Eighth Grade Reading List

Core

1. The Bible · Anonymous · grades K–12Reading Scripture with attention to argument and doctrine.
2. The Founding Documents · Continental Congress and United States Constitutional Convention · grades 6–12The Declaration of Independence and Constitution, read in full.
3. Autobiography and Poor Richard's Almanack · Benjamin Franklin · grades 8–12Franklin's own story and his proverbs on industry and thrift.
4. Up from Slavery · Booker T. Washington · grades 7–12Booker T. Washington's account of education and perseverance.
5. Narrative of the Life and What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July? · Frederick Douglass · grades 8–12Frederick Douglass's narrative and his great Independence Day speech.
6. Across Five Aprils · Irene Hunt · grades 6–8A family in southern Illinois torn by the Civil War.
7. The Lord of the Rings · J. R. R. Tolkien · grades 6–12Tolkien's epic of courage, mercy and providence.
8. The Hound of the Baskervilles · Arthur Conan Doyle · grades 6–8Sherlock Holmes, a fine exercise in deductive reasoning.
9. Oliver Twist · Charles Dickens · grades 6–8Dickens's orphan story, a first full Dickens novel.
10. Elements, Book I · Euclid · grades 8–12Euclid's propositions and proofs, the classic training in reasoning.

Stretch

For strong readers or extra time.

• Through Gates of Splendor · Elisabeth Elliot · grades 8–12Elisabeth Elliot's account of five missionaries in Ecuador.
• The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. · Washington Irving · grades 6–8Washington Irving's sketches, including Rip Van Winkle and Sleepy Hollow.
• The Time Machine · H. G. Wells · grades 8–12Wells's short scientific romance, a good subject for discussion.
• The Man in the Iron Mask · Alexandre Dumas · grades 8–12Dumas's tale of loyalty and intrigue.