Summer Reading List: Ages 8-12

Now that it's summer, look for stories where young people solve problems and overcome odds; longer stories and short novels (read over several days instead of in one sitting); and mysteries, ghost or horror stories that will grab kids' attention. As children grow older, the books they read may explore more difficult issues. Keep your eyes and ears open. Read what your kids are reading so you can offer your insight and perspective.

Wolves of Willoughby Chase, by Joan Aiken
Set in Victorian England, this tale follows the travails of Bonnie and Sylvia, who are left in the wicked hands of the governess, Miss Slighcarp. She is after the family fortune and will stop at nothing to get it. A period piece, parents may want to explain some of the attitudes of the time before giving this book to their child.

Nothing but the Truth: A Documentary Novel, by Avi
In this compelling story, Philip Malloy is dismissed for humming the National Anthem in class. The situation escalates until the reader is left to determine what the truth really is.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by Roald Dahl
Charlie finds one of the golden tickets that allows the bearer to tour Willie Wonka's fantastical Chocolate Factory. The most wonderful surprise awaits him at the end of the tour.

Amber Brown Goes Fourth, by Paula Danziger
Amber Brown enters fourth grade determined to find a new best friend. At the same time, she must deal with her parent's divorce.

Great Brain, by John D. Fitzgerald
The exploits of the Great Brain of Adenville, Utah, are described by his younger brother, frequently the victim of the Great Brain's schemes for gaining prestige or money.

Jim Ugly, by Sid Fleischman
Twelve-year-old Jake sets out to find his father. The only one that Jake can trust is Jim Ugly, his father's dog, part mongrel and part wolf.

Adventures of Ali Baba Bernstein, by Johanna Hurwitz
After discovering 17 David Bernsteins in the Manhattan telephone book, David Bernstein decides to change his name to Ali Baba in hopes that his life will become more exciting. On his ninth birthday, he invites all the other David Bernsteins to his party.

Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster
Ten-year-old Milo drives through the Tollbooth and joins forces with Tock, the watchdog. During their adventures, Milo learns a lot about the importance of words and numbers.

Babe the Gallant Pig, by Dick King-Smith
Babe, a pig, is determined to learn the skills of sheepherding from his adopted mother, Fly, a sheepdog. This book far excels the movie version.

A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle
This blend of science fiction and fantasy follows the adventures of Meg, her brother Charles, and their friend Calvin as they search for Charles and Meg's father.

The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis
This boxed set includes all five books in the series, with cover illustrations by Chris Van Allsburg. These books are a wonderful fantasy. Parents may want to know that they can also be read as Christian allegories.

Anastasia Krupnik, by Lois Lowry
Ten-year-old Anastasia falls in love, gets to know her grandmother, and finds out about her impending brother in a hilarious story. Primary readers will delight in this funny tale.

Sarah, Plain & Tall, by Patricia MacLachlan
Sarah comes from the sea coast to join a prairie family as a mail-order bride. The children fear that she will leave them to return to her beloved sea, but she explains to them that though she misses the ocean, she would miss them more.

Martha Speaks, by Susan Meddaugh
One day Martha, the family dog, eats alphabet soup and begins to talk. Once she starts, though, she doesn't stop.

Shiloh, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Eleven-year-old Marty finds a lost beagle, Shiloh, in the hills near his West Virginia home. Marty tries to protect Shiloh from his true owner, Judd, who is known to abuse his dogs.

Cookcamp, by Gary Paulsen
In 1944, a small boy is sent to live with his grandmother, who cooks for a crew building a road from Minnesota to Canada. He enjoys his adventures in the wilderness but misses his mother back in Chicago.

Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls
The heartbreaking story of a ten-year-old boy growing up in the Ozarks and the two dogs he taught to be champion hunters.

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, by Jon Scieszka
Alexander Wolf says he never meant the three little pigs any harm -- it was all just a misunderstanding.

The Cricket in Times Square, by George Selden
Chester, the cricket from Connecticut, arrives in New York and makes a home at an unsuccessful newsstand. His new friends help him find a way to make the newsstand a success.

Encyclopedia Brown Boy Detective, by Donald J Sobol
This is the first of many books starring Encyclopedia Brown. Try to solve the mysteries before turning to the back of the book for the answers.

Story of Jumping Mouse: A Native American Legend, retold by John Steptoe
A mouse sets off on a quest but he is delayed repeatedly as his compassion leads him to help others. He is rewarded by reaching his dreams.

Charlotte's Web, by E.B White
This heartwarming story is about Wilbur, a pig, who is saved from going to the slaughterhouse by his friend Charlotte, a spider who weaves messages into her web.