← The Children's Library  /  Age 8

Best Books for 8 year olds

A personal project β€” every book hand-picked by a London dad πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§

A varied shortlist for 8 year olds, balanced across familiar favourites, different authors, and the formats most likely to suit this stage.

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36 hand-picked books

How to use this shelf

At age 8, reading confidence and attention span can vary widely. Use the age ranges as guidance, then choose among poetry, chapter book, classic and novel according to whether the book will be read alone, shared with an adult, or enjoyed as a family read-aloud.

Quick comparison

6 varied places to start. Compare the age, format, and themes, then read the notes or check current UK editions.

Please Mrs Butler
Allan Ahlberg Β· Poetry Β· ages 6–10 Β· humour and family
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Roald Dahl Β· Chapter Book Β· ages 6–10 Β· humour and wonder
Just So Stories
Rudyard Kipling Β· Classic Β· ages 6–10 Β· imagination and humour
The Sheep-Pig
Dick King-Smith Β· Chapter Book Β· ages 6–10 Β· kindness and perseverance
Quick, Let's Get Out of Here
Michael Rosen Β· Poetry Β· ages 6–10 Β· humour and family
Figgie Hobbin
Charles Causley Β· Poetry Β· ages 6–10 Β· wonder and heritage
Please Mrs Butler book cover
Please Mrs Butler
Allan Ahlberg
Ages 6–10
Please Mrs Butler
Allan Ahlberg
Please Mrs Butler by Allan Ahlberg is a poetry collection for children aged 6 to 10. A useful choice for reading about humour, family and heritage.
Poetry1983
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory book cover
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Roald Dahl
Ages 6–10
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Roald Dahl Β· Quentin Blake
Charlie Bucket finds one of five golden tickets and enters Willy Wonka’s extraordinary chocolate factory.
Chapter Book1964
Just So Stories book cover
Just So Stories
Rudyard Kipling
Ages 6–10
Just So Stories
Rudyard Kipling
On the shelf for children aged 6 to 10: Just So Stories, a classic by Rudyard Kipling. It connects with imagination, humour, wonder and nature.
Classic1902
The Sheep-Pig book cover
The Sheep-Pig
Dick King-Smith
Ages 6–10
The Sheep-Pig
Dick King-Smith
For readers interested in kindness, perseverance and courage, compare The Sheep-Pig by Dick King-Smith. It is a chapter book for children aged 6 to 10.
Chapter Book1983
Quick, Let's Get Out of Here book cover
Quick, Let's Get Out of Here
Michael Rosen
Ages 6–10
Quick, Let's Get Out of Here
Michael Rosen Β· Quentin Blake
Quick, Let's Get Out of Here by Michael Rosen is a poetry collection for children aged 6 to 10. It is illustrated by Quentin Blake. A useful choice for reading about humour and family.
Poetry1983
Figgie Hobbin book cover
Figgie Hobbin
Charles Causley
Ages 6–10
Figgie Hobbin
Charles Causley
Figgie Hobbin by Charles Causley is a poetry collection for children aged 6 to 10. A useful choice for reading about wonder and heritage.
Poetry1970
Peacock Pie book cover
Peacock Pie
Walter de la Mare
Ages 6–10
Peacock Pie
Walter de la Mare
First published in 1913, Peacock Pie is a poetry collection by Walter de la Mare for children aged 6 to 10. Its themes include wonder and imagination.
Poetry1913
The Worst Witch book cover
The Worst Witch
Jill Murphy
Ages 7–10
The Worst Witch
Jill Murphy
Mildred Hubble is a pupil at Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches, where spells, broomstick lessons, and school rules rarely go according to plan.
Chapter Book1974
Gangsta Granny book cover
Gangsta Granny
David Walliams
Ages 7–10
Gangsta Granny
David Walliams Β· Tony Ross
Ben expects another dull Friday with his cabbage-loving grandmother until he learns that she claims to be an international jewel thief.
Chapter Book2011
The Boy Who Grew Dragons book cover
