My 10 year old is an avid reader. He's also a fast reader and I have a hard time keeping up with him! I'm increasing the number of chapter book lists on this blog so what better way than to make a list of books for 10 year olds. I chatted with my son to find out which are the best books he's been reading lately, and while you won't find his current obsession with Archie comics on this list, these titles are all his choices.
Since my son is solidly in the middle grade book reading level, I suggest these books for kids ages 8 to 12. It goes without saying that individual preferences and reading strengths vary, so use your own discretion.
Although this list is based on the reading interest of a 10 year old boy, I am firmly of the opinion that book lists should not be divided along gender lines. These books have boy and girl protagonists and will be enjoyed by boys and girls alike. (Note: book covers and titles are affiliate links.)
MORE: Don't forget! All our book lists are indexed on the master book list.
The Map to Everywhere (series) is very exciting! I was hooked by the end of the first page, which let me tell you does not happen very often these days. Two worlds collide when Fin, a master thief in a magical pirate world meets Marrill, a "normal" girl who boards a ship in a mirage in an Arizona parking lot. The two join up in a multi-world quest to find two parts of a famed pirate map that Fin thinks might help him find his mother.
Rain Reign. 12 year old Rose is obsessed with homonyms, prime numbers and rules. She lives with her father and a box full of trinkets left behind by her mother. Her dog, Rain, (so named because it is a homonym) is her best friend and he goes missing in a storm. After the storm clears Rose learns the dog actually belongs to another family and she must give back her beloved friend. This book is so touching and honest. I'm glad that my son can enjoy these "quiet, sensitive" reads alongside high adventure and Archie comics. NOTE: I have since learned that this book is not recommended by the autistic community.
The Boundless, one of the critics' favorite books last year, is an action packed adventure, just the kind of book that is currently grabbing my son's attention. Will embarks on the maiden voyage of "The Boundless", a train with 987 cars! One of those cars contains priceless treasures that nefarious individuals would like to get their hands on. Will teams up with colorful characters in order to save the train and the treasure.
With it's large text and numerous illustrations, the humorous Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor can also be enjoyed by so called "reluctant readers". Frank is a boy genius bent on winning a science competition with his robot inventions but his rival, T. Edison, is determined to thwart him. Kids who enjoy science will get into this book (also see my list of science themed chapter books). This is the start of a 6 book series and my son declared it "super funny, especially the robot who loves to hug."
The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread. My son said he had also read Because of Winn-Dixie, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and The Magician's Elephant during quiet class reading time. "They were all good, mom, but The Tale of Desperaux was my favorite." Masterful and suspense-filled plot lines about a mouse in love with a princess, a rat who loves soup and light, and a not-so-bright peasant girl all come together in a marvelous tale which will get your kids thinking about love and forgiveness.
The Black Stallion. When my son described the plot of this book, I felt sure that I had read it as a kid and noting the publication date of 1941, I probably did. Kiddo recounted to me the story of a boy who was ship-wrecked with a horse. Together they survive on an island for 19 days. They are rescued and taken to Rio (I think? Anyway, that's what Kiddo said.) and eventually end up in New York where the boy meets racehorse trainer who enters the stallion in a race. Kiddo declared this an adventure he couldn't put down.
Millicent Min, Girl Genius. I quite enjoyed this book myself, actually. 11 year old Millicent may be in high school and taking college poetry classes for fun, but she is still learning about how to be a good friend. One summer she meets Emily, and decides not to disclose her IQ status. She loves have a regular friend to hang out with, but learns the value of honesty and loyalty when Emily finds out her secret. There are companion books about Emily, and Stanford, the boy Millicent tutors.
The Report Card. Kiddo named several books by Andrew Clements that he has enjoyed in 4th grade, but singled out this one as a particular favorite. He has actually read it before (see it on my list of great chapter books about school). It is about a girl who, although she can easily earn As, decides to get Ds and Cs on her report card in order to prove a point. Clements is a good author for kids who have trouble getting through some of the longer middle grade books that are out there these days.
