Book Recommendations

[BunnyJen90]

So Im helping out watching my twin 8 year old cousins this summer and could use some recommendations for books for them to read over the summer. What would be some good books for both an 8 year old boy and girl. I especially need to work on reading with the girl because shes behind on reading for her age.

 

[TheCrystallineEntity]

I've got loads and loads of recommendations for fantastic kids' books. Would you like the short list, or the long?

 

[CupofJoe]

I started on the Asterix books about that age. There are some funny jokes in the writing and you have all those great characters.

 

[Prince of Spires]

Main thing I learned reading books for my kids (they're 8 and 10) and having them read a lot themselves is that you want to go for modern books. Don't try to get them to read your childhood classics. They tend to be a lot slower paced and language has changed a lot in the past 30-odd years. Once you have them reading, then give them whatever and let them decide if they like it. But start with new books.

As for what to read, that very much depends on what they're interested in. My two kids are very different, and what one finds great and keeps reading, the other finds boring. So try lots of different things and match it to their interests.

Some random books my kids like:
Geronimo Stilton, The Kingdom of Fantasy: This is a visually interesting one as well as a fun and easy read.
The Treehouse Series, Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
Dork Diaries, Rachel Renée Russell. My oldest loves this series, the youngest one doesn't. It's for more girly-girls. But if your daughter likes more girly things, then these can be great. Fairly fast read with lots of ilustrations.
Julius Zebra: Rumble with the Romans, Gary Northfield. More towards the fantasy side of things, with a zebra who becomes a gladiator. It's funny, and again, has great illustrations.
Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made, Stephan Pastis. If you like absurdist humor...

The Harry Potter books are also still a great read, though they might be a bit hard for an 8 year old

 

[BunnyJen90]

I was thinking about getting my cousins into some of the stuff I grew up on but yeah a lot has changed since I was their age back around the early 2000s that kids these days would find them outdated.

 

[Rexenm]

My daughter likes books about dragons and unicorns and hampters.

I got her some David Walliams books, which are movies now.

 

[ThinkerX]

Try the 'Black Hole Radio' series. I reviewed a couple of them. Fun SF/Fantasy for kids, usually in the 100-page range, with science comments at the end.

 

[Prince of Spires]

I was thinking about getting my cousins into some of the stuff I grew up on but yeah a lot has changed since I was their age back around the early 2000s that kids these days would find them outdated.

It isn't so much that there's anything wrong with them. Rather, they give an extra barrier to overcome if you're not an avid reader or if you're a bit behind with your reading. Once you're reading a lot, then there are some great older books out there. But some childhood classics haven't aged well.

 

[pmmg]

I’m reccomend water-ship down and the belgaraid series.

If you are open to comic books, groo the wanderer. Its funny.

 

[minta]

Wings of Fire series. There are lots of books in it, and kids usually love the dragons and adventure.

 

[xena]

Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell, my niece loved it.

 

[Demesnedenoir]

Groo! The only comic worth reading.

I’m reccomend water-ship down and the belgaraid series.

If you are open to comic books, groo the wanderer. Its funny.

 

[pmmg]

Groo! The only comic worth reading.

Word dat!