I am a fifth grader, and I read this book whenever I could: in between classes, during recess ( that is saying something), after I ate my lunch, when I was waiting for my grandma to pick me up from carpool, and during weekends, when I could be watching TV. I might've been having lots of fun during the time I read this, but I decided I'd rather read Inkheart. I got an 100 on the AR test; I'd recommend the book for 8. There is violence and swearing, but I think any mature eight year old could take it.