Looking for the best books for 10 year old boys? We hear you. It can be hard to find the right books for boys this age.
No worries, we have you covered. And, all of these books boy-approved!
The key is to try to provide books that will engage them and keep them reading. Books that are interesting enough to make them want to pick them up and spend time either enjoying the story or going through them.
I specialize in book lists for boys. In fact, our best books for boys page is packed with books that are great for boys. Trust me, as a boy mom, someone who worked in libraries, and also ran boys’ book clubs, I know what I am talking about.
When you are looking for books, you will want to keep a few things in mind. I can give you the list, and it is a great list if I do say so myself, but you also have to keep your reader in mind while choose.
At age 10 your boy is probably in 5th grade, unless you homeschool, then they could be in a different grade or no grade depending on how you do things.
The books boys this age read are more involved. Even from a year ago, their book choices have take a bit of a leap to titles with more pages, and more intricate stories. Since the stories are more involved, there are usually more characters to keep track of and more subtle plot twists to watch out for.
If your boy is not there yet, do not worry. Reading is a natural thing and some boys take longer than others to get up to longer books. This list will have a variety of types of books, so just choose what works best at this time. Plus, hopefully you are still open to reading to him which will solve that problem and allow you to help him along with the content if he needs it.
Do keep graphic novels in mind for age 10 as they are still very appealing and even the preferred by some boys.
This post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive a small amount, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. All opinions are my own and I share things I think would be of interest to boys.
I am big on letting boys choose their own books, so show him this list and see what he might want to read. Letting him choose is a surefire way to keep him reading.
My “by age” book lists for boys always include non-fiction and there is a very good reason for that. They love facts! In every boys’ book club I have run, boys were drawn to non-fiction titles.
Note: If you have a boy who is not reading or not reading well at this age, I know it can be stressful for both of you, especially if he is in school as they put a tremendous pressure on boys to make sure they are reading at the same level as their peers.
Allowing them to read for pleasure, without stress, is the best way to go. (I am not talking about reading issues here – that is a different thing altogether.) Many homeschoolers don’t push their kids to read at a certain age. Reading really can come naturally.
I am very keen on regular library trips, but also on building up a collection of books in your home. They need to own books as well as just borrow them.
I wrote this book list to help you find books for your 10 year old boy. I hope between what I have written above and the books below that it is helpful to you.
The whole point of my website is to help you raise boys who love to learn and reading can be a big part of that!
Let’s see if we can find some books for your boy that will in turn lead him to want to read other books.
Reading Level
Reading levels are tough for me! I am not a big fan of them. I don’t care what the level of the book is that my son wants to read. It matters not.
I am aware this is not something you are going to hear from most people but I’m just being real.
I focus on interest first and foremost. Then I try to find the best books on that topic and present them.
Anyway, that said, I did want to provide these by age book lists because I got requests for them and I know people search for books this way.
Use the list as a jumping off point for finding more books your boy will like. If you keep him at the front of your mind when choosing you will do great.
Read the descriptions I added in here as well instead of just glancing through the covers. You may find a hidden gem.
If you are giving a gift, this list will be especially helpful as these books are boy-approved.
Let’s see if together we can get these boys more interested in reading, and make it a lifelong enjoyment.
Here we go with the best books for boys age ten!
Best Books for 10 Year Old Boys
Below you will find both fiction and non-fiction books. I split them into two sections. I recommend getting titles from both sections to give him a variety of styles to read.
Fiction Books for 10 Year Old Boys
These books are not in any particular order. They are all good choices for this age. Grab what you think he will like best.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
I’m starting out with Harry Potter. If your boy has already read this title, then see if there is a later book in the series that he has not yet read.
Some will want to know why I don’t have this in my younger book lists and I will tell you.
It is because after a couple of books, the Harry Potter series gets pretty dark, pretty fast. Some boys are not ready for that type of content when they are so young. I am a big fan of letting boys be little for as long as they need to and not pushing more grown up topics on them before they are ready. I do me, you do you 🙂
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone likely needs no commentary but I will briefly say that this first book is magical. Not just because it is a book about magic, but because it is the dream of so many kids to be able to do real magic, and Harry and his friends learn to do just that in the wondrous Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The story is simply a joy to read.
The Mysterious Benedict Society
I actually read this when it first came out because it sounded so intriguing. I loved it and proceeded to wait rather impatiently for additional books in the series to be released.
The Mysterious Benedict Society is unique. It is not your typical adventure book. It is not your typical mystery book either.
It is smartly written, interesting all the way through and has fantastic characters which really are quite the characters. They are unusual, they are quirky, they are gifted and they make the story.
The book starts with an ad in the newspaper which reads “Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?” It is filled with a secret mission, going undercover and more awesomeness.
Really, really good and a refreshing change from the basic mystery novel.
Redwall
This series of books is set in an Abbey and the mice who live there need to defend Redwall Abbey and themselves against an army of rats.
