures and trouble.
  • Why we recommend this book: Pippi's independence and unorthodox approaches to challenges are both amusing and inspiring, promoting the idea that being different is something to be celebrated.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy laughter-filled stories and characters who defy norms.

• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This story tells the tale of Despereaux Tilling, a brave mouse in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It explores themes of darkness and light, bravery, and redemption.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a beautifully written narrative that combines adventure with heartfelt messages about courage and forgiveness.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who appreciate fairy tales with depth and emotionally rich characters.

• The Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne, illustrated by Sal Murdocca
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Historical Fiction
  • Synopsis: Follow siblings Jack and Annie as they travel through time and space in a magical tree house. Each book offers a new adventure, blending history with mystery and excitement.
  • Why we recommend this book: These books are not only fun and engaging but also educational, introducing various historical eras and cultures in an accessible way.
  • Perfect for: Curious children who enjoy series and learning about different times and places through stories.

Educational Read Aloud Books for 8-Year-Olds

• The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, illustrated by Patricia Castelao
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Animal Stories
  • Synopsis: This novel is narrated by Ivan, a captive gorilla who lives in a shopping mall. Ivan's life changes when he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from the wild, prompting him to see his surroundings through new eyes.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, animal welfare awareness, creative thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a touching story that combines hope, friendship, and the power of art, all while teaching about compassion and the plight of captive animals.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and young readers interested in stories that highlight the importance of kindness and change.

• The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
  • Genre(s): Science Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: When Roz, a robot, finds herself on a remote, wild island, she must learn to survive and navigate the wilderness. She adopts an orphaned gosling and begins to explore the true meaning of life.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Adaptation to new environments, problem-solving, environmental consciousness
  • Why we recommend this book: It cleverly combines elements of technology and nature, encouraging readers to think about the role of technology in our world and our responsibility towards nature.
  • Perfect for: Fans of technology and nature, and readers who enjoy stories about survival and friendship.

• Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by K.G. Campbell
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: The story follows Flora Belle Buckman and a squirrel named Ulysses who gains superpowers after a vacuum cleaner accident. Together, they embark on adventures that are both humorous and heartwarming.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creative writing, humor appreciation, exploring relationships
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a whimsical and witty novel that celebrates the power of friendship and the magic hidden in the mundane.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love quirky characters and stories that mix the ordinary with the extraordinary.

• The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Edward Tulane, a china rabbit, loves only himself until he's lost by his owner and embarks on a journey that teaches him about love and loss through the people he meets.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, understanding of loss and love, resilience
  • Why we recommend this book: This beautifully illustrated book offers profound life lessons through Edward's transformative journey, making it a touching read for both children and adults.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy deep emotional stories and learning about growth and change.

• Frindle by Andrew Clements, illustrated by Brian Selznick
  • Genre(s): Realistic Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: Fifth-grader Nick Allen knows how to make school more interesting. When he decides to call a pen a "frindle," it sets off a chain reaction that changes everything.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, vocabulary building, understanding of language and its evolution
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and inventive story that encourages creativity and shows the impact one person can have on the world.
  • Perfect for: Young innovators and any reader who enjoys stories about school life and clever ideas.

Challenging Read Aloud Books for 8-Year-Olds

• Matilda by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Matilda is a brilliant and sensitive child, but her parents are indifferent and neglectful. She develops telekinetic powers, which she uses to overcome challenges and stand up against the oppressive headmistress, Miss Trunchbull.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features complex characters and explores dark themes of child abuse and resistance against authority.
  • Why we recommend this book: Matilda's courage and cleverness make her an inspiring protagonist for young readers, promoting the value of education and self-respect.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories of triumph over adversity and those who love seeing young protagonists empower themselves.

• The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Bored and disinterested in learning, young Milo receives a mysterious tollbooth that transports him to the Lands Beyond, a surreal region where he embarks on a quest that reignites his passion for knowledge and adventure.
  • Why this book is challenging: The novel is rich in wordplay, puns, and philosophical ideas that challenge the reader to think critically about the world around them.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages exploration and appreciation of the joys of learning and the richness of the imagination.
  • Perfect for: Children who love puzzles, word games, and whimsical adventures that stimulate the mind.

• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by John Tenniel
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Alice falls through a rabbit hole into a fantastical world with peculiar creatures and bizarre logic, embarking on a series of whimsical and often challenging adventures.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure and language play with logic and absurdities, which require sophisticated thinking to understand and appreciate fully.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a timeless classic that stretches the imagination and offers a unique perspective on reality and logic.
  • Perfect for: Readers who delight in surreal stories and exploring imaginative worlds that defy ordinary logic.

• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Classic
  • Synopsis: Mary Lennox, a previously unloved and spoiled child, discovers a neglected garden after moving to her uncle's house. As she revitalizes the garden, she transforms emotionally and physically, making new friends in the process.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex themes of loss, healing, and transformation, both physically and emotionally.
  • Why we recommend this book: The story beautifully illustrates how nurturing others can help us heal ourselves, promoting values of empathy and care.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in stories about personal growth and the healing power of nature.

• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
  • Genre(s): Science Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin O'Keefe embark on a journey through space and time to rescue their father from an evil force that threatens the universe.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces concepts of theoretical physics, complex familial and personal dynamics, and the battle between good and evil.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines science and fantasy in a way that challenges the imagination and encourages readers to think beyond the ordinary.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are interested in science and adventure, and those who enjoy stories about overcoming darkness with the power of love and courage.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to spice up reading time for your 8-year-old, here are some engaging exercises that can make reading aloud not just fun, but also a great learning experience. These exercises are designed to improve reading habits and boost comprehension skills.

• Read and Repeat
  • What it is: After reading a page, the child repeats what they read in their own words.
  • How it helps: This exercise enhances comprehension and memory retention.
  • Tips: Encourage them to express the main ideas in a fun and creative way.

• Character Role Play
  • What it is: The child picks a character from the book and reads their dialogues or actions aloud as if they are that character.
  • How it helps: Helps in understanding character development and emotions.
  • Tips: Use props or costumes for a more immersive experience.

• Picture Predictions
  • What it is: Before reading a new book, look at the cover and pictures inside, and predict the story or character traits.
  • How it helps: Develops analytical and predictive skills which are crucial for comprehension.
  • Tips: Discuss why they made those predictions after reading to see the connections.

• Reading Timer Challenge
  • What it is: Set a timer for a fun and fast-paced reading session.
  • How it helps: Encourages focus and the ability to understand under time constraints.
  • Tips: Start with short times and gradually increase as their reading speed improves.

• Question and Answer Session
  • What it is: After a reading session, have a Q&A where you ask questions about the story, and they can ask any questions they have as well.
  • How it helps: Reinforces memory and understanding of the story.
  • Tips: Keep the questions simple and related to the plot or characters to begin with.

• Map the Story
  • What it is: Create a visual map of the story with drawings or lists of major events and characters.
  • How it helps: Helps with the organization of thoughts and better story recall.
  • Tips: Use large paper and colorful markers to make it more engaging.

These exercises are not just about reading better; they're about enjoying the process and making the most out of every book. Try incorporating these into your reading sessions and watch your child's reading skills soar! Happy reading!