I wrote a post here detailing the books that I love for our kids at their age now, and today I want to share some series that I loved as an older kid. I was (and still am) a voracious reader- my mom would have to make me put down a book and go outside to play! Unfortunately I only have a girls’ point of view, so in my opinion these are the best books for girls ages 8-11. However, some of the series can be enjoyed by boys and girls alike. Also, I would love if you would share books in the comments that your older boys have enjoyed!
1.) Anne of Green Gables series
This is probably my favorite series ever. I finally finished all of them last summer- up until then I thought there were only three or four. The series starts with Anne as a 12 year old orphan who is adopted by Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. The books follow her life until she is a mother of grown children. Character development is wonderful, and even if you’re an adult and haven’t read them, I bet you would love them! The movies are also great. Click here to buy on Amazon!
2.) Little House on the Prairie Series
The stories of the Ingalls family have captivated readers for many decades- and this reader was no exception! I read one of the books aloud to my son and daughter and they equally enjoyed it. The pioneer days are really exciting for kids. I can’t wait to read them more!
If there has been a character I wanted to be in a book, it was one of the kids in the Boxcar children. Looking back, that is a bit insane, seeing as they have no parents and you know, live alone, but at the time it seemed so adventurous! Oh, and this boxed set from Amazon looks so fun! The first 12 books in a boxcar!
I didn’t read as many of these books as the others, but I did enjoy them. They are about a young girl who loses her father and finds herself in the middle of many mysteries. An interesting fact: the author started the first book when she was only 11 years old!
5.) Nancy Drew books
I really enjoyed (and still do) a good mystery. Nancy Drew books are age appropriate mysteries that will captivate your daughter! Nancy is 18 years old, so she is a heroine for young girls. I begin reading these at approximately age 9. There aren’t the promiscuous elements that are in so many of the books today geared towards young girls.
What books did you read growing up?
Are you children reading them also?
You may also enjoy my post on books you might like!
Books may be purchased on Amazon by clicking the title or picture. I will earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you choose to do so- so thank you! 🙂
from the archives. originally posted 10-22-2012
About Kelli Hays
So I just finished the first boxcar book with my boys, and we’re working on our second! And yeah, it’s a lot funnier to read it as an adult and realize they’re hiding from their allegedly mean grandfather. 🙂 You brining up the Nancy Drew series reminded me that there is a comparable series that was more marketed to boys. Maybe the Hardy Brothers? I will have to look it up.
Anyway, my boys and I are just breaking into the world of chapter books, and I am loving it. These are all really great reads.
Yes, the Hardy Boys! My son is reading one right now. Sadly he doesn’t love it. What do your boys enjoy reading?
The Percy Jackson series is great for boys and girls. My 8 year old daughter loves every book and even rereads them. And who could forget Harry Potter?! My daughter also can’t put this series down, though beware the latter books do get dark and scary for younger kids.
I loved the Betsy, Tacy, and Tib books as a girl.
I haven’t heard of those, I’ll have to check them out!
I loved the Katie John books by Mary Calhoun. I wish there had been more! I also loved the Henry Reed books by Keith Robertson. Both of these are older series, but I think they may still be popular today. My girls read some of the Goosebumps books when they were around 10 or 11. They also read the Sammy Keyes books by Wendelin Van Draanen.
I missed the Mandie books, but I adored the other ones you have listed. Oh! also wonderful are the Moffat books by Eleanor Estes. I was crazy about those. I know one of my daughters read a couple of these and enjoyed them. Then there are the Veronica Ganz books by Marilyn Sachs – and the Amy and Laura books, also by Marilyn Sachs.
Me, too!
Just thought about Beverly Cleary and her Mouse and tthe Motorcycle books! She also did the Beezus and Ramona series AND the Henry Huggins books. Loved all of them!
My 10yo daughter loved the Wolves of the Beyond by Kathryn Lansky. She also wrote the Guardians of Ga’Hoole series. She’s currently re-reading the Spirit Animals series. She’s read the first 3 and we just got the 4th so she’s going back through. She only reads one series at a time LOL!! Spirit Animals has different authors for each book.
We found the I Survived Series at Target and have ordered some through Scholastic.. My ten year old (who is dyslexic and really struggles with reading) loves them and will even read them multiple times. She also really enjoys Sarah Plain and Tall and the two other books in that series. I remember reading and loving the Indian in the Cupboard books as well. And of course the babysitter club books. Does anyone else remember those?
The magic tree house books are my sons favorite!!!!!!!!!!! My 11 year old girl likes them too!!