← The Children's Library  /  Age 10

Best Books for 10 year olds

A personal project — every book hand-picked by a London dad 🇬🇧

A varied shortlist for 10 year olds, balanced across familiar favourites, different authors, and the formats most likely to suit this stage.

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36 hand-picked books

How to use this shelf

At age 10, reading confidence and attention span can vary widely. Use the age ranges as guidance, then choose among chapter book, novel, classic and picture book according to whether the book will be read alone, shared with an adult, or enjoyed as a family read-aloud.

Quick comparison

6 varied places to start. Compare the age, format, and themes, then read the notes or check current UK editions.

Danny the Champion of the World
Roald Dahl · Chapter Book · ages 8–12 · family and courage
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The Butterfly Lion
Michael Morpurgo · Novel · ages 8–12 · friendship and loyalty
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The Secret Garden
Frances Hodgson Burnett · Classic · ages 8–12 · friendship and nature
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The Railway Children
E. Nesbit · Classic · ages 8–12 · family and courage
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The Jungle Book
Rudyard Kipling · Classic · ages 8–12 · adventure and courage
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
C. S. Lewis · Classic · ages 8–12 · courage and loyalty
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Danny the Champion of the World book cover
Danny the Champion of the World
Roald Dahl
Ages 8–12
Danny the Champion of the World
Roald Dahl · Quentin Blake
For readers interested in family, courage, loyalty and humour, compare Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl. It is illustrated by Quentin Blake. It is a chapter book for children aged 8 to 12.
Chapter Book1975
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The Butterfly Lion book cover
The Butterfly Lion
Michael Morpurgo
Ages 8–12
The Butterfly Lion
Michael Morpurgo
First published in 1996, The Butterfly Lion is a novel by Michael Morpurgo for children aged 8 to 12. Its themes include friendship, loyalty, wonder and courage.
Novel1996
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The Secret Garden book cover
The Secret Garden
Frances Hodgson Burnett
Ages 8–12
The Secret Garden
Frances Hodgson Burnett
First published in 1911, The Secret Garden is a classic by Frances Hodgson Burnett for children aged 8 to 12. Its themes include friendship, nature, perseverance and wonder.
Classic1911
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The Railway Children book cover
The Railway Children
E. Nesbit
Ages 8–12
The Railway Children
E. Nesbit
For readers interested in family, courage, kindness and heritage, compare The Railway Children by E. Nesbit. It is a classic for children aged 8 to 12.
Classic1906
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The Jungle Book book cover
The Jungle Book
Rudyard Kipling
Ages 8–12
The Jungle Book
Rudyard Kipling
The Jungle Book, a classic by Rudyard Kipling, is selected for children aged 8 to 12. Compare it with other books exploring adventure, courage, nature and loyalty.
Classic1894
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe book cover
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
C. S. Lewis
Ages 8–12
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
C. S. Lewis
Four siblings evacuated to the countryside enter Narnia through a wardrobe and find it held in winter by the White Witch.
Classic1950
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Tom's Midnight Garden book cover
Tom's Midnight Garden
Philippa Pearce
Ages 8–12
Tom's Midnight Garden
Philippa Pearce
On the shelf for children aged 8 to 12: Tom's Midnight Garden, a classic by Philippa Pearce. It connects with wonder, friendship, imagination and heritage.
Classic1958
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Varjak Paw book cover
Varjak Paw
S. F. Said
Ages 8–12
Varjak Paw
S. F. Said · Dave McKean
Choose Varjak Paw by S. F. Said for children aged 8 to 12. It is illustrated by Dave McKean. This novel is shelved with books about courage, adventure, friendship and perseverance.
Novel2003
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How to Train Your Dragon book cover
How to Train Your Dragon
Cressida Cowell
Ages 8–12
How to Train Your Dragon
Cressida Cowell
Hiccup must capture and train a dragon as part of becoming a Viking hero, despite being smaller and less confident than his peers.
Novel2003
