By the time kids hit 8-years-old, they are most commonly reading on their own time and seeking out stories they find most entertaining. In a world where the internet and video games reign supreme, it can be hard to find books that inspire kids to pick them up and get engrossed in an adventure.
Fear not, The ToyZone is here to help! We’ve combed the web to find books that come highly recommended by real readers to find the 10 best books for 8-year-olds. We’ve eliminated any books where the reviews have been manipulated. Sit back and join us as we journey with wizards, underpants wearing superheroes, and dragons to find exactly what you’re looking for.
1Catwings (A Catwings Tale)
This is an exhilarating book about four precious kittens that were born in the city, but surprise, they were born with wings, which allows them to escape the city. 8-year-olds can dive into a fascinating world and escape the city with them and join in on all of the perilous adventures in the country.
What we love
- Easy to follow and engaging
- Has beautiful illustrations
What We Don't Like That Much
- This book is not available in hardback
2Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Collection (12 Books Set By Jeff Kinney)
With this set of books, 8-year-olds can enjoy engaging stories from a kid’s perspective. They are written to be easy to read and follow and can relate to many kids, making them enjoyable to read.
What we love
- 12 books in the Wimpy Kid series
- Written with each story following the days and experiences of a wimpy kid
What We Don't Like That Much
- The books could use more illustrations
3Bone: The Complete Cartoon Epic in One Volume
This cartoon book collection is full of excellent cartoon illustrations, and each one follows the epic tale of three cousins as they were run out of their home town in Boneville. They are full of exhilarating adventures and terrifying creatures that the cousins have to overcome to survive.
What we love
- Characters are well thought out and relatable
- Volume consists of over 1,300 pages with original black & white artwork
What We Don't Like That Much
- This set only includes the first volume of Bone series
4Captain Underpants: 10 Book Set
Captain Underpants is an unconventional cartoon hero that goes up against weird things like cafeteria ladies from outer space and talking toilets. Each book has a different adventure that they can be engaging for 8-year-olds to read and enjoy.
What we love
- Can be purchased as paperbacks and hardcovers
- Come in a board box to keep the set together
What We Don't Like That Much
- There are other Captain Underpants stories, but they are all sold separately
5Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons (Ologies)
This collection will allow children to read about creatures that many believe never existed. It gives all kinds of information about dragons, including Latin names of dragon species and beautiful illustrations of what each one would look like.
What we love
- Fun and educational for kids to read
- Illustrations are beautifully detailed
What We Don't Like That Much
- This is a part of a mythology series, however, it is sold separately
6My Side of the Mountain (Puffin Modern Classics)
This engaging story follows Sam Gribley in his adventures as he runs away from his home in New York City. He finds himself in a mountain full of dangers that allows him to discover parts of himself that he never knew was possible. It makes reading interesting and uses simple wording for 8-year-olds to understand better.
What we love
- First book in a five-book series
- It includes danger, excitement, and self-discovery
What We Don't Like That Much
- This book does not come in hardcover form
7Harry Potter: The Illustrated Collection (Books 1-3 Boxed Set)
Harry Potter has always been a popular set of books for children, and with this illustrated version, kids can enjoy the first three books of the series matched will detailed illustrations. They come in an illustrated book box to keep them together.
What we love
- Illustrations colors are vivid and well thouht out
- This version sheds a whole new light on the Harry Potter series
What We Don't Like That Much
- This set only comes in hardcover form
8Magic Tree House Books A Library of Books 1-28 The Ultimate Box Set Of 28 Books 1-28 Books Set Osborne Mary Pope
This box set includes all of the books in the Magic Tree House series, and they come in a quality box to keep all of them together. They are one of the ten best books for 8-year-olds because each story helps to grow the child’s imagination and encourages them to read.
What we love
- Contains books 1-28 in the series
- Each book is short and easy to read
What We Don't Like That Much
- The books could be made from higher-quality material
9My Weird School 21-Book Box Set
Each of these books are short and designed to be easy to read for 8-year-olds. They follow the adventures of a class of students at a weird school, which incudes a principle who kisses pigs. The series is super popular, with millions on copies sold.
What we love
- Has 21 different stories for kids to enjoy
- Designed to keep reluctant readers engaged
What We Don't Like That Much
- These books only come in paperback form
10Big Nate Series Collection Lincoln Peirce 6 Books Box Set Gift Pack (Big Nate on a Roll, Goes for Broke, the Boy with the Biggest Head in the World, Strikes Again, Flips Out, in the Zone)
8-year-olds will find these books truly relateable, which is why they are some of the best books for kids. Each book in this set follows interesting cartoon characters in various adventures that will keep young ones engaged in reading and help make it fun.
What we love
- Includes six different books
- Fullof excellent cartoon illustrations
What We Don't Like That Much
- This collection is part of a bigger series that is sold separately
