Looking for the perfect book for a 10-year-old can be overwhelming, but fear not! With years of experience raising children, this list has got you covered. From fantasy to non-fiction, mystery to sports, there is something for every reading preference. With links to even more recommendations, this list is a great starting point for anyone looking to expand their child’s home library.
Best Fantasy Books for a 10-Year-Old
Looking for the best fantasy books for 10-year-olds? Look no further! Here are some of the top picks that are sure to captivate young readers:
Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger is a popular middle grade fantasy series that follows the story of Sophie Foster, a newly found elf living in the human world.
In book one, Sophie is taken back to the Lost Cities and sent to Foxfire Academy to learn to harness her powers as a telepath. Along the way, she makes new friends and uncovers a secret organization trying to destroy the human world. This series is perfect for fans of magical creatures, secret societies, and magic.
Winterhouse by Ben Guterson
Winterhouse by Ben Guterson is a middle grade mystery novel that is perfect for cozy winter reading. The story takes place in an expansive ski hotel on a snowy mountain at Christmas time and follows the adventures of a young girl named Elizabeth. With slight bits of magic in the story, this captivating book is perfect for 10-year-olds who love a good mystery.
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwambe Mbalia
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwambe Mbalia is the first book in an epic middle-school fantasy trilogy that is based on African American folk heroes and West African mythology.
The story follows Tristan, a young boy who is grieving the loss of his best friend when he accidentally punches a tree and opens a gateway to another world. Soon, he finds himself in the middle of a battle and must find a way to get back home. This series is perfect for 10-year-olds who love books like Percy Jackson.
Mystery Books for 10-Year-Olds
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
The Mysterious Benedict Society is an exciting mystery book for tweens that adults will also enjoy. In this series, a group of gifted children is sent to spy on an evil organization. The book is funny, interesting, and clever, making it an excellent choice for young readers who love a good mystery.
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library is a middle-grade mystery book that is perfect for bedtime stories for kids. The story follows a group of lucky kids who get to spend the night in the library, which is full of holograms, logic puzzles, and hidden games.
The goal is to win Mr. Lemoncello’s game and be the first team to escape. This book is also a great read-aloud book for parents and children to enjoy together.
Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
Book Scavenger is the first book in a series that follows Emily and James as they search for the latest game by Garrison Griswold. Griswold has recently entered a coma, and Emily and James must uncover who attacked him before they get attacked next. This exciting mystery book for 10-year-olds is filled with fun and adventure.
Best Family Books for a 10-Year-Old
The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
The Penderwick family, consisting of a father, four daughters, and their dog, rent a cottage for their three-week summer vacation. The cottage is owned by Mrs. Tifton and her son Jeffry, who are both grumpy and snooty. The Penderwick family is far from perfect, but their summer vacation turns out to be an unforgettable adventure.
The first book in a series of five, The Penderwicks is a wonderful read for 10-year-olds. It is perfect to read aloud at night or listen to on audio for a family road trip. The book is full of humor, heart, and family values that will keep the whole family entertained.
Greetings from Witness Protection! by Jake Burt
Greetings from Witness Protection! is a fun story about an orphan girl tasked by the U.S. Marshals to keep a family alive. As she enters into witness protection with them, she puts her street smarts and pick-pocketing abilities to good use.
The book is a thrilling adventure that will keep 10-year-olds and adults entertained. The story is full of twists and turns, and the characters are lovable and relatable. This book is a great choice for a family read-aloud or a solo read for a young reader.
Historical Fiction Books for 10-Year-Olds
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
The Invention of Hugo Cabret is a middle-grade mystery that tells the story of Hugo Cabret, an orphan who winds the clocks in the Paris train station to keep his secrets safe. The book is adorned with beautiful illustrations on every other page, and the writing is only a paragraph at a time, making it an easy read for 10-year-olds. Despite its length, this book is a must-read for children who love mystery and adventure.
The Inquisitor’s Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz
The Inquisitor’s Tale is a book that combines historical characters and mythical tales of the 13th century with morals and lessons that are completely relevant today. The story follows three children and their dog on a quest in 13th century France.
Each of the children and the dog have a magical gift that makes this book an exciting and engaging read for 10-year-olds. This book is perfect for children who love historical fiction and adventure.
