50 Best Books for 10-Year-Olds: 2024 Picks

This Newbery Medal winner and New York Times bestseller is loosely based on true events. It’s narrated by Ivan — a gorilla who has spent 27 years in a glass enclosure at a mall. He is used to humans and doesn’t miss home at all.

Everything changes when he meets Ruby, a baby elephant who was taken from her home. Her arrival forces him to rethink his life and nature.

Children aren’t often aware of what animals go through, but this moving story will give your 10-year-old a fresh perspective on animals and nature.

In this book, a lonely orphan named Nan has no choice but to do tedious, unrewarding work as a chimney sweep. After she gets stuck in a chimney fire, she wakes to find she’s unharmed and no longer alone. A golem has joined her.

Bonding as outcasts, Nan and the golem come to rely on each other. It’s a beautifully written tale of an unlikely friendship. Your child’s imagination will spark, and they’ll be able to explore the deep meaning of genuine friendship.

This awesome graphic novel is a Newbery Honor Winner and a New York Times bestseller. It’s a firm favorite in children’s literature.

It follows 12-year-old Astrid, who does everything with her best friend, Nicole. Their friendship takes a knock when Astrid signs up for derby camp, and Nicole goes for dancing instead. Astrid now has to balance her new passion, deteriorating friendship, and struggles with school.

This coming-of-age story is an excellent blend that speaks directly to kids. It touches on friendship, popularity, and following your heart.

I doubt Neil Gaiman needs any introduction. It just so happens that he has struck again.

Odd is a young Viking who loses his father in a raid. After Odd gets hurt, he escapes into the woods. There, he finds (and frees) a trapped bear, not realizing that he’s actually freeing a Norse God.

With new and powerful friends, he helps restore balance to this world and Asgard. This imaginative story will introduce your 10-year-old to some of the world’s favorite legends. It also covers themes like loss, survival, and kindness.

This fun mystery follows Teddy, a 12-year-old who believes Henry the Hippo has been murdered. The zoo says Henry died of natural causes, but Teddy isn’t buying it.

Teddy and his friend attempt to solve the mystery, but the more they dig into it, the more danger they find themselves in. Ten-year-olds will enjoy trying to solve this funny and exciting mystery before Teddy does.

Here’s a cute story that’s bound to put a smile on your 10-year-old’s face. It’s a simple adventure that’s easy to follow.

Gladys is an aspiring chef. Her disapproving parents (who love junk food) ban her from the kitchen and cut off her allowance. She seizes the opportunity to get them back when she’s mistaken for a food critic.

She’s invited to write reviews for the most popular newspaper in the world. The only way she can accomplish this would be to sneak into New York City undercover. Will she succeed?

Maggie wants nothing more than her own puppy. She thinks it would finally make her feel more at home in her busy family. But when she chooses a cute fur baby, she has a terrible allergic reaction! Can Maggie deal with her allergies while finding a perfect pet?

Kids will love this graphic novel that brings them through a heartwarming coming-of-age story about family, friends, and finding yourself.

James Patterson has written another winner that will captivate your child on an exciting new adventure.

It follows the Kidd siblings, who have grown up following their adventurer parents around the world. On one trip, their parents vanish while on the job. The kids are plunged into a hunt for the most valuable treasure yet: their parents.

The siblings work together to fight pirates and escape an evil rival. They must also follow clues to solve the mystery of their parent’s disappearance before it’s too late.

Ten-year-olds will broaden their worldview with this story of disability and convention.

Twelve-year-old Catherine can’t have a normal life because her family revolves around her autistic brother’s additional needs. She’s tried to teach him the rules of typical human behavior to no avail.

When she meets two new friends, she learns that she is the odd one out. Her idea of “normal” is challenged, and Catherine has no choice but to see her brother in another light.

Bod would be a normal boy if only he didn’t live in a graveyard. He is raised by ghosts and has a supernatural guardian. He has many adventures in the graveyard, but he can’t ever leave it.

If he does, he is in danger from a man named Jack, who killed Bod’s family and wants to finish the job. It’s a feast for your child’s imagination and will show them the meaning of courage and family.

After an admin mistake, troublemaker Donovan Curtis is enrolled in a special school for students with particular gifts and talents. Once there, he tries to trick everyone into thinking he’s a genius, but in time, everyone realizes that he’s not exactly academy material.

But Donovan manages to prove to his peers that he might be just the character the school needs. After an experiment on his sister, a dramatic school dance, and a robot victory, can Donovan find his place?

Be aware that this book stereotypes “gifted students”, which might put off some readers. But it might also be a great conversation starter with your child about stereotypes and why they can be damaging.

This one has been a staple in my personal collection since I was a child. It’s a Newbery Medal winner that will charm your 10-year-old’s soul. They’ll be thrilled by this sci-fi fantasy adventure.