This is a good vs. evil story-line with an anthropomorphic twist. It has a medieval feel, though not set in that time period. If your boy likes fantasy, adventure, figuring out clues, and amusing lines, he will likely take to Redwall.
The series is big with over 20 books. We have read quite a few of them, though the story does seem to get a bit repetitive after a while, big fans will want to read them all.
The Westing Game
Ah, The Westing Game. I vaguely remember the first time I read it, but I do not know how old I was. However, one thing I do remember is that I knew this book was a keeper. It is on our book shelf and there it shall stay.
It is a murder mystery so if that is not something you want your boys to read, simply pass this one by. However, it is really not to be missed.
Booklist said is was “A supersharp mystery…confoundingly clever, and very funny.” I agree.
Sam Westing is dead. At the reading of his will he puts forth a game that the people attending must play. In order to inherit his fortunes, they need to find out who killed him. Was it one of them?
Your boy can find out by playing along in the book. You may wish to suggest he pay close attention to the clues.
The Sign of the Beaver
This historical novel is set in Maine. Matt is left alone in the wilderness to protect their settlement while his father goes back for the rest of the family.
This is the tale of his many adventures trying to survive on his own. He meets the grandson of an Indian chief which adds more interesting pieces to this story.
The Sign of the Beaver is a Newbery honor award winning book.
The Lightning Thief
Has your boy discovered the Percy Jackson books yet? It is a series they are sure to enjoy.
Percy is in boarding school and it isn’t going well, in fact he is likely to get kicked out. That is the least of his problems! His Greek Mythology text book is also an issue as monsters and Gods keep coming out of the pages.
This is great for boys who may be intrigued by Greek Mythology. They actually learn a bit about the myths while reading and if they are interested they can dive into some other books as well.
Percy has a learning disability so that is another good reason some boys may find this title to their liking.
I have linked to The Lightening Thief illustrated copy because it is worth getting (specially for boys who are more visual and don’t like blocks of text without images,) but there is also a less expensive paperback available as well if you prefer.
The Strange Case of Origami Yoda
This is a book set in middle school and in the series they do talk about school dances, popularity, dating etc., it is a popular series of books geared toward boys this age.
I’ve found that many boys like to read about other boys who are a few years older than they are right now. This series seems to prove that true.
The Strange Case of Origami Yoda is a quirky story of Dwight and a finger puppet named Yoda. Dwight is considered a bit of a weird kid by the others in his school. With Yoda on his finger though, Dwight gives sage advice and people start to see him a bit differently. Tommy wants to know how in the world Dwight is giving advice like that and sets off to find the answers.
Can You Survive the Jungle?
A riff on the Choose Your Own Adventure books, Can You Survive the Jungle is a realistic survival adventure with different endings.
What would it be like if your plane crashed in the Amazon jungle? What would you do? What choices would you make? Would you survive or would you meet your death in an unsavory way? Your boy will get to find out!
FYI realistic fatalities are included.
The Brilliant World of Tom Gates
The best thing about The Brilliant World of Tom Gates is that the inside of the book is rather similar to the cover! The text is scattered with graphics and mini pictures. For example next to the word socks there will be a little doodle of socks, the word music may have musical notes by it and so on.
This is a very visual friendly book that boys pretty much burn through. Good thing is is a series!
As far as the story goes, it is another one set in school and is a diary type book with a boy, Tom. He is prone to mishaps, is often late, and he gets in trouble (though not too much.) His teachers think is is distracted. He goes through the usual issues of wanting to impress a girl who is not interested, trying to get coveted concert tickets, dealing with lost homework and other typical growing up things with an amusing twist.
Johnny Tremain
This is a great time for your boys to be reading Johnny Tremain. They can understand the historical background, and the famous characters, as well as the impact the war had on America.
Set in the times of the American Revolution, Johnny Tremain is the story of a boy who is an apprentice silversmith. One wrong turn leads to a huge change in his life and a chance to meet those famous men who were The Son’s of Liberty.
A must read.
Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library
A game maker, a library, an opening night lock-in grand opening, secret puzzles and more greet the reader.
Kyle really wants to attend the grand opening of the library because game maker Mr. Lemoncello designed it. However, attending isn’t the big issue, it is getting back out!
This is a fun read! I think it can be summed up by saying it revolves around puzzles and puns. If he likes books that make him think a bit, have a good main character and are enjoyable to read, get Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.
Wings of Fire
Do you think your boy would like a fantasy book with prophesies, dragons and plenty of adventure? If so, Wings of Fire is one to try.
This came out after my son was older and if it were not for the awesome reviews, I would have likely missed it. Thankfully, I didn’t and I will take the opportunity now to recommend it.
Clay is a dragonet who were raised by the Talons of Peace especially to fulfill a prophecy. He is one of five who will end the war. How? That is the question. There is also a graphic novel version of this book here.
Non-Fiction Books for 10 Year Old Boys
Many boys simply love non-fiction books. They usually love them a lot more than fiction books and those who won’t really sit down and read a story will find themselves picking up a non-fiction book on a topic they enjoy and getting lost in it for days. That is exactly what we are going for!
