I have an 8 year old that loves to read. What books should I get him started on?

Question

My boss suggested that I get him started on the Hardy Boys Series. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

That's a great idea, but have you ever though of having him write his own books. This is a great exercise for not only his imagination, but his word skills. You can have him draw some pictures or you can take some photographs put them together into a little book. Then you can let him write a story to go along with the pictures. Then you can go over it together with a dictionary/thesaurus, and find new words that mean the same ones he's used. This way he learns new words and learns how to express himself. Cool fun stuff!!!

Answer 2

There are lots of sources around to give you comprehensive answers to this question, for example:

- A children's librarian
- An elementary school teacher
- Children's book specialist in a bookstore
- Search the book section of your local newspaper
- Homeschooler web sites
- The Core Knowledge Foundation

I recall reading Hardy Boys when I was 11 or 12. I think they might be a bit difficult for an 8-year old.

Answer 3

Get him a series of books like Hardy Boys or something like that. Harry Potter was suggested above--not a good idea in my opinion. They only teach witchcraft and things and I would never let my kids read those books or watch the movies. Kids have actually died from trying to do spells like the ones in those books--keep it safe and get him something about real life, not witches and goblins. Hardy Boys sounds good to me. Just go to the library and have him look around. :)

Answer 4

I agree, the Hardy Boys would be a great start. Also, see about finding him a few classics such as 20000 Leagues Under The Sea, or Sherlock Holmes mysteries. The last two might be a bit difficult to read at first, but he'll grow into them and love them.

Also, see the clerk at the local book store for advice. One Lady pointed me at a great science-fiction series for my oldest nephew.

Good luck!

Answer 5

I learned to read at 3. My parents let me read whatever I wanted, I was taken to yard sales, book stores, libraries. If you have a child that loves to read embrace it and nourish the desire. Use a trip to the bookstore for a reward. A trip to the library for some good old fashioned mommy time. Let him pick what he would like to read, my 8 year old is currently reading How To Eat Fried Worms and a non fiction about bears. He chooses what he likes and always finishes a book that he starts.

Answer 6

The Hardy Boys is good. I'd also suggest C S Lewis' books The Chronicles of Narnia, and/or Tolkien's books (the Lord of the Rings, etc.).

I'd also send him to the AiG website :

http://www.answersingenesis.org

They have a lot of good books which will also help him to understand his world much better.

Answer 7

I agree with the Hardy Boys, but how about Harry Potter? OR, what subjects is he interested in? Then go to the library and look in that section.

Answer 8

Get him hooked on the classics early!

Books like Treasure Island, Moby Dick, etc. would not only be fun to read but he'd have a head start on his education. There are several versions of the classics out there for a younger audience. Talk to a clerk in your local book store or library.

Answer 9

The Lemony Snicket series and all the Narnia series books are great. My daughter especially loved the Lemony Snicket books. There was a boy in her 4th grade class that also was reading the Lemony Snickets and they enjoyed talking about them together and borrowing each others books if they didn't have a certain one.

Answer 10

my 8 yr old loves the goosebump books but i usually let him check out what he wants he is really into bugs and dinosaurs and snakes and all that weird crap now too.but they are educational so who's to complain. just figure out what he's into and thats a good place to start i read the goosebump books with my son sometimes i borrow one if i don't have anything else lying around they are pretty interesting I think harry potter is going to be a little advanced but they are fun to read together my son loves those also but a little hard for him yet.