Other forms of entertainment may offer a window to the world, but books reign supreme when it comes to challenging eighth graders to think critically. The best titles don’t just entertain—they support adolescents in their path to forming personal viewpoints. Readers can synthesize information found in fiction and nonfiction stories and apply it to real-life situations, while expanding their empathy and understanding of the world around them. 

Middle grade fiction, activity books, graphic novels, and young adult fiction can all be part of a balanced eighth grade reading diet. To lead your reader towards the most enriching stories, Literati has named its top picks. Here are a few of the best titles for your eighth grade reader:

Dry

By Jarod Shusterman and Neal Shusterman

In this captivating survival story, one teen must make crucial decisions for her family in order to survive a devastating drought. Readers won’t be able to take their eyes off of this vivid, near-future dystopia as they’re challenged to understand the reasoning and motivation behind certain characters’ reactions. Full of tension and pulse-pounding suspense, Dry is a distressing reminder of our current climate reality and a gripping “what if” exercise for your eighth grader.

Burn After Writing Teen

By Rhiannon Shove

The made-for-teens edition of Rhiannon Shove’s ultra-engaging personal journal, Burn After Writing, will get your eighth grader thinking about big questions and looking inward for answers. The fun, thought-provoking prompts throughout this book provide an outlet for some complicated thinking—the kind that eighth graders aren’t always sure how to approach. Journaling is a fantastic form of self-care, but sitting down in front of a blank page can be a little daunting (even for adults). This book provides the perfect safe space for teens—unlike that math test next period, there are no wrong answers here!

Blood Metal Bone

By Lindsay Cummings

After being wrongly accused of her brother’s murder, Sonara gets a second chance at uncovering the truth. A clever blend of sci-fi and fantasy elements allows readers to get in touch with more specific genre preferences. With an expansive world to explore and a wide cast of characters, your eighth grader’s memory and comprehension will be adequately challenged, while they stay completely immersed in a total page-turner.

Knowledge Genius! A Quiz Encyclopedia to Boost Your Brain

by DK Publishing

Do you have a future Jeopardy contestant on your hands? You might after you get this fact-packed book in front of them. First, readers will dive into a whole slew of “general knowledge” subjects. Then, they can quiz themselves and find out just how much they’ve learned! Other than the obvious educational value of a brain-boosting encyclopedia, the self-testing format found in this book is incredibly impactful. When students quiz themselves on information, they’re more likely to encode it deeply and recall it later. That’s right—this book can actually help teach your eighth grader how to study effectively!

Gone Dark

By Amanada Patnitch

Survival stories are popular among eighth and ninth graders as readers can jump into super high-stakes scenarios, relate to teen characters, and watch them grow into heroic versions of themselves. In Gone Dark, the country’s power grid is suddenly compromised, leaving Zara to make an impossible choice in order to survive. Eighth graders will find a strong message about resilience and facing one’s past with confidence while following along for the adventure.

The best books for eighth graders feature captivating plots, immersive settings, and challenges that feel relevant to the eighth grade experience. Even if your reader chooses to escape into a fantasy world, the best books will encourage them to think deeply and find lessons they can bring back to reality.

Sometimes, finding those perfect titles is easier said than done: all eighth graders are different, after all. No matter what kind of story excites your reader—even if they don’t know it yet—Literati is here to help them build reading habits that stick. 

When you join Literati book clubs, your reader will receive a personalized box of books curated just for them. They’ll go deeper into their existing interests, and find new ones, and solidify a passion for literature with stories that are perfectly matched to their reading level. Start with Literati’s personalization quiz and get your first box of books today.

The post The Best Books for Eighth Graders appeared first on Literati.

Finding books with the right mix of intrigue, character development, and fast-paced action to keep your ninth grader engaged can be quite the challenge. Luckily, the experts at Literati have done the research for you. Here are Literati’s top picks for ninth grade readers.

The Inheritance Games

By Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to suddenly inherit a giant fortune? For Avery Grambs, it’s not exactly a smooth transition into billionaire-status. Instead, she must face a series of riddling challenges to receive an even more mysterious sum of money. This unputdownable mystery is packed with riddles, deadly stakes, and a mansion’s worth of secret passageways. Readers will enjoy solving the puzzle along with Avery, while tons of twists, turns, and interpersonal drama provide a solid introduction to more complicated narratives.

Blood Metal Bone

By Lindsay Cummings

After being wrongly accused of her brother’s murder, Sonara gets a second chance at uncovering the truth. This YA thrillride blends sci-fi and fantasy while keeping readers on the edge of their seats—a perfect read for ninth graders with a budding interest in either genre. With adrenaline-pumping pages and a fearless female lead at its center, Blood Metal Bone is an immersive story that remains a favorite among teens.

Dry

By Jarod Shusterman and Neal Shusterman

In this captivating survival story, one teen must make crucial decisions for her family in order to survive a devastating drought. Readers won’t be able to take their eyes off of this vivid, near-future dystopia as they’re challenged to understand the reasoning and motivation behind certain characters’ reactions. Full of tension and pulse-pounding suspense, Dry is a distressing reminder of our current climate reality and a gripping “what if” exercise for your eighth grader.

I Have a Bad Feeling About This

By Jeff Strand

A mix of horror and humor set in survival camp? Sign us up! This hilarious, genre-blending story is sure to get—and hold—your ninth grader’s attention with its quick, action-packed chapters and laugh-out-loud storytelling approach. The bizarre survival story at the center of this book dials up the entertainment factor, while presenting readers with a funny, relatable main character. Even the most reluctant of readers will find something to love in I Have a Bad Feeling About This.

I Killed Zoe Spanos

By Kit Frick

If your teen is yet to be impressed by the thriller genre—or YA fiction in general—you’re going to want to hand them this rollercoaster of a mystery. In I Killed Zoe Spanos, two teens’ lives become linked: one has confessed to a murder, while the other believes there are secrets to uncover. As three different perspectives unravel, readers can put together their own theories. Their inability to see these twists coming might just get them hooked on YA mysteries.

Empower a Lifelong Learner with Literati 

Helping your child fall in love—and stay in love—with books is all about making sure stories are readily available, true to their interests, and appropriate to their reading level. Literati book clubs are designed to match readers with the best books for them. Curated book boxes are personalized on an individual basis, and are tailored to your reader’s interests and level as they grow. 

Your highschooler might have a sense of what’s popular, but what about that just-right book? The one that makes them discover, rediscover, or solidify a real passion for cozying up with a thrilling read? Literati is here to help them find it. Start with Literati’s personalization quiz and watch your reader take into the wide world of literary possibilities.

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