The Boy Who Grew Dragons
Andy Shepherd
Ages 7–10
The Boy Who Grew Dragons
Andy Shepherd
The Boy Who Grew Dragons by Andy Shepherd is a novel for children aged 7 to 10. A useful choice for reading about adventure, humour, friendship and wonder.
Novel2018
The Diary of a Killer Cat book cover
The Diary of a Killer Cat
Anne Fine
Ages 6–9
The Diary of a Killer Cat
Anne Fine
The Diary of a Killer Cat by Anne Fine is a chapter book for children aged 6 to 9. A useful choice for reading about humour and family.
Chapter Book1994
The Magic Faraway Tree book cover
The Magic Faraway Tree
Enid Blyton
Ages 6–9
The Magic Faraway Tree
Enid Blyton
The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton is a chapter book for children aged 6 to 9. A useful choice for reading about imagination, adventure and wonder.
Chapter Book1943
The Wombles book cover
The Wombles
Elisabeth Beresford
Ages 6–9
The Wombles
Elisabeth Beresford
For readers interested in nature, family and humour, compare The Wombles by Elisabeth Beresford. It is a chapter book for children aged 6 to 9.
Chapter Book1968
Horrid Henry book cover
Horrid Henry
Francesca Simon
Ages 6–9
Horrid Henry
Francesca Simon Β· Tony Ross
First published in 1994, Horrid Henry is a chapter book by Francesca Simon for children aged 6 to 9. It is illustrated by Tony Ross. Its themes include humour and family.
Chapter Book1994
You're a Bad Man, Mr Gum! book cover
You're a Bad Man, Mr Gum!
Andy Stanton
Ages 7–10
You're a Bad Man, Mr Gum!
Andy Stanton Β· David Tazzyman
You're a Bad Man, Mr Gum! by Andy Stanton is a chapter book for children aged 7 to 10. It is illustrated by David Tazzyman. A useful choice for reading about humour and justice.
Chapter Book2006
My Dad's a Birdman book cover
My Dad's a Birdman
David Almond
Ages 7–10
My Dad's a Birdman
David Almond Β· Polly Dunbar
First published in 2007, My Dad's a Birdman is a chapter book by David Almond for children aged 7 to 10. It is illustrated by Polly Dunbar. Its themes include family, wonder and imagination.
Chapter Book2007
A Necklace of Raindrops
Joan Aiken
Ages 6–9
A Necklace of Raindrops
Joan Aiken Β· Jan Pienkowski
A Necklace of Raindrops, a chapter book by Joan Aiken, is selected for children aged 6 to 9. It is illustrated by Jan Pienkowski. Compare it with other books exploring imagination and wonder.
Chapter Book1968
Ottoline and the Yellow Cat book cover
Ottoline and the Yellow Cat
Chris Riddell
Ages 7–10
Ottoline and the Yellow Cat
Chris Riddell
Choose Ottoline and the Yellow Cat by Chris Riddell for children aged 7 to 10. This chapter book is shelved with books about adventure, imagination and friendship.
Chapter Book2007
Mr Majeika book cover
Mr Majeika
Humphrey Carpenter
Ages 6–9
Mr Majeika
Humphrey Carpenter
Choose Mr Majeika by Humphrey Carpenter for children aged 6 to 9. This chapter book is shelved with books about humour and wonder.
Chapter Book1984
The Hundred-Mile-an-Hour Dog book cover
The Hundred-Mile-an-Hour Dog
Jeremy Strong
Ages 7–10
The Hundred-Mile-an-Hour Dog
Jeremy Strong
The Hundred-Mile-an-Hour Dog by Jeremy Strong is a chapter book for children aged 7 to 10. A useful choice for reading about humour and family.
Chapter Book1996
Pongwiffy book cover
Pongwiffy
Kaye Umansky
Ages 7–10
Pongwiffy
Kaye Umansky
For readers interested in humour and imagination, compare Pongwiffy by Kaye Umansky. It is a chapter book for children aged 7 to 10.
Chapter Book1988
Stitch Head book cover
Stitch Head
Guy Bass
Ages 7–10
Stitch Head
Guy Bass
Stitch Head by Guy Bass is a chapter book for children aged 7 to 10. A useful choice for reading about friendship, courage and kindness.
Chapter Book2011
Astrosaurs: Riddle of the Raptors book cover
Astrosaurs: Riddle of the Raptors
Steve Cole
Ages 6–9
Astrosaurs: Riddle of the Raptors
Steve Cole