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The Story of Tracy Beaker book cover
The Story of Tracy Beaker
Jacqueline Wilson
Ages 8–12
The Story of Tracy Beaker
Jacqueline Wilson · Nick Sharratt
For readers interested in resilience, family and imagination, compare The Story of Tracy Beaker by Jacqueline Wilson. It is illustrated by Nick Sharratt. It is a novel for children aged 8 to 12.
Novel1991
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Kid Normal book cover
Kid Normal
Greg James
Ages 8–12
Kid Normal
Greg James
First published in 2017, Kid Normal is a novel by Greg James for children aged 8 to 12. Its themes include humour, courage and friendship.
Novel2017
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Beetle Boy book cover
Beetle Boy
M. G. Leonard
Ages 8–12
Beetle Boy
M. G. Leonard
On the shelf for children aged 8 to 12: Beetle Boy, a novel by M. G. Leonard. It connects with adventure, nature and friendship.
Novel2016
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Podkin One-Ear book cover
Podkin One-Ear
Kieran Larwood
Ages 8–12
Podkin One-Ear
Kieran Larwood
Podkin One-Ear, a novel by Kieran Larwood, is selected for children aged 8 to 12. Compare it with other books exploring courage, adventure and heritage.
Novel2016
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The Demon Headmaster book cover
The Demon Headmaster
Gillian Cross
Ages 8–12
The Demon Headmaster
Gillian Cross
First published in 1982, The Demon Headmaster is a novel by Gillian Cross for children aged 8 to 12. Its themes include courage, justice and friendship.
Novel1982
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The Indian in the Cupboard book cover
The Indian in the Cupboard
Lynne Reid Banks
Ages 8–12
The Indian in the Cupboard
Lynne Reid Banks
For readers interested in wonder, imagination and friendship, compare The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks. It is a novel for children aged 8 to 12.
Novel1980
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The Ghost of Thomas Kempe book cover
The Ghost of Thomas Kempe
Penelope Lively
Ages 8–12
The Ghost of Thomas Kempe
Penelope Lively
First published in 1973, The Ghost of Thomas Kempe is a novel by Penelope Lively for children aged 8 to 12. Its themes include wonder, heritage and humour.
Novel1973
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The Children of Green Knowe book cover
The Children of Green Knowe
Lucy M. Boston
Ages 8–12
The Children of Green Knowe
Lucy M. Boston
For readers interested in wonder, heritage and family, compare The Children of Green Knowe by Lucy M. Boston. It is a classic for children aged 8 to 12.
Classic1954
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The Secret of Platform 13 book cover
The Secret of Platform 13
Eva Ibbotson
Ages 8–12
The Secret of Platform 13
Eva Ibbotson
The Secret of Platform 13 by Eva Ibbotson is a novel for children aged 8 to 12. A useful choice for reading about wonder, adventure and humour.
Novel1994
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The Snow Spider book cover
The Snow Spider
Jenny Nimmo
Ages 8–12
The Snow Spider
Jenny Nimmo
The Snow Spider by Jenny Nimmo is a novel for children aged 8 to 12. A useful choice for reading about wonder, family and heritage.
Novel1986
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Ballet Shoes book cover
Ballet Shoes
Noel Streatfeild
Ages 8–12
Ballet Shoes
Noel Streatfeild
Choose Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild for children aged 8 to 12. This classic is shelved with books about family, perseverance and creativity.
Classic1936
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Swallows and Amazons book cover
Swallows and Amazons
Arthur Ransome
Ages 8–12
Swallows and Amazons
Arthur Ransome
For readers interested in adventure, self-reliance and nature, compare Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome. It is a classic for children aged 8 to 12.
Classic1930
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Just William book cover
Just William
Richmal Crompton
Ages 8–12
Just William
Richmal Crompton
For readers interested in humour and adventure, compare Just William by Richmal Crompton. It is a classic for children aged 8 to 12.
Classic1922
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The Iron Woman book cover
The Iron Woman
Ted Hughes
Ages 8–12
The Iron Woman
Ted Hughes
First published in 1993, The Iron Woman is a classic by Ted Hughes for children aged 8 to 12. Its themes include nature, justice and wonder.
Classic1993
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The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse book cover
