10+ Best Books About Moving for 10-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Moving can be a big deal for anyone, especially if you're 10 years old! Whether it's across town or to a new country, the adventure is always a mix of excitement and nerves. That's why finding the right support through stories can be so helpful. Our curated list of books about moving for 10-year-olds offers comfort and adventure in equal measure. Keep reading to explore various books that tackle this big change from multiple angles, ensuring there's a perfect match for every young reader facing a move.

Fun Books About Moving for 10-Year-Olds

• The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng, illustrated by Abigail Halpin
  • Genre(s): Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature
  • Synopsis: Follows the story of Anna Wang, a fourth-grader who finds solace in books as she navigates the challenges of friendships and cultural identity after moving to a new school.
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully captures the ups and downs of growing up and finding one's place in a new environment through the relatable eyes of a young girl.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love stories about friendship and self-discovery.

• Moving Day by Ralph Fletcher
  • Genre(s): Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature
  • Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Fletch feels unsettled when his family decides to move to a new home. Throughout the book, he learns to cope with the changes and eventually finds a way to embrace his new environment.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great read for children experiencing the anxieties of moving, offering comforting insights on adjusting to change.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are moving or dealing with any significant life change.

• The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall
  • Genre(s): Family, Adventure, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: The Penderwicks sisters embark on new adventures when they move to Gardam Street. The story combines the challenges of new beginnings with heartwarming family dynamics.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book offers a charming exploration of sisterhood and new experiences, making it a delightful read that encourages embracing change.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy stories about strong family bonds and adventurous girls.

• Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: Moving Day by Meg Cabot
  • Genre(s): Realistic Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: Nine-year-old Allie Finkle has to deal with the difficulties of moving to a new house, school, and set of friends. She tackles these challenges with a set of personal rules to help guide her through.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a humorous and realistic take on the trials of moving with a protagonist whose rules and reasoning will resonate with young readers.
  • Perfect for: Children who appreciate a good laugh while learning life lessons.

• The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy
  • Genre(s): Family, Humor, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: Follows the Fletcher family, including four adopted boys, as they move into a new neighborhood and learn to navigate the quirks and challenges of their new surroundings.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book is full of humor and heart, showcasing the dynamics of a diverse family tackling new challenges together.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy stories about family, diversity, and the chaos and comedy of everyday life.

Educational Books About Moving for 10-Year-Olds

• Lenny & Lucy by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Peter and his dog move to a new house beside a dark, wooded area which makes them feel uneasy. To guard against the unknown, Peter creates two guardians, Lenny and Lucy.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, coping with change, overcoming fears
  • Why we recommend this book: It addresses the fear of new places and the power of creativity in making unfamiliar environments friendly and safe.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are moving to a new home or dealing with fears of the unknown.

• A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Nature
  • Synopsis: This story follows a hermit crab who outgrows his shell and must search for a new one, making friends and decorating each new shell as he grows.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Adaptation to change, understanding growth, nature and animal life
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively uses the life of a hermit crab to teach about growth and change, making it easier for children to understand and relate to moving.
  • Perfect for: Children who love nature and are learning to embrace growth and change in their lives.

• Boomer’s Big Day by Constance W. McGeorge, illustrated by Mary Whyte
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Animal Fiction
  • Synopsis: Boomer, a friendly dog, experiences confusion and excitement during the moving day chaos of his family’s home.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, dealing with change, pet perspectives
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a unique perspective on moving by showing it through the eyes of a family pet, which can be comforting and relatable for children.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love animals and are experiencing the hustle and bustle of moving to a new home.

• Big Ernie’s New Home: A Story for Children Who Are Moving by Teresa Martin, illustrated by Whitney Martin
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Social Themes
  • Synopsis: Big Ernie the cat faces the anxiety of moving with his owner Henry from the big city to the desert.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional coping strategies, adaptability, understanding emotions
  • Why we recommend this book: It directly addresses the feelings of uncertainty and anxiety that can accompany a move, offering strategies to cope through Big Ernie's story.
  • Perfect for: Children who are moving and might feel anxious about new environments and leaving familiar settings behind.