Winnie’s Great War by Lindsay Mattick and Josh Greenhunt
Winnie’s Great War is a book based on the real story of Winnie the Pooh, the world’s most famous bear. The book takes readers on a journey from Winnie’s beginnings in the forests of Canada to the London Zoo where he met the real Christopher Robin.
The book mixes one part imagination and one part history to create Winnie’s first big adventure. This book is appropriate for ages 8-12 and is perfect for children who love animal books and historical fiction.
Best Audiobooks for a 10-Year-Old
Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan
“Echo” by Pam Muñoz Ryan is a magical realism book that everyone should read. The full-cast audiobook plays music, making it a full sensory experience. The story is three tales woven together in one with a magical harmonica at the center.
The story follows a harmonica as it lands in the hands of Freidrich in Germany, Mike in Pennsylvania, and Ivy in California set during WWII. Part fairy tale and part historical fiction, this is one of the novels about music that is amazing for middle grade and adults alike.
Wishtree by Katherine Applegate
“Wishtree” by Katherine Applegate is a beautiful story of love, friendship, and kindness, all told from the perspective of the tree. The book is a great tween book about welcoming immigrants and making a new friend. The audiobook version is engaging and captivating, making it a great choice for a 10-year-old.
The Candymakers by Wendy Maas
“The Candymakers” by Wendy Maas is the first in a series of middle grade books for a 10-year-old. The story appears on our list of books about candy! It is a lovely take on life at a candy factory and feels almost like an updated version of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
Four kids are competing to win a candy-making contest to have their creation mass-produced. The audiobook version is a fun and entertaining listen for a 10-year-old.
Books for 10-Year-Olds Set at School
Ban This Book by Alan Gratz
Ban This Book is a middle-grade fiction novel that revolves around a girl whose favorite book gets banned from her school library. She takes a stand and starts her own locker library filled with more banned books from the school library. This book teaches children about the power of books and how they can unite people.
The Wayside School Collection by Louis Sachar
The Wayside School Collection is a hilarious collection of stories about the students and teachers of Wayside School. The wacky tales and backward ways of the students and teachers will have your child in a fit of giggles. This book is perfect for read-aloud sessions and is a must-read for students.
The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Raúf
The Boy at the Back of the Class is a heartwarming story of Ahmet, a Syrian refugee, who ends up in Mrs. Khan’s 4th-grade class. Initially, the students are wary of the strange new boy, but they soon learn that Ahmet has been separated from his family while trying to escape the war.
The kids band together to help Ahmet reunite with his family. This book teaches children about empathy and compassion.
Best Spy Books for a 10-Year-Old
Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett
Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett is an exciting mystery book that follows Petra and Calder as they try to solve the disappearance of a Vermeer painting. The book is interactive and includes hidden puzzles in the pictures that readers can solve. The book is the first in a four-part series and is perfect for 10-year-olds who love to solve mysteries.
Spy School by Stuart Gibbs
Spy School by Stuart Gibbs is a thrilling book about Ben Ripley, a child CIA agent who is trying to defeat the evil organization Spyder. The book is the first in a ten-part series, and in each book, Ben and his fellow agents tackle a new problem. The series takes place in various locations, making it perfect for kids who love to travel through books.
Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation by Stuart Gibbs
Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation by Stuart Gibbs follows Charlie Thorne, a child genius and the world’s best code breaker. In the book, Charlie is trying to find Albert Einstein’s hidden code before the Furies use it to destroy the world.
The book is the first in a series and features Charlie using her intelligence to outsmart everyone around her. We love that the protagonist is a female genius, making it perfect for young girls who love to read about strong female characters.
Feel Good Books for 10-Year-Olds
Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly
Song for a Whale is a heartwarming middle grade book for 10-year-olds that tells the story of a deaf girl named Iris who is struggling to connect with her community.
Iris finds a connection with Blue 52, a whale who can’t communicate with his own community. Iris sets out to help Blue 52 and in the process, she discovers her inner strength. This realistic fiction book is a coming-of-age story that is not only delightful for children but for adults too.
Front Desk by Kelly Yang
Front Desk is a realistic fiction book that tells the story of Mia and her family, who are immigrants from China. Mia faces several challenges in America, including racism and class divide in her school, and her family’s financial struggles.
The book follows Mia’s journey as she helps her family run the Calivista Motel. This recently banned book is one of the coming-of-age books for 11-year-olds that adults will love too.
