You have a son who doesn't like to read. The wrong books can make us think that our sons don't like reading. They should read books that will make them think. But that shouldn't always happen. Then think about it. if every book you were given to read made you have to do something, how often would you choose to read?? That's for sure.

So, why do we do this to our kids? Make sure they see how fun and exciting reading can be so that they become more interested in it. Hand them books that will let them see new things. Make them smile. When you help them see the world in a new way, don't make them go to the dictionary every five minutes to look up another word.

Best Adventure Books for 8-Year-Old Boys

The Redwall series by Brian Jacques

This long series tells the stories of the animals who live in Redwall Abbey. They are peaceful by nature, but they are also brave when they see bad things happen to them. Make sure you don't freak out if your sons want to read this series over and over again. These are the best books they've ever read!

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink

The stories that Caddie tells help kids understand what it was like to grow up on the Wisconsin frontier in the mid-1800s. Girls and boys can relate to her because she likes to play tricks and go on a lot of trips.

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

Make plans to come along with Milo, a young boy who thinks everything is a waste of time. When a tollbooth shows up in his room, he goes inside because he has nothing else to do. Even though he realizes how exciting life can be over time, he still doesn't believe that. This book is full of plays on words, puns, deep thoughts, and pure fun.

Bear Grylls Adventures series by Bear Grylls

Harry is stuck in a huge cave system that is full of bats, dangerous drops, and other surprises that he doesn't know about. Bear Grylls is there to help him out. As soon as they give you the magical map, the two of them are off to a new place in the world, and Bear Grylls is there to show them around.

The Axel & Beast series by Adrian C. Bott

BEAST had a bad past. A company called Grabbem Industries built him. They were greedy and evil. Because he was supposed to be a superpowered suit of armor, he was supposed to let young Gus Grabbem Junior help his father smash things up. But when BEAST found out that the things he was supposed to be smashing were things he loved, like plants or animals, he decided to get out. BEAST isn't your average robot, and Axel isn't your average gamer, but they work together. Are they good enough to get away from the bad people who made BEAST? All of the books in the Axel and Beast series have super-cool technology, a wide range of people in the cast, a lightning-fast pace, word art, and energetic illustrations. They also have over-the-top situations and baddies that will keep young readers hooked.

Extreme Adventures series by Justin D’ath

A new hero is Sam Fox. With a talent for attracting danger, Sam Fox is very good at getting himself into (and out of) the most dangerous places. This series has a lot of power because it has a brave young hero and exotic places. It also has a lot of action and short chapters that will keep reluctant readers interested. He took Sam Fox and his cousin, Nisse. They were taken by someone who was trying to steal them when there was a tropical Cyclone. During the chase, the getaway car crashes into the raging Crocodile River. Sam and Nissa have to face one obstacle after another to stay alive. It's fast-paced from the first page to the last in all Extreme Adventure books. Sam goes from one adventure to another so quickly. A lot of people won't have time to breathe while reading this.

Best Christian Fiction for 8-Year-Old Boys

Trailblazer Books by Dave & Neta Jackson

These books are action-packed historical fiction that introduces kids to some of the best Christians in history. Each story shows a big moment in a hero or heroine's life through the eyes of the young main character. They are a lot of fun to read.

The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls series by M. J. Thomas

The Secret of the Hidden Books series is about siblings Peter and Mary and their dog, Hank, who find ancient scrolls that take them back to important times in the Bible.

Dangerous Journey by John Bunyan

Unlike the full Pilgrim's Progress book, this one is only about half of what it is. There are a lot of interesting images in this book, and the text is just right for younger readers to understand. It's great!

Best Historical Books for 8-Year-Old Boys

Childhood of Famous Americans series

This series is great. My son learned how much he liked reading about people's lives after he saw this series. You can read more than 100 books in the series! They were written between the 1940s and the 1960s. Each of these books is about a child who became an American hero. In these books, we learn about people like artists and inventors. We also learn about sports stars and leaders.

The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne

In the Magic Tree House books, kids who want to move from picture books into chapter books will love them. The chapters are short, which makes them easy for people who are just starting to read. And the stories will take your child to different times and places. I can't say enough good things about these!

Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

The Little House books follow the Ingalls family as they move from the woods of Wisconsin to the Western Prairies to start a new life. My favorite books as a child were these, and I was happy to learn that my sons also liked them. Farmer Boy was one of their favorite things. But there is a lot of action in this book that will keep boys reading as well.

Best Humorous Books for 8-Year-Old Boys

Hotel Flamingo by Alex Milway

When Anna, a young woman, inherits a once-grand hotel that is now falling apart, she wants to bring it back to its former glory. But this isn't your average hotel: all of the staff and guests are animals! A animal hotel isn't easy to run. The doorman, Lemmy the lemur receptionist, and a group of new employees help Anna bring sunshine and life to Hotel Flamingo. Then a hotel inspector shows up, and Anna has to figure out how to get the hotel back to its best before the inspector can get there.

Jamie’s Amazing Cape Adventures series by Pete Johnson

BZZZZZZZ! A bluebottle fly is what Jamie's magic cape turns him into, and he's shocked that he can do this. But then he can't turn him around. These three things make for a lot of fun adventures with lots of action and a lot of laughs.

Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish

If your son likes funny stories, you can't go wrong with any of the Amelia Bedelia books. Amelia takes everything people say literally, and it puts her right in the middle of some very funny situations, too!

Henry Huggins series by Beverly Cleary

It doesn't matter if your son likes dogs or not. These books are for him. Henry and his dog, Ribsy, are the main characters in all of the stories. Ribsy is always getting into trouble for his owner. Her books are based on the funny things that happened to her and the kids in her neighborhood when she was young.

The Mouse and the Motorcycle series by Beverly Cleary

It's all about a little mouse who wants to take his bike for a ride. All the fun things that are going to happen can't even be thought of! These books are ones your sons will want to read over and over.

Hank the Cowdog series by John R. Erickson

These books are very funny. When you read these books to your son, they'll make him laugh. Hank, the cowdog, is in charge of security on a cattle ranch. The books are great, and the audiobooks are a real treat for me. Listen to these books together after your son reads them. It was a real treat.

The Enormous Egg byOliver Butterworth

Because of the size of the egg, Nate is a little shocked when his hen does this. But when a triceratops comes out, the adventure starts. Not only should you read this book, but if your son is a big dinosaur fan, this is a must-read.

Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books byBetty MacDonald and Alexandra Boiger

As you can see from this picture, her house is upside down. There are always cookies baking in the kitchen. She was even married to a pirate at one point in her life. Finally, she knows everything about kids. Because she never scolds bad kids, she has a lot of ways to change their behavior that will make your son roll on the ground. Keep in mind that the newer editions of this book have been changed to be more politically correct.

Boys who are 8 years old should read some of the best mysteries out there.

---