Although the 8th grade reading list is aimed at middle school students, these books can be enjoyed by the whole family with a little creativity.
There is something special about reading seasonally which grounds us into the rhythms of the year and helps us be more attuned to the natural world. When we consider seasonal reading, it is often with regard to fiction books: cozy reads for fall or winter; and airy, light reading for summer. Or perhaps we consider seasonal reading as purely nature-based books. However, we can take those same seasonal ideas and apply them to science and mathematical-based books. If you are a morning basket family, this 8th-grade reading list will offer inspiration for the whole family. Enjoy including STEM reading in your days, with some of these great books. If you are new to morning baskets, they are a selection of books that you look at on a daily basis.
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8th Grade Reading List for Kids That Love Science and Math
Although the list is aimed towards 8th grade students, these can be enjoyed by the whole family, and many older students will be able to engage with the ideas within these books, and the picture books will interest middle school kids as well as delighting younger kids. Many of these books should be available in the local library, but the quality of these works of literature will make you want to have them in your own home library.
Kids who have a love of STEM often struggle with literature. By making book choices that match your child’s interests, children can engage more with books, and perhaps find many favorite books which fuel their passions for science and math. This list includes different areas of science, fiction, and non-fiction. If the reading level of the books is a challenge to your child, consider using them as family read-alouds, or use an audiobook. This way, students can engage with literature beyond their current reading skills. Audiobooks can play a crucial role in developing independent reading for reluctant readers.
Spring
As we enter spring and new life is blooming, we naturally think about spending time outdoors. This is a good time to look at books that open up the natural world. There are many classic books that are delightful reads for this time of year, like The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgson Burnett, and Black Beauty by Anna Sewell. However, there are wonderful books to open up the world of science in a deeper way to 8th graders.
- The Story Book of Science by Jean Henri Fabre. Fabre was a French entomologist who devoted his life to the study of invertebrates. His curiosity and love of the natural world led to the writing of this charming book for children. Fabre delves into a wide variety of subjects as he seeks to delight his young nephews and nieces on their visits to his home.
- Gregor Mendel: The Friar Who Grew Peas by Cheryl Bardoe. Gregor Mendel was a monk who discovered the basic principles of inheritance. This book introduces children to the ideas of genetics by looking at Mendel’s experiments with peas.
- Mathematicians are People Too by Luetta Reimar. This is a two-volume series with short stories telling about the lives of some of the most important mathematicians around the world.
- Braiding Sweet Grass for Young Adult by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Braiding Sweet Grass was originally an adult book written by botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer. She has taken the wisdom of her indigenous heritage and looked at it under the lens of scientific knowledge. The success of her book has birthed this young adult version. Kimmerer encourages readers to consider the interconnected world of nature and the development of an ecological conscience. Although pitched more toward a high school reader, older and more mature middle schooler kids will find this book fascinating and deeply thought-provoking. This book is becoming an increasingly popular choice for homeschool groups to use. So perhaps use this in your local homeschool group or coop as a middle school or high school book group.
Summer
In the summer months, we want grade-level books that lend themselves to lazy summer days. Finding the right book to delight the child, as well as open their mind to the wonders of the world, can sometimes be tricky. As Charlotte Mason would put it, we don’t want “twaddle”. However, there are many eighth-grader books that are fantastic.
- The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian’s Art Changed Science by Joyce Sidman. Maria Merian lived in a time when it was thought insects were born out of the dust and mud of the earth. Merian was an amateur naturalist and artist whose study of insects led to the discovery of butterfly metamorphosis. Not only was she an accomplished scientist, she was a beautiful artist.
- Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. Although the Wind in the Willows journeys with Ratty and Mole through the woodland year, the imagery of messing about in boats is quiescencially summer. Wind in the Willows is truly a classic of children’s literature. This is a great choice if your child is an animal lover.
- My Side of the Mountain Trilogy by Jean Craighead George. This series of books: My Side of the Mountain, The Far Side of the Mountain, and Frightful’s Mountain follow the relationship of a boy Sam and the Peregrine Falcon he trains. The main character Sam is a boy who has left New York City to live in the wild. He tames a peregrine falcon chick to hunt with. The trilogy follows their adventures, explores the ideas of conservation and ecology, and finally looks deeply into the world of the birds themselves. In many ways, this is a coming-of-age story, but readers will learn about the nature of peregrine falcons. My Side of the Mountain is also a Newbery Honor Book and a true modern classic.
