15 Classics That 8- to 12-Year-Olds Say Are Worth Reading Today
If you have read any of my other articles on Brightly, you will know that I’m a firm believer that kids will want to read more if they have voice and choice in their book selection, rather than us parents pushing “classics” or other highbrow literature that that we might want our kids to read.
That said, there are lots of classic books that have stood the test of time and continue to be beloved by 8- to 12-year-old readers today. Here are 15 timeless classics that kids on Bookopolis.com, an online community I created for young readers to share book reviews and recommendations with peers, are still raving about today.
This list originally appeared on ReadBrightly.com.
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1
Add to BookshelfThe Secret Garden
by Frances Hodgson Burnett
A young orphan, Mary, is sad and lonely after being sent to live with her uncle until one day she discovers an old key and a hidden door that leads to a secret, magical garden. Mathilda, 12, gives it top praise, “Never underestimate classics, this book is brilliant!”
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2
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Aesop’s Fables
by Aesop
Samuel, 12, sums it up perfectly, “This book is a collection of stories collected by Aesop which teach morals and lessons through fun and awesome tales.” Young readers love these humorous and irreverent stories that often center around animals. These make great read alouds for both families and classrooms.
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3
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Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
by Mildred D. Taylor
Follow the Logan family, African American landowners struggling with racism and inequality in the Deep South during the Great Depression. “This book is packed with emotion and feeling. It will move your hearts,” wrote one Bookopolis reviewer.
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4
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Holes
by Louis Sachar
Stanley Yelnats is unfairly sent to Camp Green Lake, a workcamp for delinquent boys, where the residents must spend all day digging holes to ‘build character.’ But Stanley and the others start to realize there’s more to their hole digging than they are being told. This modern classic is perfect for both reluctant and voracious readers. Audrey, 13, shares, “I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a laugh and a bit of a mystery and action at the same time.”
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5
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Peter Pan
by J. M. Barrie
You know the story — a mischievous boy who never wants to grow up has adventures with pirates, fairies, lost boys, and the Darling family. “This is my kind of style of book!” says Logan, 11, because “it has action, adventure, and fights … I recommend this book to everyone!”
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6
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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
by L. Frank Baum
Another classic that many kids (and adults) know only as a movie. The book provides an even more complex look at Dorothy’s journey to find home and the friends she meets along the way. “I love this movie but maybe the book even MORE!!!” raves Lucy, 11.
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7
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The Swiss Family Robinson (Abridged edition)
by Johann D. Wyss
The Swiss Family Robinson survive a shipwreck and find themselves stranded on a tropical island with nothing but their ship of supplies, survival skills, and sense of humor. Adventures abound for this family as they deal with the dangers of island life. Sarah praises this story: “Amazing. I could read it all day, every day.”
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8
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Treasure Island
by Robert Louis Stevenson
Jack, 12, sums up this classic adventure perfectly. “This is my favorite pirate book of all times. Even though it is a long book, it is full of action, mutiny, adventure, and loot.” This fast-paced story also reveals deep lessons about the human spirit through legendary characters like Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver.
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9
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Danny the Champion of the World
by Roald Dahl
Nine-year-old Danny loves his peaceful life working as a car mechanic with his dad who is also his best friend. When he learns a shocking secret about his dad, he ends up participating in a series of shenanigans to retaliate against a mean, wealthy landowner. Full of humor and a few inappropriate words, this is a great book to share as a family. Joe, 9, says, “I like this book because it is about an awesome friendship and love between a father and son.”
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10
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Where the Red Fern Grows
by Wilson Rawls
Keep tissues handy for animal lovers as they read this story about a deep and special friendship between Billy and his two coonhounds, Old Dan and Little Ann. Billy works hard to save up enough money to buy these dogs that become his loyal hunting partners and protectors. This compelling story is full of adventure, gore, fun, despair, and hope. Carissa, 12, highly recommends it: “Amazing story. It’s written so powerfully that it can make you laugh out loud and then make you cry for hours.”
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11
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The Twenty-One Balloons (Puffin Modern Classics)
by William Pene du Bois
This Newbery Medal winner is great for fans of fantasy-adventure stories. Professor Sherman is planning to fly across the Pacific Ocean in a balloon but ends up on the fantastical land of Krakatoa. Emily, 10, shares, “I loved this book! It was definitely an adventure and I couldn’t put the book down.”
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12
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The Outsiders
by S. E. Hinton
You may have read this classic story when you were in middle or high school about Ponyboy and Sodapop and the rivalry between the Socs and the Greasers. The cover may be different now, but the timeless message of what it feels like to be an outsider still resonates with kids today. Addison, 12, raves, “The book taught me so many life lessons. I loved the characters and the plot, and how it expressed how different things are depending on where you live.”
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13
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Heidi
by Johanna Spyri
Cheerful and optimistic despite tough circumstances, young orphan Heidi is sent to live with her mysterious and feared grandfather in the Swiss Alps. Heidi, unlike most others, finds him interesting and fun and loves her life with him. Chaos and adventure ensue when she is taken away and forced to live with a new family and embarks on a journey to get back to him. Bailey, 12, shares, “I usually don’t like old classics but I adored Heidi,” praising how Heidi’s “bright nature helped warm her grandfather’s heart” and “change a crippled girl’s life.”
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14
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The Adventures of Robin Hood
by Richard Lancelyn Green
This beloved tale of social justice follows the escapades of Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men who use trickery and humor to rob from the rich and give to those in need. According to Maria, 10, it is “full of adventure and creativity. It is hard to stop reading it.” This is a thick book with lots of fighting and action scenes, so it’s not for the faint of heart. Elena, 11, recommends it “if you like old language, adventure, and a vocabulary challenge.”
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15
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Pippi Longstocking
by Astrid Lindgren
For kids who like to laugh, try this story about 9-year-old Pippi, a spunky and independent girl who lives with no adults, just a pet monkey. She is constantly getting into mischief and has many adventures with her neighbor friends, Tommy and Annika. Josephine, 10, gives this book five stars, “[It is] very funny and weird. If you like comedy, you will love this!” Unlike many other classics, this is part of a series so readers can continue to enjoy Pippi’s hilarious exploits through multiple books.
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