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

Are you on the hunt for engaging Indian books for 10-year-olds that will captivate their imagination and introduce them to vibrant cultures and stories? You've come to the right place! Whether you're looking to gift a special book or expand your child's reading horizons, our curated lists will guide you to the perfect reads. Keep reading to discover the wonderful world of Indian books for 10-year-olds that promise adventure, fun, and a dash of learning!

Fun Indian Books for 10-Year-Olds

• The Blue Umbrella by Ruskin Bond
  • Genre(s): Fiction
  • Synopsis: A charming tale about Binya, a young village girl in Himachal Pradesh, and her adventures with a beautiful blue silk umbrella.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a delightful read that captures the essence of rural India and teaches important values like kindness and the joy of simple living.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy heartwarming stories and learning about different cultures.

• Grandma's Bag of Stories by Sudha Murty
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Folk Tales, Mythology
  • Synopsis: Collection of stories told by a grandmother to her grandchildren, filled with tales of kings, cheats, and magical creatures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's perfect for sparking imagination and interest in traditional stories with moral lessons.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love bedtime stories and tales of magic and morality.

• Pashu: Animal Tales from Hindu Mythology by Devdutt Pattanaik
  • Genre(s): Mythology, Animal Stories
  • Synopsis: A fascinating compilation of stories featuring animals from Hindu mythology.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces children to mythological stories with engaging animal characters, enhancing their understanding of cultural heritage.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in mythology or animal tales.

• The Adventures of Toto the Auto by Ruta Vyas
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Four delightful stories about Toto, an auto-rickshaw, and his adventures around the city with his driver, Pattu.
  • Why we recommend this book: These stories are fun and fast-paced, ideal for keeping young readers engaged and entertained.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy stories about vehicles and thrilling adventures.

• Younguncle Comes to Town by Vandana Singh
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Younguncle, an eccentric but lovable character, arrives in a small town in India, bringing joy and solving problems for his family and the townspeople.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's full of humor and whimsy, perfect for encouraging a love of reading through entertaining and relatable scenarios.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy quirky characters and humorous situations.

Educational Indian Books for 10-Year-Olds

• The Royal Bengal Mystery by Shubha Vilas
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Set in the lush forests of Bengal, this book follows the adventures of a group of friends who stumble upon a royal tiger and a mysterious old temple.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, cultural awareness, geography of India
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines thrilling mystery with rich descriptions of Indian wildlife and heritage, making it a captivating read.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers and mystery lovers.

• Amma, Tell Me About Diwali! by Bhakti Mathur, illustrated by Maulshree Somani
  • Genre(s): Mythology, Festival Celebrations
  • Synopsis: This vibrant book explains the story of Diwali, the festival of lights, through colorful illustrations and engaging verses.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural traditions, religious stories, rhythmic reading
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a wonderful introduction to one of the most beloved Indian festivals, enhancing understanding of cultural practices.
  • Perfect for: Kids interested in festivals and cultural stories.

• The Mystery of the Secret Hair Oil Formula by Asha Nehemiah
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Humor
  • Synopsis: Veena and her aunt are on a mission to find a lost hair oil formula, leading to a series of funny and unpredictable events.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, creativity, humor appreciation
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a light-hearted mystery that encourages problem-solving and keeps readers laughing along the way.
  • Perfect for: Young detectives who enjoy a good laugh.

• When the Earth Lost its Shapes by Shobha Viswanath, illustrated by Christine Kastl
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Conceptual
  • Synopsis: A whimsical tale where shapes in the world start to disappear, causing chaos, and children must figure out how to restore them.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Geometry, imagination, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively introduces children to basic geometric concepts while engaging their imaginations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy fantasy and learning through storytelling.

• The Serpent's Revenge: Unusual Tales from the Mahabharata by Sudha Murty
  • Genre(s): Mythology, Historical
  • Synopsis: A collection of lesser-known stories from the Mahabharata, re-told with simplicity and intrigue.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural heritage, moral reasoning, narrative skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a fresh perspective on traditional tales, making ancient stories accessible and interesting.
  • Perfect for: Enthusiasts of mythology and historical narratives.

Challenging Indian Books for 10-Year-Olds

• Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This novel follows Haroun, a young boy who ventures into a magical world to help his father, a famous storyteller, regain his lost ability to weave captivating tales.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative intertwines complex themes such as freedom of speech, the importance of storytelling, and political satire, which can be advanced for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It stimulates imagination and critical thinking, offering a rich tapestry of metaphors and allegorical storytelling that enhances comprehension and vocabulary.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love fantasy with a deep narrative and those interested in stories that go beyond the surface.

