10+ Best Fantasy Adventure Books for 10-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect escape into magical realms for your young reader? Look no further! Our curated selection of Fantasy Adventure Books for 10-Year-Olds offers exciting journeys and unforgettable characters that will keep your child hooked from the first page to the last. Keep reading to discover our top picks that promise to spark imagination and adventure in every young reader!

Fun Fantasy Adventure Books for 10-Year-Olds

• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Four siblings—Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy—discover a magical world called Narnia through a wardrobe in an old house. In Narnia, they embark on a quest to defeat the White Witch, with the help of Aslan, a noble lion.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a captivating tale that introduces young readers to classic fantasy elements and the concept of good versus evil.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love magical adventures and stories about courage and friendship.

• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Harry Potter learns on his 11th birthday that he is the orphaned son of two powerful wizards and possesses unique magical powers of his own. He is summoned from his life as an unwanted child to become a student at Hogwarts, an English boarding school for wizards.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a gateway to a richly imagined world filled with intrigue, adventure, and endless possibilities, encouraging imagination and a love of reading.
  • Perfect for: Kids who dream of magic and enjoy stories about friendship and overcoming challenges.

• Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Mythology
  • Synopsis: Percy Jackson discovers he is a demigod, the son of Poseidon, and is sent to Camp Half-Blood where he and his friends embark on a quest to prevent a war among the gods.
  • Why we recommend this book: It mixes ancient Greek mythology with modern adventure, making it both educational and thrilling.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy fast-paced stories and learning about mythology.

• The Neverending Story by Michael Ende, illustrated by Roswitha Quadflieg
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A shy, bullied boy named Bastian finds solace in a mysterious book that draws him into the magical land of Fantastica, a world that needs his help to be saved from destruction.
  • Why we recommend this book: It explores themes of escapism, bravery, and the power of imagination, offering a profound experience beyond just an adventure.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur.

• Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Science Fiction
  • Synopsis: Artemis Fowl, a young criminal prodigy, kidnaps a fairy to harness her magic to save his family, but he doesn't expect the fairy world to fight back.
  • Why we recommend this book: It features a unique blend of technology and magic, presenting an anti-hero as the protagonist which challenges young readers' perceptions of right and wrong.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who like a mix of magic, technology, and moral complexity.

• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This is the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who loves music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It's about his adventures in a castle where he meets various characters and faces numerous challenges.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches lessons about courage, forgiveness, and the importance of light and darkness in life.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy heartfelt stories and rooting for underdog characters.

Educational Fantasy Adventure Books for 10-Year-Olds

• The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Every year, the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch who lives in the forest, hoping this sacrifice will keep her from terrorizing their town. However, the witch, Xan, is kind and rescues the abandoned children, delivering them to welcoming families on the other side of the forest. One year, she accidentally feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight, filling the ordinary child with extraordinary magic.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, empathy, understanding of consequences, and creative problem-solving.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines magical elements with deep emotional insight, teaching important lessons about love, responsibility, and the power of choices.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy complex characters and rich, imaginative storytelling.

• The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Bored and disinterested in his everyday life, young Milo receives a mysterious, magical tollbooth that transports him to the Lands Beyond. Accompanied by a watchdog named Tock, Milo embarks on a whimsical journey through a land filled with puns, puzzles, and peculiar characters, discovering the excitement of learning and the joy of adventure.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Vocabulary, reading comprehension, critical thinking, and appreciation for wordplay and puns.
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively integrates language arts with whimsical fantasy, encouraging children to see learning as an exciting, endless possibility.
  • Perfect for: Children who love puzzles, word games, and creative adventures.

• The Secret of Platform 13 by Eva Ibbotson
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A forgotten door on an abandoned railway platform is the gateway to a magical kingdom. Every nine years, the door opens for nine days. But when the royal prince of the kingdom is kidnapped, a rescue mission must be launched into our world, where the prince has been living unaware of his true identity.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of narrative structure, character development, and thematic analysis.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and magical story that explores themes of identity, belonging, and the meaning of home.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy magical worlds and stories about quests and discovering one's true self.

• Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Siblings Kendra and Seth Sorenson visit their grandparents' estate only to discover it's actually Fablehaven, a sanctuary for mythical and magical creatures. Here, they must battle evil forces and solve mysteries to protect the preserve and the world.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Strategic thinking, moral reasoning, and understanding the impact of choices.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers an engaging mix of magic and adventure while promoting important values such as courage, loyalty, and the distinction between good and evil.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy tales of magical creatures and heroes facing great challenges.

• The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Humor
  • Synopsis: Nine-year-old Tiffany Aching sets out on an adventure in the world of Discworld with the help of a toad and a horde of tiny, rowdy pictsies known as the Wee Free Men to rescue her baby brother and combat a looming, malevolent force.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, resilience, understanding of satire and humor.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a witty and humorous adventure that teaches bravery and self-reliance in the face of daunting challenges.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who appreciate humor mixed with their fantasy and tales of strong, resourceful young heroines.