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
Charlie Mackesy
Ages 4–16
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
Charlie Mackesy
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy is a picture book for readers aged 4+. A useful choice for reading about kindness, friendship and courage.
Picture Book2019
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Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties
Humza Arshad
Ages 8–12
Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties
Humza Arshad
First published in 2019, Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties is a chapter book by Humza Arshad for children aged 8 to 12. Its themes include humour, courage and friendship.
Chapter Book2019
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Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors
Terry Deary
Ages 8–12
Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors
Terry Deary · Martin Brown
Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors, a chapter book by Terry Deary, is selected for children aged 8 to 12. It is illustrated by Martin Brown. Compare it with other books exploring humour and heritage.
Chapter Book1993
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The Last Bear
Hannah Gold
Ages 8–12
The Last Bear
Hannah Gold
Choose The Last Bear by Hannah Gold for children aged 8 to 12. This novel is shelved with books about nature, courage and kindness.
Novel2021
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The Imaginary book cover
The Imaginary
A. F. Harrold
Ages 8–12
The Imaginary
A. F. Harrold · Emily Gravett
Choose The Imaginary by A. F. Harrold for children aged 8 to 12. It is illustrated by Emily Gravett. This novel is shelved with books about imagination, friendship and courage.
Novel2014
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The Turbulent Term of Tyke Tiler book cover
The Turbulent Term of Tyke Tiler
Gene Kemp
Ages 8–12
The Turbulent Term of Tyke Tiler
Gene Kemp
First published in 1977, The Turbulent Term of Tyke Tiler is a novel by Gene Kemp for children aged 8 to 12. Its themes include friendship, humour and justice.
Novel1977
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The Hundred and One Dalmatians book cover
The Hundred and One Dalmatians
Dodie Smith
Ages 8–12
The Hundred and One Dalmatians
Dodie Smith
First published in 1956, The Hundred and One Dalmatians is a classic by Dodie Smith for children aged 8 to 12. Its themes include adventure, family and loyalty.
Classic1956
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Jennings Goes to School book cover
Jennings Goes to School
Anthony Buckeridge
Ages 8–12
Jennings Goes to School
Anthony Buckeridge
For readers interested in humour and friendship, compare Jennings Goes to School by Anthony Buckeridge. It is a classic for children aged 8 to 12.
Classic1950
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Coraline book cover
Coraline
Neil Gaiman
Ages 9–12
Coraline
Neil Gaiman
Coraline, a novel by Neil Gaiman, is selected for children aged 9 to 12. Compare it with other books exploring courage, adventure and perseverance.
Novel2002
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My Name is Mina book cover
My Name is Mina
David Almond
Ages 9–12
My Name is Mina
David Almond
For readers interested in imagination, creativity, wonder and self-reliance, compare My Name is Mina by David Almond. It is a novel for children aged 9 to 12.
Novel2010
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The Boy in the Dress book cover
The Boy in the Dress
David Walliams
Ages 8–11
The Boy in the Dress
David Walliams · Quentin Blake
First published in 2008, The Boy in the Dress is a chapter book by David Walliams for children aged 8 to 11. It is illustrated by Quentin Blake. Its themes include courage, kindness, justice and self-reliance.
Chapter Book2008
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The Borrowers book cover
The Borrowers
Mary Norton
Ages 8–11
The Borrowers
Mary Norton
The Borrowers by Mary Norton is a classic for children aged 8 to 11. A useful choice for reading about adventure, courage, family and wonder.
Classic1952
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Alice's Adventures in Wonderland book cover
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Lewis Carroll
Ages 7–12
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Lewis Carroll
For readers interested in imagination, wonder, adventure and courage, compare Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. It is a classic for children aged 7 to 12.
Classic1865
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