10+ Best Dyslexia Friendly Books for 10-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the lookout for dyslexia-friendly books for 10-year-olds that make reading enjoyable and accessible? You've come to the right place! Discovering the right books can transform reading into a delightful adventure for children with dyslexia. Keep reading as we dive into our curated lists of dyslexia-friendly books, perfectly tailored for 10-year-olds to help foster their love of reading.

Fun Dyslexia Friendly Books for 10-Year-Olds

• The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Contemporary
  • Synopsis: Matthew Corbin suffers from severe obsessive-compulsive disorder that keeps him bound to his home. His only connection to the outside world is through his bedroom window, where he becomes the last person to see a toddler named Teddy Dawson before he disappears. Matthew must overcome his fears to solve the mystery.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines an intriguing mystery with the challenges of OCD, showing resilience and the importance of facing one's fears. The clear, accessible text is ideal for dyslexic readers.
  • Perfect for: Young detectives and mystery lovers who enjoy overcoming challenges.

• Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Percy Jackson discovers he is a demigod, the son of Poseidon, and is sent to Camp Half-Blood where he embarks on a quest to prevent a war among the gods. Along the way, he must find who stole Zeus's lightning bolt.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fast-paced, engaging story that makes Greek mythology accessible and exciting. The text is dyslexia-friendly, encouraging sustained reading and interest.
  • Perfect for: Fans of mythology and adventure, and readers looking for heroic tales with relatable characters.

• The BFG by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young girl named Sophie meets the Big Friendly Giant (BFG) who, unlike other giants, does not eat children. Together, they devise a plan to stop the other giants from eating children all over the world.
  • Why we recommend this book: Dahl's imaginative storytelling and Blake's whimsical illustrations create a magical world that is easy to dive into. The layout and font are considerate of dyslexic readers.
  • Perfect for: Children who love magical adventures and stories about friendship and courage.

• Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
  • Genre(s): Contemporary, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: Ally has always had trouble with reading, and schoolwork is a challenge. With the help of a new teacher, she discovers she has dyslexia and begins to see her potential.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story that encourages understanding and embracing one's differences. The narrative is particularly empowering for readers with dyslexia.
  • Perfect for: Kids who face learning challenges and anyone who needs a reminder of their unique strengths.

• The Astounding Broccoli Boy by Frank Cottrell-Boyce
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Humor
  • Synopsis: Rory Rooney unexpectedly turns green and is whisked away to a hospital. He believes his new color gives him superpowers and embarks on a series of adventures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun, quirky story that promotes self-acceptance and resilience. The text is easy to read, making it great for dyslexic readers.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy humorous stories with a bit of superhero flair.

Educational Dyslexia Friendly Books for 10-Year-Olds

• Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hypnotism by Georgia Byng
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Molly Moon, an orphan, stumbles upon a book about hypnotism and discovers she has a natural talent for it. She uses her powers to embark on an adventure from her small town in England to the bustling streets of New York City.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading comprehension, imaginative thinking, and self-confidence
  • Why we recommend this book: The story is engaging and written in a way that supports dyslexic readers with clear, well-spaced text. It encourages readers to believe in their own abilities.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers and anyone who loves stories about discovering hidden talents.

• The Iron Man by Ted Hughes, illustrated by Andrew Davidson
  • Genre(s): Science Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A giant metal robot crashes into the Earth and frightens the local villagers. The story unfolds as the Iron Man proves himself to be a hero when a terrifying creature from space threatens the world.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Environmental awareness, conflict resolution, and creative thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: Its simple, yet powerful narrative and the vivid illustrations help maintain interest and make the text more accessible for readers with dyslexia.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in robots and heroic tales, and those who appreciate stories with a moral.

• Ottoline and the Yellow Cat by Chris Riddell
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Ottoline lives in a busy city with her hairy companion, Mr. Munroe. Together, they solve a mystery involving a string of high-society burglaries and an elusive yellow cat.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, attention to detail, and social studies
  • Why we recommend this book: The book features unique visual elements and large text, ideal for dyslexic readers, while the intriguing plot keeps them engaged.
  • Perfect for: Young detectives and lovers of quirky, illustrated stories.

• Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Skottie Young
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: A father goes to buy milk and returns with wild tales of aliens, pirates, and time travel, explaining why he took so long to come back home.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creative thinking, storytelling, and humor
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun, imaginative story with creative typography and illustrations that help guide the reader’s attention, making it easier for dyslexic readers to follow along.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy whimsical tales and creative excuses.

