10+ Best Growth Mindset Books for 10-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect growth mindset books for 10-year-olds? You're in the right place! Instilling a growth mindset early on can profoundly impact a child's learning and development. This blog will dive into a variety of handpicked growth mindset books that are ideal for 10-year-olds, each crafted to inspire resilience, curiosity, and a love for learning. Keep reading to discover our top picks that are sure to engage and motivate young readers!

Fun Growth Mindset Books for 10-Year-Olds

• Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Psychology, Self-help
  • Synopsis: This book explores the concept of "fixed" vs. "growth" mindsets, explaining how our beliefs about our abilities affect our success.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps young readers understand how embracing challenges and persevering through setbacks can lead to greater achievements.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are facing academic challenges or who need a boost in confidence.

• The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Picture book
  • Synopsis: A young girl and her best friend, who happens to be a dog, decide to make the most magnificent thing, facing frustrations and setbacks along the way.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a delightful story that encourages persistence and creativity, showing that it's okay to make mistakes.
  • Perfect for: Creative youngsters who enjoy crafting or building projects.

• Thanks for the Feedback, I Think by Julia Cook, illustrated by Kelsey De Weerd
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Social skills
  • Synopsis: This book tells the story of RJ, who learns how to accept feedback from others and use it to improve himself.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches the importance of constructive criticism and personal growth in a fun, relatable way.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are learning how to handle feedback and criticism, whether from teachers or peers.

• Your Fantastic Elastic Brain: Stretch It, Shape It by JoAnn Deak, illustrated by Sarah Ackerley
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book explains how the brain works and how trying new things can help strengthen it.
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes the science of the brain accessible and engaging, encouraging kids to see learning as an exciting, brain-building process.
  • Perfect for: Curious kids who have an interest in science or how their minds work.

• What Do You Do With a Problem? by Kobi Yamada, illustrated by Mae Besom
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: This is a story about a child who learns to tackle a persistent problem and discovers an unexpected opportunity.
  • Why we recommend this book: It inspires readers to face their problems head-on and find the positive aspects in challenges.
  • Perfect for: Children who might be dealing with personal challenges and need encouragement to overcome them.

Educational Growth Mindset Books for 10-Year-Olds

• Bubble Gum Brain by Julia Cook, illustrated by Allison Valentine
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This engaging story features two characters, Bubble Gum Brain and Brick Brain, who show different approaches to learning and challenges. Bubble Gum Brain loves to learn new things and believes in the power of yet, while Brick Brain is stuck on being set in his ways.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Flexibility in thinking, adaptability, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively illustrates the benefits of a growth mindset through relatable characters and fun, colorful illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy stories that include lessons on personal development and learning.

• Making a Splash: A Growth Mindset Children's Book by Carol E. Reiley
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This story follows two young swimmers, one who thinks she is not a natural and another who believes practice makes perfect. Together, they learn lessons about growth and fixed mindsets.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of growth mindset, perseverance, self-improvement
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a straightforward, engaging narrative that helps children understand the value of effort and persistence.
  • Perfect for: Young athletes or any child learning a new skill that requires practice and dedication.

• The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein, illustrated by Mark Pett
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: Beatrice Bottomwell is known in her town for never making mistakes—until one day, she does, and learns that life goes on and can even improve when you accept imperfections.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional resilience, self-acceptance, dealing with anxiety
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story that teaches children it’s okay to make mistakes and that no one is perfect.
  • Perfect for: Perfectionist kids or those who fear failure and making mistakes.

• Everyone Can Learn to Ride a Bicycle by Chris Raschka
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Picture book
  • Synopsis: The book explores the experience of a father teaching his daughter to ride a bike, capturing the ups and downs they face together.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Perseverance, motor skills, patience
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the trial-and-error process of learning a new skill, emphasizing encouragement and persistence.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are learning or about to learn how to ride a bicycle, or any new skill.

