10+ Best Books for 10-Year-Old Who Don't Like to Read w/ Exercises (2024)

Struggling to find books for 10-year-olds who don't like to read? You're not alone! Engaging a reluctant reader can seem daunting, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this blog, we’ll explore a variety of books that are perfect for capturing the interest of young readers who might be a bit hesitant at first. Keep reading to discover our top picks that could transform reading from a chore to a new favorite hobby!

Fun Books for 10-Year-Old Who Don't Like to Read

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fiction, Graphic Novel
  • Synopsis: Follow the hilarious journal of Greg Heffley as he navigates the pitfalls of middle school, dealing with bullies, family dynamics, and the struggle to fit in.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its humorous take on everyday school life and relatable characters make it a hit among young readers who might be reluctant to pick up a book.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy a good laugh and can relate to the ups and downs of school life.

• Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
  • Genre(s): Humor, Action, Adventure, Graphic Novel
  • Synopsis: Two fourth-graders, George Beard and Harold Hutchins, create a superhero named Captain Underpants, who accidentally becomes real when their principal is hypnotized into believing he’s the hero.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's packed with action and humor, presented in a comic book style that is highly engaging for children.
  • Perfect for: Children who love superheroes and comic book adventures.

• The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey
  • Genre(s): Humor, Adventure, Graphic Novel
  • Synopsis: A wolf, a shark, a snake, and a piranha try to change their bad reputations by performing good deeds, but they find that being heroes is harder than it looks.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its unique characters and funny storyline keep readers engaged and laughing, which is great for encouraging more reading.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy stories about misfits and unexpected heroes.

• Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
  • Genre(s): Poetry, Children’s Literature
  • Synopsis: A collection of quirky, imaginative poems with illustrations that capture the whimsical, sometimes nonsensical, but always engaging world of Shel Silverstein.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces poetry in a fun and accessible way, encouraging imagination and a love for reading through its playful rhymes.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who appreciate creativity and the fun of playing with words.

• The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
  • Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Mystery, Graphic Novel
  • Synopsis: Set in 1930s Paris, this beautifully illustrated novel follows young Hugo as he tries to solve the mystery of a broken automaton and a missing key, uncovering family secrets along the way.
  • Why we recommend this book: The mix of text and full-page illustrations makes it an appealing and less daunting read for kids who might be overwhelmed by dense text.
  • Perfect for: Children who are visual learners and those interested in stories that blend history with mystery.

• Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
  • Genre(s): Humor, Action, Adventure, Graphic Novel
  • Synopsis: A cop with a dog’s head and a man’s body embarks on hilarious adventures, often facing off against hilariously absurd villains.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its unique superhero theme and humorous storytelling engage reluctant readers and keep them entertained.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy funny and adventurous tales with a touch of the absurd.

Educational Books for 10-Year-Old Who Don't Like to Read

• Guinness World Records 2023 by Guinness World Records
  • Genre(s): Reference, Non-fiction
  • Synopsis: This latest edition showcases world records across sports, technology, nature, and beyond, featuring incredible human achievements and natural phenomena.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: General knowledge, curiosity about the world, reading for information
  • Why we recommend this book: It's visually stimulating with full-color photos and engaging facts that capture the attention of readers who might not typically enjoy reading.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love trivia and learning about the extremes of nature and human endeavors.

• National Geographic Kids Almanac 2024 by National Geographic Kids
  • Genre(s): Reference, Education
  • Synopsis: An annual almanac filled with facts, figures, and fun snippets about animals, science, history, and cultures from around the world.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural awareness, scientific curiosity, historical knowledge
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a broad range of topics in a format that's easy to dip in and out of, ideal for short attention spans.
  • Perfect for: Curious minds who enjoy bits of knowledge and colorful, informative visuals.

• The 13-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths, illustrated by Terry Denton
  • Genre(s): Humor, Adventure, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Follow the zany adventures of Andy and Terry who live in a treehouse with 13 stories of fun features like a bowling alley, a see-through swimming pool, and a marshmallow machine that follows you around and automatically shoots marshmallows into your mouth whenever you are hungry.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Imagination, creative thinking, reading engagement
  • Why we recommend this book: Its absurd and whimsical nature makes it particularly appealing to reluctant readers who will enjoy the creativity and humor.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love silly stories and imaginative adventures.

• Fly Guy Presents: Sharks by Tedd Arnold
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Science, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Part of the Fly Guy series, this book takes young readers on an educational journey to learn all about sharks.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading comprehension, interest in marine biology, factual retention
  • Why we recommend this book: It mixes fun with facts, using a beloved character to maintain interest in educational content.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are fascinated by animals, especially the mysterious creatures of the sea.