• The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: Mildred Hubble is a young witch attending Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches, where she is known as the worst witch due to her clumsiness and constant mishaps.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Self-acceptance, resilience, and friendship dynamics
  • Why we recommend this book: The text is clear and well-spaced with frequent illustrations, which breaks up the text and adds visual interest, aiding dyslexic readers.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love stories about school life and magical mishaps.

Challenging Dyslexia Friendly Books for 10-Year-Olds

• The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Chris Riddell
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Horror, Mystery
  • Synopsis: After the murder of his family, a toddler wanders into a graveyard where ghosts and other supernatural beings raise him.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure is complex, featuring a series of interlinked adventures that explore deep themes of life, death, and belonging.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a captivating and beautifully written tale that combines elements of horror, fantasy, and suspense in a way that is accessible yet thought-provoking.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy spooky stories and exploring deeper existential themes.

• 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 stop a global crisis.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book features complex puzzles, codes, and riddles that challenge the reader's problem-solving skills and cognitive abilities.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages critical thinking and teamwork, while the engaging plot keeps readers hooked from beginning to end.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love puzzles, mysteries, and stories about secret missions and teamwork.

• A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket (Daniel Handler), illustrated by Brett Helquist
  • Genre(s): Gothic, Mystery, Humor
  • Synopsis: The three Baudelaire orphans face trials and tribulations attempting to uncover dark family secrets, while evading the evil Count Olaf who is after their fortune.
  • Why this book is challenging: The series uses a unique narrative style, rich vocabulary, and introduces literary devices and themes that are complex for younger readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a clever, darkly humorous series that also educates about literary concepts and vocabulary in an engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Readers who appreciate a mix of humor, mystery, and a touch of the macabre.

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Classic, Animal story
  • Synopsis: A young girl named Fern saves a piglet named Wilbur from being slaughtered and he is sent to live in a barn, where he befriends a spider named Charlotte who vows to save his life.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with themes of friendship, loss, and survival through sophisticated language and emotional depth.
  • Why we recommend this book: This timeless story combines simple prose with profound themes, teaching about compassion, the cycle of life, and the power of friendship.
  • Perfect for: Children who love animals and stories that explore deep emotional truths.

• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Fairy Tale
  • Synopsis: Despereaux Tilling, a mouse in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea, is banished to the dungeon for being different. He sets off on a quest to save the princess and prove himself.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book's narrative is rich with themes of bravery, darkness, and redemption, woven together with complex language and structure.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a beautifully told fairy tale that encourages bravery and compassion, with engaging illustrations that help bring the story to life.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy classic fairy tales with a twist and stories of unlikely heroes.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Reading can be a challenge, especially for children with dyslexia, but it can also be a door to new adventures and endless imagination. Here are some exercises specifically designed to help 10-year-olds with dyslexia develop good reading habits. These activities are not only fun but also supportive in building confidence and improving reading skills.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: Spend time reading a book aloud with a parent, guardian, or sibling.
  • How it helps: Enhances decoding skills and improves word recognition.
  • Tips: Choose a regular time each day for reading to make it a routine.

• Create a Word Wall
  • What it is: Make a wall or a board where new and tricky words are added and displayed.
  • How it helps: Visual exposure to words helps in memorization and recognition.
  • Tips: Encourage the child to decorate and add to the wall, making it a fun and engaging activity.

• Use Audio Books
  • What it is: Listen to the audio version of a book while following along with the text.
  • How it helps: Helps in understanding pronunciation and fluency, and reduces reading strain.
  • Tips: Discuss the story after listening to enhance comprehension and retention.

• Match Games with Words
  • What it is: Play games that involve word matching, like memory games with word cards.
  • How it helps: Improves visual memory and word recognition skills.
  • Tips: Start with simple words and gradually include more complex vocabulary.

• Story Mapping
  • What it is: Draw or outline the plot and characters of a story on a piece of paper.
  • How it helps: Helps with understanding the structure of stories and improves comprehension.
  • Tips: Use colors and pictures to make the map more engaging and easier to understand.

• Highlight Reading
  • What it is: Use a highlighter to mark important sentences or difficult words while reading.
  • How it helps: Focuses attention on key parts of the text and aids in word recognition.
  • Tips: Discuss why certain parts were highlighted to deepen understanding.

By incorporating these exercises into your daily routine, reading can become more manageable and enjoyable for children with dyslexia. Remember, the goal is to create a supportive and encouraging reading environment where mistakes are okay and every small success is celebrated. Happy reading!