8th Grade Book List
Revolutions, industrialization, and the Civil War—eighth grade confronts the forces that shaped the modern world. Plus human anatomy and career exploration.
📚 Core Texts for the Year
- Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
American Revolution classic
- Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
Civil War novel
- Lyddie by Katherine Paterson
Industrial Revolution
- The Way We Work by David Macaulay
Human anatomy
- Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman
Newbery winner
📜 Primary Source Documents
Eighth graders analyze original historical documents:
- Declaration of Independence (1776)
Founding document
- Constitution of the United States (1787)
Framework of government
- Gettysburg Address (Abraham Lincoln)
1863 speech
- Emancipation Proclamation (Abraham Lincoln)
1863 executive order
- Narrative of Frederick Douglass (Frederick Douglass)
Autobiography excerpts
Unit 1: Lammas – American Revolution
- Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
Classic Revolutionary War novel
- My Brother Sam Is Dead by James Lincoln Collier
Family divided by war
- 1776 by David McCullough (adapted)
The pivotal year
- The Declaration of Independence by Primary source
Founding document
Unit 2: Mabon – French Revolution & Napoleon
- A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (adapted)
Classic French Revolution novel
- The French Revolution by Various
Causes and consequences
- Napoleon by Various
Rise and fall
- Primary source documents by Various
Declaration of Rights of Man
Unit 3: Samhain – Industrial Revolution
- Lyddie by Katherine Paterson
Mill girl's story
- The Industrial Revolution by Various
Transforming society
- Child labor documents by Primary sources
Historical perspectives
- Inventions and inventors by Various
Technology changes everything
Unit 4: Yule – Civil War & Reconstruction
- Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
Civil War classic
- Bull Run by Paul Fleischman
Multiple perspectives
- Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman
Award-winning biography
- Narrative of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass (excerpts)
Primary source
Unit 5: Imbolc – Human Anatomy I
- The Way We Work by David Macaulay
Illustrated body systems
- Human Body Theater by Maris Wicks
Graphic novel anatomy
- Gray's Anatomy for Students (simplified) by Various
Reference text
- Body systems guides by Various
Skeletal, muscular, circulatory
Unit 6: Ostara – Human Anatomy II
- The Brain by Various
Nervous system
- Nutrition and wellness by Various
Health education
- Mental health resources by Various
Emotional wellness
- First aid basics by Various
Practical health skills
Unit 7: Beltane – Career Exploration
- What Color Is Your Parachute? for Teens by Carol Christen
Career planning
- The Teenager's Guide to the Real World by Marshall Brain
Life skills
- High school preparation guides by Various
Transition planning
- Interview and resume resources by Various
Practical skills
Unit 8: Litha – Summer Projects
- Historical fiction choices by Various
Student-selected reading
- Biography projects by Various
Research and present
- Portfolio development by Various
Best work collection
- High school prep reading by Various
Summer preparation
📖 Tips for 8th Grade Reading
- • Historical fiction + nonfiction – Pair novels with primary sources for deeper understanding
- • Debate preparation – Use readings to build arguments on historical controversies
- • Research papers – Practice MLA citations and proper sourcing
- • Anatomy reading – Connect to health and wellness discussions
- • High school prep – Build reading stamina for longer, more complex texts