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

Are you on the hunt for interesting books for 8-year-olds that will captivate their imagination and keep them hooked? You've come to the right place! Whether your young reader is into thrilling adventures, magical tales, or something entirely unique, we’ve compiled a diverse selection that promises to entertain and inspire. Keep reading to discover our top picks of interesting books for 8-year-olds, perfect for adding some excitement to their reading routine!

Fun Interesting 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 a young pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a barn spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur is in danger of being slaughtered, Charlotte writes messages praising him in her web to persuade the farmer to spare his life.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches themes of friendship, loyalty, and the reality of death in a gentle way that's accessible to young readers.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and children dealing with the concept of loss for the first time.

• The BFG by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young orphan 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 across the world.
  • Why we recommend this book: It sparks imagination with its creative language and whimsical characters, making reading a delightful experience.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers and dreamers who enjoy tales of friendship and courage.

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fiction
  • Synopsis: This 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 relatable humor and unique format, mixing text with cartoons, engage reluctant readers and encourage a love for books.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy laughing and those who might be a bit hesitant about reading.

• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This story about an unusually brave mouse named Despereaux Tilling, who loves music and stories, and how he saves a human princess from a terrible fate.
  • Why we recommend this book: It is a story of bravery and forgiveness that shows even the smallest creature can make a big difference.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love fairy tales and rooting for the underdog.

• Matilda by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: Matilda is a precocious child with neglectful parents and a cruel headmistress. She discovers she has the power of telekinesis and uses it to stand up to the adults mistreating her and her friends.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates the power of individuality and intelligence, encouraging readers to believe in themselves and their abilities.
  • Perfect for: Intelligent youngsters and anyone who feels misunderstood or underappreciated.

• Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne, illustrated by Sal Murdocca
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Historical Fiction
  • Synopsis: Siblings Jack and Annie discover a magical tree house filled with books that transport them across time and space on various adventures and missions.
  • Why we recommend this book: Each book combines fun, adventure, and educational elements that keep readers engaged and learning without even realizing it.
  • Perfect for: Curious kids who enjoy history and fantasy, and those who love a series that grows with them.

Educational Interesting Books for 8-Year-Olds

• The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, illustrated by Patricia Castelao
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Animal Stories
  • Synopsis: The story is narrated by Ivan, a silverback gorilla who lives in a cage at a mall. Ivan has few memories of the jungle where he was captured, but when a baby elephant named Ruby arrives, he is moved to protect her from their bleak environment.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, animal welfare awareness, creative thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a touching narrative that offers perspectives on friendship and the importance of a safe home environment, all through the eyes of an endearing gorilla.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and young readers interested in animal rights.

• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Fiction, STEM
  • Synopsis: Inspired by real-life makers such as Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie, Ada Twist is a 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, problem-solving, perseverance
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes curiosity and determination, especially in young girls, encouraging them to explore science and never stop asking questions.
  • Perfect for: Budding scientists and inquisitive minds.

• The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
  • Genre(s): Science Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Roz, a robot, finds herself alone on a remote, wild island. She adapts to her surroundings and learns from the wildlife, eventually becoming part of the island's community.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Adaptability, technology and nature, survival skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully blends elements of technology with the natural world, showing how intelligence and environmental awareness can coexist.
  • Perfect for: Tech-savvy kids and young nature enthusiasts.

• The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Magical Realism
  • Synopsis: In this enchanting story, a girl named Luna is accidentally enmagicked as a baby and raised by a witch. As Luna grows, her magic begins to emerge with potentially disastrous effects.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, emotional intelligence, creative imagination
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a spellbinding tale that teaches about the consequences of actions and the power of love and sacrifice.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love magic and complex, heartwarming narratives.

• Frindle by Andrew Clements, illustrated by Brian Selznick
  • Genre(s): Contemporary, Humor
  • Synopsis: Nick Allen invents a new word, "frindle," for what is commonly known as a pen, sparking a series of events that captures the nation's attention.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Language arts, creativity, understanding of media influence
  • Why we recommend this book: It showcases the power of words and ideas, and how a simple creative act can become a significant phenomenon.
  • Perfect for: Young innovators and any kid who's ever wondered about changing the world.

