One of my personal interests is encouraging my kids to read. This is a list of books that my 8-year-old son really likes.
If you count Calvin and Hobbes as reading (it’s a comic book), then it is his first love and continues to be a favorite.
Calvin and Hobbes (Volume 1) Paperback
The Calvin and Hobbes Lazy Sunday Book (Volume 4)
These next two are STEM-friendly goofy books with lots of pictures to break up the text. Currently, if he has to do independent reading time, these are first choices.
Big Bangs and Black Holes: A Graphic Novel Guide to the Universe
These chapter books are prime read-aloud choices for us to read to him that hold his interest.
Ender’s Game – Still incredible. Still feels futuristic, although the emphasis on “smart desks” instead of “smart phones” is funny. It was published in 1985.
Bonus, for 5-year-olds:
The 5-year-old picked out “Woodpecker Wants a Waffle” at our local library and has been delighted by it. It’s a funny picture book that holds up to re-reads. See if your library has it. Public libraries are especially great for 5-year-olds who are ready to explore beyond the Dr. Suess classics at home but also not able to commit to any books worth buying.
Economist Writing Every Day 