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
The Wild Robot is an adventurous book that follows the story of Roz, a robot stranded on an island. With no knowledge of her past or purpose, Roz befriends the local animals and learns to survive on the island. However, her past eventually catches up with her, leading to a cliffhanger ending. This book is perfect for 10-year-olds who love adventure and animals.
In summary, these feel-good books for 10-year-olds are perfect for children who love coming-of-age stories, adventure, and animals. These books are also enjoyable for adults, making them perfect for family read-alouds.
Animal Books for 10-Year-Olds
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate is a heartwarming story based on the true story of Ivan, a gorilla who was trapped in a shopping mall. The book is appropriate for children aged 8-10 and can be found in books for 9-year-olds, zoo books, family audiobooks, and animal novels.
In the story, a young girl named Stella helps Ivan to start painting again and realizes how lonely he is. Bob, a stray dog, works to help Ivan and Ruby, a baby elephant, garner the attention they need to be sent to a better home. This book is one of the best animal fiction books for middle grade and adults. The book has a sad tone but the ending will make it worthwhile.
Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs
Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs is a funny and clever story that’s the first in the FunJungle series. The book is appropriate for children aged 9-12 and can be found in books for 10-year-olds, zoo books, best middle grade books, and best mystery books for tweens.
After a hippo dies at FunJungle Zoo, it’s up to Teddy and his friend Summer to prove that the Hippo was murdered. Investigating Hippo’s homicide is a dangerous affair, but the duo is determined to solve the case. This book is a great pick for children who love mystery books.
A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry
A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry is a middle-grade book appropriate for children aged 8-12. The book can be found in novels about animals for adults as well. The book tells the true story of a wolf named Swift who is trying to survive after being separated from his family.
Without the protection of his pack, Swift must learn how to thrive on his own. Swift’s journey takes him across 1,000 miles of forests, highways, and rivers with danger facing him at every turn. This book is a riveting story that will keep children and adults entertained.
Classic Books for a 10-Year-Old
The Egypt Game by Zilpha Neatly Snyder
The Egypt Game by Zilpha Neatly Snyder is a middle-grade fiction book that follows six children who play in the back lot of an antique store. The children dress up, perform rituals, and speak with Oracles. However, when a murder happens in the area, trouble comes to the lot. This tween mystery book has a happy ending and a sequel about gypsies.
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Ellen Raskin’s The Westing Game is a classic 70’s book that still remains a must-read for tweens today. The book follows the residents of Sunset Towers who are named in Mr. Westing’s will upon his death.
However, they need to solve the mystery of his death to win control of his company and vast fortune. The book is a great audiobook as well and is one of the best mystery books for 11-year-olds.
Harriet The Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
Harriet The Spy by Louise Fitzhugh is a classic children’s book that has been around for over 50 years. The book follows Harriet, an 11-year-old girl who is never without her notebook to write her observations in. When her notebook falls into the hands of her friends, they become angry with Harriet. The book teaches life lessons for every child and has been adapted repeatedly for the screen.
In conclusion, these classic books are perfect for 10-year-olds who love mystery and realistic fiction. The Egypt Game, The Westing Game, and Harriet The Spy all have unique storylines that will keep children engaged and entertained.
Sports Books for a 10-Year-Old
The Wizenard Series by Kobe Bryant and Wesley King
The Wizenard Series is a collection of five books written by Kobe Bryant and Wesley King. The series follows the story of The Badgers, the worst basketball team in the league, and their magical coach, Professor Wizenard. With his unconventional methods, the coach helps the players learn more than just how to play good ball. The series is a perfect book for inspiring children to work together as a team.
Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas
Swim Team is a book about a girl named Bree who moves to Florida with her dad for his new training program. Bree is nervous about joining the swim team, but she soon finds a friend in her neighbor Etta, who gives her swimming lessons. Bree ends up joining the swim team and hopes to win the big competition. This book is an award winner and is perfect for children who are interested in swimming.
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
The Crossover is a book about Josh Bell, a basketball-loving middle-schooler who also loves to rap. The book is the first in a series and has won both the Newberry and The Coretta-Scott King Award.
The story is a coming-of-age story about Josh, his twin, and his family. The book is perfect for children who are interested in basketball and music. The book is being adapted into a movie, starring LeBron James, and will be available on Disney+ soon.
