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

Are you on the hunt for suitable books for 8-year-olds that will captivate their imagination and enhance their reading skills? Look no further! Whether you're a parent, a guardian, or a teacher, finding the right books can be a game-changer in a child's developmental journey. Keep reading as we dive into various lists of suitable books for 8-year-olds, each carefully selected to engage young readers at this pivotal stage.

Fun Suitable 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 writes messages in her web to persuade the farmer to spare him.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches themes of friendship, loyalty, and the cycle of life in a way that is accessible and touching for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and children learning about friendship and compassion.

• The BFG by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A little 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 magical story that sparks imagination with its creative language and whimsical plot, encouraging a love for reading through fantasy.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love fantastical stories and quirky characters.

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fiction
  • Synopsis: The book is a journal of Greg Heffley as he navigates his way through middle school, dealing with bullies, family dynamics, and the challenges of growing up.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its humorous take on everyday school life makes reading fun and relatable for children, encouraging reluctant readers to engage more.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy a good laugh and can relate to the ups and downs of school life.

• Matilda by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Matilda is a brilliant and sensitive girl, who is misunderstood by her family and mistreated by her school's headmistress. She discovers she has magical powers and decides to use them to stand up to the adults in her life.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates intelligence and creativity, and it's empowering for young readers, showing that they can overcome adversity.
  • Perfect for: Intelligent young readers who dream of a bit of magic to spice up everyday life.

• The Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Educational
  • Synopsis: A series where siblings Jack and Annie discover a tree house filled with books that can transport them through time and space on various adventures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces history and science through adventurous and fun stories, making learning exciting and memorable.
  • Perfect for: Curious children who have a thirst for adventure and an interest in different times and places.

Educational Suitable Books for 8-Year-Olds

• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Fairy Tale
  • Synopsis: This story follows Despereaux Tilling, a small mouse with large ears, who loves music and stories, and breaks the rules of the mouse world by falling in love with a human princess named Pea.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading comprehension, vocabulary expansion, understanding of themes like bravery and forgiveness
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a beautifully written tale that combines adventure with heartfelt lessons on bravery and forgiveness.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy fairy tales and stories of unlikely heroes.

• The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, illustrated by Patricia Castelao
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Animal Story
  • Synopsis: Inspired by a true story, this novel is about Ivan, a captive gorilla who lives in a shopping mall and hardly ever thinks about his life in the jungle until he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from the wild.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, animal welfare awareness, creative thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches compassion and the importance of a promise, all through the touching perspective of an unforgettable gorilla.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and young activists who care about animal rights and conservation.

• Frindle by Andrew Clements, illustrated by Brian Selznick
  • Genre(s): Contemporary, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: Fifth-grader Nick Allen knows how to make school more fun, and when he decides to transform his pen into a "frindle," it sparks a series of events that captures the nation's attention.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, vocabulary building, understanding of language and its evolution
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a clever exploration of language and creativity that encourages kids to think about words in a new way.
  • Perfect for: Creative thinkers and young innovators who enjoy a good laugh and a clever plot.

• Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke
  • Genre(s): Graphic Novel, Science Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Zita finds herself a stranger on a distant planet after she pushes a button that transports her into outer space. Now, she must navigate a complex universe to save her friend who's been abducted by aliens.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, courage, friendship dynamics
  • Why we recommend this book: Its graphic novel format and thrilling space adventure plot make it incredibly engaging for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Fans of science fiction and graphic novels, and young readers who dream of adventures in outer space.

• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, STEM
  • Synopsis: Ada Twist is a very curious girl who embarks on fact-finding missions and conducts scientific experiments to understand the world around her.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Scientific inquiry, critical thinking, perseverance
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes curiosity and perseverance, particularly in science, and is an inspiring story for budding young scientists.
  • Perfect for: Curious youngsters with a passion for science and problem-solving.