Leon and the Spitting Image. When I was quizzing Kiddo on his favorite recent books for this post he said, "Mom, this was the book I couldn't get my head out of when MorMor was visiting." Translation: two thumbs up. I haven't read this book, but here is what I've gathered from talking with my son and reading the reviews: This funny, rather wacky story is about 4th grader Leon, whose teacher loves sewing so much, she makes the kids in her class sew stuffed animals with perfect stiches. Leon fashions a doll that looks like Mrs. Hagmeyer and it turns out to have voodoo-like qualities. Kiddo agreed that this was a very funny read and reminded him of Dahl's books.
The Lost Hero. I told myself I was not going to include any Riordan books on this list. After all, it's not as if you haven't heard of them and as I've said many times, one of my book list goals is to introduce you to new-to-you-books. I changed my mind, though, after my son insisted. The Lost Hero is the first book in RR's second series and focuses on Roman mythology. The third series (The Red Pyramid books) draws on Egyptian mythology and I hear rumors there will be a fourth series based on Norse myths. I haven't read any of Riordan books but they rank highly at the top of almost every 4th grader's list of favorite books, so there you go.
Do you have any books for 10 year olds to recommend? What are your children reading these days?
More of my son's favorite books (all appropriate for this age range):
Maria Gianferrari says
I LOVED Rain Reign--the voice was so spot on, and it was very touching.
I'm also a big fan of Millicent Min, Girl Genius--such a hilarious book. There are two companion book told from Stanford & Emily's points of view: Stanford Wong Flunks Big Time, and So Totally Emily Ebers, not quite as good as Millicent's, but they explore the same story and it was fun to read about the events from their perspectives, so your son may enjoy that.
danielle @ this picture book life says
Agreed! RAIN REIGN blew me away.
Erica MomandKiddo says
The consensus is in!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks, Maria. We are planning on getting those books, too!
Edith says
Thank you for the suggestions!
Here is mine: my son just started reading "Dragon Orb: Firestorm", by Mark Robson. He cannot put it down. Looking forward to read the following volumes.
Same as Chronicles of Narnia, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and George's Secret Key to the Universe. Well actually, the whole George's series.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks for the suggestions!
Stacey says
What a fun list! Girl Genius is new to me and sounds like something my 11 year old would love! Thanks as always for great recommendations!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Yes! I bet she will love it.
Aaron says
Totally agree with your Riordan remarks. I am finishing the Roman series this week. The Norse series is out in the fall.
Loved your list, a mix of old and new. I have an eight year old and we are looking for books to read together. DiCamillo has been great for us. Our whole family loved The Tiger Rising, great for talking about grief. One of my daughter's favourites was The Cats of Tanglewood Forrest by Charles de Lint.
Ariana says
I think that rick riordons books are amazing for children to read i would get every percy Jackson book.
Sara says
Percy Jackson is definitely amazing I read it to my ten year old and she loved it
Melissa@Julia's Bookbag says
what COOL list! I know Julia would loooooove every single one of these.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Yes, she will!
Lindsey says
GREAT list. My son adores Frank Einstein. I just bought the Boundless. He read the whole Secret Series and loved them all.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks Lindsey. My son has been reading the Secret series too, and loves it - that would have been a great addition to this list.
Even in Australia says
Rain Reign is on our to-read list. My 9.5yo girl also just read and loved Zip, but I'm getting tired of books with dead mothers. I plan to read Tom's Midnight Garden to her soon and am wondering how that will go over.
Erica MomandKiddo says
I hear you. Intact families are sometimes a welcome change in chapter books!
PragmaticMom says
Thanks for this great list! I love that you have a 10-year-old boy too! My son has only read one book on your son's list which makes it perfect for us to explore!!! I'll tell him my blogging mom friend is a kidlit expert and her son likes these books.
