It’s hard to believe I’m writing about books for 8 year olds! Time files. My oldest son is in that nebulous place between “early chapter books” and “middle grade fiction.” Middle grade books are generally aimed at kids ages 8 to 13 but that doesn’t mean every book is age appropriate or able to capture my son’s unique sensibilities. Just like any other reading level category, there is a wide range of material to sift through.
Like many 8 year old boys (and girls), when my son chooses his own reading material his stack of books is almost entirely non-fiction. He still likes fiction, but I need to provide it for him. Whereas I used to spend lots of time in the library searching for good early chapter books for him, I now find myself flipping through more advanced titles! The books he wants to read have a few common themes: humor, boy protagonists (working on getting some girls in there!) and adventure or mysteries to be solved.
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I’ve noticed that many of Kiddo’s friends are using ereaders, so I’ve noted which books are available in that format. {Note: These are all books my 8 year old loves. As always, I’ve used affiliate links, should a book spark your interest.}
Brixton Brothers. (SERIES) This has become a rare series we actually pre-order when we know the next one is being released. There are very few books I buy before reading them at the library and for a series to make the cut it must 1) have great writing; 2) be a book I know will be read repeatedly; and 2) be one I know both boys will want to read. The more I read the Brixton Brothers books the more I like them. 12 year old Steve (kids love to read books with older protagonists. It makes them feel so grownup!) dreams of being a detective and has studiously read and re-read The Baily Brothers Detective Handbook. He knows everything about solving crimes, which comes in handy when he finds himself thrown into the middle of an exciting mystery. Every book has tons of adventure, twist and turns, loads of intelligent humor and a satisfying ending. Can you tell yet that I love them? These would be a great choice for kids who like Encyclopedia Brown. Also available as ebooks.
The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Boy. (SERIES) Ordinary Boy (that’s his real name) is the only inhabitant of Superopolis without a superpower. As you might imagine, his ordinariness is the very thing that helps him excel. Superopolis is suffering from too much consumerism and a developing mystery involving the rivalry between Professor Brain-Drain and Amazing Indestructo is taking its toll! There is a lot of silly humor, coated with a heavy dose of irony and puns, but I think the series rises above the usual slapstick fare. I appreciate the long length (each book averages about 300 pages) since my son reads so fast he breezes through at least one book a day. Superhero fans will find more selections on my list of superhero picture and chapter books. Also available as ebooks.
Fake Mustache: Or, How Jodie O’Rodeo and Her Wonder Horse (and Some Nerdy Kid) Saved the U.S. Presidential Election from a Mad Genius Criminal Mastermind. I have a bit of a soft spot for crazy long names so how could I resist this one? 7th grader Lenny Flem Jr.’s friend, Casper, comes into an unexpected windfall and purchases a suit and fake mustache. Shortly afterwards a string of robberies takes place and Casper makes a grab for world domination. Sound absurd enough for you? One of the surprising twists of this books is that half-way through, the narration switches from the Lenny (male) to Jodie (female) and somehow Angleberger makes it all work brilliantly. (His recent picture book, Crankee Doodle was on our favorite books of 2013 list.) You won’t find another book with a plot quite like this. Kiddo actually read several passages out loud to me to demonstrate how good he thought the book was. Also available as an ebook.
Henry Huggins. (SERIES) Classics are always worth revisiting! Kiddo read Cleary’s series of books about Henry and his friends when he was 5 or 6 (we also enjoyed them together as read alouds) and yet here he is at age 8 reading them again and telling me how much he loves them. Henry often plays second fiddle to the wildly popular Ramona; I imagine because his scrapes are not quite as precarious as his more famous neighbor. If you have a Ramona fan who hasn’t yet been introduced to this series, he or she will love reading Henry’s perspective on her antics. Alternatively, if your son doesn’t want to read a “book about a girl” he’ll most definitely want to read the Ramona books after getting a glimpse of her through Henry’s eyes. Also available as ebooks.
