By the time kids are 10 years old they should recognise the tone of the book, understand words that don’t always sound the way they’re written, pronounce words easily, not to miss out on the vocabulary part and the fact that they are understanding all the new and difficult words that they come across. These are important things to take note of while they’re reading. To know more about the benefits and importance of reading, check out one of our previous articles The Importance of Inculcating the Habit of Reading in Children from a Young Age!
Finding books that keep the kids interested till the last page is also important and at the same time what they’re learning. So we’ve made a list of books for 10-year-olds that we hope will keep your kids intrigued till the end! Keep scrolling for some classic books in the list and more!
1. Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
We start with the most famous dramatist of all times- William Shakespeare!
This one’s written in a simpler language with illustrations to help kids grasp more and enjoy the read.
The Merchant of Venice is a story about a man whose compassion leads him to dreadful consequences. An important lesson to be learnt from this story is that love is more important than money, mercy is preferable to revenge, and that love lasts forever.
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2. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
This one’s an epic tale of some really complex characters with a gripping plot. The story revolves around a criminal prodigy who is offered to be a part of a money heist which could make him rich but he needs six others to execute it! This book for kids is an elegant masterpiece which will keep the kids going from the beginning to the end.
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3. NARNIA SERIES by C.S. Lewis
Narrated in simple words so children can comprehend them without difficulty, this series teaches every reader about the triumph of good over evil! It’s a book series which also shows how children overcome their fears and should face difficulties with mettle. With talking dwarves, fauns, beavers, birds and a magnanimous lion, this is a series every kid must read!
Many of the books such as The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Traders have been created into movies so once they’ve completed these books, you can watch the films with them!
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4. Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park
Prairie Lotus is a poignant and powerful story of a half Asian girl who is determined to fit in but faces prejudices in a small town in the US. The author, through this book, is trying to send a message about the bigotry and hatred that people face everywhere around the world, especially if they come from a different place. The only way Hannah keeps going through everything is her mother’s lessons and tries to move on.
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5. Little women by Louisa May Alcott
This one’s a classic book that has stood against the test of time! A book which tries to send a message that beauty lies in simplicity and the importance of small. It shows how in all times, love and hope are the most faithful companions when everything else fails. Honesty and good intentions are really the most valuable possessions one can have.
The story is about four sisters who try their level best to keep themselves entertained and occupied while their father is away at war. The family struggles to meet ends meet but get help from their neighbours Mr Laurence and grandson Laurie who keeps the girls company.
The language is simple so kids won’t struggle to understand the book.
This book has been adapted into a movie as well, so parents can either watch the film after the kids are done reading with the book or can watch the film and then get the kids to read it!
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6. Nightmares! by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller
This one’s for all those kids who love spooky ghost stories! A terrifying yet exciting adventure for all the kids! This book is about a kid named Charlie who is experiencing terrible nightmares every night, but things get worse when they start slipping into the waking world since he’s shifted to a sinister purple mansion. Not to forget about his evil step-mother his father married.
Get your kids to read to know how Charlie and his friends overcome and conquer the creatures of the night!
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7. Out of my Mind by Sharon M. Draper
A heart-breaking and yet a warm story which will definitely bring out every kid’s emotional side out front! It’s a story about a girl, Melody who is 10 and suffers from cerebral palsy. A brilliant, bright and intelligent student than almost everyone in her school but trapped in her uncontrollable body which results in all her teachers and doctors thinking that she’s mentally challenged. But Melody refuses to be defined by her disability. And she’s determined to let everyone know it somehow.
This story should be added to every kid’s reading list because it shares an important moral- ‘never give up’. This story is a great example for all the kids that no one can ever define who they are apart from them! Anyone is capable of doing anything once they’ve set their mind into achieving it!
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8. Heidi by Johanna Spyri
An orphan girl Heidi is left to stay with her rude grandfather in the Swiss Alps. She falls in love with nature and cannot stop herself being in awe every time she sees the mountains. But soon her aunt takes her away to Frankfurt to become the companion to a rick lonely girl Clara forges a deep friendship with her. While staying there, she faces many challenges and deals with them in her innocent and child-like way.
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9. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
The best part about this classic book for children, it spoke about freedom, racism, class prejudice and identity conflicts in a way that even kids can read it.
This book is a sequel to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. The protagonist of the story is Huck, who in pursuit of freedom, fakes his own death and runs away from his abusive father and ‘civilized’ guardian Widow Douglas. While on his journey he befriends a runaway slave Jim. Over the course of time, he finds himself is a moral dilemma over societal values and his friendship with Jim.
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10. Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift
Tired of his mundane and staid life, Gulliver sets out of a voyage to discover more but is washed away by a storm which brings him to a series of unexpected amazing lands. Along the journey, he meets Lilliputs, Brobdingnags and Houyhnhnms! Read the book to know more about the fourth journey he goes on!
A fascinating and intriguing book, this one is!
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Let us know which one’s your favourite and if there’s anything you want us to add to the list!
Don’t forget to read:10 Must-read Books for 11-year-old Kids