Challenging Books About Moving for 10-Year-Olds

• The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Animal Fiction
  • Synopsis: This classic novel tells the story of three pets who embark on a treacherous 300-mile journey through the Canadian wilderness to reunite with their owners.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative style and vocabulary are sophisticated, and the story explores themes of loyalty and survival, which require deeper comprehension and emotional maturity.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thrilling adventure that also teaches about resilience and the strong bonds between pets and their owners.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and young adventurers who are ready for a more challenging read.

• When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
  • Genre(s): Science Fiction, Mystery
  • Synopsis: Set in 1970s New York, this story follows sixth-grader Miranda as she navigates friendship, family, and mysterious notes that seem to predict the future.
  • Why this book is challenging: The plot involves complex concepts like time travel and the narrative structure includes puzzles that readers must solve alongside the protagonist.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines elements of science fiction with a coming-of-age story, providing a captivating and intellectually stimulating experience.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy mysteries and science fiction with a twist of real-life issues.

• The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm
  • Genre(s): Science Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: Ellie's world turns upside down when her grandfather, a scientist, discovers a way to reverse aging and turns up as a teenager.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book delves into scientific concepts and ethical questions that are usually not explored deeply in children's literature.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a humorous yet thought-provoking look at science, family, and the challenges of growing up and growing old.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in science and ethical dilemmas, who also enjoy a good laugh.

• The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin
  • Genre(s): Realistic Fiction, Science
  • Synopsis: After her best friend drowns, Suzy becomes convinced that the true cause of the tragedy was a rare jellyfish sting. She retreats into silence, only to embark on a journey to prove her theory.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative tackles complex themes of grief, guilt, and the search for meaning in the face of loss, which demands a mature understanding from readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully blends emotional depth with scientific inquiry, making it a compelling read for those who are curious about nature and dealing with personal challenges.
  • Perfect for: Readers who are coping with loss or who have a keen interest in marine biology and emotional storytelling.

• Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
  • Genre(s): Realistic Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Thirteen-year-old Salamanca Tree Hiddle tells the story of her emotional journey across the United States with her grandparents, as she recounts the story of her friend Phoebe and comes to terms with her own mother's disappearance.
  • Why this book is challenging: The dual narrative requires readers to track multiple storylines and understand the complex relationships and themes.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a deeply moving tale that explores family, identity, and the way stories intertwine and shape our lives.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy emotional depth and complex narratives in their books.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking for ways to help your 10-year-old develop good reading habits while exploring books about moving, you've come to the right place. Here are some fun and effective exercises that can make reading a more engaging and enriching experience for them.

• Set a Daily Reading Goal
  • What it is: Decide on a specific number of pages or chapters to read each day.
  • How it helps: Encourages a consistent reading habit and helps in completing books systematically.
  • Tips: Start with a small, manageable goal and gradually increase it as your child becomes more comfortable.

• Create a Reading Corner
  • What it is: Dedicate a comfortable and quiet space in the house for reading.
  • How it helps: Provides a special place that can enhance focus and make reading a more enjoyable activity.
  • Tips: Let your child personalize the space with their favorite cushions, posters, or even a small bookshelf.

• Discuss the Book
  • What it is: Have regular discussions about the book your child is reading.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and allows your child to express thoughts and emotions related to the story.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions that go beyond yes or no answers to encourage deeper thinking.

• Book-Themed Activities
  • What it is: Create activities related to the themes or settings of the book.
  • How it helps: Makes reading more dynamic and helps in understanding the content better.
  • Tips: You could plan a craft, draw a scene from the book, or even cook a dish mentioned in the story.

• Reading Challenge with Rewards
  • What it is: Set up a challenge where your child aims to read a certain number of books about moving and receives a reward for completing the challenge.
  • How it helps: Motivates and excites children about reaching reading goals.
  • Tips: Keep the challenges achievable and the rewards something that your child will genuinely look forward to.

• Pair Reading with Audio Books
  • What it is: Listen to the audiobook version while following along with the print book.
  • How it helps: Enhances word recognition and pronunciation, and can make reading less daunting.
  • Tips: Choose audiobooks with engaging narrators to maintain interest.

Incorporating these exercises into your child’s reading routine can not only improve their reading skills but also make the experience more enjoyable. Remember, the goal is to foster a love for reading that will last a lifetime. Happy reading!