Meg and Charles have to travel through time and space to find their father, who disappears midway through an important scientific discovery. With the help of three odd guardians, they set out to save their dad from a darkness that threatens to overtake the universe.

Sophie isn’t keen on moving to a farm; she feels out of place when she arrives. Her world is turned upside down when she discovers that the chickens have telekinetic powers. Sophie takes a liking to them, and when a local farmer tries to steal the chickens, Sophie has to protect them (and keep their powers hidden).

The story is told in letters, to-do lists, and other tidbits. It’s the perfect example of how not all heroes wear capes. Ten-year-olds will enjoy the ridiculous and fun concept, and are guaranteed to root for Sophie and her silly chickens.

Katherine Applegate has written another beautiful story. This one speaks of family and friendship. Ten-year-olds can learn a lot from this inspiring, warm, and relatable tale.

Jackson’s family falls into poverty again, and he’s not looking forward to the struggle. To cope, Jackson creates Crenshaw, a giant, exuberant (and imaginary) cat. Could Crenshaw help his family, even though no one else can see him?

This story of sibling rivalry is told through imagery from their lives, including texts, digital art, and photographs. Twelve-year-old twins, Claudia and Reese, are opposites, but one thing they share is their determination to win their ongoing prank war.

When their battle goes too far, the two must reconsider why they’re fighting. Contemplating what’s more important to them, they must decide if winning means more to them than each other.

It’s the first in a series, so there’s more if your 10-year-old loves it. They’ll laugh out loud reading this one.

Written by the beloved actor Jason Segel, this is an inspiring story of conquering fear. It’s not too scary, though. In fact, it’s as funny as it is spooky.

Our hero, Charlie, has a few problems to deal with. His father married a witch, and now he has to live in her spooky mansion. He doesn’t sleep well because he keeps having nightmares.

When his nightmares become real, he has to face his fears and stop them, lest he succumbs to them forever. This book has a powerful message about courage that 10-year-olds will appreciate.

This full-color graphic novel adaptation of the Baby-Sitter’s Club is a New York Times bestseller, adapted by Raina Telgemeier.

Follow four friends as they face the challenges of being babysitters, from grumpy toddlers to frightening neighbors to prank calls. They also have to manage their home and social lives, but they always have each other’s backs.

This is a sweet, colorful story of friendship that young girls especially will enjoy. It’s comforting and humorous and sure to make your child smile.

If your 10-year-old is a fan of fairy tales, they’re bound to love this modern retelling of a little-known story, “Snow White” and “Rose Red”.

Snow and Rose aren’t aware that they’re in a fairytale. After their parents disappear, they must venture into the enchanted woods to break a series of curses.

This book has striking artwork and relatable characters. The story of family, magic, and courage is sure to captivate children’s imaginations.

Delve into this exciting tale of a young girl and her dragon friend.

Grisha is a dragon who lives in a world where people have forgotten how to see him. But Maggie is a little girl who can. Magic chooses both of them to join forces and solve a dark mystery that troubles their town.

They’re inspired to figure out what happened to all the rest of the dragons. This rich story is funny, heartwarming, and exciting. Ten-year-olds will love the unlikely friendship, mystery, and imagination.

This 1990 Newberry Medal winner is a classic for a reason. It follows 10-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen during the second world war. When the Nazis relocate the Jews, Annemarie’s family takes in Ellen and keeps her hidden while going to extraordinary lengths to save her and other targeted Jews.

This inspiring story shows that ordinary people can make immense changes when they stand up for what they believe in. If you’d like to introduce your child to world history, especially regarding the war, then this is a fantastic one to try.

Dig into this coming-of-age story about a boy who is sent away to a detention center. His daily task there is to spend all day digging holes exactly five feet wide and five feet deep. Why? The warden is looking for something.

Stanley Yelnats is desperate to discover what the warden is searching for beneath the dried-up lake. Can he figure out the truth without getting into more trouble? This is a fantastic read for kids on the hunt for books about friendship, family, and love.

I wish I had read this as a child! But even discovering it as an adult was pretty magical. Your child will fall in love with the incredible relationship between four unique sisters: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy.

Between the four of them, there are arguments, attic adventures, illness, tears, and of course, much laughter. It’s the perfect book to cozy up with and learn incredible moral lessons from their amazing mother, too.

At this age, your child might start appreciating gorgeous and lyrical prose. In this book, you’ll find excellent writing as well as an emotional story that absolutely broke me as a 10-year-old!

It follows two friends, Jess and Leslie, who make up an imagined place called Terabithia. But when Leslie travels there alone, a terrible tragedy happens. This is a sad one but a total classic.

