can someone recommend a really great book for my nephew who is turning 8?

Question

he's only 8 but he's already read the entire Chronicles of Narnia, all the Harry Potter books, James and the Giant Peach, etc.

i want to get him some books for his birthday because he loves to read, but its really difficult to find a book that will be challenging for his reading level that is also age-appropriate. my sister is really sensitive about the age-appropriate thing, and he's also just not interested in teen dating drama. he was pretty annoyed and even disgusted when Harry took an interest in Cho Chen, let me tell you.

Answer 1

Although many adult readers have fond memories of childhood books, for a 21st century 9 year-old I think you'd be better going for a more contemporary book than one of the older 'classics'.

My recommendation would be "Justin Thyme" by Panama Oxridge. I actually bought the book for my kids, (9 & 12) but after reading a couple of chapters to them at bedtimes, I swiped it for myself, (although, now I've finished, the 9 year-old is reading it on his own)

The reading level is on a par with the Harry Potter books., ie., great entertaining story but with a few challenging words thrown in; the handy thing for younger readers though, is that at the back of the book there's a sort of mini-dictionary defining any words that might, for some, be a struggle ... which is a great way to expand a young avid reader's vocabulary!

As for the plot: it's got everything: spies, time travel, memory-loss, a teenage billionaire, a computer-literate gorilla, the Loch Ness Monster and an eight-legged cat! Best of all it's full of all manner of cryptic clues hidden in the text, and even though I finished it almost a week ago, I can't resist sneaking it out of my kids' room at night and trying to find just one more hidden clue.

I think this book would both entertain and challenge an 8 year-old regular reader ... but there's absolutely nothing remotely 'age-innapproprite' throughout. No teen dating ... just adventure, mystery, intrigue and a few mind-bending theories of time travel!

I think the best thing I can say about this book is that because it's one of the few books the ENTIRE family have been reading ... we can ALL discuss it together, arguing about our various theories as to what might happen next - and the only time that has happened before has been with the Harry Potter books.

You can visit the book's official web site if you want more information and buying links. The site is fascinating too (although you need broadband to navigate it easily). I can't help telling everyone about it - and, havng recently spotted some signed copies selling on ebay, I'll be buying this for all my friends' kids this Christmas!
Official Web Site: http://justinthyme.info/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Justin-Thyme-Tartan-Panama-Oxridge/dp/0955357004/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt/203-9915083-6090310

Answer 2

I would really recommend The Chronicles Of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. Start your nephew with The Magician's Nephew, an excellent book he will enjoy thoroughly while learning what true love and friendship are all about. It is an easy read, even for an 8-year old, with intricate allusions he will apreciate as he grows older. Its a gift for a lifetime!

I am sorry, i didn't realise he read the Narnia Series. Then try Ender's game, another great, young series.

Answer 3

If he's read Chronicles of Narnia and Harry Potter, then give King Fortis the Brave a try. It's a really fun fantasy/adventure novel about a pair of twelve-year-old twins who are pulled into a magical land where they are caught up in a battle for control of the land. Full of adventure and humor, I'm sure he will love it. More importantly, there is absolutely nothing inappropriate in the book whatsoever. One of the co-authors came to my school and he has six children of his own. He said that he would never write anything that he wouldn't want his children to read. Your sister would not have anything to worry about with this one. I would highly recommend this for readers of all ages.

Answer 4

My son is the same way only now he is 16 and bored to death with the High School books because he read them all before and he took mythology this year only to find he knows more than the teacher. His saving grace at that age was comics, they have complex story lines yet are age appropriate (but be careful, ask mom if ok) and are written at a higher level than most books for his age group. I also had family get him magazine subscriptions {I took him to Borders and let him pick a list of ones we agreed on to hand out}
I started my nephew and cousin the same way as they have the same gift/curse for reading, and they look forward to it every month. Good luck, and Good reading!

Answer 5

Huckleberry Finn is not for an eight-year-old.

For an eight year old...
To Kill A Mockingbird is a really great book.
Twenty League Under the Sea by Jules Verne is great book.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a great one. Better than the movie.
Other books that are great: From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, Robinson Cruose, Treasure Island, The Swiss Family Robinson

Answer 6

Anything by Roald Dahl is a good bet. I got Eragon for my niece when she was nine and she loved it, your nephew sounds like he is at the same reading level that she was at at that age. Check out the 10-12 reading section at the book store. There are a lot of great books for kids now. Ummm... Captain Underpants is also a favourite, A Series of Unfortunate Events, anything to do with Mythology

Answer 7

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (also Sea of Monsters its sequel)
Corydon and the Island of Monsters by Tobias Druitt (first in a trilogy)
Journey to the Blue Moon by Rebecca Rupp
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Endymion Spring by Matthew Skelton

Answer 8

Huckly Berry Finn
Moby Dick
The Hardy Boys
Almost anything written by Mark Twain

Answer 9

Give him the Series of Unfortunate Events. Those books are great for all ages!

Answer 10

you may desire to observe the content cloth basically slightly. greater stable to ascertain books do no longer constantly have content cloth that's good for for 8 year olds. think of action picture categories! examining isn't a race... it would nicely be enjoyed, so the two project and content cloth might desire to be taken under consideration. At my college we use the 5 finger attempt with all toddlers. examine the 1st internet site. postpone one finger for each be conscious, you may no longer examine or do no longer understand. on the tip of the internet site seem at your hand. in case you have run out of hands, that's too stressful. in case you have 4 hands up, it is going to likely be slightly no longer hassle-free, yet with help from a parent you will possibly desire to savour it. in case you carry 3 hands up, you will possibly desire to prefer slightly bit help, however the e book would be great. in case you have 2 hands up, no problem. a million finger or no hands - this one's slightly hassle-free now; go with yet another. Philip Pullman's "The fireworks maker's daughter" is an stunning examine. His "darkish components" trilogy content cloth is only too plenty for a baby who's only 8 and could be left for a pair of years. Dick King Smith writes at a type tiers, and makes use of stable vocabulary. All could be desirable, some might nicely be too hassle-free. J ok Rowling's Harry Potter books are a brilliant examine. She is extremely clever in her use of language and the call of character names. Roald Dahl's vocabulary could be complicated and the thoughts are stunning. Jacqueline Wilson. Now you may desire to take care right here. a number of her books are written for older toddlers and the content cloth is unquestionably no longer desirable for youthful ones. Michael Morpurgo - some absoutely surprising thoughts that she will savour. CS Lewis - examine the Narnia books so as. Tony Diterlizzi's Spiderwick Chronicles Lemony Snicket's a chain of unlucky activities.