8 YEARS AND UP
A preview of some of the kids' books in German you can expect
At 8 years, your child will want more suspense, more complex stories, and fantasy. Though humor still goes strong as well. Non-fiction and graphic novels or comics-style diaries are also hugely popular in this age group.
Otilie, who is a little lonely, is excited when in the house across the street a family of 5 moves in. Though they seem a little odd, and why is there so much fog there now? A great book on friendship and not going for first impressions.
The mystery series Die drei Fragezeichen has been a hit in Germany for decades. Justus, Peter and Bob in California take on all kind of cases - and you can solve them with them while reading.
Checker Tobi is a very popular German TV series that explores and explains about any topic you can think of. It also is a non-fiction book series, so far on all things digital, feelings, climate and democracy and rights.
Cornelia Funke is one of the most successful German kids' books authors (and one of the best as well). In Gespensterjaeger Tom teams up with a professional ghost hunter...
The graphic novel series DOG MAN is just as popular in German as in English.
An interactive escape book, funny and a little spooky, about a little evil that wants to be really evil.
Alva has a special talent, she can hear animals talk. Unfortunately it distracts her at school (and nobody believes her really.) She ends in her uncle's school for kids with special talents... A fun German middle grad read with fantasy and adventures that celebrates diversity. 7 volumes have been published.
Lisa is going through a difficult phase: She has to live with her grand-mother, while her mother works in another city. And she is being bullied by a group of boys. But then she finds a glowing book in the library.. A comic bestseller on bullying, courage and empowerment from Sweden, translated into German. 9 volumes currently.
Nils, more on the shy side, teams up with lively Evi and Lina from Syria to form a detective team. Their first case: his grandmother and her weird behavior. Great middle grade novel on friendship, family and refugees from various time zones.
What would you do if you'd received a package by mail that says " Do not open?" You'd open it, just like Nemo. And suddenly there is snow in summer and a yeti as well... Magical suspenseful German mid grad book seriees (or Kinderroman) with 9 volumes.
In Wichtelstadt every kid gets a magical animal for their 10th birthday. Emmi wants a unicorn, but gets a pig that brings anarchy to her life instead... Charming fantasy book with wit and depth.
A gang of pigeons decide to fight evil... Cool, wacky, suspenseful and funny comic series for reluctant readers. 7 volumes so far.
Non-fiction told as a comic about wolves - eight stories answer all questions you might have.
Whenever a child in the school of magical animals needs a really good friend because they are going through difficult times, they get the gift of a magical animal only they can communicate with. Beautiful German kids' book series with a bit of suspense. 14 volumes and several spin offs available.
A non-fiction series - illustrated with amazing photographs - on about any topic you can imagine, i.e. this volume about shipwrecks.
Diary of a Whimpy Kid in German - the loved comic diary novel in episodes about Greg, the antihero. Perfect for the reluctant reader and anybody else.
A true German classic children's book about shy and anxious Mr. Taschenbier and the Sams, an loud and anarchical creature with red hear and blue dots that grant wishes..
Lotta would love a pet, but instead she has to take care of her younger annoying brothers... Comic diaries about Lotta's chaotic life. 20 volumes.
Max and his mom have just moved into a real castle - that to his dismay is also a senior home. While trying to make new friends, a burglary happens... Mystery novel about friendship, courage and overcoming prejudice.
For all lovers of horses, this series offers information on horses, riding, but also lovely stories on friendship and social-emotional learning.
Adele is truly terrible - she has a rebellious temperament and is disarmingly outspoken (you could also say she is mean...) This French comic book series is maybe not what you as a parent have in mind, but girls 8 years and up love her. Maybe because she is in control of things?
Lily lives in Hamburg with her parents and 2 brothers, unfortunately her working parents have little time - so she makes friends with a tiny little Lady in the backyard, who can change colors.
Henry is into soccer, but instead of being sent to the soccer school, he has to trains dragons on an island together with some other kids. His dragon unfortunately is particularly uncooperative... Suspenseful series about friendship, courage and trust. 7 volumes.
The Olchis who defy even minimal levels of order and cleanliness are off to a bigger adventure: grandmother has an exhibition of her garbage installations in NY. And they somehow end up in space... Fun book which might have your kid questions what happens with our garbage.
A mysterious treehouse whisks two siblings to the past, with a new adventure and different time in each volume.
Crazy stories from a school in Finland - hilariously funny. A winning lottery ticket disapears - who stole it?