There are so many out there, but how do you know which ones are worth reading? We have put together this list of recommendations to make it easier for you.
This is the first book in a bestselling series. Five years after a murder suicide involving two high school students, the town of Fairview still can’t move on.
Especially Pip, who makes it her mission to uncover the truth. But Pip’s determination to uncover secrets about the murder puts her own life in danger.
This moving and harrowing story is about Bruno, a boy living in Berlin in 1942.
His family moved to a house, right next to a concentration camp. Bruno befriends a boy on the other side of the fence who is always wearing striped pajamas.
This is book one of a series by Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series. It is the same in the same school – Camp Half Blood – where demigods are trained to fight.
Jason wakes up with no memories – he can’t even remember his own girlfriend. But when her father goes missing she needs his help.
Finch and Violet are two very different teenagers, but they feel a connection when their paths cross. They decide to spend more time together, seeking out experiences to see what life has to offer.
They realise how important their friendship is becoming to them, but their futures are uncertain and things aren’t as simple as it seems.
Nicola Yoon is the bestselling author of ‘The Sun Is Also A Star’. This story follows Cara, a teenager with a rare disease that means she cannot leave her house without her life being in danger.
When a new family moves in next door she sees Olly, and knows that she is destined to fall in love with him.
This is a critically acclaimed novel from a bestselling author that has now been turned into a major motion picture.
Mia is a 17 year old girl trying to piece her life together after a serious accident. She is faced with a difficult choice and needs to decide what she wants to live for.
Brandon Sanderson is the New York Times bestselling author of the Reckoner series, and he is back with book one of the Skyward series.
Spensa is desperate to get into flight school so she can become a pilot and fight to protect the human race. The problem is, she is being held back by the bad reputation of her deceased father.
The Divergent Trilogy is a popular book series for teens who enjoy dystopian fiction like The Hunger Games or The Maze Runner.
It is also a major television series, and there are two more books to enjoy if you like this one. This book is beautifully written and packed with emotion and excitement.
This adventure book is ideal for young adults and teens who want to capture that nostalgic feeling of summer.
When Derek and Sam move to Virginia, they end up uncovering an old mystery and stopping at nothing to find out the truth. This is the first book in the Virginia Mysteries series.
This debut novel from Kathleen Glasgow is beautifully heartbreaking- it’s no wonder it became a New York Times bestseller. It deals with some heavy themes in an excellent way.
This young adult fantasy book has some chilling themes and makes an exhilarating read.
After the human race has overcome all obstacles, even death, the scythes are used to keep the population size under control. But first, they have to be trained in the art of killing.
This is book one of a 12 part fantasy series that is perfect for young adults. It follows Lindon and the journey he must take in order to save his homeland.
This international bestselling book has now been turned into a popular movie.
It is about 15 year old Lina whose life changes for ever when the Soviets enter Lithuania. She is taken to a Siberian work camp where she uses art to cope with her grim reality.
This is book 1 of four in a New York Times bestselling series that is perfect for young adults who are ready to start reading about some more mature themes.
It follows Avery, a girl who must get involved in dangerous games to navigate her complicated family.
This book is part of The Giver quartet. It is about an orphan called Kira who finds herself fighting for her life and trying to uncover the truth. This book will stay with you long after you have finished the last page.
This timeless love story is a great introduction to Shakespeare for young adults to try. It is full of passion and excitement, and will help with their ongoing literature studies.
Vampire Academy is a wonderful fantasy book for 8th graders that has been popular since its release 10 years ago. Rose and Lissa must navigate a treacherous world of vampire royalty and forbidden love.
Julie is a college freshman who finds herself caught between two guys – she has strong feelings for Finn, but when Matt catches her eye she can’t get him out of her head.
How will she navigate this tricky situation, and who will she choose?
This is the bestselling sequel to ‘The Wrath And The Dawn’ and is a must read for every 8th grader. It is a gripping fantasy novel that will whisk you away to a magical world.
When a violent act of racism shakes up a town, two teens find themselves caught up in racial tension that spreads around the country. People take sides and the situation escalates, but can it be reconciled?
This is a funny yet romantic mystery that will keep you gripped until the last page. The sad moments make comedic and heartwarming moments even more powerful.
Jessie is in her junior year of prep school when she starts receiving anonymous messages from someone offering her help. But can she trust them?
Lasgol is a 15 year old boy and the son of a traitor who tried to kill the king. In the first book of the Path Of The Ranger series, find out how he manages to clear his name and uncover the truth as he attends the School Of Rangers.
Sophie Kinsella has written some fantastic novels including ‘Confessions Of A Shopaholic’ and ‘The Undomestic Goddess’. Now she has started writing young adult novels, and they are perfect for 8th graders.
Unbroken is the young adult adaptation of the true story of Louis Zamperini, an athlete turned Lieutenant whose plane crashes in enemy territory during the Second World War.
This book features photographs and an interview with Zamperini.
This is a modern classic about a small town struggling with racial division. Jeffrey Magee is an orphan with a passion for running, and running away. But once the town learn of his talents, it brings them together.
Every 8th grader should be able to cook a simple meal for themselves.
This cookbook is ideal for learning the basics, with straightforward step by step instructions. It will certainly increase your confidence in the kitchen.
This New York Times bestseller is a great choice for 8th graders. Jo Kuan is a 17 year old lady’s maid with a cruel mistress. She moonlights as an anonymous newspaper columnist.
When she uses her words to attack gender roles and social norms, she experiences a level backlash she did not expect.
This is part of Disney’s Twisted Tales – alternative tellings of Disney’s most loved stories. Reflection is about Mulan, who travels to the underworld to recover the soul of Captain Shang.
Peekay is born in 1939 in South Africa. He experiences hardships in his childhood . but his determinism takes him on an epic and transformative journey.
This Star Wars fiction is written by a New York Times bestselling author. Padme is doing her best to navigate difficult political positions as she becomes Naboo’s representative on the Galactic Senate.
This is a vampire fairy tale from an award winning and national bestselling author.
Sunshine is captured by a vampire and taken to a decaying mansion. One of her fellow captors is also a vampire, and Sunshine realises that they are not all the same.
This is the truth behind the real person who inspired the fictional character in JK Rowling’s Harry Potter Universe. His story is told in the setting of a mystery story which adds an element of excitement.
This is the first book in an action packed series that is ideal for young adults. Michael Vey is a teenager with electric powers. He thinks he is alone, but he finds another person with the same powers as him.
Wolf Brother is the first book in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series.
It is about 12 year old Torak who becomes an outcast from his tribe, but also an unwilling hero. His only companion is a rescued wolf cub who is also a lone survivor.
The late Helen Dunmore wrote amazing books for both adults and young adults. Ingo is a young adult novel set on the English Coast of Cornwall. It follows Sapphy, who has a strong pull to the sea.
This is the first book of a New York Times bestselling series. It has also been made into a movie.
The City Of Ember is the last refuge of the human race, but after 200 years it is under threat. Lina finds an ancient message that might be the thing they need to save the City Of Ember.
Summary
These books are ideal for 8th graders who love to read or want to improve their reading.
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