Challenging Interesting 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 that transports him to the Lands Beyond, a surreal region where he embarks on a quest to save the princesses Rhyme and Reason.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story is filled with puns, wordplay, and abstract concepts that challenge readers to think critically about language and logic.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages exploration and appreciation of the nuances of language and thought, making it a stimulating read.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love puzzles and word games, and those who enjoy a whimsical, thought-provoking journey.

• The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure, Science Fiction
  • Synopsis: Four gifted children are recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict to go on a secret mission at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where they must solve a series of puzzles and stop a global crisis.
  • Why this book is challenging: The complex puzzles and moral questions posed in this book require advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an exciting adventure that also teaches important lessons about teamwork, intelligence, and courage.
  • Perfect for: Young detectives and strategists who thrive on challenges and teamwork.

• 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 the evil forces that hold him prisoner on another planet.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces concepts of theoretical physics within a complex narrative structure.
  • Why we recommend this book: This classic novel expands imagination and understanding of scientific concepts, wrapped in a compelling story of family and friendship.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring scientists and adventurers who are ready for a challenging read.

• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  • Genre(s): Classic, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Mary Lennox, a sour-faced and unpleasant child, is sent to live with her uncle in England after her parents' death. She discovers a locked, neglected garden and, with the help of new friends, brings it back to life along with her own transformation.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative style and historical setting require a higher level of reading comprehension and vocabulary.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a beautiful story of healing and renewal through nature, friendship, and self-discovery.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy transformation stories and exploring themes of resilience and rebirth.

• The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
  • Genre(s): Classic, Philosophical
  • Synopsis: This poetic tale features a young prince who travels the universe gaining wisdom. Through his adventures, he explores themes of loneliness, friendship, love, and loss.
  • Why this book is challenging: The philosophical undertones and abstract ideas challenge readers to think deeply about life and human connections.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers profound insights into human nature and relationships, presented through a simple but powerful narrative.
  • Perfect for: Young thinkers and anyone intrigued by life’s big questions.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to encourage an 8-year-old to dive deeper into their books and develop strong reading habits, here are some fun exercises that can help. These activities are designed not only to make reading more engaging but also to enhance comprehension and retention skills. Let’s get started!

• Create a Book Club
  • What it is: Gather a group of friends who read the same book and discuss it.
  • How it helps: Encourages social interaction and critical thinking about the text.
  • Tips: Choose books that are age-appropriate and have engaging themes.

• Story Map Creation
  • What it is: Draw or create a map based on the settings and events of the story.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding of the plot and the spatial awareness of the story’s setting.
  • Tips: Use colors and symbols to differentiate between different parts of the story.

• Character Diary Entries
  • What it is: Write diary entries from the perspective of a character in the book.
  • How it helps: Develops empathy and deeper understanding of characters.
  • Tips: Choose a character that resonates or intrigues the child the most.

• Reading Out Loud
  • What it is: Take turns reading parts of the book aloud with a parent or a sibling.
  • How it helps: Improves pronunciation and builds confidence in reading skills.
  • Tips: Make it more fun by using different voices for different characters.

• Question Jars
  • What it is: Write questions about the book on slips of paper and put them in a jar to be drawn and answered after reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances memory and comprehension by encouraging recall of details.
  • Tips: Include both simple and challenging questions to keep it interesting.

• Design a Book Cover
  • What it is: Create a new cover for the book, including illustrations and a summary.
  • How it helps: Encourages artistic expression and a deeper understanding of the book’s themes.
  • Tips: Discuss what elements are important to include on a book cover, like the title and author.

• Book-based Charades
  • What it is: Act out different scenes or characters from the book without speaking.
  • How it helps: Helps in reinforcing memory of the plot and characters in a fun way.
  • Tips: Keep each performance short and sweet to maintain high energy and interest.

Incorporating these exercises into an 8-year-old's reading routine can make reading a dynamic and interactive experience. Not only do these activities foster a love for reading, but they also build essential skills that will benefit them academically. So, pick a book, get creative, and most importantly, have fun reading!