8th Grade Independent Reading Book List
A Morbid Taste for Bones (Brother Cadfael Series), Peters: A medieval mystery surrounding the
events of moving of a saint’s grave that leads to murder.
A Night to Remember, Lord: This is the terrifying historical fiction account of the
sinking of the Titanic on its maiden voyage.
A River Runs Through It, McLean: A memoir that takes place in the western Rocky Mountains
during the early 20th century. In the small towns and surrounding trout streams and
mountains of western Montana, this story explores the complexities of fly fishing,
logging, fighting forest fires, playing cribbage, and being a husband, a son, and a father.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Smith: This turn-of-the-century novel is about a young girl
growing up in the slums of Brooklyn who struggles against all odds to survive and
thrive. Coming of Age
Anne of Green Gables (series), Montgomery: This is the story of orphaned Anne who starts a
new life at Green Gables, where every day is a new adventure.
Cat’s Cradle*, Vonnegut: This novel is filled with scientists and G-men and even ordinary folks caught
up in the game of searching for the world's most important and dangerous substance,
a new form of ice that freezes at room temperature.
Emma, Austen: The book that the movie Clueless is based on, this is the story of a rich, privileged girl
who takes a less fortunate girl under her wing to “improve” her life. Romantic Comedy
Girl With a Pearl Earring, Chevalier: This is the fictional story of a 16-year-old servant in a
famous Dutch painter’s house in the 1660s. She struggles with his jealous
wife and manipulative mother-in-law. Historical Fiction
Go Ask Alice*, Anonymous: The painful diary of a young girl when she accidentally falls
into the contemporary drug scene.
Gone with the Wind, Mitchell: One of the most famous books about the Civil War, this story is
about an unforgettable heroine in the days before, during, and after the war.
Historical Fiction
Great Train Robbery, Crichton: In 1855, Victoria is queen, and in London, the most
daring train robbery of the century – a masterpiece of crime – is about to take
place. Historical Fiction
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe, Adams: The hilarious journey of Arthur Dent and his friend
Ford Prefect, a space hitchhiker, who escape from earth seconds before it is demolished
and travel to a variety of galactic civilizations while gathering information for a
hitchhiker’s guidebook.
How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accent, Alvarez: This book is a series of tales about a
Dominican family living in the Bronx and having to adjust to American life.
In the Time of Butterflies, Alvarez: Inspired by a true story, this book is about a four sisters
who show courage to help liberate the Dominican Republic from a cruel dictator.
Into the Wild*, Krakauer: This journalist follows the true story of a young man from a well-to-do family who
left his civilized life behind to hike and survive in the Alaskan wilderness; four months later, hunters
found his dead body.
Jane Eyre, Brontë: This is the story of Jane Eyre, a courageous yet penniless governess, and the
brooding stranger she falls in love with.
Kidnapped, Stevenson: David Balfour, the young protagonist, sets out in the Scottish highlands to see
his uncle, but adventure, treasure, and danger await him.
Lost Horizon, Hilton: A group of travelers crash in the Tibetan mountains and stumble upon the
mythical Shangri-La where “life is lived in tranquil wonder, beyond the grasp of a
doomed world. And a great secret is kept hidden.”
My Antonia, Cather: Set in Nebraska in the late 19th century, this is the tale of the spirited daughter of a
Bohemian immigrant family planning to farm on the untamed land. It expresses the
hardscrabble Nebraska prairie and the rural immigrant experience.
Picture of Dorian Gray, Wilde: After having his portrait painted, young, handsome Dorian Gray
wishes that the picture change and age and he remain the same. This frivolous
wish comes true and the picture grows aged and corrupt in a closet while Dorian
continues to appear fresh and innocent, despite his growing sins.
Pride and Prejudice, Austen: Elizabeth Bennett, the heroine of this 18th century romance, has a
prejudice against wealthy, prideful Mr. Darcy. As their paths repeatedly cross, they
learn truths about each other and those around them.
Profiles in Courage, Kennedy: In 1954-55 freshman U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy, from
Massachusetts, wrote a book profiling eight of his historical Senatorial colleagues, such as
John Quincy Adams, Sam Houston, and Robert A. Taft. Instead of focusing on their storied
careers, he chose to illustrate their acts of integrity, when they stood alone against
tremendous political and social pressure for what they felt was right.
