At seven and eight, children can concentrate for longer periods of time and are developing strong interests. It’s a significant time of growth for a child’s reading life, too. Children gain better comprehension skills, vocabulary, reading strategies, and confidence. All this happens when kids are immersed in books. Every day. For sustained periods of time.
That being said, this is also a time when learning differences show up. If your child is not improving in reading, it’s important to determine why and get help. Public schools can evaluate your child for free, or you can get a private evaluation from an independent psychologist.
As with most skills, practice makes better. We want our 7- and 8-year-olds reading books that are just right for their reading level and that they love.
So, what books will keep your children reading voraciously? We’ve collaborated with experts across the children’s book industry to find the 50 best books for 7- and 8-year-olds — great books that will spark their interest and keep them engaged.
Heading out to your local library or bookstore? You can download the full version of the list here.
file_attachments 118676 118676 The 50 Best Books for 7- and 8-Year-Olds 50-best-books-7-8yr-olds-2025-1.pdf 84353 https://assets.readbrightly.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/50-best-books-7-8yr-olds-2025-1.pdf https://www.readbrightly.com/50-best-books-7-8-year-olds/50-best-books-7-8yr-olds-2025-1/ 81 50-best-books-7-8yr-olds-2025-1 inherit 4600 2025-10-31 14:06:36 2025-10-31 14:06:43 0 application/pdf application pdf https://www.readbrightly.com/wp-includes/images/media/document.png 2313 2313 grow-read-thumb grow-read-thumb.gif 2061 https://assets.readbrightly.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/grow-read-thumb.gif https://www.readbrightly.com/brightlys-summer-reading-fun-packs/grow-read-thumb/ 1 grow-read-thumb inherit 2123 2015-06-01 22:32:40 2015-06-01 22:32:40 0 image/gif image gif https://www.readbrightly.com/wp-includes/images/media/default.png 165 110 https://assets.readbrightly.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/grow-read-thumb.gif 128 85 https://assets.readbrightly.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/grow-read-thumb.gif 165 110 https://assets.readbrightly.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/grow-read-thumb.gif 165 110 https://assets.readbrightly.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/grow-read-thumb.gif 165 110 https://assets.readbrightly.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/grow-read-thumb.gif 165 110 https://assets.readbrightly.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/grow-read-thumb.gif 165 110 https://assets.readbrightly.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/grow-read-thumb.gif 165 110 https://assets.readbrightly.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/grow-read-thumb.gif 165 110 https://assets.readbrightly.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/grow-read-thumb.gif 165 110 https://assets.readbrightly.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/grow-read-thumb.gif 165 110 https://assets.readbrightly.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/grow-read-thumb.gif 165 110 https://assets.readbrightly.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/grow-read-thumb.gif 165 110 https://assets.readbrightly.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/grow-read-thumb.gif 165 110 https://assets.readbrightly.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/grow-read-thumb.gif 165 110 https://assets.readbrightly.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/grow-read-thumb.gif 165 110 https://assets.readbrightly.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/grow-read-thumb.gif 165 110 yes yes Picture Books
 
Not just for little kids, picture books provide elementary-age children with meaningful illustrated stories that build background knowledge, improve vocabulary, teach valuable lessons, and inspire imagination. Try our favorite picture book selections for the 7- and 8-year-old crowd. We think your kids will love them.
9780823455706 A Book of Maps for You by Lourdes Heuer, illustrated by Maxwell Eaton, III 9780142500408 Squids Will Be Squids by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith 9781682637913 The Library Dragon by Carmen Agra Deedy, illustrated by Michael P. White 9780763660536 Journey by Aaron Becker 9781774883488 Towed by Toad by Jashar Awan 9780744098440 My Encyclopedia of Very Important Myths and Legends by DK 9780593620441 The Interpreter by Olivia Abtahi, illustrated by Monica Arnaldo 9781774882023 We Are Definitely Human by X. Fang 9780593697146 Fail-a-bration by Brad Montague and Kristi Montague 9781536235500 The Dictionary Story by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston 9781912497485 Arthur and the Golden Rope* by Joe Todd-Stanton 9780803735118 The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon yes yes Beginning Chapter Books
 