The Tuck family is immortal after drinking from the fountain of youth centuries ago. Now, Winnie has discovered their secret, and they must convince her not to drink from it.

This classic story opens up a myriad of talking points, including: If you could drink from the fountain of youth, would you? What consequences would it have?

I found this incredibly interesting as a 10-year-old, and I still do to this day! Plus, the movie is amazing.

Pippi is famous, still to this day, for her hilarious and superhero-like adventures. Eccentric and mighty, Pippi lives a free life. With no parents to tell her what to do and a pet monkey by her side, she goes on one wild adventure after another. Perfect for children who are in the mood for a humorous fantasy story about a free-spirited young girl.

As part of the I Survived series, I enjoy that you can read these books in any order. Number six in the series follows Lucas and his first-hand experience with the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

On the day of the attacks, he was at his uncle’s firehouse and had to witness the world change in a way never before. These books are gripping, thrilling, and a fantastic way to introduce your child to historical events.

Shel Silverstein is a beloved children’s poet, and this book is a great addition to any bookshelf. What I love most about his poetry is that he makes it humorous and engaging, even for kids who aren’t a fan of poetry.

Inside this collection, you’ll meet bizarre but memorable characters. I’m talking Long-Leg Lou and Short-Leg Sue, a man with too many tattoos and a monkey with a stomach ache.

Now that I’ve recommended one poetry collection, I thought I’d share a few more. Once you get the poetry bug, it’s hard to shake it! And I think that’s a good thing.

This funny poetry collection is full of hilarious and witty poems with fantastic illustrations. You’ll find poems about rhyming, a Toby-filled island, and the difference between grown-ups and children.

I love this clever poetry collection that’s full of incredible wordplay. I believe it is an excellent tool for cultivating your child’s language skills even more.

Written partially in prose and partially in poetry, this novel follows Calliope June, who has Tourette syndrome. When she has to move to a new school, she tries to hide her disability, but soon enough, her classmates see her differences.

When she meets her neighbor, who sees her for who she really is, will he be brave enough to make their friendship known? This novel is perfect for kids who appreciate stories about being true to themselves.

I can’t emphasize the importance of humorous poetry enough. Children need to laugh, and this collection will surely make them giggle. These easy-to-read poems are accompanied by illustrations that help the reader understand what’s happening. But once they get into the book, they’ll be sharing these delightful poems with you — and you’ll be chuckling away, too!

Hopping off the poetry train for a minute, I want to recommend this hilarious novel about an unusual school. Accidentally built vertically instead of horizontally, this school is 30 stories high with one classroom per floor.

The novel focuses mainly on the hilarious ongoings from the 30th floor, where John, Bebe, Myron, and Sammy attend. Each chapter is dedicated to the pupils or teacher on this floor, sharing some cute and funny things that happen in their lives.

As if Amanda wasn’t dreading her 11th birthday enough, now she has to relive it again and again and again. And again.

Can Amanda break from this time loop in this Groundhog Day-style novel and figure out why her birthday is repeating itself? This is a funny and meaningful novel about time and friendship. If your child is into fantasy or magical realism, I think they’ll devour this one.

Having a good teacher can make all the difference. When seven kids are put together in Mr. Terupt’s class, only he can encourage them to enjoy their schooling experience. He’s not your typical teacher; he does what he can to encourage each child’s unique abilities.

But when Mr. Terupt is involved in a horrible accident, can his students remember the important lessons he taught them? Or will they revert to their old ways?

Fans of Harry Potter and The Lightning Thief will fall in love with this magical series about a magical school in the sky. When a criminal escapes the Ace of Anarchy prison, 11-year-old Ella becomes a suspect, and her teacher mysteriously disappears. Can Ella use her magic powers and her friend’s support to clear her name and find her teacher before it’s too late?

Seven is anticipating the Black Moon Ceremony where she will be placed in a coven and harness her witchy powers. But at the ceremony, she’s devastated to discover she’s a Spare: an outcast with fewer powers. However, there is one solution — if she can work together with the other Spares and complete an impossible task, they will gain their powers.

But if they fail, they’ll be turned into toads. Forever. This hilarious and empowering story is fantastic for 10-year-olds who love stories of magic and friendship.

If you want a book with a strong yet heartwarming message, this is the one to try. It’s all about accepting yourself for who you are and feeling empowered, even if you don’t fit the mold.

It’s a graphic novel that follows Marlene, who is dragged to the salon every weekend to tame her curls and straighten her hair. She goes on a journey to uncover why her curls aren’t considered beautiful, which leads to a wonderful message about self-love, no matter what.

Ghost’s major goal is to become the fastest sprinter on his school’s track team and qualify for the Junior Olympics. Ghost has natural talent and has the potential to become the best runner in his city. But will his past catch up to him and cause him to lose focus?