First published in 2005, Astrosaurs: Riddle of the Raptors is a chapter book by Steve Cole for children aged 6 to 9. Its themes include adventure and humour.
Chapter Book2005
Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet book cover
Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet
Zanib Mian
Ages 7–10
Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet
Zanib Mian
Choose Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian for children aged 7 to 10. This chapter book is shelved with books about humour, family and friendship.
Chapter Book2019
Fortunately, the Milk book cover
Fortunately, the Milk
Neil Gaiman
Ages 7–10
Fortunately, the Milk
Neil Gaiman Β· Chris Riddell
First published in 2013, Fortunately, the Milk is a chapter book by Neil Gaiman for children aged 7 to 10. It is illustrated by Chris Riddell. Its themes include humour, imagination and adventure.
Chapter Book2013
Gobbolino the Witch's Cat book cover
Gobbolino the Witch's Cat
Ursula Moray Williams
Ages 6–9
Gobbolino the Witch's Cat
Ursula Moray Williams
Gobbolino the Witch's Cat by Ursula Moray Williams is a classic for children aged 6 to 9. A useful choice for reading about kindness and perseverance.
Classic1942
Worzel Gummidge book cover
Worzel Gummidge
Barbara Euphan Todd
Ages 7–10
Worzel Gummidge
Barbara Euphan Todd
Choose Worzel Gummidge by Barbara Euphan Todd for children aged 7 to 10. This classic is shelved with books about humour and imagination.
Classic1936
Voices in the Park book cover
Voices in the Park
Anthony Browne
Ages 5–9
Voices in the Park
Anthony Browne
Voices in the Park by Anthony Browne is a picture book for children aged 5 to 9. A useful choice for reading about family, wonder and justice.
Picture Book1998
The Wind in the Willows book cover
The Wind in the Willows
Kenneth Grahame
Ages 7–11
The Wind in the Willows
Kenneth Grahame
The Wind in the Willows, a classic by Kenneth Grahame, is selected for children aged 7 to 11. Compare it with other books exploring friendship, adventure, nature and loyalty.
Classic1908
Peter Pan book cover
Peter Pan
J. M. Barrie
Ages 7–11
Peter Pan
J. M. Barrie
For readers interested in adventure, imagination, wonder and courage, compare Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie. It is a classic for children aged 7 to 11.
Classic1911
The Family from One End Street book cover
The Family from One End Street
Eve Garnett
Ages 7–11
The Family from One End Street
Eve Garnett
First published in 1937, The Family from One End Street is a classic by Eve Garnett for children aged 7 to 11. Its themes include family, humour and heritage.
Classic1937
The Iron Man book cover
The Iron Man
Ted Hughes
Ages 7–11
The Iron Man
Ted Hughes
First published in 1968, The Iron Man is a classic by Ted Hughes for children aged 7 to 11. Its themes include courage, wonder and kindness.
Classic1968
Fungus the Bogeyman book cover
Fungus the Bogeyman
Raymond Briggs
Ages 7–11
Fungus the Bogeyman
Raymond Briggs
Fungus the Bogeyman by Raymond Briggs is a picture book for children aged 7 to 11. A useful choice for reading about humour and imagination.
Picture Book1977
Mary Poppins book cover
Mary Poppins
P. L. Travers
Ages 7–11
Mary Poppins
P. L. Travers
Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers is a classic for children aged 7 to 11. A useful choice for reading about wonder, imagination and family.
Classic1934
The Story of Doctor Dolittle book cover
The Story of Doctor Dolittle
Hugh Lofting
Ages 7–11
The Story of Doctor Dolittle
Hugh Lofting
The Story of Doctor Dolittle, a classic by Hugh Lofting, is selected for children aged 7 to 11. Compare it with other books exploring nature, kindness and adventure.
Classic1920
Bunny vs Monkey book cover
Bunny vs Monkey
Jamie Smart
Ages 7–11
Bunny vs Monkey
Jamie Smart
Choose Bunny vs Monkey by Jamie Smart for children aged 7 to 11. This chapter book is shelved with books about humour and adventure.
Chapter Book2014