How to Eat Fried Worms. Raise your hand if you read this 1973 book when you were a kid! If you haven’t yet read it, do not judge a book by its title. This is a smart, funny, suspenseful book which paints a realistic portrait of boys in a state of “war” against each other. I bought this book for Kiddo as one of his first-day-of-third-grade-books. Billy accepts a challenge to eat 15 worms in 15 days. The prize is a whopping $50. While Billy thinks of new ways to make the worms palatable, his competitors come up with increasingly complex ways to outwit him. Also available as an ebook.
Tales from Dimwood Forest. (SERIES) Ragweed is the perfect example of a book Kiddo would not have picked up by himself. He started reading the rest of the series after we read it aloud together (my 4 year old loved it too). Ragweed is a mouse who craves adventure. He leaves his family, hops a train and lands in a town where he makes friends with other mice, learns a lot about life and helps foil the local cats. Avi’s ability to convey complex human emotions and discuss subject matter like fear, death, ambition, love and friendship in a way that kids can understand and relate to is rather remarkable, especially given that the characters are all animals. Here’s a warning, though: Ragweed dies in the first chapter of the next book, Poppy
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. (SERIES) You know an author is a superstar when her last name is larger than any other feature on the cover, including all 6 words of the title put together. Kiddo loved this book, the first in Blume’s Fudge series about Peter Hatcher and his 2 year old kid brother, “Fudge.” Older siblings everywhere will relate to Peter’s exasperation at his messy, loud, trouble making brother, especially since Peter seems to get the lion’s share of blame. Like the Henry Huggins/Ramona situation (see above) boys who resist so-called “girl books” will be tempted to read Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great
Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made. (SERIES) Timmy Failure’s format is easier to read than many other middle grade books (e.g. more accessible for kids who may still resist small type) and includes plentiful illustrations (Pastis is a cartoonist). Timmy aspires to be a great detective, but that’s a bit tricky when his partner is an imaginary polar bear. Timmy is also a bit clueless and naively confident of his skills. This all sounds depressing as I write it, but the book is actually a great mix of offbeat silliness and more serious issues. Parents of younger kids may be tempted to pick up these books because of the large type and illustrations but the sly humor is best appreciated by kids ages 8 and up. Also available as ebooks.
More Book Lists:
- Fantastic Books for 7 Year Olds to Devour
- 9 Books for 9 Year olds
- 10 Books for 10 Year Olds
- 11 Books for 11 Year Olds
Natalie says
This is a great list, and I think we only read Beverly Cleary books from it. It’s interesting because my daughter is quite the opposite and only wants to read fiction (or non-fiction wrapped inside a fiction story) at the moment. She is going to be 7 in a week, but her recent favorite series include Encyclopedia Brown and Famous Five. She is also getting into Dear America, but it’s probably somewhat more girl-oriented.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Famous Five is a great suggestion. I should get some of those for him.
Jeanette Nyberg says
I’m so excited to follow the ‘boy’ books my son chooses as he grows up. Of course, he could very well choose the same pink princess-y type books my daughter went for, but based on his love of guns and Power Rangers, I think he’ll go the boyish route. These are so fun to pin for later!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks Jeanette. I’m trying hard to get my son to also read so-called “girl” books since I think it’s important for kids to see the entire world reflected in their reading but I won’t deny that he does gravitate towards so-called “boy” topics!
writersideup says
Don’t forget CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS 😀
Erica MomandKiddo says
He read that several years ago and since this list is based on what he’s just read in the last month or so, I didn’t include Captain Underpants. He did enjoy that series, though.
Alanna says
My son did too (he is 8) but he re-borrows them – and is doing that with the Wimpy Kids now) as I think it is comfort reading – just silly and not as disrespectful as some of those cartoon books for older kids. He loved the Franklin Richards series and we own them so he dips into them a lot. And we inherited 2 boxes of Horrible Histories magazines which are a bit old for him but as long as not too scary I let him read them.
