Look, if you want them to become lifelong readers, you need a book that swallows them whole. That’s Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief. ADHD hero? Greek gods in New York? It’s silly, fast-paced, and secretly teaches them mythology. They’ll be begging you for the next eleven books. (Good luck with your bookshelf space.)
For a quieter, more poignant fantasy, try Kelly Barnhill’s The Girl Who Drank the Moon. A witch raises a star-powered girl, and the plot twists like a snake. It won the Newbery Medal for a reason—it’s the kind of story that makes kids stay up past their bedtime, flashlight in hand.
Real Life, But Make It Epic
Some ten-year-olds love true stories. The trick is finding ones that don’t lecture. R.J. Palacio’s Wonder is the gold standard here. It follows a boy with facial differences entering school for the first time. It’s sad, yes, but also surprisingly funny. Your child will learn about kindness without feeling like they’re in a school assembly.
67 Best Books for 10-Year-Olds They Will Love!
For history buffs, grab Alan Gratz’s Refugee. It weaves three stories of kids fleeing war across different time periods. It’s intense—like, really intense—so maybe read it together. But it sparks conversations that last for weeks. (Have tissues ready. For both of you.)
