10+ Best Bedtime Story Books for 10-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Looking for the perfect way to wind down the day with your ten-year-old? Bedtime Story Books for 10-Year-Olds offer a delightful escape into worlds of adventure, mystery, and fun, ensuring your child drifts off to sleep with a smile. Whether you're looking to start a new nightly reading ritual or find a fresh favorite, keep reading to discover our top picks for bedtime story books that are sure to enchant and calm young readers.

Fun Bedtime Story Books for 10-Year-Olds

• The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A bored young boy named Milo receives a mysterious tollbooth that transports him to the Kingdom of Wisdom, where he embarks on a quest filled with puns, wordplay, and whimsical characters.
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively plays with language and mathematics, making it a fun and intellectually stimulating read that can help enhance problem-solving skills and vocabulary.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love clever wordplay and imaginative adventures.

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Children's literature
  • Synopsis: This touching story follows a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a wise spider named Charlotte, who tries to save him from being slaughtered.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming tale that teaches the values of friendship, love, and the cycle of life, encouraging empathy and compassion.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and young readers looking for a gentle introduction to themes of friendship and loss.

• The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Edward Tulane, a porcelain rabbit, is passed from owner to owner, experiencing love and loss until he discovers his true self.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers deep lessons about love, loss, and redemption, encouraging readers to be open to transformation and to value relationships.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy emotional, character-driven stories and those dealing with transitions or changes in their lives.

• The BFG by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young girl named Sophie befriends the Big Friendly Giant (BFG), and together they set out to stop the other giants from eating children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a whimsical and exciting adventure that promotes kindness and courage, with plenty of humor to keep the pages turning.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories of unlikely friendships and fantastical worlds.

• Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Mythology
  • Synopsis: Percy Jackson discovers he is a demigod, the son of Poseidon, and is thrust into a world of Greek mythology where he must prevent a war among the gods.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thrilling mix of adventure and Greek mythology, perfect for sparking interest in ancient cultures while engaging with action-packed storytelling.
  • Perfect for: Fans of adventure, mythology, and anyone who enjoys fast-paced, action-filled tales.

Educational Bedtime Story Books for 10-Year-Olds

• Wonder by R.J. Palacio
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Children's literature
  • Synopsis: The story centers around August Pullman, a boy with facial differences who attends a mainstream elementary school for the first time. Through multiple perspectives, readers experience themes of acceptance and the importance of kindness.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, understanding of diversity, social skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It presents a heartfelt and compelling narrative that encourages readers to understand and appreciate differences in others.
  • Perfect for: Readers looking for an inspiring story that promotes kindness and acceptance.

• The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
  • Genre(s): Historical fiction, Mystery
  • Synopsis: Set in 1930s Paris, this illustrated novel follows a young orphan, Hugo, who lives in the walls of a train station. He becomes wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and a robot.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, history of cinema, mechanical understanding
  • Why we recommend this book: Its unique combination of text and detailed illustrations offers a captivating reading experience that stimulates the imagination.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy mysteries and stories with rich visual storytelling.

• The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, illustrated by Patricia Castelao
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Animal fiction
  • Synopsis: This novel is inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, who lives in a mall and rarely misses his life in the jungle until he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from the wild.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Awareness of animal welfare, empathy, creative thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a beautifully written tale that offers perspectives on friendship, hope, and the right to a suitable living environment.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and readers interested in stories that promote animal rights and welfare.

• Frindle by Andrew Clements, illustrated by Brian Selznick
  • Genre(s): Contemporary, School story
  • Synopsis: Fifth-grader Nick Allen invents a new word, "frindle," for what is commonly known as a pen, sparking a series of events that captures the nation's attention.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, vocabulary building, understanding of language
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and shows the power of words and how they can influence and change a community.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy school stories and are interested in language and its impact.

