Nonfiction Books for 8th Graders

Alexander von Humboldt was a renowned scientist and explorer who lived between 1769 and 1859. This beautifully illustrated book gives an account of von Humboldt’s five-year expedition to South America, an adventure that reinforced his revolutionary idea that nature is intricate and interdependent and not solely intended for human benefit. Through his diaries, atlases, and other writings, the author provides readers with an intimate glimpse into the life of the man who predicted climate change and influenced iconic leaders such as Thomas Jefferson and Charles Darwin.

A Quantum Life tells the story of James Edward Plummer, a NASA astrophysicist who rose above extreme poverty and an adolescent mired in drugs to earn his Ph.D. in physics from Stanford University. 8th graders will definitely feel inspired after finishing this powerful account of determination and resiliency written by one of the field’s brightest minds.

The entire Science Comics series is gorgeously illustrated and appeals to a wide age range. 8th graders interested in architecture, engineering, or building but who want to read about their interests in a narrative format will love these books. In this edition, a group of friends travel across the globe, exploring every kind of bridge–from ancient rope bridges to modern steel structures. Along the way, they use engineering principles to identify and defeat dangerous forces threatening to destroy the bridges.

When she was only 22 years old, Liz Montague became one of the first Black female artists to publish her work in The New Yorker magazine. Maybe An Artist is Montague’s account of her youth– growing up Black in a predominately white neighborhood, creating art to help navigate her severe dyslexia, and building the confidence to stand up for herself and the causes she believes in.

If your 8th grader likes reading or writing poetry and is ready for more mature content, Light Filters In: Poems is a great choice. Teens will be inspired by the author, a teenager herself, who began writing poetry and then posting it to her Instagram account. Most of the poems are very short and explore tough topics like mental health, assault, and discovering one’s own identity and destiny. While some of the poems are “fan favorites” from the author’s Instagram page, most of the collection is completely new.

Award-winning authors James Patterson and Kwame Alexander detail the childhood of Muhammed Ali in this biography that combines prose, verse, and illustrations for a wholly original look at “The Greatest”. Young readers might not know that before he was Muhammed Ali, he was Cassius Clay, a kid from Kentucky who began training as a boxer at age 12–shortly after a thief stole his bike! An inspiring biography made even more engaging by the alternating poetry and narrative prose.

Teens might know Trevor Noah as the former host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central, but they likely don’t know much about his childhood. In this bestselling young readers’ adaptation of his adult memoir, Noah unflinchingly shares his personal story and the injustices he faced while growing up mixed race– half black and half white–- in South Africa both during and after apartheid.

Harper Lee, author of the classic masterpiece To Kill a Mockingbird, lived a very private and mysterious life in her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama. She refused to give interviews or publicly discuss her work. I Am Scout pieces together hundreds of interviews with Lee’s neighbors, friends, and schoolmates, in addition to archival information, to create a portrait of this unique individual. Aspiring young writers will appreciate how Lee used her own early life as a “tomboy” and a “rebel” as inspiration for the beloved character Scout Finch. The book also gives readers a glimpse into Lee’s college experience and her life in New York City as a struggling writer.

Teens in 8th grade are at an ideal age to begin learning about economics, and this book is a great resource. Big Money introduces readers to economic models by exploring “real world” spending, saving, and selling scenarios. Far from simply presenting dry economic facts, the book draws readers in with engaging language. For example: “Eight ton limestone discs. Digital code. Wooden rectangles with pictures of pooping donkeys. What do all these things have in common?” (Answer: they have all been used as currency!)

Books in the Big Fat Notebook series are study guides that cover a variety of middle- and high school subjects– English, Science, History, and more. Many 8th graders are taking Pre-Algebra or Algebra 1, and this book uses diagrams, mnemonic devices, key words, and quizzes to present important mathematical concepts. My son has several of these books and references them often–he says they help him understand concepts presented in class and give him a heads up on future topics.

