Hi Trillium,
Just wondering, is your DD a child who enjoys re-reading books she has enjoyed? My DD is a voracious reader, but is also a big re-reader--and enjoys listening to books she has already read. The books you've listed are all fantastic, multi-layered books, and it is likely that she will find new meanings in them hearing them again. Last year two of the books I read aloud were already favorites of my strongest fifth grade reader--and he was always the first one to the carpet, listening with rapt anticipation of favorite parts he knew were just around the corner.
If these were the books being used for instructional reading (or if it was a read along while the teacher reads situation--about which I have nothing positive to say), then re-reading books would be a definite concern. It's important that a child not be in a group in which they have read the book and others haven't, because then they are silenced in the discussion/learning so as not to "give anything away".
That said....here are a few ideas on the themes that you mentioned:
Friendship/predictions:
The Wanderer by Sharon Creech
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White (which would get at lifecycles too)
Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
Diamond Willow by Helen Frost (this is one of the most beautiful books I've ever read. However, it might be a bit much for a sensitive eight year old. My just-turned-10 DD was anxious with worry about the outcome as she read it. It has a poetic structure for much of the book, which might not appeal to a younger child)
Maybe if you are looking at independent project option, instead of replacing the book, she could read/re-read the Velveteen Rabbit and look at it in relationship to Edward Tulane--it would be an interesting compare/contrast.
Figurative Language/Problem Solving:
The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster
(Again though, unless your DD read Tale of Despereaux looking for figurative language the first time, the re-read would be valuable. Since she already knows the story, she would be better able to listen for a purpose beyond wondering about the plot)
Electricity/Cause and Effect/Sequencing:
Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins (although beware--the first book is pretty unconcerning, but there is a whole series and books 3,4 and 5 get increasingly intense in the depth of evil involved. For a sensitive child, read ahead--esp. book 4)
Hope that helps...if I think of anything else later, I'll add another post
