For Other Professionals
Books as Gifts
2011 Buying Guide
Books for 8-9 year olds
We've selected 10 great books for kids in second and third grade to read on their own. You'll also find 10 additional books that a parent, other family member, or friend can read with 8-9 year olds to pique their interest, expose them to more advanced vocabulary, encourage discussion, or simply to share quality time with a caring adult.
Browse through the recommended books below or download the guide as a one-page handout you can easily take to the library or store.
Books to read on their own
Follow three long ago adventurers who traveled around the world by bike, by herself, and on a sloop. The graphic novel format brings their adventures to life.
Stunning full-color photographs and tantalizing text introduce these fascinating creatures and how and where they live.
Clementine is afraid that she's in trouble but instead finds out that a new baby is on the way when the family meeting is called.
Engaging poems combine with lighthearted illustrations to celebrate the stuff of which a child's day is made from toothbrush to scissors, from crayons to hot dogs, and more.
Ellray, a small third grader, has trouble not responding to Jared, the class bully. If Ellray can stay out of trouble though, his dad has promised a trip to Disneyland!
How can Jessica be a good big sister when Emma is so often not a well-behaved younger one? Sisters of all ages and sizes will see themselves in both poems and illustrations.
All the kids have it — the cheese covered with red wax — except Ivy & Bean. How they earn the money to buy it causes funny mayhem and minor disasters.
Melonhead and his friend Sam go undercover thinking that they have identified a notorious fugitive sought by the FBI in this contemporary and funny adventure.
Mysterious, humorously spooky illustrations and easy, engaging text demystifies the mystery of basic algebra, further clarified by a suggested activity.
Seven stories published only before in magazines have been put together in a fresh volume introduced by a Seuss scholar and sure to delight the doctor's fans.
Books to read with you
Joe Louis' boxing match against Max Schmeling in 1938 reverberated in the U.S. and through the world. Its drama is presented in rhythmic text and stunning illustrations.
When the letter E falls down the stairs and becomes incapacitated for duty, O tries to take over E's duties. The results are sophisticated and funny in this pun-filled picture book.
Tasty meals begin with healthy, balanced recipes. Clear instructions for broadly appealing meals are presented in easy-to-follow and appealing photographs.
Magic tricks and math come together, sure to engage sophisticated children. Clear explanations present how to perform the trick and explain why they work.
Have you ever wondered how an animal (or insect) says "I am gorgeous" or "where are you?" These and other questions are answered in this amusing but informative book.
In Hamelin town, the rich care only about themselves and so refuse to pay the piper who rids the town of the rats. The stirring (and happily resolved) tale is made fresh again.
Vivid retellings and luminous illustrations reinvigorate Greek myths.
Images of unusual inventions are presented with possible uses, explained when the page is turned. They really are wacky but very creative in this fascinating look at creativity.
The oversized book asks and ways to test "big ideas" (the ones that have "no simple or easy answer." Motion, energy and matter are made accessible and downright fun here.
The western U.S. was indeed wild in the 19th century. Brief sketches of strong, brave but little known women who were part of it are glimpsed in fascinating book
Proceeds from the sale of books purchased at Amazon.com help support the Reading Rockets project. Thank you!
