Year 8 Reading List

The following books are recommended home reading opportunities for

Year 8

Classics

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - John Boyne

An extraordinary tale of friendship and the horrors of war seen through the eyes of two
young boys

The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett

Mary Lennox was horrid. Selfish and spoilt, she was sent to stay with her hunchback uncle in
Yorkshire. She hated it. But when she finds the way into a secret garden and begins to tend
it, a change comes over her and her life. She meets and befriends a local boy, the talented
Dickon, and comes across her sickly cousin Colin who had been kept hidden from her.
Between them, the three children work astonishing magic in themselves and those around
them.

Charlotte Sometimes - Penelope Farmer

On Charlotte's first night at boarding school, she somehow slips back forty years!

Cider with Rosie

A wonderfully vivid memoir of childhood in a remote Cotswold village, a village before
electricity or cars, a timeless place on the verge of change.

Goodnight Mr Tom - Michelle Magorian

This compelling story of an abused child finding comfort, safety, and love through this old
man can encourage and give hope to others similar to Wil. This book is not only entertaining
but powerful, displaying life events that most people face: starting a new life, making friends,
death, and more.

Great Reads

Rebound - Kwame Alexander

This verse novel echoes with the hip hop rhythms and bounce of a basketball game and the
free flow of Grandaddy’s favourite jazz to great stylistic effect. The crisp poetry works
sparingly to portray a family coming together and to terms with grief sensitively and
poignantly, lightened by some great one liners along the way.
Readers will be gripped and ultimately uplifted by this affirming tale; “aim high, reach for the
sky, take your piece of this world, and make it into something sweet.”

Looking for JJ and Finding Jennifer Jones - Anne Cassidy

A gripping and emotionally searing novel from a talented author, ‘ Looking for JJ’ explores
the circumstances and motives behind the murder of a child - by her friend. Six years later,
JJ has now been released, and has a new identity. But is there any way that she can lead a
"normal" life? Finding Jennifer Jones is the powerful sequel to the highly acclaimed,
Carnegie Medal nominated Looking for JJ. It is a tense, emotional thriller about guilt, running
away and wondering if you can ever truly know yourself.
The Everest Files - Matt Dickinson
A story of an Everest expedition unlike any other. An expedition that ended with mysterious
disappearances …….and death.
A shocking tale of lies, betrayal and obsession all played out on the lethal slopes of the
highest mountain in the world.

The Bone Sparrow - Zana Fraillon

Perfect for fans of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. This is a beautiful, vivid and deeply
moving story about a refugee boy who has spent his entire life living in a detention centre.
This novel reminds us all of the importance of freedom, hope, and the power of a story to
speak for anyone who's ever struggled to find a safe home.

Spilled Water - Sally Grindley

This powerful and compelling novel portrays the life of a young girl in China, a young girl
whose life is said to be like 'spilled water'. With a brilliant first-person narrative and a
powerful description of time and place, this novel is gripping, heart-wrenching and utterly
mesmerising.

The Lie Tree, A Skinful of Shadows - Frances Hardinge

A richly imaginative, darkly gothic Victorian mystery, combining elements of the
supernatural, natural science and the role of women in society.
This atmospheric historical novel is steeped in meticulous 17th century detail and has at its
heart a resourceful, compassionate central character. Makepeace is aptly named as she
must mediate between her own skinful of shadows, the spirits she carries with her, and the
real world.

The Fastest Boy in the World - Elizabeth Laird

Solomon loves to run and dreams of being a gold medal winner. When his Grandfather
collapses after a long journey Solomon knows he is the only person who can run for help. It’s
a twenty mile run form the city to home. Can the barefooted runner with the big heart do it?

Girl, Missing - Sophie McKenzie

Lauren has always known she was adopted but when a little research turns up the possibility
that she was snatched from an American family as a baby, suddenly Lauren's life seems like
a sham. How can she find her biological parents? And are her adoptive parents really
responsible for kidnapping her?

The World of Norm (series) - Jonathan Meres

Norman knew it was going to be one of those days when he woke up and found himself
about to pee in his dad's wardrobe.
An award-winning, laugh-out-loud series for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and David
Walliams.

Cool! - Michael Morpurgo

Michael Morpurgo’s inspiring new story of Robbie, a boy in a coma – victim of a car accident.
Locked inside his own head, able to hear but not move or speak, Robbie tries to keep
himself from slipping ever deeper into unconsciousness.
Things a Bright Girl Can Do - Sally Nicholls
The historical detail and contemporary dialogue are exemplary in this richly enjoyable yet
hard-hitting and illuminating novel. The stories and dilemmas of the original women’s
movement are brought vividly to life in a jaunty, breezy style that shines a light on
unexplored lives in the era of the Great War.
A timely and rewarding account of the inspirational struggle and sacrifice of women a mere
century ago to establish their universal rights that will stay with the reader long after the final
chapter.

Non-Fiction

Does Anything Eat Wasps?

Why Don't Penguins' Feet Freeze?

Philip Ardagh's Book of Absolutely Useless Lists!

Read magazines, articles or a biography of a celebrity that you’re interested in!

More reads here:

https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks3-pupils/suggested-reading-list-for-
year-8-pupils-ks3-age-12-13/