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Original poster

Fantasy books- 8yo

28 replies

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 21/10/2019 22:25

My DD is enjoying the Wizards of Once at the moment. She also likes Harry Potter.

She struggles with reading (maybe dyslexia) so we tend to read together, so need books we can read out loud easily. She does like complex plots. She likes have some illustrations to break up the text otherwise it can become overwhelming.

Does anyone have any recommendations of what else she may enjoy? I'm starting to think about Christmas.
Thank you.

OP posts:
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Hilda41 · 12/03/2020 11:23

Does your DD like audio books if she's dyslexic? My DD absolutely loves fantasy books and often listens to audio books so she can draw or craft at the same time - she has just turned 10 but from about aged 8 onwards she has loved the following (several as audio books):

Dianne Wynne Jones - Chrestomanci series, Earwig and the Witch (this has lovely pictures)
Wizards of Once series by Cressida Cowell
Charlie Bone series
Nevermoor
School of Good and Evil
Land of Stories
Dragon's Green by Scarlett Thomas
Harry Potter - multiple times!

kenclong · 02/03/2020 16:58

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Guineapigbridge · 17/12/2019 09:19

My girls have adored the graphic novels by Raina Teglemeier. Brilliant.

Mintypea5 · 28/10/2019 21:04

Howls moving castle - Dianna Wynn Jones. Also her chrestomanci series and dale mark quartet are fantastic

The Belgariad by David eddings

notusedbysomeonealready · 28/10/2019 21:01

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend. Loads if similarities to Harry Potter, but better done in DD's opinion (she's 7, nearly 8).
There's a sequel which is equally good.
DD has enjoyed Wizards of Once and Harry Potter. She's now really enjoying The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson. It's about the granddaughter of a Baba Yaga, whose job it is to help souls pass from this world to the next.

Original poster
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 25/10/2019 06:22

These are great thank you everyone.

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pollyhemlock · 24/10/2019 22:26

Try two books by Catherine Fisher, The Clockwork Crow and sequel The Velvet Fox. They are short, atmospheric fantasies.If she’s dyslexic it’s worth looking at the Barrington Stoke website. They publish books specifically for dyslexics and have some great authors writing for them.

Jessicabrassica · 22/10/2019 22:22

My just 8yo is, and has been for a couple of years, a massive fan of the series which starts with the 13 storey tree house. They're effectively graphic novels so hideous to read aloud but lots if his mates who don't enjoy 'wordy' books love them!
Also Tom palmer books are v accessible. Loved armistice runner which ties running, first World War, dementia and family into a really accessible read.

Binglebong · 22/10/2019 21:11

Carpet People and Bromeliads series (starts with Truckers) by Terry Pratchett. No pics that I can remember but really good books and as a bonus you should enjoy them too!

hoopdaloo · 22/10/2019 21:01

His dark materials

Nike gaiman has some great little books
Coraline
The Graveyard Book

Michelle Paver - Wolf Brother is a lovely book. It's a series.

Skellig by David Almond, not sure if it's entirely fantasy but it's wonderful

The Giver by Lois Lowry is beautiful

Valkarie · 22/10/2019 20:54

The Tiffany Aching books by Terry Pratchett. The first one is about a 9 year old girl and she gets 2 years older in each one, so check if the later ones are suitable first. Starts with The Wee Free Men.

Original poster
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 22/10/2019 19:54

Thank you.

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Ricekrispie22 · 22/10/2019 17:18

The Boy Who Grew Dragons series
Dark Waters series
Amelia Fang
The Creakers
Frostheart
Witch Wars

Synecdoche · 22/10/2019 16:19

How about the Redwall series by Brian Jacques? They were originally written for Deaf children so are brilliant read aloud as everything is so descriptive. They are old and a little dated from an adult perspective sometimes but all the fantasy and magic is still there.

onemouseplace · 22/10/2019 16:17

Jennifer Bell's Uncommoners books are excellent (the first one is The Crooked Sixpence).

YogaDrone · 22/10/2019 15:49

argh, Norman !

(going to lie down in a dark room now)

YogaDrone · 22/10/2019 15:48

Well that didn't work, sorry OP!

It's The Phantom Tollbooth by Normal Juster

YogaDrone · 22/10/2019 15:47

amazon.co.uk/Phantom-Tollbooth-Essential-Modern-Classics/dp/0007263481/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23DEOSBENDNR9&keywords=the+phantom+tollbooth&qid=1571755564&sprefix=the+phant%2Caps%2C196&sr=8-1 The Phantom Tollbooth]] is one of my favourites. DS really enjoyed it when he was about 8 too.

LadyFuschia · 22/10/2019 15:45

My 8 yr old DS is enjoying the Amelia Fang books, I think they are fairly simple and fun but set in a fantastical place.

Original poster
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 22/10/2019 15:43

Unfortunately I have a 6yo as well so there maybe a few more Rainbow Fairies but she's just discovered Famous Five.

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BlueChampagne · 22/10/2019 15:40

Oops I can't spell Hobbit!

There definitely comes a point when you say that if they want Rainbow Fairies/Beast Quest, you have to read it yourself.

Original poster
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 22/10/2019 13:52

Thank you. I've lots to look at (and fingers crossed I'll no longer have to read the atrocious rainbow fairy books again)

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BlueChampagne · 22/10/2019 12:29

Second Edge Chronicles. DS2 (now 9) has enjoyed being read The Hobbitt and Lord of the Rings.

Also recommend Archie Greene series ddeverest.com/, Witchworld series nosycrow.com/product/witchworld/, and Debi Gliori's Pure Dead series www.goodreads.com/series/81880-pure-dead

Bobthefisherghoulswife · 21/10/2019 23:13

I love all the stories mentioned here. Your daughter has good taste! I'm not sure how appropriate all of these would be for an 8yo, but you might enjoy them too.

The Land of Roar by Jenny Mclachlan, it was Waterstones book of the month in August. I read the blurb and had to buy it for my son (very premature as he's only 3 months and it's aimed at older children, one of the main characters is 11,but I enjoyed it)

The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor, they're a series of 3 and a totally different take on Alice in Wonderland.

I back and forth on Philip Pullman, I like the Amber Spyglass but neither of the others from his dark materials.

Artemis Fowl

Noughts and Crosses

Anything by Roald Dahl, his stories are great.

Quentin Blake has written a few, Cockatiels is a good one for easy reading, I'm not sure if it may be enough though as it's not got a complex plot as you said she likes.

DelurkingAJ · 21/10/2019 23:00

Diana Wynne Jones has done some aimed at that age group. Earwig and the Witch and Freaky Families come to mind.