Growing up is always hard. But what if your 8th grader is really struggling with their mental health? This guide is a comforting resource and a perfect first step to understanding anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. In addition to straightforward information, the guide includes tips on talking to loved ones about your challenges and how to connect with a mental health professional. Funny cartoons and illustrations throughout the book help reassure teens that they can get through difficult times.

Unbreakable tells the story of the massive codebreaking effort that turned the tide of World War II. As the Nazis waged war throughout Europe, they communicated all of their plans, movements, and attacks over radio using a complex secret code that rendered their message undecipherable to the Allied forces listening in. It was up to the British, Polish, and French spies, mathematicians, and navy men to break the code under extreme, and often life-threatening, pressure.

America Redux uses visual storytelling to present an unflinching look at American identity and the lesser-known, often darker sides of history. A combination of collage, prose, photographs, and maps form 21 visual stories that challenge the myths that have been ingrained in American society for centuries. This is a stunning book; one that will engage every 8th grader, especially those interested in art and historical perspectives.

Impossible Escape is the story of Rudi Vrba, who spent nearly two years at Auschwitz during World War II as a teenager. When Vrba learned of the methodical mass killing of Jewish prisoners, he and a friend managed to escape and become the most famous whistleblowers of all time–informing the world of Nazi atrocities and saving an estimated 100,000 lives. Award-winning author Steve Sheinken combines impeccable research with first-hand perspectives to create a gripping nonfiction narrative that’s impossible to put down.

Author Gene Luen Yang doesn’t particularly like sports, but at the high school where he teaches–sports are a BIG deal. Especially basketball, where the boys’ varsity team is getting closer and closer to the California State Championships. What Gene loves is stories, and he realizes that the stories behind the athletes on the basketball team are just as engaging as anything he could read in a comic book. This memoir is packed with history, stats, thrilling stories, and the hunt for glory, making it a perfect choice for 8th graders who love sports or graphic novels.

Sophia is living with her family in Central America when she reads a letter and learns that her parents are working for the CIA. As Sophia tries to make sense of this news, and the web of lies surrounding her, she begins to question everything. The impact that this discovery has on Sophia’s identity and understanding of the world makes for a page-turning exploration of lies and double lives.

In his graphic novel Hidden Systems, author Dan Nott explores water, electricity, and the internet–three fundamental systems that are often overlooked–to discover what’s hidden beneath the surface. Drawings and straightforward explanations explain how these hidden systems work and highlight their histories, inequities, and future potential. When readers are learning about a complex topic, visuals help increase comprehension, so the graphic novel format works exceptionally well here.

Young people are showing a growing concern about the environment, and this book introduces them to an unlikely hero in the fight against climate change: seaweed! The author uses simple language and short sentences to make seaweed sound fascinating and mysterious. Readers will learn how important seaweed is in supporting marine ecosystems and its significant role in climate change solutions. Vibrant photographs, timelines, and tips on foraging, saving, and eating seaweed give readers a comprehensive look at innovative “seaweed science”. Clocking in at just 96 pages, this book is perfect for curious 8th graders who want a short book.

This entertaining account of how humans evolved will engage every reader. Author Pamela Turner breaks down human evolution into seven key steps and presents them in a way middle school students will understand and enjoy. For example, she begins with this: “If evolution had a motto, it would be “Yeah, good enough.” She then goes on to detail the seven key evolutionary moments, such as walking upright, developing larger and more complex brains, learning to make and use tools, and the emergence of spoken language. Sketches, paintings, and photographs will engage visual learners, and at less than 200 pages, How to Build A Human is perfect for students who want a shorter nonfiction title.

Extra Life explores how humans have doubled their lifespan, now living longer than we ever have in more than three hundred thousand years. Readers will be fascinated to discover that most of the advances–seatbelts, vaccines, pasteurization, public health data, and more–have happened in recent history. This book dives deeply into the sciences behind these advancements but is still short enough at 128 pages not to overwhelm young readers.