Summer Reading List: Ages 8-12
Now that it's summer, longer stories and short novels that can read over several days are a great option for your child. Mysteries, ghost, and horror stories are also good at grabbing kids' attention. This list offers book suggestions for kids ages 8-12, including new books and children's classics.
As children grow older, the books they read may explore more difficult issues. By reading what your kids are reading, you can offer your insight and perspective, and can answer any questions they may have.
This summer, be sure to add these books to your child's reading list:
The Lion and the Mouse and Other Aesop Fables, by Doris Orge
Aesop's fables are as wise and true today as they were more than 2,600 years ago. Children today are sure to enjoy these 12 timeless stories, each of which is accompanied by an interesting fact about Aesop and his time.
Donavan's Double Trouble, by Monalisa DeGross
Donavan thought fourth grade was going to be great, but it's turning out to be anything but. Follow Donovan as he copes with bad grades, a too smart younger sister, and a crippled uncle who leaves him with conflicting feelings of sadness and joy. This is an inspiring story on what it mean to be a hero.
Wind Flyers, by Angela Johnson
Oil paintings illustrate a feeling of big sky and open possibilities in this story about a young boy who experiences the days of the Tuskeegee airmen through his uncle's stories of long-ago adventures.
Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It, by Sundee T. Frazier
Brendan Buckley's love of science, especially rocks and minerals, leads him to a family secret that may allow him to bring two different sides of his family together.
Elijah of Buxton, by Christopher Paul Curtis
Elijah is a first born child in a settlement of former slaves in Canada. His uneventful life is disrupted when he tries to find the corrupt preacher that stole money that was meant to buy a family's freedom.
Feathers, by Jacqueline Woodson
A new boy arrives at the school of sixth-grader Frannie, and his appearance triggers questions of racial identity among her and her friends.
We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball, by Kadir Nelson
This moving chapter of American history is on full display in this book about the Negro baseball leagues and the history of baseball.
Classic children's books are timeless. Don't forget to add a few of these wonderful children's books to your child's list this summer.
Alice in Wonderland, by Julie Fior
n this Young Classics edition, children discover the extraordinarily imaginative world of Wonderland. Photography and background information helps to establish the setting, and bring Alice in Wonderland to new life for a new generation of children.
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
Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster
Babe the Gallant Pig, by Dick King-Smith
A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle
The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis
Anastasia Krupnik, by Lois Lowry
Sarah, Plain & Tall, by Patricia MacLachlan
Martha Speaks, by Susan Meddaugh
Shiloh, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Cookcamp, by Gary Paulsen
Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, by Jon Scieszka
The Cricket in Times Square, by George Selden
Encyclopedia Brown Boy Detective, by Donald J Sobol
Story of Jumping Mouse: A Native American Legend, retold by John Steptoe
Charlotte's Web, by E.B White
For more summer reading ideas, visit the American Library Association for a complete list of recommended books for kids.
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.
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.
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, a pig, is determined to learn the skills of sheepherding from his adopted mother, Fly, a sheepdog. This book far excels the movie version.
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.
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.
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 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.
One day Martha, the family dog, eats alphabet soup and begins to talk. Once she starts, though, she doesn't stop.
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.
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.
The heartbreaking story of a ten-year-old boy growing up in the Ozarks and the two dogs he taught to be champion hunters.
Alexander Wolf says he never meant the three little pigs any harm -- it was all just a misunderstanding.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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