Book suggestions for an 8 year old

I dropped my middle dd off at school today and when I walked her to her class, her teacher grabbed me to show me her reading placement. She's reading proficiently at a 7th grade level. I'm looking for suggestions for books that will challenge her skills but not be over her head. The test she did was on an essay called "Dating the Loner." Her teacher apologized about the subject material but at this level there isn't much available. I was assured this was the mildest she could find. I'm having the same issues with my older dd, but I can find books for her, now. Once the younger one finishes what we have around the house that her big sis read, I'm stuck. The biggest problem I am having is that she is ONLY 8. She's almost 9 but not ready for alot of the stuff that's out there for the older kids.

 

I think this site provides a nice list of books for a wide age range.

 

I came across this quote online while searching about your topic...

QUOTE
Please consider thinking about what non fiction things your daughter might want to read about. Reading an easy biography of Helen Keller, or Anne Frank, or Eleanor Roosevelt can be a real life-changing event. I teach 2nd or 3rd grade, and my above grade level readers do almost all of their reading with non-fiction!

 

Does her school have a librarian? Please see him or her for help. You may be amazed at what's out there!
I would hesitate to put a child her age straight into her tested level -- I guess you already know one big reason! You have to look at their emotional and social level, not just their skills.

I'd look for classics and talking animal stories. Things like:
Little House series
Tales of Olga da Polga
Winnie-the-Pooh (the original story, not adaptations)
Children of Green Knowe
Pippi Longstocking
...all this is assuming she likes to read longer books. Sometimes children will be great readers and have a huge vocabulary, but not the stamina for long novels.

 

This book looks like it would be very helpful....

 

The Hobbit! It's great adventure for that age, without being too adult. Remains one of my favorite books to this day. I can't WAIT until my boys are old enough for me to start reading it to them. Mom read it to me for the first time when I was 7. I read it on my own by 9.

How about:
Little House & Anne of Green Gables series? (Too young/low level?)
Holes, Louis Sachar
Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett
Little Women, Louisa May Alcott
The Outsiders, SE Hinton (may be a bit too teenagery...was a favorite of mine as a pre-teen)
Golden Compass, Philip Pullman
Where the Red Fern Grows, Wilson Rawls
Any of the Alice in Wonderland books, Lewis Carrol
Any of the Roald Dahl books (James and the Giant Peach was always my favorite)

 

misty of chincotinque island (sp ?)

the little women series

black beauty

 

Anne of Green Gable series

 

Thanks for all the great suggestions! Feel free to keep them coming. I raided my oldest dd's book shelf and we passed down some of her favorites to get Rachel started. While we were doing it, Sarah told me that Rachel finished The Chamber of Secrets over the summer. She had asked for it, but I didn't make a big deal of it. She borrowed it from Sarah and I guess she finished it without my knowing she even read it. I was alot like that so I'm not really suprised.
I've got to find my set of Little House books. She should tear through them pretty quick. Anne of Greene Gables was a favorite of mine, but I've never owned it. I'll definately be looking for those. As soon as the oldest finishes the Hobbit I'll pass it on to Rachel (or at least I'll get it in paperback for them).
I'm going to check out the links tomorrow when I get home from paying for my classes! Thanks so much! I'll hit the librarian up for suggestions, and maybe have her direct Rach to more appropriate books every couple of weeks.

I knew this was the place to go for ideas! Woo HOO! You ladies Rock!

 

My favorite, FAVORITE website of all time for children's literature is chinaberry. They have such fantastic, books - most of which I haven't ever seen at the large chain bookstores. We've purchased almost all of our literary treasures through chinaberry! Their paper catalog is wonderful - I would request it right away.