Beginning chapter books are the next step after early readers and a big deal for kids. Chapter books signify to kids that they’re becoming a “grown-up” reader. Celebrate this stage when it comes, but make sure your children are ready are ready for it. (Use the 5-Finger Test to help.)
9781536235623 Bear and Bird: The Picnic and Other Stories* by Jarvis 9780593649664 Earl & Worm #1* by Greg Pizzoli 9780448462424 The Haunted Library #1* by Dori Hillestad Butler, illustrated by Aurore Damant 9780385730174 Nate the Great* by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat, illustrated by Marc Simont 9780763645045 Mercy Watson to the Rescue* by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen 9780593618776 Millie Magnus Won’t Be Bullied* by Brittany Mazique, illustrated by Ebony Glenn 9781536202908 Elephant & Piggie* by Mo Willems 9780553533941 Basketball’s Greatest Players by S. A. Kramer 9781536221978 Frank and Bean* by Jamie Michalak, illustrated by Bob Kolar 9780593699225 Amina Banana* by Shifa Saltagi Safadi, illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel 9781536206395 Juana and Lucas* by Juana Medina 9780142403525 The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney 9780142420959 Dragonbreath by Usurla Vernon 9780147510679 Dory Fantasmagory* by Abby Hanlon yes yes Graphic Novels
 
Graphic novels help build strong reading skills by combining engaging visuals with rich storytelling that supports comprehension. They’re also great for boosting confidence, especially for kids who are transitioning to longer chapter books, while making reading feel fun and accessible.
9781101918265 Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea* by Ben Clanton 9780593123300 Pizza and Taco: Who’s the Best?* by Stephen Shaskan 9780593706701 Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus: The Graphic Novel* by Barbara Park, illustrated by Honie Beam, adapted by Colleen AF Venable 9780593121054 Max Meow Book 1: Cat Crusader* by John Gallagher 9780593121054 Max Meow Book 1: Cat Crusader* by John Gallagher 9780593093719 Zoo Patrol Squad: Kingdom Caper #1 by Brett Bean 9780593699768 Pencil & Eraser: We Have a Dull-Emma!* by Jenny Alvarado 9780593119457 Real Pigeons Fight Crime* by Andrew McDonald, illustrated by Ben Wood yes yes Next Level Chapter Books
 
When your child breezes through beginning chapter books, it’s time to move on to harder selections. Books like the ones below will provide just enough of a challenge to encourage reading growth and develop literacy. Plus, they’re all excellent, kid-favorite choices.
9780142410349 Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake 9780593488997 A to Z Animal Mysteries* by Ron Roy and Kayla Whaley, illustrated by Chloe Burgett 9780593372982 Minecraft Stonesword Saga* by Nick Eliopulos 9780593127261 Magic Tree House* by Mary Pope Osborne, illustrated by Antonio Javier Caparo 9780142400104 Cam Jansen* by David A. Adler, illustrated by Susanna Natti 9781984850829 Unicorn Academy* by Julie Sykes, illustrated by Lucy Truman 9780375849305 Alvin Ho* by Lenore Look, illustrated by Leuyen Pham 9780593479544 Dragon Storm* by Alastair Chisholm, illustrated by Eric Deschamps 9780593526965 The Underdogs* by Kate Temple and Jol Temple, illustrated by Shiloh Gordon 9780399558238 Isadora Moon Goes to School* by Harriet Muncaster 9780593620663 She Persisted: Simone Biles* by Kekla Magoon and Chelsea Clinton, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint 9781664340626 Stitch Head* by Guy Bass, illustrated by Pete Williamson 9798217030989 Murray and Bun! by Adam Stower 9780593644416 Bibsy Cross and the Bad Apple* by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Dung Ho 9780593122983 The Magnificent Makers* by Theanne Griffith, illustrated by Reggie Brown 9780807508527 The Boxcar Children* by Gertrude Chandler Warner, illustrated by L. Kate Deal
Get the printable version of the list.
Explore our 50 Best series to get great recommendations for other ages.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2025.
The post The 50 Best Books for <br>7- and 8-Year-Olds appeared first on Brightly.