Challenging Growth Mindset Books for 10-Year-Olds

• The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: This story follows Vashti, a young girl who believes she cannot draw until her teacher encourages her to make a mark and see where it takes her.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces abstract concepts of self-expression and starting small to achieve greatness, which can be profound for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and shows how a simple act can lead to a journey of self-discovery and confidence-building.
  • Perfect for: Young artists or any child who doubts their own abilities.

• The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Biography, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: This true story details how a 14-year-old Malawian boy builds a windmill from scraps to save his village from famine.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex issues like poverty, innovation, and resilience in the face of adversity, which are advanced themes for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an inspiring tale of how determination and education can change destinies, encouraging readers to think innovatively and act resourcefully.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young inventors and engineers, and any child interested in real-life hero stories.

• Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: Rosie, a quiet girl who dreams of becoming an engineer, learns that failure is a necessary step toward success.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces engineering concepts and the importance of perseverance through failure, which are sophisticated but crucial lessons.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes STEM education and underscores the value of persistence and learning from mistakes.
  • Perfect for: Girls and boys interested in engineering and building, and any child who needs encouragement to keep trying despite setbacks.

• Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream by Deloris Jordan and Roslyn M. Jordan, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Biography, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: This book tells the story of Michael Jordan's early years and how his family helped him work through self-doubt and setbacks to pursue his basketball dreams.
  • Why this book is challenging: It touches on themes of self-esteem, patience, and hard work, offering a nuanced look at the struggles behind success.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a relatable and encouraging story for children about how perseverance and family support are crucial to achieving one's dreams.
  • Perfect for: Young athletes, basketball fans, and any child who needs motivation to pursue their goals.

• Ish by Peter H. Reynolds
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: Ramon loves to draw, but he quits after his brother laughs at his pictures. However, his sister helps him see that his drawings don't need to be perfect to be beautiful.
  • Why this book is challenging: It promotes the concept of 'ish,' teaching that the value of creativity is in the process and the expression, not just the final product.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to enjoy and value their own creativity without fear of judgment, promoting confidence and self-expression.
  • Perfect for: Creative kids who might be struggling with self-doubt or criticism from others.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into growth mindset books with your 10-year-old, that's fantastic! To make the most out of this reading journey, here are some engaging exercises that can help develop good reading habits. These activities not only enhance the reading experience but also reinforce the growth mindset principles found in the books.

• Set Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide on a number of pages or chapters to read each day.
  • How it helps: Encourages consistency and commitment to reading regularly.
  • Tips: Let your child set their own realistic goals to boost their motivation.

• Discuss Key Takeaways
  • What it is: Talk about the most important lessons from each reading session.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and helps apply the growth mindset concepts.
  • Tips: Use open-ended questions to encourage deeper thinking and connections.

• Create a Book Club
  • What it is: Gather a few friends to read the same book and discuss it.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding through discussion and social interaction.
  • Tips: Rotate who picks the book to keep the club exciting and inclusive.

• Visualize While Reading
  • What it is: Encourage imagining the scenes as they unfold in the book.
  • How it helps: Makes reading more enjoyable and memorable.
  • Tips: Occasionally pause and ask your child to describe their mental image.

• Keep a Reading Journal
  • What it is: Maintain a journal to note down thoughts and favorite quotes.
  • How it helps: Helps establish a routine and keep track of progress.
  • Tips: Make it a habit of filling out the journal every day.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: Take turns reading pages or chapters aloud to each other.
  • How it helps: Improves fluency and makes reading a shared, fun activity.
  • Tips: Use different voices for different characters to make it more engaging.

• Link Books to Daily Life
  • What it is: Connect scenarios or lessons from the book to real-life situations.
  • How it helps: Helps children see the relevance and application of what they read.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to come up with examples of how they can use a lesson from the book in their own life.

Implementing these exercises can turn reading from a solitary task into a dynamic and interactive habit that promotes a growth mindset. Remember, the goal is to make reading enjoyable and educational, so feel free to adapt these ideas to best suit your child's interests and learning style. Happy reading!