But by FAR the most fun for 8 year old boys is Andy Griffiths – an Australian who wrote the 13-Storey Treehouse, and now the 26th and the 39th. Also his “Just” series, e.g. Just Disgusting!, Just Annoying! Just Crazy! Just Doomed! Just Macbeth! – brilliant
Erica MomandKiddo says
I’ve had a few Australians recommend Griffiths’ books. They sound fun.
Pragmaticmom says
My newly 9-year-old son loved Timmy Failure. His older sister read How to Eat Fried Worms around that age and liked it. I could not get any of my kids to read Beverly Cleary which breaks my heart. Your other picks look great! We’re working out way through House of Hades and Book 2 of Harry Potter but when we come up for air, those look great!!!
Jen says
Hi – I remember How to Eat Fried Worms and Tales of 4th Grade Nothing from my own childhood! My 7 year old also loves silly humour and crazy plots – these are great suggestions for him for the next couple of years. Thanks!
Erica MomandKiddo says
I hope he likes them!
maryanne @ mama smiles says
I can’t believe Emma turns 8 in a few months – that seems so old! She has read Henry and the Paper Route, and I’m sure she will read these others soon!
Erica MomandKiddo says
I now understand why grownups were always telling me when I was a kid, “Wow, how did you get so big?” LOL
Johanna says
Thank you Erica for the list, yet again! And for all those further recommendations and ideas.
As English is my second language and some of the American ‘classics’ (e.g.:Encyclopedia Brown and Famous Five etc) are new to me too, this website is a gem! Thank you, thank and THANK YOU!
Greetings from Europe.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks for the kind words, Johanna. I hope you are able to find some of these books where you are.
Deceptively Educational says
I think our 8-year-old boys would be fast friends. Your book lists are quickly becoming my go-to as my voracious reader rips through books faster than I can get to the library to replenish his week’s supply. Thanks, as always, for these amazing lists of great books and for sharing them at the After School Linky Party!!
annageig says
Hi, Erika! I know you linked this up a while ago, but it was part of my round up today for After School. Love it!
nephilimtheremnants says
Here is a complete 100 Book List my son just completed!!! This is for 3-4-5th graders that are boys here: http://nephilimtheremnants.com/2014/09/03/my-son-completed-the-100-book-challenge-check-out-the-list-of-100-books-he-read/
Rachel says
Thank you SO much for making this list!!!! My eight year old nephew loves to read and I want to fuel that love while I still can!!! I had a hard time finding books that we’re challenging and interesting enough for him while still being age appropriate and I can’t wait to get him some of the ones listed because I know he is going to love them!!! Thank you so much!!!
Erica MomandKiddo says
I’m so glad the list was helpful, Rachel!
Mom of girls says
I don’t know if you don’t realize or don’t care but relegating girls to a parenthetical afterthought in a discussion of books is sexist and condescending. I’m trying very hard to raise my girls in such a way that they know all toys are for both boys and girls and all books are for both boys and girls. This makes me see red.
Erica MomandKiddo says
I don’t know if you don’t realize or don’t care, but you have made an incorrect judgement about my attitude towards books based on one simple post. I have over 100 book lists and on many of them I have been very forthcoming about my dislike of “books for boys” and “books for girls” book lists. This is one list based entirely on what my 8 year old BOY was reading. My “parenthetical afterthought” was not an afterthought at all. If you continued to read my blog you will see that I very frequently write in parentheses, it is merely my writing style (however imperfect, and I admit to it being very imperfect), and it is my assertion that these books are good for all children. It is not sexist or condescending. I realize I cannot please everyone all the time, so I take no offense to your incorrect assumption. It is wise to take in the whole picture, rather than make snap judgements. There are many things in this world to “see red” about, such as child poverty, war, the rights of women, corporate money in politics, inequality, racism, the lack of health care for all, etc., but I think this blog post is probably not one of them.
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