• The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Magic realism
  • Synopsis: In this enchanting story, a young girl named Luna is accidentally enmagicked as a baby and must learn to control her powers while uncovering the truths of her past.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, emotional intelligence, understanding of complex narratives
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a magical story that blends fantasy with real emotional depth, exploring themes of love, growth, and the consequences of actions.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy fantasy tales with strong character development and a touch of magic.

Challenging Bedtime Story Books for 10-Year-Olds

• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
  • Genre(s): Science Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: This novel follows Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin as they travel through time and space to rescue Meg's father from an evil force.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex scientific concepts, including tesseracts and space-time, blended with advanced vocabulary.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and critical thinking, while exploring themes of love and the battle between good and evil.
  • Perfect for: Young sci-fi enthusiasts and readers who enjoy thrilling adventures across fantastical realms.

• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  • Genre(s): Classic, Fiction
  • Synopsis: An orphaned girl named Mary Lennox is sent to live at her uncle's remote country estate where she discovers a mysterious, neglected garden.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative style and language reflect an earlier period in English literature, which can be complex for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a timeless story that teaches about the healing power of nature and the importance of friendship and self-discovery.
  • Perfect for: Readers who appreciate classics and stories about transformation and renewal.

• The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Philosophical
  • Synopsis: A pilot stranded in the desert meets a young prince fallen to Earth from a tiny asteroid, and together they explore profound themes about life and human nature.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with metaphorical and philosophical ideas that require contemplation and a deeper level of understanding.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a unique blend of whimsy and wisdom, encouraging readers to think about what truly matters in life.
  • Perfect for: Thoughtful readers who enjoy stories that provide both warmth and depth.

• The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Four gifted children are recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict to go on a secret mission at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where they must solve a series of puzzles and stop a global crisis.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book features complex puzzles and moral dilemmas that challenge the reader's problem-solving and ethical reasoning skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a captivating adventure that promotes teamwork, intelligence, and perseverance.
  • Perfect for: Young detectives and puzzle enthusiasts who love cracking codes and solving mysteries.

• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This story follows Despereaux Tilling, a brave mouse in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea, on his quest to save the princess from darkness.
  • Why this book is challenging: It weaves together multiple narratives that require readers to keep track of different characters and plot lines.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a beautifully written tale that explores themes of bravery, love, and redemption.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy fairy tales with complex characters and rich narratives.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 10-year-old develop great reading habits while enjoying bedtime stories, here are some fun and effective exercises you can incorporate into your nightly routine. These exercises are designed to make reading a more engaging and beneficial part of their bedtime ritual.

• Create a Cozy Reading Nook
  • What it is: Set up a special corner in your child's room dedicated to reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances the reading experience by making it comfortable and enjoyable.
  • Tips: Let your child help in designing the space to make it personal and inviting.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: Spend time reading the story aloud with your child every night.
  • How it helps: Improves listening and comprehension skills while bonding with your child.
  • Tips: Alternate who reads each page to keep it interactive.

• Discuss the Story
  • What it is: Have a short discussion about the story after reading.
  • How it helps: Encourages critical thinking and enhances understanding of the plot and characters.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions that go beyond yes or no answers.

• Predict the Plot
  • What it is: Before starting a new chapter, ask your child to predict what might happen next.
  • How it helps: Stimulates imagination and anticipatory skills.
  • Tips: Discuss how their predictions compare with the actual story as you read.

• Illustrate a Scene
  • What it is: Encourage your child to draw a scene from the night’s reading.
  • How it helps: Helps with memory retention and understanding of the story.
  • Tips: Share a few minutes to draw together and discuss your pictures.

• Use a Bookmark Craft
  • What it is: Create bookmarks based on themes or characters from the story.
  • How it helps: Makes the reading process fun and personalized.
  • Tips: Use materials like cardstock, stickers, and markers for this creative activity.

Incorporating these exercises into your nightly reading routine can turn bedtime stories into a much-anticipated event that boosts your child's reading skills and love for books. Give them a try and watch your 10-year-old’s reading habits flourish!