Sharks and Other Deadly Ocean Creatures
It is quite likely that the cover of this book is going to get their attention!
Sharks and Other Deadly Ocean Creatures Visual Encyclopedia by DK has a great format that gives boys plenty of info and at the same time delivers it in bite-size pieces so as not to overwhelm a reader.
Broken into 8 sections with different types of sharks, seals, whales and other sea creatures, this book gives size, diet, where the animal lives, and even tells its predatory power.
A very engaging and interesting book.
The Boy’s Book of Adventure
Looking to pull your boys off video games for a while? This is a book that may be able to do just that!
There is a lot of ideas for things to do in The Boy’s Book of Adventure as well as a lot of good information that will come in handy in their lives.
It has some of the typical things that you will find in most books for boys of this nature such as tying knots, or tips for studying the night sky, but it also has things like building a periscope, reading a topographic map and dealing with first aid injuries and a whole lot of other intriguing things.
If your boy is a kinesthetic learner, a naturalist learner or perhaps an adventure seeker, they will like this book. Even if that is not their thing, you may want to offer it up as a way to spend some time together doing something new and interesting.
Start Making
Making is all the rage and for good reason. STEM education has really taken off, as have maker spaces in schools, libraries and as stand-alone venues people can go to use tools and learn to make cool stuff.
You can also do this at home or in homeschool coop. I like this book for boys age 10 because its projects are good, but not so hard that you can’t do them in a home setting, and you don’t need a whole bunch of expensive tools to make them either. Yes, you may need to purchase a few things depending on what project he is interested in and what you already have at home, but overall you won’t have to spend much and he will learn a lot and enjoy the projects.
He will be able to make items with circuits, programmable music, illumination, 3D forms and more. Start Making a good book with beginner projects that are satisfying to make.
This book is put out by Make Media which publishes Make Magazine. (see my magazine recommendations for boys here.)
Game On!
If your boy is into video games, and you want to get him reading but sometimes have trouble doing so, I found the book to give him!
Game On! comes out each year and is seriously packed with gaming info. It covers the biggest games, YouTubers, tech and more. It also goes over the biggest things happening in gaming, unforgettable moments, interviews and plenty of tips and tricks for favorite games.
According to boys who like gaming, it is pretty awesome. And, bonus, they read through it a lot!
Brain Games
Does your boy like puzzles and thinking games? Do you need something to help him work his brain or perhaps want something to take on a road trip? Try this one!
We have a lot of puzzle books in our house. They get used quite a bit. I like to have a variety of different types of puzzles and games around the house to entertain and strengthen our minds. This one is great!
The bonus is that not only does Brain Games explain how to brain works but it does so while providing activities, optical illusions, and challenges that are a lot of fun to do.
Picturepedia
As you can see in the picture above, they say Picturepedia has an encyclopedia on every page.
Put out by a collaboration between Smithsonian and DK, this is a high quality book to add to your boy’s library.
Just this alone ought to grab his attention >>> there are 10,000 photographs in this book!
It covers science and technology, nature, geography, culture, sports and hobbies and history topics. Need to know a bit about the moon? Or perhaps how sound travels, or how cheetahs are built for speed. There are so many enticing facts that I am certain he will find something of interest in this book.
Ultimate Secrets Revealed
They say truth is stranger than fiction and that holds true in this book for sure.
Awesome photos are always a feature in the National Geographic Kids books so you can expect that. The other great thing about Ultimate Secrets Revealed is the vast amount of facts that you learn by reading it.
Expect your boys to come and share all the unusual and weird things they learn in this book! It covers our wondrous world, astonishing animals, puzzles of the past, feats beyond belief, the secrets of space and many other fascinating topics. Really good!
LEGO Awesome Ideas
Is your boy into building with LEGO? If so, LEGO Awesome Ideas will be a hit. It is packed, seriously packed, with great building ideas.
This takes all of the bricks and sets you have around the house and gives them new life! Not only will they get fantastic tips and tricks for building with LEGO, but they will also have instructions for building some pretty cool LEGO creations.
We have this. It is very good and gets a lot of use.
See all of our LEGO book choices here.
Star Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia
This is a book that young Star Wars fans should not be without. It is seriously overflowing with Star Wars goodness!
Star Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia has 2500 images and more information about Star Wars than you can even believe possible.
These types of books are visual and really get boys reading. No, it isn’t a classic novel, but it is reading none-the-less and reading is important.
DK makes a lot of different visual encyclopedias, so if Star Wars isn’t appealing try another topic such as space, the body, animals, the ocean, bugs, dinosaurs or weapons (and others!) See them here.
Try our Star Wars unit as well!
Conclusion
I hope you found some great books for 10 year old boys on this list! I will be adding to it over time and if something goes out of print, I’ll switch those out as well.
Do let me know if you have some suggestions by leaving a comment. I love books and am always looking for new ideas.
You may also want to take a look at Best Books for 9 Year Old Boys as I am sure there are some that will appeal to your 10 year old on there as well.