Eight is a wonderful age for children who like stories. Many eight year olds enjoy reading books independently, and this is the age when they can start to discover the enormous number of novels and non-fiction titles published for middle grade readers (the 8-12 age range).
Adventure and fantasy series are particularly popular with kids age eight and up, but publishers do bring out a wide range of genres so you can definitely find something for everyone. There are also several popular series which are normal novel-length but highly illustrated and therefore less intimidating for kids who are new to reading longer books.
Eight year olds often read their favourite book series over and over. If you want to introduce other types of books for variety, or introduce them to a different series, remember that even after they can read by themselves most kids love being read to, and a book is more likely to catch their attention if you read it aloud to them.
Here is our selection of popular series for eight year olds, all of which have had new books come out in recent years:
A Starless Clan: Shadow
by Erin Hunter
This series is recommended by Izzy in our interview Best Series for 10 Year Olds, in our By Kids for Kids section.
Warriors: A Starless Clan (book 3). Fantasy series about clans of fierce warrior cats for age 8+. A Starless Clan is the eighth arc of the Warriors series, following on from The Broken Code.
Tom Gates: Happy to Help (Eventually)
by Liz Pichon
Tom Gates series (book 20). Humorous look at the everyday life of a boy who generally tries to get away with doing the minimum at school. For age 8+, especially popular with reluctant readers.
Diper Överlöde
by Jeff Kinney
This series is recommended by Izzy in our interview Best Series for 10 Year Olds, in our By Kids for Kids section.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid (book 17). One of the top three bestselling series of all time for 8-12 year olds about the misadventures of Greg, a lazy and manipulative schoolboy. This series, which has very little text, is credited with getting a lot of reluctant readers into reading.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
by J.K. Rowling & Jim Kay (illustrator)
Illustrated Harry Potter (book 5). This is the fifth of the seven Harry Potter books to be published so far in this large format children's edition. With plenty of colour illustrations it is perfect for the youngest generation of readers, who are just old enough to enjoy the story but still have a preference for illustrated books. Age 8+
Amari and the Great Game
by B. B. Alston & Godwin Akpan (illustrator)
Supernatural Investigations (book 2). Adventure series with a world of magic just under the surface of the normal world. Age 8+
City of Magic
by Avi
Midnight Magic (book 3). Set in Renaissance Venice, City of Magic is a prequel or companion volume to the first two titles in this medieval mystery adventure series. Age 8+
The Arctic Railway Assassin
M G Leonard, Sam Sedgman & Elisa Paganelli (illustrator)
In our interview with the author, M. G. Leonard recommends The Best Nature Books for Kids.
Adventures on Trains (book 6). Train-based detective series for readers age 8+.
The Last Kids on Earth and the Forbidden Fortress
Max Brallier, Douglas Holgate (illustrator)
The Last Kids on Earth series (book 8). Illustrated zombie and monster apocalypse action adventure series for for kids, especially reluctant readers, age 8+.
Starfell: Willow Moss and the Magic Thief
by Dominique Valente & Sarah Warburton (Illustrator)
Starfell series (book 4). Richly illustrated fantasy series full of magic for readers age 8+
Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality
by Roshani Chokshi
Pandava Novels (book 5). This series follows Aru Shah, an Indian American school girl who happens to be the reincarnation of Arjuna. She must unite the avatars of the five Pandavas (demigod warrior princes) of the Mahābhārata. For readers age 8-14 (Aru is 12 in the first novel and grows older through each book), and perfect for fans of Rick Riordan.
Eternity Engine
Struan Murray & Manuel Sumberac (illustrator)
Orphans of the Tide (book 3). Adventure series for age 8+
A Storm of Sisters
by Michelle Harrison
Want to start at the beginning? The first book in the series is A Pinch of Magic.
The second book, A Sprinkle of Sorcery, was picked by author Jack Meggit-Phillips in our interview on The Scariest Books for Kids.
A Pinch of Magic Adventure (book 4). Atmospheric series about sisters and magic for readers age 8 and up.
Tiger Honor
by Yoon Ha Lee
A Thousand Worlds (book 2). Tiger Honor is a sequel to Dragon Pearl (one of the first books published by Rick Riordan Presents), but told from a different protagonist's point of view. Science fiction infused with Korean mythology for readers age 8+.
Rise of the World Eater
by Jamie Littler
Concluding volume in the Frostheart trilogy. Fantasy adventure series in snow and ice for readers age 8+
Once Upon a Crime
by Robin Stevens
Want to start at the beginning? The first book in this series is A Murder Most Unladylike.
In an interview with the author, Robin Stevens recommends The Best Books on Kid Detectives.
A Murder Most Unladylike Collection. This is not a new novel in the detective series for readers age 8+, but a collection of six short mysteries.
The Battle for Roar
Jenny McLachlan & Ben Mantle (illustrator)
Want to start at the beginning of the series? The first book in this trilogy is The Land of Roar. It was picked by author Jack Meggit-Phillips in our interview on The Scariest Books for Kids.
The final book in The Land of Roar trilogy. Fantasy adventure about twin brother and sister for readers age 8+.
The Crackledawn Dragon
by Abi Elphinstone
The Unmapped Chronicles series (book 4). Environmental issues in a magical adventure series for age 8+
