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Children's books

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Original poster

Books/series to read aloud to my 8-year old?

65 replies

Changeynames · 30/05/2022 19:14

For context DS is 8, Y3, massively struggles to read and is nowhere near the point of being able to do it for fun (FINALLY been referred for assessment after over a year of the school wafting away my concerns and telling me he will 'catch up')

Anyway. The good thing is that he still very much enjoys stories, books and being read to and I am obviously keen to keep this up as long possible.
We are currently reading and enjoying Narnia; he has also loved books of myths/folktales, and is into science, nature, reptiles and dragons in a big way😁

So, looking for suggestions of books or series that might encompass any of the above interests, with big bonus points for anything that is reasonably enjoyable for an adult to read out loud too!

Thank you!

OP posts:
PragmaticWench · 03/07/2022 19:23

The 13 Storey Treehouse series is hugely popular with my DS's year 3 group. Very funny and your DS could read some of the little bits.

GlumyGloomer · 03/07/2022 19:23

Imo Edge Chonicals is much darker than Harry Potter...

Woodchiponthewall · 03/07/2022 19:21

Holes by Louis Sachar. It’s all my 7 year old could talk about for weeks after I read it to him. It used to be widely taught at KS3 but is now deemed not aspirational enough for secondary so you won’t be stepping on any future teacher’s toes. And my god it’s good!

Quornflakegirl · 03/07/2022 19:14

Adventure stories don’t get better than The Explorer by Katherine Rundell, my girls loved it.

Greydogs123 · 03/07/2022 19:04

Swallows and amazons. Five children and it. All the old fashioned ones. I really enjoy reading these out loud because it seems easier than reading them to yourself and I never read them as a child. My dd loves anything set in “days gone by”.

ohidoliketobe · 03/07/2022 18:52

My ds (same age same issue) has enjoyed stories by Pamela Butchart, Tom Fletcher, David Walliams, we're currently reading Greg James' kid normal.

Robin60 · 03/07/2022 18:45

I would have thought anything by Roald Dahl or David Walliams would appeal as fiction. If he prefers non fiction the Horrible Histories are always fun and light hearted.
Good Luck,

Talipesmum · 02/07/2022 00:01

I absolutely loved How to Train your Dragon. Really funny and engaging. Totally different from the films or tv series too - though unusually I liked them both. Age 8 is perfect spot on for these.

Also second Percy Jackson - I think How to train your dragon is a smidgen younger pitched, so maybe try that first as they love Percy Jackson much older too, though suitable for younger ages. There are loads of other books by Rick riordan too so plenty to get into.

Harry Potter is obviously great but the books can take ages to read aloud as they get v long, and mine got bored in book 5 when it’s all teenage angst. Clearly not the case for plenty of others though!

Out of them all I reckon how to train.. is the safest best bet. Great fun pics and illustrations and side comments too, which are v engaging for more reluctant readers. And they’re v fun to read aloud.

yikesanotherbooboo · 01/07/2022 23:53

Famous five
Laura Ingalls wilder
Mr Gum
How to train your dragon
Ballet shoes

Danikm151 · 01/07/2022 23:41

Captain Underpants
series of unfortunate events
horrible histories
roald dahl books

tinofbeans · 01/07/2022 23:20

We're currently reading Loki: A bad gods guide to being good

My son loves it!

He's also loved the How to Train Your Dragon books (all 12 of them) and The Boy Who Grew Dragons - that took a bit of perseverence, but he wants to read the next one in the series

neamchimpsky · 01/07/2022 23:01

Terry Pratchett Wee free men, even better if you have a go at a scottish accent! My DD loved the Tiffany Aching books around that age also by TP and lovely to read aloud.

autumnboys · 01/07/2022 22:54

How to Train Your Dragon
The Wizards of Once series by the same author
The Boy Who Grew Dragons series - these are lovely books
Brightstorm series
Morrigan Crow series
Who Let The Gods Out series
Podkin One Ear series

I still read to my 12yo most nights. We started years ago with the CS Lewis Narnia books, too. He has dyslexia and a visual impairment but he loves stories.

Honks · 01/07/2022 22:49

The worst witch
Just William
Carbonel
Five children and it

RagingWoke · 01/07/2022 22:44

My 7yo loved Harry Potter, dh started reading them to her around 5 and she was hooked. I also got her 'the Christmas pig' by JKR and she has been obsessed with it since November.

David walliams is really popular and his books are great fun. The 'worlds worst' are short sections too so if he enjoyed them may be able to read a little. The novels are funny and even I enjoy them, my DD has read maybe 5 of his books now.

A couple others that come to mind:
Skandar and the unicorn thief
Terry Pratchett short stories
The enchanted tree series

NoToLandfill · 01/07/2022 22:15

The Pizazz and Bad Nana books are good when he does start to read himself. The words are different sizes on the page, it really helps the child to read it. It's like the emphasis is put in for you. Plus they are really fun books! By Sophy Henn

GreatCrash · 01/07/2022 21:17

I think he'd love Diana Wynne Jones.

CaptainCallisto · 01/07/2022 21:13

In addition to many of the above, my 8 year old reluctant reader has really enjoyed the Percy Jackson books (I've read them aloud to him) and Terry Pratchett's books aimed at younger readers.

MissCrowley · 01/07/2022 19:55

Sorry @Changeynames I forgot to reply.
I think it depends on the child.
My daughter who's recently turned 8 is on the last Harry Potter book and I'm loving every minute of sharing this story with her.
She loves HP as much as I do, she even has a Ravenclaw themed bedroom now 🤣 but she's managing to keep up and not be freaked out by the darker bits xx

BlueChampagne · 17/06/2022 11:13

Edge Chronicles
Definitely How to Train your Dragon
Neil Gaiman's Norse Myths?

Bonesofache · 17/06/2022 10:55

The Land of Roar series of books is really good. My Yr 4 son loves them. He too struggles with reading but enjoys bedtime stories.

JanePrentiss · 30/05/2022 22:20

Pamela Butchart books are good too.

Cottagepieandpeas · 30/05/2022 21:11

Definitely HP. I started reading it to my daughter about 8 years old and quite quickly she couldn't wait for me and started reading ahead.

randomsabreuse · 30/05/2022 20:36

How to train your dragon
The Dark is Rising Sequence by Susan Cooper
Wingfeather Saga?
Faraway Tree

Sharable reading might be Dragon Masters. They got my dragon obsessed reluctant reader into reading - we started with a sentence each and went from there.

ellieboolou · 30/05/2022 20:30

Jeremy strong books are good, Harry Potter was a bit too much for mine and it actually gave them nightmares