BlogStudyThe Essential Year 7 and 8 Reading List

The Essential Year 7 and 8 Reading List

We know how hard it can be to find the right book to read, so we’ve put together an essential Year 7 and 8 reading list for students in Australia!

Year 7 and 8 gives you plenty of free time to spend digging into a good book or movie, and with the added bonus of preparing you for English in senior years, what’s not to love? 

Take a peek at some of these texts and click on the links provided for a more in-depth summary! If you take a shine to some of them, be sure to check them out at your school or local library catalogue!

Our Year 7 and 8 reading list has been compiled based upon the recommendations of NESA, which you can find here. 

So, what are you waiting for? Dive in!

Fiction

TextAuthorAbout
A Monster CallsPatrick NessFamily love, loss and hope
A Tale of Two CitiesDavid MairowitzClassic novels, suspense and comedy
CoralineNeil GaimanClassic novels, suspense and comedy
Crocodile TearsAnthony HorowitzAdventure, action and explosions
Dragon Keeper TrilogyCarole WilkinsonDragons, magic and Chinese history
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s StoneJ.K. RowlingWizards, magic and spells
Hitler's DaughterJackie French
Historical fiction and intrigue
Liesl & PoLauren OliverStories about friendship, hope and magic
Samurai Kids: White CraneSandy FussellSamurais, action and Japanese history
Shakespeare’s ApprenticeVeronica BennettShakespeare and historical romance
SkelligDavid AlmondFamilial love, friendship and cranky angels
WonderR.J. PalacioStories full of heart, love and a dash of humour

Poetry

TextAuthorAbout
Animal PoemsValerie WorthAnimals and all their quirky characteristics
Do-Wrong RonSteven Herrick
Caroline Magerl (illustrator)
Heart-warming stories about friendship and growing up
Pearl Verses the WorldSally Murphy
Heather Potter (illustrator)
Free-verse poetry and stories about love, life and loss
Rhyme StewRoald DahlFairy tale characters but with an eccentric Dahl twist!
The HighwaymanAlfred NoyesAdventure, action and drama
The Red Room CompanyJohanna Featherstone (website director)Exploring a variety of poems online

Picture Books and Graphic Novels

TextAuthorAbout
Coraline: The Graphic NovelCraig RussellMystery and creepy tales
Into the ForestAnthony BrowneBlack and white illustrations and adventure
The Lost ThingShaun TanStories about belonging and finding yourself
The Whale's SongDyan SheldonMagical whales and beautiful paintings
Where the Forest Meets the SeaJeannie BakerRainforests and nature

Non-Fiction

TitleAuthorAbout
Boy: Tale of Childhood Roald DahlStories about growing up in England
Chinese CinderellaAdeline Yen MahComing-of-age memoirs and Chinese culture
PlaygroundNadia WheatleyLandscape photography and Indigenous history
The Diary of a Young Girl: Anne FrankOtto H FrankHistory and moving stories of courage and survival
TroveNational Library AustraliaCollections of books, articles and more!

Film

TextAuthorAbout
A Midsummer’s Night Dream (PG-13)Michael HoffmanShakespeare and magic
Babe (G)Chris NoonanAdorable farm animals and their shenanigans
E. T. the Extra-Terrestrial (G)Steven SpielbergFriendly aliens and childhood adventure
Ever After (PG)Andy TennantFairy tales and cinderella
Hugo (PG) Martin ScorseseTales of mystery and sprinkles of steampunk
March of the Penguins (G)Luc JacquetPenguins and heartwarming stories
Shrek (PG)Andrew Adamson
Vicky Jenson
Adventure, comedy and ogres
The Princess Bride (PG)Rob ReinerFairy tales and tales of true love

We hope this Year 7 and 8 reading list for students in Australia helps you out in getting started on your reading journey! Enjoy!

Looking for some extra help with English?

We pride ourselves on our inspirational English coaches and mentors!

We offer tutoring and mentoring for Years K-12 in a variety of subjects, with personalised lessons conducted one-on-one in your home or at our state of the art campus in Hornsby!

To find out more and get started with an inspirational tutor and mentor get in touch today! 

Give us a ring on 1300 267 888, email us at [email protected] or check us out on Facebook!


Millicent Tai hopes to one day become a full-time teacher and is currently studying a Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Science at UNSW. She enjoys tutoring students at Art of Smart in English and Maths and has loved reading and writing for as long as she can remember. In her spare time, you can find her avidly reading Christian biographies or fishing in Animal Crossing.

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