We have the same problem (problem?) with my oldest son. After kindergarten, he read the first Harry Potter book, and could then recite passages out of it. I struggle to find and pre-read books for him. I'm always nervous that something is not going to be age appropriate. Matt loves the fantasy genre, and he's a boy, so lots of his favorites from that age might not appeal to your daughter!
He loved:
Harry Potter books. I did hold off on #4 for awhile because someone dies and I worried about that, but when I finally allowed him to read it, it didn't seem to bother him.
Childcraft books - all of my boys love these. This is the set from when I was a little girl, and I adored them, as well. The short stories are excellent, and if you ge the whole set, you have lots of non-fiction to enjoy, as well.
Chronicles of Narnia
Deltora Quest (series of 8 books)
Island of the Blue Dolphins might be a good one. You might want to pre-read it, though, just to make sure there's nothing in it that would bother her.
He still loved the A-Z Mystery series in 2nd grade, even though the books were too easy for him. I think the stories are age-appropriate and the 'mystery' topic seems to appeal to my boys. They are often available as a set from the Scholastic orders that are sent home. Amazon doesn't seem to sell the entire boxed set together.
We just finished the 2nd Fablehaven book and they were EXCELLENT - very age appropriate and very well written. I'm actually excited to read the 3rd one, but am not ready to spring for the hardcover.
Once upon a Marigold is a cute one.
Shannon Hale is one of my favorite Juvenile Fiction authors, and I'll bet your daughter would love her books! I've read Goose Girl, http://www.amazon.com/Enna-Burning-Shannon...7443&sr=1-4, and Princess Academy. All were excellent, but you might want to pre-read Enna burning to make sure you approve.


If she hasn't read the Anne of Green Gables books and Little House on the Prarie series, those would be great. Also, has she read the American Girl Doll books? I always admire those in the library and think they look like excellent, thought provoking stories. Too bad my boys would never be caught dead reading American Girl Doll Books!

Just remember that although she can read at a higher grade level, she may still enjoy easier books. It's important for her to choose things she really enjoys reading, even if they aren't as difficult as she could probably handle!

 

My first thought would be to ask a librarian or childrens' book store owner for guidance.

 

My boys are also 8 and on a 9th grade reading level. That said, I will not let them go into those books. presently they are reading the "magic tree house" series of chapter books. Pretty easy reads for them, approx 120 pages per book, but they have some historical facts/references that peak their interest and lead them to places like the national geographic site. There are 39 books in the series so far. they read one to two daily. more right now b/c of our days off from the hurricane. their faves right now are the ones dealing w/ the civil war and the revolutionary war, and the pompeii and san francisco earthquake one.

How about the Nancy Drew series?

 

What about:
Babysitter's Club series
Ramona books by Beverly Cleary
Judy Blume stuff, Tales of a 4th grade Nothing, and Superfudge.
Sweet Valley Twins!!! I can't believe I just thought of those.

I don't know if those would be too young for her, but I used to love those books.

 

Hi, I work in a middle school- I often recommend www.bookadventure.com- you can generate a list of books based on your child's grade level, reading ability, and interests. It's a good starting point for you and your child. I also ditto talking to the school librarian or teacher. Good luck!

 

Narnia series
The sign of the Beaver
The hobbit ( might take some encouragement....)
American doll girl books
Little House books

Old Nancy Drews and Hardy Boys.
Bobsy (Bobbsy?) twins?

I'll keep thinking...

 

Yep, btdt too.

Here's some stuff my kids read and enjoyed when they were 8:

Harry Potter
Gregor the Overlander series by Suzanne Collins
Cornelia Funke (The Thief Lord was my DD's favorite; she also liked Inkheart and Inkspell)
Jeanne Duprau, the City of Ember series
E.L. Konigsburg, The View from Saturday
The Land of Elyon series by Patrick Carman (starts with The Dark Hills Divide)
The Lightning Thief and the rest of that series (Rick Riordan)

Honestly, I have a hard time imagining giving 8-year-olds who read at a 9th-grade level the "Magic Tree House" books. They are typically no more than basic second-grade books, and often first-grade books (even kindergarten, for some kids). Even if the content interests them, they don't provide any advanced syntax which is also important.

 

QUOTE(BGTwins97 @ Sep 17 2008, 02:44 PM) [snapback]984613[/snapback]
Honestly, I have a hard time imagining giving 8-year-olds who read at a 9th-grade level the "Magic Tree House" books. They are typically no more than basic second-grade books, and often first-grade books (even kindergarten, for some kids). Even if the content interests them, they don't provide any advanced syntax which is also important.



