The 50 Best Books for
7- and 8-Year-Olds
by Melissa Taylor
At seven and eight, children can concentrate for longer periods of time and are developing strong interests. It’s a significant time of growth for a child’s reading life, too. Children gain better comprehension skills, vocabulary, reading strategies, and confidence. All this happens when kids are immersed in books. Every day. For sustained periods of time.
That being said, this is also a time when learning differences show up. If your child is not improving in reading, it’s important to determine why and get help. Public schools can evaluate your child for free, or you can get a private evaluation from an independent psychologist.
As with most skills, practice makes better. We want our 7- and 8-year-olds reading books that are just right for their reading level and that they love.
So, what books will keep your children reading voraciously? We’ve collaborated with experts across the children’s book industry to find the 50 best books for 7- and 8-year-olds — great books that will spark their interest and keep them engaged.
Heading out to your local library or bookstore? You can download the full version of the list here.
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Picture Books
Not just for little kids, picture books provide elementary-age children with meaningful illustrated stories that build background knowledge, improve vocabulary, teach valuable lessons, and inspire imagination. Try our favorite picture book selections for the 7- and 8-year-old crowd. We think your kids will love them.
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Beginning Chapter Books
Beginning chapter books are the next step after early readers and a big deal for kids. Chapter books signify to kids that they’re becoming a “grown-up” reader. Celebrate this stage when it comes, but make sure your children are ready are ready for it. (Use the 5-Finger Test to help.)
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Graphic Novels
Graphic novels help build strong reading skills by combining engaging visuals with rich storytelling that supports comprehension. They’re also great for boosting confidence, especially for kids who are transitioning to longer chapter books, while making reading feel fun and accessible.
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Next Level Chapter Books
When your child breezes through beginning chapter books, it’s time to move on to harder selections. Books like the ones below will provide just enough of a challenge to encourage reading growth and develop literacy. Plus, they’re all excellent, kid-favorite choices.
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Get the printable version of the list.
Explore our 50 Best series to get great recommendations for other ages.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2025.