{"id":10250,"date":"2023-10-12T05:00:02","date_gmt":"2023-10-12T09:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/?p=10250"},"modified":"2025-01-21T20:06:06","modified_gmt":"2025-01-22T01:06:06","slug":"classics-8-to-12-year-olds-say-are-worth-reading-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/classics-8-to-12-year-olds-say-are-worth-reading-today\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Classics That 8- to 12-Year-Olds Say Are Worth Reading Today"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you have read any of my other articles on Brightly<\/a>, you will know that I\u2019m 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 \u201cclassics\u201d or other highbrow literature that that we might want our kids to read.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>, an online community I created for young readers to share book reviews and recommendations with peers, are still raving about today.<\/p>\n

no no 9780143106456 The Secret Garden<\/i> by Frances Hodgson Burnett, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki <\/p>\n

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, \u201cNever underestimate classics, this book is brilliant!\u201d<\/p>\n

9780141345246 Aesop’s Fables<\/i> by Aesop <\/p>\n

Samuel, 12, sums it up perfectly, \u201cThis book is a collection of stories collected by Aesop which teach morals and lessons through fun and awesome tales.\u201d Young readers love these humorous and irreverent stories that often center around animals. These make great read alouds for both families and classrooms.<\/p>\n

9781101993880 Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry<\/i> by Mildred D. Taylor <\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

9780440414803 Holes<\/i> by Louis Sachar <\/p>\n

Stanley Yelnats is unfairly sent to Camp Green Lake, a workcamp for delinquent boys, where the residents must spend all day digging holes to \u2018build character.\u2019 But Stanley and the others start to realize there\u2019s more to their hole digging than they are being told. This modern classic is perfect for both reluctant and voracious readers. Audrey, 13, shares, \u201cI recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a laugh and a bit of a mystery and action at the same time.\u201d <\/p>\n

9780147508652 Peter Pan<\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/313911\/peter-pan-by-j-m-barrie\/ by J.M. Barrie <\/p>\n

You know the story \u2014 a mischievous boy who never wants to grow up has adventures with pirates, fairies, lost boys, and the Darling family. \u201cThis is my kind of style of book!\u201d says Logan, 11, because \u201cit has action, adventure, and fights … I recommend this book to everyone!\u201d<\/p>\n

9780451530295 The Wonderful Wizard of Oz<\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/299225\/the-wonderful-wizard-of-oz-by-l-frank-baum\/ by L. Frank Baum <\/p>\n

Another classic that many kids (and adults) know only as a movie. The book provides an even more complex look at Dorothy\u2019s journey to find home and the friends she meets along the way. \u201cI love this movie but maybe the book even MORE!!!\u201d raves Lucy, 11.<\/p>\n

9780141325309 The Swiss Family Robinson<\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/344097\/the-swiss-family-robinson-by-johann-d-wyss\/9780141325309 by Johann D. Wyss <\/p>\n

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: \u201cAmazing. I could read it all day, every day.\u201d<\/p>\n

9781101990322 Treasure Island<\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/537468\/treasure-island-by-robert-louis-stevenson-with-an-introduction-by-patrick-scott-and-an-afterword-by-sara-levine\/ by Robert Louis Stevenson <\/p>\n

Jack, 12, sums up this classic adventure perfectly. \u201cThis is my favorite pirate book of all times. Even though it is a long book, it is full of action, mutiny, adventure, and loot.\u201d This fast-paced story also reveals deep lessons about the human spirit through legendary characters like Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver.<\/p>\n

9780425290088 Danny the Champion of the World<\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/319175\/danny-the-champion-of-the-world-by-roald-dahl-illustrated-by-jill-bennett\/ by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake <\/p>\n

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, \u201cI like this book because it is about an awesome friendship and love between a father and son.\u201d<\/p>\n

9780440412670 Where the Red Fern Grows<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/139387\/where-the-red-fern-grows-by-wilson-rawls\/9780440412670 by Wilson Rawls <\/p>\n

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: \u201cAmazing story. It’s written so powerfully that it can make you laugh out loud and then make you cry for hours.\u201d<\/p>\n

9780142403303 The Twenty-One Balloons<\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/322899\/the-twenty-one-balloons-by-william-pene-du-bois\/paperback by William P\u00e8ne du Bois <\/p>\n

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, \u201cI loved this book! It was definitely an adventure and I couldn’t put the book down.\u201d<\/p>\n

9780142407332 The Outsiders<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/301182\/the-outsiders-by-se-hinton\/9780142407332 by S. E. Hinton <\/p>\n

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, \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

9780147514028 Heidi<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/316852\/heidi-by-johanna-spyri\/9780147514028 by Johanna Spyri <\/p>\n

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, \u201cI usually don’t like old classics but I adored Heidi,\u201d praising how Heidi’s \u201cbright nature helped warm her grandfather’s heart\u201d and \u201cchange a crippled girl’s life.\u201d<\/p>\n

9780141329383 The Adventures of Robin Hood<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/259858\/the-adventures-of-robin-hood-by-roger-lancelyn-green\/9780141329383 by Roger Lancelyn Green <\/p>\n

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 \u201cfull of adventure and creativity. It is hard to stop reading it.\u201d This is a thick book with lots of fighting and action scenes, so it\u2019s not for the faint of heart. Elena, 11, recommends it \u201cif you like old language, adventure, and a vocabulary challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n

9780593117811 Pippi Longstocking<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/297697\/pippi-longstocking-by-astrid-lindgren\/9780142402498 by Astrid Lindgren <\/p>\n

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, \u201c[It is] very funny and weird. If you like comedy, you will love this!\u201d Unlike many other classics, this is part of a series<\/a> so readers can continue to enjoy Pippi\u2019s hilarious exploits through multiple books.<\/p>\n

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2023.<\/small><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We went straight to the kids to find out what classic books have stood the test of time and continue to be beloved by tween readers today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":100515,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[142,318,365,954,1167],"coauthors":[206],"class_list":["post-10250","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-classic-lit","tag-kid-approved","tag-middle-grade","tag-educators","tag-beloved-characters-and-classics","ages_stages-tween"],"yoast_head":"\n15 Classics That 8- to 12-Year-Olds Say Are Worth Reading Today | Brightly<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We went straight to the kids to find out what classic books have stood the test of time and continue to be beloved by tween readers today.\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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