Hmm, almost sounds like an attack on my suggestions, but whatever... I'm dealing w/ Hurricane Ike issues so I can't worry about what the rest of the world thinks. Anyway, you are right she did say 'challenging', not for mere enjoyment. btw, the later books in the series are geared towards 4th/5th grade, not K. These are chapter books w/ over 100 pages. Were you thinking "magic school bus" perhaps?
And, I believe I mentioned it leads them to other sources of knowledge like the national geographic website to look up info on Pompeii/mt. Vesuvius and the great San Francisco earthquake. Gotta go keep cleaning up broken trees... hope I'm not too offensive here, just felt a bit attacked. Maybe the hurricane fatigue has me overly sensitive...

 

I have to agree with Julie on the Magic Tree House books. Many of them require a historical background that kids younger than 2nd grade don't get, so they don't truely get all of the book. My friends son loves them--is just starting 2nd grade, and reading way above grade level, but she found that some of the historical content was over his head, even though he could easily read the stories, the content was lost because he simply, as a 1st grader, didn't have the background knowledge to "get it".

 

QUOTE(momma*nic @ Sep 15 2008, 05:40 PM) [snapback]981375[/snapback]
She's reading proficiently at a 7th grade level. I'm looking for suggestions for books that will challenge her skills but not be over her head.



QUOTE(Tripsmommy @ Sep 17 2008, 06:56 PM) [snapback]984937[/snapback]
Hmm, almost sounds like an attack on my suggestions, but whatever... Anyway, you are right she did say 'challenging', not for mere enjoyment. btw, the later books in the series are geared towards 4th/5th grade, not K. These are chapter books w/ over 100 pages. Were you thinking "magic school bus" perhaps?


Not an attack, but definitely a disagreement. Not including the research guides, even the most difficult of the Magic Tree House books are leveled at 3rd grade, at least based on the Lexile system, which is what is used at our school. The Magic Tree House books range from 230-590; here's a list of all of Mary Pope Osborne sorted by level (there are some MPO books that are higher, but they're not Magic Tree House).

http://www.lexile.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?...p;tabpageid=313

Here's a listing of ranges for grade level; 590 is about mid-3rd grade:

http://bll.epnet.com/help/ehost/Lexile_Search_Tip.htm

At 8yo, my kids were in the 900-1000 range, which sounds like it's pretty close to the OP's daughter (and lower than Julie's kids, since they're at a 9th grade level). I stand by my belief that "Magic Tree House" books would not be a challenge for her. It was very hard to find appropriate stuff in that range, so I often wound up somewhat lower; 100-200 points lower wasn't boringly easy for them, but 400 points absolutely would have been.

 

Rachel actually enjoys the Magic Tree House books. She's read them all and still enjoys the new ones for a quick read. She usually whips through one in a couple of hours and is asking for something else. While I do desire that she be challenged, I don't want to take the joy out of reading. MTH are some of her favorite books and she always asks to get the new ones as soon as they come out.

Her teacher spoke to the librarian yesterday to guide her towards more challenging and "age appropriate" selections. Rachel did a great job picking her books. She came home with a series that her older sister has been reading but our public library didn't have targeted towards kids in thier age group. I think it is the Silverwing series by Kenneth Oppel. She's finished some really great books lately and I know if she keeps from getting bored she'll continue to foster this passion for reading that I love to see in my kids. As with her older sister, she is being encouraged to read something longer and a bit more challenging every week and upon completion, she reads something else that is easier and more "fun" like a graphic novel. My girls both love Japanese anime and we have several ready to pass from the older down to the younger. It's really important to me, to see this continue to grow. I'm so appreciative that her teacher recognizes her ability and tries to make sure that she is getting what she needs in the classroom. It's tough when they have 25 kids that are all on different reading levels. Rachel is her own reading "group" this year. It's simply nice to see her have a passion for reading and to want to try harder things.

 

I would recommend Lucy Maude Montgomery. She wrote the Anne of Green Gables series, but also many more books. Perhaps Gordon Korman (author)
I read them older, but is the Narnia series appropriate?
What about Lemony Snicket? It's a little dark, but my newphew and neices loved them.