Growing Reader
15 Books That 6- to 8-Year-Old Boys Say Are Must-Reads
by Kari Ness Riedel
I’m a believer 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 just 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 on their own to Harry Potter-level readers. I included a mix of levels on this list, but most of the books are considered chapter books. They can be read by newly independent readers or would work well as a family read-aloud.
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Funny Stories with Real Kid Escapades
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My Weird School Series
Available from:Hilarity reigns in this weird and wacky school with teachers like crazy Ms. Daisy, Mr. Klutz, and Miss Small. Christian says, “It is a hilarious and quick read.” Ms. Cebrian, an elementary reading specialist, recommends it, saying, “I love this series for hooking readers.”
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Junie B. Jones Series
Available 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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Calvin and Hobbes
Available from:This classic comic has been passed along to a new generation for good reason. Leo couldn’t put it down, and Jonathan shares that this series is “hilarious with a little bit of trouble-making added in.”
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Other Series Like These:
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George Brown, Class Clown
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Silly Animal Action and Adventure Stories
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Mercy Watson Series
Available from:Mercy Watson is a butter 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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Elephant & Piggie Series
Available from:Gerald the elephant is careful while his best friend Piggie is not. A set of mismatched best friends is the perfect setup for funny adventures that also teach life lessons about topics like sharing, waiting, and being honest. Mattie says, “This book is so awesome, I re-read it all the time.”
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Kung Pow Chicken Series
Available from:Readers can’t help but root for this unlikely superhero that fights crime in Fowladelphia. It’s a great book for newly independent readers. Trevor puts it simply, “Well, I love it because it was funny!”
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Historical and Nonfiction Adventure Stories
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Magic Tree House Series
Also available from:Siblings Jack and Annie discover a magical, time traveling tree house that transports them on exciting adventures throughout history. It’s a great way to learn about historical people and places. Robin admits that these stories “can be a little scary,” but says “things always work out in the end.”
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I Survived Series
Available from:Epic tales of fictional kids surviving real events like the bombing of Pearl Harbor or the sinking of the Titanic. Kids who enjoy history gobble up these books. Alex shares, “I really enjoyed this book because it was very realistic and it was full of bravery.”
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Who Would Win? Series
Available from:What would happen if a great white shark and a killer whale met? These are the type of questions asked in this series. Readers are given facts and details to make their choice, picking up all kids of new knowledge along the way without even realizing it. Asher recommends this series to fans of nonfiction books.
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Fantasy Books with Heroes, Dragons, and Pirates
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Dragon Slayers' Academy Series
Also available from:Wiglaf sets out to fulfill his foretold destiny that he will be a hero by signing up for the Dragon Slayers' Academy. This series chronicles the adventures that 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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Zapato Power Series
Available from:Freddie Ramos is an ordinary kid until he receives a mysterious box with shoes that give him super speed. He uses his new powers to conquer wrongdoings in his neighborhood. Jack simply says, “This book is super fun … read it!”
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The High-Skies Adventures of Blue Jay the Pirate
Also available 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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Thorfinn the Nicest Viking Series
Available from:Thorfinn is not your typical Viking. He prefers tea and scones to pillaging and burning down villages. But this polite Viking finds that his manners help him in his adventures with savage Scotsmen and other sworn enemies. Luca shares that both boys and girls would like this story and says, “It's the humor that makes the book!”
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My Father’s Dragon
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Whodunit Mystery Stories
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A to Z Mysteries Series
Also available 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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The Virginia Mysteries Series
Available from:Brothers Derek and Sam move to Virginia and uncover a 60-year-old mystery in the woods behind their house. It’s like Hardy Boys meets Magic Tree House. Kian highly recommends this series to other kids who like mysteries.
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The Boxcar Children
Available from:Siblings Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny Alden have been solving mysteries for 75 years. The original stories are still beloved by kids, or try the new mini-series where the Aldens have been recruited by a secret society to return lost artifacts and treasures to their rightful locations around the world.
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The Capital Mysteries
Also available from: Encyclopedia Brown
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