Find out in this tender novel that is fast-paced enough for readers to feel like they’re running alongside the speedy Ghost.

We already have a book about 9/11 on the list. Still, I couldn’t resist recommending another, especially since this is such a well-reviewed story about one of America’s most tragic events.

This book is split between the past and the present. It follows Brandon on the day of the 9/11 attack and Reshmina 18 years later in her war-torn village. This emotional and captivating story takes you through two devastating days, touching on relevant and important topics such as war, family, and trauma.

Grab a box of tissues before you dive in!

Calling all paranormal fanatics! This thrilling and spooky story follows an agency, Lockwood & Co., as they work to battle a dangerous ghost epidemic. They only have one chance to defeat the ghosts, which involves spending the night in one of the country’s most haunted houses.

Warning: this is a spooky story! Even adults are a bit freaked out by this, especially the audiobook version. But overall, this is a well-written book about friendship, ghosts, and action-packed adventures.

This inspiring true story tells the tale of four Black female mathematicians who helped calculate the numbers that would bring the first astronauts into space. This book tells the story of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Christine Darden, and Katherine Johnson, who worked together for gender equality and recognition within NASA. Adapted for young minds, this book is fantastic for readers between the ages of eight and 12.

Ellie has been bullied about her weight for years. She lives with all these rules — don’t eat in public or let your body wiggle — until she discovers her safe place: a swimming pool. She can escape the fatphobic comments from her peers and mother.

In time, Ellie is ready to make a change. With the support of her dad, therapist, and neighbor, Ellie embarks on a powerful journey of self-worth which involves owning her space in the world.

Praised for its destruction of stereotypes and stark honesty, this novel-in-verse is a poignant read. But note that it’s tinged with pain and some sensitive topics. Maybe read it before sharing it with your child, especially if they struggle with body image.

Marjorie feels like a ghost, but Wendell is literally a ghost. When they meet, Wendell uses Marjorie’s family laundromat as a nighttime playground, causing mishaps and misadventures in Marjorie’s world.

This graphic novel — with stunning illustrations — tells the story of a young girl who is trying to keep it together and a ghost who is just trying to enjoy the afterlife. It’s sweet, it’s funny, and it’s fast-paced, which is fab for kids with shorter attention spans.

Told from the perspective of the book, this genre-defying story is excellent for 10-year-olds. It’s hard being a book, especially when everyone judges you by your cover. But this book has a story to tell.

A funny and interactive journey begins when a curious bookworm picks the book up. If you have an avid reader, I think they’ll delight in this immersive story and interesting format.

Second in The One and Only Ivan series, this book takes readers on a risky adventure as Bob the dog searches for his long-lost sister. With Ivan the gorilla and Ruby the elephant’s help, can Bob reach his goal even amid a hurricane?

If your child loved the first book in the series and enjoys reading about animal characters, I think they’ll enjoy this heartwarming and funny book about friendship, hope, and family.

Whether your child has started junior high or is about to, I think this book makes for a great companion. In graphic novel form, this book follows identical twins Tegan and Sara, who are trying to find their place in their new school.

I appreciate this book that touches on themes of growing up, figuring out who you are, and exploring one’s queerness. Loosely based on the author’s life, readers adore the illustrations and honest representation of these iconic musicians.

Before you share this book with your child, make sure you read it first, as some parents might not be comfortable with their child reading this yet.

On that note, this is a very positive and important book that teaches children about gender identities, bodies, sexuality, and more. Using bright illustrations and inclusive themes, this is an excellent tool for teaching about boundaries, bodies, and feelings associated with growing up and puberty.

It’s been praised by many important journals, websites, and authors, as well as winning three prestigious awards.

Learn about Jacqueline Woodson’s life in this gorgeous memoir told in poetic verse. Through these poems, the author explains what it was like growing up Black in America in the 1960s and 70s.

Each poem is easy to understand, even for 10-year-olds, and may inspire your child to write their poetry. If not, they’ll still enjoy the tender portrayal of the author’s challenges as a child and how she overcame them to become the well-known author she is today.

If your child wants to know more about the civil rights movement, this picture book makes it accessible for young readers to understand. The book documents the story of Emmett Till’s mother dealing with her son’s brutal murder.

Mamie Till-Mobley ensured his death became the catalyst for the civil rights movement, which ultimately led to the end of Jim Crow laws. Learn all about Mamie’s life in this illustrated and poignant picture book.

A retelling of “Orpheus and Eurydice”, this novel-in-verse is a musical and lyrical book about first loves, navigating middle school, and caring for your mental health. This is a book that belongs on middle school shelves all over the world, as it’s breathtakingly beautiful and so important for young queer girls.