• The Conch Bearer by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Mythology
  • Synopsis: In this gripping fantasy, a young boy named Anand is entrusted with a magical conch that must be returned to its rightful place in the Himalayas, facing numerous challenges along the way.
  • Why this book is challenging: It incorporates elements of Indian mythology and culture through a complex plot and rich, descriptive language that demands higher-level reading skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book offers a thrilling adventure combined with lessons about bravery, responsibility, and the importance of cultural heritage.
  • Perfect for: Advanced young readers who enjoy mythological adventures and tales of courage.

• Wings of Fire: An Autobiography by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
  • Genre(s): Autobiography, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: This autobiography of former Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam details his humble beginnings and the challenges he faced on his way to becoming a pioneering aerospace scientist and a beloved national leader.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex scientific concepts and the intricacies of political leadership, which are typically not designed for children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It inspires resilience and perseverance, showing young readers that dedication and hard work can help overcome any obstacle.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in science, leadership, and inspirational life stories.

• Tales of Historic Delhi by Premola Ghose
  • Genre(s): History, Culture
  • Synopsis: A beautifully illustrated book that tells the stories of Delhi's rich and tumultuous history through the ages—from its inception to modern times.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book covers a wide range of historical events and cultural details that require a good understanding of historical contexts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a captivating insight into the historical significance of one of India's most iconic cities, enhancing both historical knowledge and cultural appreciation.
  • Perfect for: Young historians and anyone curious about the past and cultural heritage of Indian cities.

• The Village by the Sea by Anita Desai
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Social Realism
  • Synopsis: This novel portrays the life of a poor family in a small village in India, focusing on two siblings, Hari and Lila, and their struggle to keep their family together and overcome poverty.
  • Why this book is challenging: It explores complex themes such as poverty, resilience, and social change in India, presented through sophisticated narrative techniques.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a deep, empathetic look at the struggles and hopes of less fortunate people, fostering empathy and a better understanding of different social realities.
  • Perfect for: Readers who are interested in realistic stories that reflect social issues and personal growth.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into the colorful world of Indian books, it's a fantastic way to explore rich stories and vibrant cultures. To make the most out of your reading adventure, especially for the young readers around 10 years old, here are some exercises that can help develop strong and effective reading habits. These exercises are not just fun but also enhance comprehension and retention.

• Set Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide on a number of pages or chapters to read each day.
  • How it helps: Helps in developing a consistent reading habit and achieving a sense of accomplishment.
  • Tips: Start with small, achievable goals and gradually increase them.

• Create a Reading Nook
  • What it is: Designate a special corner in your home dedicated to reading.
  • How it helps: Provides a comfortable and distraction-free environment that can enhance concentration.
  • Tips: Make it cozy with pillows, good lighting, and all your books within reach.

• Book Club with Friends
  • What it is: Form a book club with a group of friends to read and discuss Indian books.
  • How it helps: Encourages discussion and deeper understanding of the books.
  • Tips: Choose a different book to read each month and discuss your thoughts during meet-ups.

• Map the Story
  • What it is: Draw a map or timeline of the events as they happen in the story.
  • How it helps: Helps in visualizing the story's setting and sequence, improving memory and understanding.
  • Tips: Use colors and symbols to make the map more engaging and easier to understand.

• Character Diary
  • What it is: Write diary entries from the perspective of different characters in the book.
  • How it helps: Enhances empathy and deeper understanding of characters’ motivations and feelings.
  • Tips: Choose your favorite character or one that puzzles you to start with.

• Predict the Plot
  • What it is: Make predictions about how the story will unfold before finishing the book.
  • How it helps: Stimulates critical thinking and engagement with the story.
  • Tips: Write down your predictions and check how many of them were right after finishing the book.

• Illustrate Your Favorite Scene
  • What it is: Draw or paint a scene from the book that you found most interesting.
  • How it helps: Boosts creativity and helps in visual memory retention.
  • Tips: Don't worry about artistic skills; focus on how the scene made you feel.

Incorporating these exercises into your reading routine can make your journey through Indian literature more engaging and enriching. Whether you're sketching out a scene or predicting the next twist, each activity is designed to boost your enjoyment and understanding of the books. So grab your next Indian adventure and let's get started! Happy reading!