15 Books That 6- to 8-Year-Old Boys Say Are Must-Reads
by Kari Ness Riedel
I believe that a book recommendation from another kid is one of the best ways to get a child hooked on a new book. I spoke to a bunch of 6-, 7-, and 8-year-old boys (and their parents) to compile this list of kid-approved books.
These books had 6- to 8-year-old boys raving, either because they made them laugh, were full of adventures, or were so exciting they had to keep reading to find out what happened next!
One thing to note is that kids in this age group have a wide range of reading levels, spanning all the way from those just starting to read independently to Harry Potter-level readers. I included a mix on this list, but most of them are chapter books. They can be read by newly independent readers or as a family read-aloud.
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Funny Stories with Real Kid Escapades
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Junie B. Jones Series
Buy from:Feisty and clever, Junie B. Jones is a character that all kids can relate to — and laugh with — as she shares her daily adventures at school and home. Pranav raves, “It is awesome. Everyone should read this book.”
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Alvin Ho Series
Buy from:Anyone who has ever felt scared or insecure can relate to Alvin. At school, he’s afraid of everything and doesn’t say a word even though he’s confident and loud at home. Mack, 9, says, “This book is funny. If you like to laugh, you should read it.”
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Here’s Hank Series
Buy from:This is the precursor to the popular Hank the Zipper series. Hank is in second grade and always makes people laugh — even when he doesn’t mean to do anything funny. His struggles in school due to his dyslexia and how he approaches every situation with kindness make him lovable and relatable. A.J., 8, thinks other kids should read it because it’s “full of funny comments and jokes.”
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Silly Animal Action and Adventure Stories
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Mercy Watson Series
Buy from:Mercy Watson is a buttered toast-loving pig that inevitably ends up on a wild adventure helping to solve a mystery. Matthew loves this series, and Andy declares, “Mercy never fails to make me laugh.”
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Narwhal & Jelly Series
Buy from:An unlikely friendship story between a narwhal and a jellyfish who share a love of waffles and adventures is the basis of this highly acclaimed graphic novel series. Brazil,8, gives it high praise, “This book is awesome! You have to read it now! You'll love it!”
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Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures
Buy from:This Newbery Medal-winner chronicles the adventures of a shy young girl, Flora, and her extraordinarily intelligent pet squirrel, Ulysses. This is a favorite among young readers with its eccentric characters and humorous escapades. As Connor, 9, says, “This is a great story, great plot, and great everything.” It is longer than an average chapter book, but the illustrations make it approachable for independent readers ready for more complex texts.
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Make Way for Fenway!
Buy from: Undead Pets
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Historical and Nonfiction Adventure Stories
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Magic Tree House Series
Buy from:Siblings Jack and Annie discover a magical, time-traveling treehouse that transports them on exciting adventures throughout history. It’s an excellent way to learn about historical people and places. Robin admits these stories “can be a little scary” but says, “Things always work out in the end.”
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Dinosaur Club Series
Buy from:Fans of dinosaurs will love this fictional series that takes readers on a gripping adventure as they learn facts about both well-known and lesser-known prehistoric creatures. Each book contains a “Dino Files” section with timelines, facts, quizzes, and vocabulary for those who want to dig deeper. Kiichi, 8, gives it five out of five stars and highly recommends this series.
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DK Readers L4: Pirates: Raiders of the High Seas
Buy from:Will, 9, loves this book “full of action-packed facts about pirates.” Readers will go on a high-octane adventure as they learn about life on the high seas through stories of swashbuckling pirates like Captain Blackbeard and Henry Morgan. The mix of text and engaging illustrations makes this a great pick for reluctant and voracious readers alike.
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Hero's Journey Tales with Dragons and Pirates
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Dragon Keepers Series
Buy from:“If you like fantasy and adventure, this is for you,” raves Christopher, 9. When their mysterious thunder egg hatches, ten-year-old cousins Jesse and Daisy realize they are officially “dragon keepers.” Magic, adventure, and teamwork come together in this series. It’s perfect for readers eager for something more complex than the Magic Tree House series.
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Dragon Slayers' Academy Series
Buy from:Wiglaf sets out to fulfill his foretold destiny of becoming a hero by signing up for the Dragon Slayers' Academy. This series chronicles the adventures he and his fellow future heroes have at this medieval boarding school. Derek loved it: “It has great characters and… pig Latin!”
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The High-Skies Adventures of Blue Jay the Pirate
Buy from:Arthur proclaims, “This is the best book I’ve ever read.” Captain Blue Jay loves to find treasure — especially eggs. When one of his treasures hatches, he and his crew embark on a fast-paced adventure across land, sky, and sea.
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Whodunit Mystery Stories
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King & Kayla Series
Buy from:Humor is front and center in this series about a lovable dog, King, and his analytical owner, Kayla, who work together to solve mysteries around town. Young readers enjoy figuring out the clues along with the main characters. Andrew, 8, sums it up nicely: “I just love these books.”
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The Haunted Library Series
Buy from:Claire is a real girl who can see ghosts. When she meets Kaz, a ghost boy who has been separated from his ghost family, they become fast friends and use their combined detective skills to solve otherworldly mysteries. This series is recommended for young readers who like a bit of the supernatural with their whodunits. Addison, 9, highly recommends this series and says, “It was funny AND exciting.”
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A to Z Mysteries Series
Buy from:Kids love to help Dink, Ruth, and Josh Rose solve mysteries. Each book tackles a case that starts with a different letter of the alphabet. Edyn raves, “A to Z Mysteries is my favorite series. My goal is to read all of them.”
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2023.