Coming-of-Age Books for 10-Year-Olds
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Jess Aarons is a fifth-grader who has been practicing all summer to become the fastest runner in his grade. However, his plans are thwarted when Leslie Burke, a new student, outpaces him. Despite this, the two form a close bond and invent an imaginary land called Terabithia in the woods behind Leslie’s house.
The book takes a tragic turn when Leslie goes to Terabithia without Jess, and he must learn to deal with his grief with the help of his family and the strength Leslie gave him. This realistic fiction book, set in the 70s, is a timeless classic that has won numerous awards.
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty
This book follows the story of 12-year-old math prodigy, Lucy Callahan, who was struck by lightning and gained extraordinary math abilities. Lucy, who has been homeschooled her whole life, is challenged by her grandmother to attend school for one year.
In order to do so, she must make one friend, join one activity, and read one book that is not related to math. The book is a fun and engaging read that teaches important lessons about friendship and stepping out of one’s comfort zone.
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
This book tells the story of a 12-year-old boy named Sam who runs away to live in the wilderness. The book is the first in a trilogy and is beloved by many for its captivating story and vivid descriptions of survival in the wild.
Sam’s resourcefulness and ingenuity in creating a home in a tree and fashioning a suit of deerskin are sure to capture the imagination of any reader. This book is a great choice for young readers who love adventure and the great outdoors.
Graphic Novels for a 10-Year-Old
Chunky by Yehudi Mercado
Chunky by Yehudi Mercado is a heartwarming graphic novel about a boy named Hudi who is trying to find a sport he likes to play to help him lose weight. Hudi invents an imaginary friend named Chunky to help him stay motivated.
The story is not just about sports and weight loss, but also deals with serious topics such as illness and unemployment. With its relatable characters and humorous moments, Chunky is a great choice for a 10-year-old reluctant reader.
Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson is a Newbery Medal-winning graphic novel about Astrid, who wants to go to roller derby camp. This book is a great choice for 11-year-olds looking for a story about friendship, perseverance, and girl power. Roller Girl is a heartwarming and inspiring graphic novel that is sure to delight readers of all ages.
Kristy’s Great Idea by Ann M. Martin
Kristy’s Great Idea by Ann M. Martin is the first graphic novel adaptation of the Baby-Sitters Club series. It tells the story of the formation of the Baby-Sitters Club and how the friends of the sitters came together.
The story is a realistic fiction series that is perfect for middle schoolers. If your child enjoys the graphic novel adaptation, they can also check out the Netflix series adaptation of the same story.
Non-fiction Books for a 10-Year-Old
From An Idea To Disney: How Imagination Built a World of Magic by Lowey Bundy Sichol
From An Idea To Disney: How Imagination Built a World of Magic is an entertaining non-fiction book that narrates the story of how Walt Disney’s imagination led to the creation of Disneyland and the Disney company. This book is the first in a series that includes other companies like Nike, Google, and Lego. The series is perfect for 10-year-olds who want to explore the non-fiction genre.
Kid Athletes: True Tales of Childhood from Sports Legends by David Stabler
Kid Athletes: True Tales of Childhood from Sports Legends is a book that tells the stories of famous athletes in short chapters accompanied by illustrations. The book includes a mix of athletes from various sports, including legends like Babe Ruth and Muhammad Ali, as well as up-and-coming legends like Gabby Douglas. This book is perfect for kids who love sports and may not have the time or patience for longer books.
All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat
All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team is a multi-award-winning book that tells the true story of the 2018 Thai cave rescue of twelve boys and their soccer coach. The boys and their coach were trapped inside the cave due to floodwaters.
This book, complete with pictures, is told in a style that makes the reader feel like they were a part of the rescue mission. The book won the 2021 Newbery Honor Winner, the 2021 Kirkus Prize for Young People’s literature, and many other awards.
Summary
Choosing the right books for a 10-year-old can be challenging. However, it is crucial to select books that will keep them engaged and interested in reading. Books that are age-appropriate, have relatable characters, and a good storyline are ideal.
Some of the best books for a 10-year-old include “Harry Potter,” “The Chronicles of Narnia,” “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” and “The Hunger Games.” These books are not only entertaining but also promote critical thinking, creativity, and imagination in children.