- The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer. This is the true story of William Kamkwamba, who read about the possibility of using wind to generate electricity. This is a story of overcoming adversity to fulfill one’s dreams. William is forced to drop out of school due to a crippling famine which devastates his family’s farm. However, William continues to teach himself and eventually builds a wind turbine. Making his dream a reality means he brings electricity and clean water to his village, transforming the lives of the entire community.
- Journey into Summer by Edwin Way Teale. This documents Teale’s 19,000 miles of incredible journey across the United States during the summer. Teale’s writing is of the highest quality. This not only illustrates the diverse nature and geography of the land he walks, but the sense of adventure will spark the imagination and make you long to go and explore. This may inspire a field trip or two to wild places or the desire to study America’s United States.
Autumn
As Fall approaches, and there is more of a chill in the air, we look towards cozy read-alouds, and more time at home. This is also a time of harvest and nature is looking spectacular. As we are focusing more on homeschooling after the summer break, this is a good time to look at some biographies to explore science through the lives of those who made groundbreaking discoveries.
- A Grain of Rice by Helena Clare Pittman This short story is one of romance, with mathematics at its heart. The poor young peasant boy who longs to marry the princess uses his quick mathematical mind to become rich enough to offer his hand.
- Michael Faraday: Father of Electronics by Charles Ludwig. Faraday is considered the greatest experimental physicist. His discoveries stand alongside the greats like Newton, Maxwell, and Einstein. It was Faraday’s work on electricity that laid the foundation for James Clark Maxwell’s work on the nature of electromagnetism. Faraday not only made discoveries about the nature of electricity and magnetism; he was also a pioneering chemist. This book is a good choice for any student who loves physics; but also anyone interested in the history of the period. Faraday came from poverty to be one of the leading men of the age. Yet he maintained a humble character, and his devout faith shaped everything he did.
- The Ocean of Truth: The Story of Sir Isaac Newton by Joyce MacPherson. It is said Einstein had two portraits above his desk: James Clerk Maxwell and Isaac Newton. Newton transformed how we view the world. He made fundamental discoveries about the nature of gravity, the motion of objects, light, and mathematics. Like Faraday, his story is essential for any physics-loving child to know.
- The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon. by Jacqueline Davies As fall continues and birds begin their migrations, this is a beautiful book to explore the work that led to the discovery of the secrets of birds’ migrations.
- Champions of Mathematics by John Hudson Tiner. Champions of Mathematics also tells the story of math through the lives of the men and women who made the discoveries to transform our understanding of the world around us.
- Fall Colors Across America by Anthony Cook. This is a book of visual delight. Through spectacular photography, explore the transformation of the natural world as autumn takes hold in North America.
Winter
Our 8th grade reading list for winter includes books to open up the world of astronomy, physics, and chemistry. Many of these books will help with critical thinking and engage with ideas to lay a strong foundation of thought for a middle schooler looking ahead to high school science.
- The Secret Life of a Snowflake: An Up-Close Look at the Art and Science of Snowflakes by Libbrecht, Kenneth (2010) Hardcover by Kenneth Libbrecht. This is another visual masterpiece, looking at the mathematical beauty of the snowflakes. Children and adults of all ages will delight in the microscopic world of the snowflake.
- The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Rivalry, Adventure, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements (Young Readers Edition). This looks into the world of Chemistry through a tour of the periodic table of elements.
- Awesome Engineering Activities for Kids: 50+ Awesome STEAM Projects to Design and Build. This is a hands-on book for kids who have an interest in engineering. These activities will build engineering skills in your child, and the projects are pretty cool! STEAM is the intersection of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. These fantastic activities will be a great way to encourage creative kids away from video games in the winter months.
- For the Love of Physics: From the End of the Rainbow to the Edge of Time – A Journey Through the Wonders of Physics by Walter Lewin. Lewin is a gifted educator. His YouTube videos explain complicated ideas in physics. Lewin has the ability to impart a love of physics, and do so in language that is accessible to anyone. Your teen will enjoy reading and doing physics activities and experiments at home.
- The Stargazers Guide to the Night Sky by Jason Lisle. The Stargazers Guide is a highly practical book introducing kids to stargazing. The book is divided into two parts: one looking at naked-eye astronomy; the second an introduction to optical astronomy. Lisle will explain everything you need to know to get started in stargazing. This is a good book for those completely new to stargazing or those who want to take their hobby to another level. It is a wonderful companion to the Astronomy for Beginners: Stargazers Nature Journal
As you explore these books hopefully it will open up ideas in a fun way, and allow your young people to discover books they will love. You may also find an 8th grade reading list for literature an enjoyable companion to your homeschool curriculum.