Ragtime*, Doctorow: This portrait of America in 1906 illustrates the racial, political, and
familial aspects of this time period in upstate New York.
Rebecca, DuMaurier: The suspenseful love story and mystery of the “second Mrs. de Winter,”
who is haunted by the life and legacy of the “first Mrs. de Winter” and the secrets
of Manderley, the isolated gray stone mansion where she lives.
Rifles for Watie, Keith: Sixteen-year old Jeff, a Union scout behind Condederate lines,
realizes he must either escape – or join – the enemy. Historical Fiction
Robinson Crusoe, Stevenson: The tale of an English sailor marooned on a desert island for nearly three
decades. Robinson Crusoe is an ordinary man struggling to survive in extraordinary
circumstances, and wrestles with fate and the nature of God. Adventure
Slaughterhouse Five*, Vonnegut: Part sci-fi and partially based on Vonnegut's experience as a
American prisoner of war in Dresden, Germany, during the firebombing of 1945 that
killed thousands of civilians, protagonist Billy travels in time and space stopping here and
there throughout his life.
Speak*, Anderson: Calling the police to a party is a tough choice, but what made Melinda call is
the devastating secret that keeps her locked in silence. Contemporary Fiction
The Bean Trees, Kingsolver: Taylor Greer leaves Kentucky and heads west to find a new life.
When a baby is abandoned in her car, she learns that responsibilities and independence are not
mutually exclusive in this story of family and community. Contemporary Fiction
The Bell Jar*, Plath: During a strange, eventful summer in New York, Esther Greenworkd works
as a junior editor on Mademoiselle, quarrels with her mother and boyfriend, and is gradually
aware of her descent into madness.
The Catcher In the Rye*, Salinger: Holden narrates the story of a couple of days in his
sixteen-year-old life, just after he's been expelled from prep school, giving observations about
what he encounters, from teachers to phonies (the two of course are not mutually exclusive).
Teenage Experience
The Contender*, Lipsyte: In Harlem, Albert Brooks, a high school dropout, finds his
place and identity through boxing. Contemporary Fiction
The Good Earth, Buck: This modern classic gives a view of the China that was before the
political upheavals of the 20th century. It follows the family of an honest farmer and
how they survive among the changing times.
The Grey King, Cooper: Will Stanton, a Welsh shepherd, must defy the evil powers of the
Grey King in this fantasy adventure with Arthurian connections.
The Hobbit, Tolkien: A fantasy adventure following the brave hobbit Bilbo Baggins on
his journey through Middle-Earth.
The House on Mango Street, Cisneros: Esperanza Cordero, a girl coming of age in the
Hispanic quarter of Chicago, uses poems and stories to express thoughts and emotions
about her oppressive environment.
The Joy Luck Club*, Tan: Chinese American daughters find conflict, love, and connection with
their mothers, who are haunted by their early lives in China.
The Once and Future King, White: This book contains “quartets” (four different stories) that are
a retelling of the Arthurian legend, from Arthur's birth to the end of his reign. The story is based
largely on Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte Darthur. Fantasy Adventure
The Red Badge of Courage, Crane: This adventure is the story of a young Union soldier during
the Civil War who must decide to stay and fight – and most likely die, or leave – but the
spend the rest of his life feeling like a coward.
The War of the Worlds, Wells: This well-known science fiction story starts out with aliens from
Mars somewhat peacefully invading London, England. But soon the Martians reveal their
true nature as death machines 100-feet tall rise up from the pit and begin laying waste to
the surrounding land.
Their Eyes Were Watching God*, Hurston: This well-known but controversial novel follows the fortunes
of Janie Crawford, a woman living in the black town of Eaton, Florida.
Treasure Island, Stevenson: The classic seafaring tale of Long John Silver and his
pirates’ search for wealth and treasure. Adventure
Watership Down, Adams: This story follows a warren of Berkshire rabbits fleeing the destruction of
their home by a land developer. As they search for a safe haven, skirting danger at every turn, we
become acquainted with the band and its compelling culture and mythos.