Challenging Fantasy Adventure Books for 10-Year-Olds

• Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Meggie learns that her father, Mo, has the ability to bring characters from books into the real world when reading aloud. This gift turns dangerous when an evil ruler from a fantasy book called "Inkheart" is brought into their lives, leading Meggie and her father into a thrilling adventure within the realms of fiction and reality.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative weaves complex characters with multiple plot lines that challenge young readers to keep track of various story arcs and their implications.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates the power of books and reading, fostering a deep love for storytelling while engaging readers in a richly crafted fantasy world.
  • Perfect for: Book lovers and young readers who enjoy stories about stories and adventures that span both reality and fantastical realms.

• The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Nathaniel, a young magician's apprentice, summons the powerful djinni Bartimaeus to aid him in his revenge against the accomplished magician Simon Lovelace. Together, they dive into a plot filled with intrigue, magic, and betrayal.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features a complex magical system and political intrigue that require careful reading and understanding of the narrative’s subtleties.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book offers a thrilling magical adventure with sharp wit and a dynamic relationship between characters, providing both entertainment and a thoughtful critique of power dynamics.
  • Perfect for: Readers who are fascinated by magic and complex character dynamics, and those who enjoy a blend of humor and fantasy.

• The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Taran, an Assistant Pig-Keeper in the land of Prydain, dreams of becoming a hero. His adventure begins when he sets out to find a lost pig and encounters an array of characters who join him on a quest that turns into an epic battle against evil.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book introduces a unique fantasy world inspired by Welsh mythology, filled with unusual names and concepts that challenge young readers to immerse themselves in a new cultural context.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a classic hero’s journey that teaches important values such as bravery, loyalty, and self-discovery.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy epic tales and learning about myths and legends from different cultures.

• Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Gregor falls through a grate in the laundry room of his apartment building into the dark Underland, a world filled with strange creatures and conflicts. He embarks on a quest that he hopes will lead him to his missing father and ultimately to a destiny he never wanted.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story explores complex themes such as war, prophecy, and familial bonds, challenging readers to think deeply about the implications of conflict and personal responsibility.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a gripping adventure and emotional depth, encouraging readers to consider the consequences of choices and the importance of courage.
  • Perfect for: Those who love underground worlds full of mystery, prophecy, and richly imagined settings.

• The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: On his eleventh birthday, Will Stanton discovers that he is no ordinary boy but the last of the Old Ones, immortals dedicated to keeping the world from domination by the forces of evil, the Dark. He embarks on a quest to gather the instruments of power that will help him fight these forces.
  • Why this book is challenging: The novel incorporates elements of British folklore and Arthurian legends, requiring readers to engage with deeply woven narratives that blend historical and fantastical elements.
  • Why we recommend this book: This series offers a darker, more complex fantasy that provides thrilling adventure while delving into the battle between good and evil.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy mythology and stories that blend magic with a deeper exploration of light and dark forces.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there, young adventurers! If you're diving into the magical world of fantasy adventure books, you're in for a treat. Not only are these books a lot of fun, but they also open up new realms of imagination and creativity. To make the most out of your reading journey, here are some exercises that can help you develop good reading habits. These are simple, effective, and perfect for 10-year-olds like you!

• Set Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide how much time you'll spend reading each day or how many pages you'll read.
  • How it helps: Helps you stay focused and make reading a consistent habit.
  • Tips: Start with small, achievable goals and gradually increase them.

• Create a Reading Nook
  • What it is: Designate a special corner in your home just for reading.
  • How it helps: Makes reading an enjoyable and anticipated activity.
  • Tips: Decorate it with comfy cushions, good lighting, and maybe even some posters of your favorite books.

• Book Club with Friends
  • What it is: Start a book club where you and your friends read the same book and discuss it.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding of the book through discussion and makes reading a social activity.
  • Tips: Choose books that all members are excited about and take turns picking the book.

• Map the Story
  • What it is: Draw a map or timeline of the events as you read the story.
  • How it helps: Helps in better understanding and remembering the story's sequence and settings.
  • Tips: Use colors and symbols to mark important events and characters.

• Character Diary
  • What it is: Write diary entries from the perspective of a character in the book.
  • How it helps: Deepens your connection with the characters and enhances your understanding of their motives.
  • Tips: Choose your favorite character or one that puzzles you to explore their thoughts and feelings.

• Predict the Plot
  • What it is: Make predictions about what will happen next in the story before you read on.
  • How it helps: Engages your analytical thinking and makes reading more interactive.
  • Tips: Write down your predictions and check how many of them were right as you go along.

These exercises aren't just about improving your reading skills; they're about making reading your own magical adventure. So grab your book, pick a cozy spot, and let your imagination run wild. Happy reading, young explorers!