• Weird But True! 10 by National Geographic Kids
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Weird Facts
  • Synopsis: The tenth installment in the popular series, this book offers a collection of bizarre facts and oddities from around the world.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Curiosity, general knowledge, engagement in learning through fun facts
  • Why we recommend this book: It's packed with strange and intriguing facts that can spark a love of learning and reading.
  • Perfect for: Kids who delight in the weird, wonderful, and wacky aspects of our world.

Challenging Books for 10-Year-Old Who Don't Like to Read

• The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure, Science Fiction
  • 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 complex puzzles and moral questions posed in the book require advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages critical thinking and creativity, wrapped up in an engaging and suspenseful narrative.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love puzzles, mysteries, and using their brains in adventurous ways.

• The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Bored and disinterested in life, young Milo receives a mysterious tollbooth that transports him to the Lands Beyond, where he embarks on a quest filled with puns, wordplay, and philosophical insights.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book is rich in wordplay, puns, and abstract concepts that challenge comprehension and interpretation.
  • Why we recommend this book: It transforms reading into a fun and magical journey, making it appealing even to reluctant readers, while subtly teaching lessons about life's values.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy fantasy and adventures that make them think and laugh.

• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Fairy Tale
  • Synopsis: This story follows Despereaux Tilling, a brave mouse in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It intertwines his tale with that of a servant girl and a rat with dark plans.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative's structure is complex, featuring multiple perspectives and a sophisticated vocabulary.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a beautifully written saga about bravery and forgiveness that also enhances vocabulary and narrative understanding.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who appreciate stories about courage and redemption.

• Frindle by Andrew Clements
  • Genre(s): Contemporary, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: When fifth-grader Nick Allen learns about how words are created, he decides to rename a pen "frindle," sparking a series of events that captivate his school, town, and eventually the whole country.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces concepts about language and societal change, wrapped in a narrative that requires understanding of nuances.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes creativity and shows the impact one individual can have on society, encouraging readers to think about the words and ideas they use.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are creative thinkers or interested in the power of language.

• The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Magic Realism
  • Synopsis: In this tale, a witch named Xan accidentally feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight, filling the ordinary child with extraordinary magic. Xan decides she must raise this girl, whom she calls Luna, as her own.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative weaves complex themes such as sacrifice, power, and coming-of-age with advanced vocabulary.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a deep, emotionally resonant story that challenges readers while exploring complex themes about love and responsibility.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy rich, detailed narratives and magical realism.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking for ways to get a 10-year-old who's not too keen on reading to pick up the habit, you're in the right place. Here are some fun and engaging exercises that can help spark their interest in reading. These activities are designed to be enjoyable and beneficial, making reading feel less like a chore and more like an adventure.

• Create a Book Club
  • What it is: Form a small group to read and discuss books.
  • How it helps: Encourages social interaction and discussion, which can make reading more engaging.
  • Tips: Choose books that are age-appropriate and have relatable themes.

• Read Aloud Time
  • What it is: Dedicate time to read stories aloud together.
  • How it helps: Improves listening skills and makes the reading experience more lively and interesting.
  • Tips: Use different voices for different characters to make the storytelling more exciting.

• Graphic Novel Exploration
  • What it is: Introduce graphic novels as an alternative to traditional books.
  • How it helps: Visual elements can help in understanding the story better and maintain interest.
  • Tips: Start with popular graphic novels targeted at children, like those by Raina Telgemeier or Kazu Kibuishi.

• Interactive Reading Apps
  • What it is: Use apps that provide interactive reading experiences.
  • How it helps: Interactive features like games and puzzles make the reading process fun.
  • Tips: Choose apps that are educational and have a good balance of entertainment and learning.

• Reading Rewards Chart
  • What it is: Create a chart that tracks reading progress and rewards milestones.
  • How it helps: Motivates children by giving them something to look forward to after completing reading tasks.
  • Tips: Offer rewards that are meaningful to the child, like an extra hour of playtime or a small toy.

• Story Predictions
  • What it is: Pause during reading to predict what might happen next in the story.
  • How it helps: Engages critical thinking and keeps the reader interested in the storyline.
  • Tips: Discuss predictions and see how they match up as you continue reading.

• Book-Themed Activities
  • What it is: Engage in activities related to the themes or settings of the book.
  • How it helps: Helps deepen understanding and appreciation of the book.
  • Tips: Activities could include drawing scenes, creating character masks, or writing alternate endings.

Incorporating these exercises into a 10-year-old's routine can make reading a more enjoyable and enriching experience. Remember, the key is to keep the activities fun and light, never forcing them but gently guiding them into the wonderful world of books. Happy reading!