The prototypical eight-year-old boy would rather be raising hell than reading.
Playing Minecraft or picking on siblings take precedence over a chapter book almost any day.
So how can a parent inspire their eight-year-old boy to pick up a book, chill out, and turn some pages? By supplying them with engaging reads.
We asked eight parents and professionals about what book they would recommend for an eight-year-old boy. Here’s what they had to say.
Jay Saves The Day
My son loves Minecraft. It seems like the majority of his conversations start and end with whatever object he and his friends built that day on Minecraft. So rather than push books on him at random, my wife and I decided to go with the flow and support his passion for Minecraft by getting him Minecraft books. Jay Saves The Day is one book that he has read multiple times, and is often cited as his favorite read. Learn about activities and interests first, and then find a book that supports that interest to direct some of that on-screen time towards physical books.
Brett Farmiloe, Markitors
Harry Potter Series
I think that it is important for children to read fiction and grow their imagination. The Harry Potter books are perfect for this age group because the story is easy to get into, and the kids won’t stop until they finish the last book in the series – that is, if they don’t decide to reread it!
Noah Downs, Montauk Services
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy is a #1 New York Times Best Seller. It was actually given to me as a present by my brother-in-law (who is in his 30s) but it’s a story for all ages. It’s a heartwarming tale about a boy who goes on an adventure filled with life lessons. One of my favorite quotes in the book is, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” asked the mole. “Kind,” said the boy.
Lauren Patrick, Curricula
Ranma 1/2
Ranma 1/2 was my favorite growing up. However, I’d recommend any Manga series from your local bookstore. There’s nothing greater than the feeling of finishing a book, even at a young age. And since 8-year-old me can finish a 200-page Manga volume in an hour or two—it really helped me fall in love with reading and transitioned into novels (and English/Literature class in the future) more smoothly.
Hung Nguyen, Smallpdf
The Opportunity
The Opportunity by Joel Ackerman. This book inspires and captivates readers of all ages. The illustrations beautifully pour across the pages and are painted by Ania Tomicka, a polish illustrator. The story is an invitation to stand in the grand possibility life has to offer versus the lingering pain of missed opportunity.
Karen Nowicki, Business Radio X
The Bad Guys
A great series of books for an 8-year-old boy is The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey. It’s a story of four traditionally antagonist characters (a wolf, a shark, a piranha, and a snake) and their quest to change their image. The writing is funny, witty and easy for a young reader to understand and the art style is simple but visually appealing. There are a large number of books in the series so, if your young reader enjoys it, you’ll have guaranteed gift ideas for some time. The best part is that Hollywood is making a “Bad Guys” movie to be released in 2021 so you’re also giving him the ability to tell all of his friends that the book was better.
Phil Strazzulla, SelectSoftware Reviews
The Great Brain
The Great Brain books really captured my imagination as an eight-year-old, and now my eight and ten-year-old are devouring them today. They are about three boys in 1890s Utah, one of whom uses his “great brain” to solve crimes, unravel mysteries, and to swindle other kids. Each chapter is its own story, so it’s great for bedtime. It’s gripping, there’s always a moral, and it’s also an interesting look at a time when people were getting phones, indoor plumbing, and bicycles were novel inventions.
Elliot Brown, OnPay
The Hobbit
This is definitely my favorite childhood book. It is a great story that allows kids to have a solid imagination and never underestimate themselves. The characters have flaws and very detailed back stories to show their humanity. The main character never wants the adventure and is blindsided by the whole experience but ends up being a big hero in the end.
Mark Smith, UAT
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