What are the "must read" Classics appropriate for a mature 8 year old? - Page 2

[spruce]

Jane91, the comment about Oliver Twist being your turning point w/ Dickens hits home here.  My kids LOVE that story.  It's so hard for me to listen to or to read to them, but it really resounds with all of them.

I have to say Jim Dale's reading of "Alice in Wonderland" is amazing.  It's a little hard to get the Harry Potter voices out of my head, because we've been listening to him read those CDs for years, but he has an infinitely amazing voice.

We read Stephen Hawking's books at night time, as well,  with my 7yo reading one page and me reading the next.  It gives them something to think about as they go to sleep. :)

P

[tammyw]

Wow, which Stephen Hawking book are you reading to your 7 year old?

We own a great number of books and are at the point where we get most of what we want from the library and then only buy the great reference books these days. Yet, sometimes I wonder if we should be also buying the classics (we have some), but then again, we're going to run out of room!!

[TEAK's Mom]

Originally Posted by tammyw 

Wow, which Stephen Hawking book are you reading to your 7 year old?

We own a great number of books and are at the point where we get most of what we want from the library and then only buy the great reference books these days. Yet, sometimes I wonder if we should be also buying the classics (we have some), but then again, we're going to run out of room!!

Stephen and Lucy Hawking actually have written two great books for kids: George's Secret Key to the Universe and George's Cosmic Treasure Hunt. They might be a little young for an 8 year old, but they are great.

[tammyw]

That's fantastic. I had no idea!

[treeoflife3]

I would like to give a resounding YES to the phantom tollbooth and the mixed up files of mrs basil e frankweiler.

especially phantom tollbooth.  Probably my most favorite book of all time although it is a close tie between that and stargirl (maybe good for an 8 year old?  its definitely a good story on being true to yourself)  I absolutely adore the math and word kingdoms and the silent place.  I love how the author makes all sorts of concepts really REAL... eating when you are full to get hungry?  such a fun concept for math!

[tammyw]

We loved The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, so I appreciate your recommendation!!!

[tammyw]

Uh oh. DD's grandmother just bought her Island of the Blue Dolphins. Before she reads it, can you give me a quick overview as to what makes it not so appropriate for her age? Just want to make sure before she reads it. Thanks!
 

Originally Posted by kathymuggle 

It depends on the sensitivity and maturity of the eight year old.  

I would not want to read Old Yeller, Where the Red Fern Grows or Island of the Blue Dolphins with most 8 year olds - they are usually seen (for content) as grade 5-8 books.  YMMV.

I think Wrinkle in Time may be hard to grasp for some 8 year olds, but it is a very cool book.

I like Mr. Poppers Penguins.  It is an easy read, but does bring up some question relating to ethics (should we really order penguins from the antartic, lol?)

other thoughts:

Stuart Little

Charlottes Web (a bit sad...but nothing like Old Yeller or Red Fern grows!)

Frindel

From the Mixed up Files of Basil E Frankweiler 

The Phantom tollbooth

Some Beverly Cleary books might work - the Ramona series

Have fun!

[Daffodil]

Here is a good plot summary of Island of the Blue Dolphins.  Some kids might be disturbed by the whole premise (girl and her brother are left alone on an island.)  Probably the most troubling part is when the girl's brother is killed by wild dogs.  There are other deaths before that, too.  My DD loved the book, though, and so did I when I was 8 or 9.

[laohaire]

Rascal

I Heard The Owl Call My Name

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings 

Bridge to Terabithia

Seems like a lot of books have disturbing content - I remember Island of the Blue Dolphins vaguely but forgot the brother was killed until a PP mentioned it. Now that I remember, it seems disturbing. But I wasn't easily disturbed as a kid. Kid dies in Bridge to Terabithia - not a problem for me. I read Clan of the Cave Bear when I was 10 and my mom had some doubts about whether it was appropriate for me, but I think I was literally so innocent and naive that the rape scene just didn't disturb me. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings has child molestation in it, but I was fine. I saw the book in my mom's house earlier this year and picked it up and found it very disturbing now - I'm old enough now to know how horrible it is. I don't recall anything disturbing in Rascal (a boy and his racoon) but don't take me at my word, it's been so long.

[ocelotmom]

Originally Posted by Daffodil 

Here is a good plot summary of Island of the Blue Dolphins.  Some kids might be disturbed by the whole premise (girl and her brother are left alone on an island.)  Probably the most troubling part is when the girl's brother is killed by wild dogs.  There are other deaths before that, too.  My DD loved the book, though, and so did I when I was 8 or 9.

I seem to recall my teacher read Island of the Blue Dolphins to us in 3rd grade, so 8 or 9 years old. I definitely read it myself around that point, and enjoyed it. 

I picked it up recently, intending to read it to my 7 year old DS, but decided to hold off for a while. He can be sensitive in somewhat unpredictable ways, and I'm not sure how he'd respond to a boy his age being killed.