Challenging Suitable Books for 8-Year-Olds

• The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A bored young boy named Milo receives a mysterious package that contains a miniature tollbooth. He drives through it in his toy car and finds himself in a strange land called the Kingdom of Wisdom, where he embarks on a quest to rescue the princesses Rhyme and Reason.
  • Why this book is challenging: The novel is filled with puns, wordplay, and complex ideas that challenge young readers to think critically about language and logic.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and critical thinking through its clever use of language and whimsical narrative.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love puzzles, word games, and imaginative adventures.

• The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Philosophy
  • Synopsis: This poetic tale tells the story of a young prince who travels from planet to planet, learning life lessons from the eccentric adults he meets along the way.
  • Why this book is challenging: It explores profound themes such as loneliness, friendship, love, and loss through subtle narrative and philosophical dialogue.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers deep reflections on human nature and relationships, presented through simple but powerful storytelling.
  • Perfect for: Thoughtful children who enjoy stories with deeper meanings and emotional depth.

• 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 a variety of peculiar creatures and experiences numerous magical adventures.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative includes playful logic, wordplay, and complex characters that require readers to think beyond the ordinary.
  • Why we recommend this book: It stimulates the imagination with its absurd and surreal adventures, encouraging creative thinking.
  • Perfect for: Creative minds who delight in the nonsensical and the whimsical.

• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  • Genre(s): Classic, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Mary Lennox, a sour-faced orphan, discovers a hidden, neglected garden at her uncle's house and, along with her sickly cousin Colin, brings it back to life.
  • Why this book is challenging: The text features rich language and explores themes of healing and personal growth, requiring readers to engage with complex emotional content.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a beautiful story of transformation and the healing power of nature, promoting empathy and resilience.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are nature lovers and enjoy stories of renewal and friendship.

• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
  • Genre(s): Science Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin travel through time and space to rescue their father from an evil force threatening the universe.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex scientific and philosophical ideas like tesseracts and the battle between good and evil.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines science fiction with a compelling adventure, encouraging a love for science and critical thinking.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in science and fantasy, and those who enjoy stories about courage and family bonds.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 8-year-old develop great reading habits, here are some fun and easy exercises that can make reading a more engaging and beneficial part of their daily routine. These activities are designed not only to improve their reading skills but also to foster a lifelong love for books.

• Set a Daily Reading Goal
  • What it is: Choose a specific number of pages or a set time to read each day.
  • How it helps: Encourages consistency and helps build a reading habit.
  • Tips: Start with small, manageable goals and gradually increase them.

• Create a Reading Nook
  • What it is: Designate a special, comfortable spot in the house just for reading.
  • How it helps: Makes reading a special and enjoyable experience.
  • Tips: Let your child help in setting up and decorating the space.

• Book Club for Two
  • What it is: Schedule a weekly book discussion between you and your child.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and gives them an opportunity to express their thoughts.
  • Tips: Keep the discussion informal and fun, more like a chat about the story.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: Spend time reading a book aloud with your child.
  • How it helps: Improves listening and comprehension skills while bonding over shared stories.
  • Tips: Change your tone and pace to make the story more exciting.

• Story Map Creation
  • What it is: Draw or write out the plot and characters of a book on paper.
  • How it helps: Helps with understanding the structure of stories and aids in memory retention.
  • Tips: Use colors and pictures to make the map visually appealing and easier to remember.

• Character Diary Entries
  • What it is: Write diary entries from the perspective of a character in the book.
  • How it helps: Enhances empathy and deeper understanding of characters.
  • Tips: Encourage creativity; there's no right or wrong in how they perceive a character's thoughts.

• Illustrate the Story
  • What it is: Draw scenes or characters from the book.
  • How it helps: Encourages visual interpretation and creativity.
  • Tips: Provide various art supplies to make this activity more engaging.

Incorporating these exercises into your child’s reading routine can make a significant difference in how they view reading. It’s not just about understanding the words on the page, but about making each book a doorway to new adventures. Remember, the goal is to make reading fun and something they look forward to every day. Happy reading!