Here's my son's list of books he's read so far in 4th grade: http://www.pragmaticmom.com/2015/01/sons-4th-grade-book-list/
Erica MomandKiddo says
I hope he enjoys some of them!
Jasimine Cords says
My son is nine, a very highly skilled reader, and incredibly picky. We have had a hard time finding books he actually wants to read. He just finished House of Robots by James Patterson, and he loved it! I've never seen this kid get so into a book. He's begging me to read it soon so that he has someone to talk to about it. Just thought I'd share.
Nancy says
I enjoyed reading this post and since I have a ten-year-old, I thought it would be nice to comment sharing some of her recommendations - Ginger Pye and also Pinky Pye, both animal stories by Eleanor Estes...and also two out-of-print treasures that share about a family's life in Germany after WW2 - The Ark and Rowan Farm (by Margot Benary-Isbert) - they are wonderful and you feel you are living in the post war times with this wonderful family!
Thanks for your site, I love reading through the booklists and recommendations..great ideas for books to read and read-aloud..I especially love the lists of books from the different decades!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thank you for the recommendations, Nancy. I just read Ginger Pye out loud to my kids and they are already begging for Pinky Pye.
Jane says
My son is 8 years old and when he was 7 years old he read the first two books in the Frank Einstein series. We were both giggling really hard they were wonderful to read. Another good read is Robots Rule by C.J. Richards. The Creature from my Closet series by Obert Skye was also a good laugh for both of us. He also got into Harry Potter this summer. The Boxcar Children series and the Magic Treehouse series are also good.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks for the suggestions! Robots Rule and The Creature from my Closet are new to me.
Nancy M says
My 4th grade daughter is currently obsessed with The Land of Stories series.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks for the suggestion!
kimberlee says
Pie by Sarah Weeks, The Island of Dr. Libris by Chris Grabenstein, any Roald Dahl, and Anne of Green Gables by lucy maud Montgomery
Erica MomandKiddo says
Great books!
Elizabeth says
The Sisters Grimm series was a great set of books. They follow the story of two sisters whose parents disappeared mysteriously several years ago. The first novel starts with them being brought to live with a grandmother they never knew they had and learning that they are descended from the famous Grimm brothers and the town their grandmother lives in is populated by fairytale characters. The girls become fairytale detectives, solving problems in the town and working to solve the mystery of their parents disappearance, while tensions mount between the humans and the fairytale creatures.
Yujin says
Hi! Thank you for sharing. I will definitely borrow recommended books from the library next time.
My 9 year old son is also an avid reader. I am keeping a list of his favorit authors/books. I update now and then to keep up with him.
I have list of authors instead of name of books as he reads so many and loved most of the books from the named authors.
1. Rick Riordan (Magnus Chase the best!)
2. Wonder + Auggie and Me
3. Skulduggery Pleasant series
4. James Patterson (Daniel X, Treasure Hunters, Hiuse of Robot..)
5. 39 Clues
6. Cassandra Clare/Holly Black
7. Chronicles of Narnia (read in Korean)
8. Brotherband series
9. Chris Grabenstein
10. Louis Sachar
11. Michelle Paver
12. The Mysterious Benedict Society
13. Charlie Bone Series
14. Big Nate series
15. Andrew Clements
16. Enid Blyton
17. Toby Alone
Erica says
Thanks for sharing your suggestions.
Jenny says
Love all the suggestions in the comments, too! My 10yo and almost-8yo boys are currently reading "The Good Dog" by Avi. They are dog-crazy, and this book is beautifully written from a dog's point of view by someone who clearly understands basic dog behavior. Creative and entertaining -- we highly recommend it!
Ata says
That is a great list. Thank you very much. I think Wattpad is a great platform to read and also to write stories. My 10-year-old son started writing a story there and this encourages him to read ad write more
Kronos says
Wonder should be in here