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

Are you on the hunt for the perfect read that will captivate your 10-year-old's imagination? Look no further than Roald Dahl books for 10-year-olds, a treasure trove of whimsy and wonder that has enchanted young readers for generations. From tales of giant peaches to chocolate factories, Dahl's stories are just the ticket for adventurous young minds. Keep reading to discover our curated lists of Roald Dahl books that are sure to spark a love of reading in your child.

Fun Roald Dahl Books for 10-Year-Olds

• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Young Charlie Bucket wins a golden ticket to tour Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory, an adventure filled with fantastical inventions and characters.
  • Why we recommend this book: It sparks imagination with its creative and vivid storytelling, making reading a delightful experience.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love magic, mystery, and mouthwatering sweets.

• Matilda by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Comedy
  • Synopsis: Matilda is a brilliant and sensitive child, but her parents are too caught up in their mundane lives to notice her. At school, she meets a kindred spirit in her teacher, Miss Honey, and together they confront the tyrannical headmistress, Miss Trunchbull.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates intelligence and creativity, encouraging readers to believe in themselves and stand up against injustice.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who feel misunderstood or underappreciated, and who dream of doing great things.

• 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 his peers, refuses to eat boys and girls. Together, they embark on a mission to stop the other giants from eating children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a tale of friendship and courage, filled with whimsical language and creative phrasings that challenge young minds.
  • Perfect for: Adventurous readers who enjoy stories about unlikely friendships and heroic deeds.

• James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: After the tragic death of his parents, James Henry Trotter lives with two dreadful aunts. His life takes a turn when he enters a giant, magical peach and befriends a group of charming insects.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers an escape into a whimsical world, promoting creativity and resilience.
  • Perfect for: Children who love adventure and have a vivid imagination.

• Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Animal Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Mr. Fox steals food each night from three mean and wealthy farmers. When they try to starve him and his family out, he devises a plan to outsmart them.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and clever story that teaches the value of wit and perseverance.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy tales of mischief and clever tricks.

Educational Roald Dahl Books for 10-Year-Olds

• The Witches by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Horror
  • Synopsis: A young boy stumbles upon a secret convention of witches, all plotting to rid the world of children by turning them into mice. With the help of his wise grandmother, he must find a way to stop them.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, problem-solving, understanding of narrative structure and character development
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines thrilling, spooky elements with a story of bravery and the bond between a boy and his grandmother.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy a good scare mixed with heroic tales.

• Danny, the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Family
  • Synopsis: Young Danny lives with his father in a caravan, where he discovers his father's pastime of poaching pheasants from the wealthy, tyrannical landowner, Mr. Hazell. Together, they hatch a plan to poach all the pheasants from Mr. Hazell's wood.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Moral reasoning, understanding of right and wrong, strategic thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story about a father and son's adventure and their fight against injustice.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love stories about teamwork and clever plans.

• George's Marvelous Medicine by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: George decides to make a medicine to cure his grumpy old grandmother of her unpleasant nature. The results are explosive and lead to a series of wacky events.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creative thinking, experimental learning, cause and effect
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and teaches children about the consequences of actions in a humorous way.
  • Perfect for: Young scientists and any kid who's ever wondered about the magic of mixing things together.

• The Twits by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Humor, Revenge
  • Synopsis: Mr. and Mrs. Twit are two ugly, smelly, nasty people who spend their days playing cruel tricks on each other. Eventually, their mistreated pets hatch a plan to teach them a lesson.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of themes like kindness versus cruelty, empathy, and justice
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a hilarious tale with a moral lesson about the importance of treating others with kindness.
  • Perfect for: Kids who appreciate slapstick humor and stories where the bad guys get their comeuppance.

Challenging Roald Dahl Books for 10-Year-Olds

• The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This story follows a young boy, Billy, who meets a giraffe, a pelican, and a monkey who work together as the "Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company." When they are hired to clean the windows of a large mansion, they stumble upon a burglary plot and set out to foil it.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative introduces complex themes of entrepreneurship and crime prevention, woven through whimsical adventures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It showcases teamwork and problem-solving in unexpected scenarios, encouraging young readers to think creatively and collaboratively.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love stories about teamwork and animals in extraordinary roles.

• The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: The story centers on a girl who has a special power: when she gets angry and points her finger, magical things happen. She uses this power on her neighbors, the Gregg family, who are avid hunters, to teach them a lesson about empathy.
  • Why this book is challenging: It explores ethical dilemmas and the consequences of actions, presenting these themes through a magical narrative that challenges young readers to think critically about right and wrong.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a compelling tale that promotes empathy and moral reflection, ideal for nurturing a young reader's sense of justice and responsibility.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in stories with a moral lesson and magical elements.

• Esio Trot by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Romance, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Mr. Hoppy, a shy old man, is in love with his neighbor, Mrs. Silver, who is fond of her pet tortoise, Alfie. Mr. Hoppy devises a clever plan involving a fake tortoise-growing spell to win Mrs. Silver's heart.
  • Why this book is challenging: This book uses a subtle narrative to explore themes of love, loneliness, and ingenuity, requiring readers to interpret the characters' motives and actions.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches about the lengths one might go to for love and the importance of clever thinking and bravery.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy a mix of romance and whimsical plotting.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into the whimsical world of Roald Dahl with a 10-year-old, you're in for a treat! Dahl's stories are not just fun; they're also a great way to foster good reading habits. Below are some exercises that can help young readers get the most out of their reading experience. Each exercise is designed to be engaging and beneficial, ensuring that reading becomes a cherished habit.

• Create a Dahl Dictionary
  • What it is: Make a personalized dictionary for unique words found in Dahl's books.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and helps in understanding the context better.
  • Tips: Encourage the use of this dictionary when writing stories or doing school assignments.

• Chapter Summaries
  • What it is: Write a short summary of each chapter after reading.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and retention of the story.
  • Tips: Keep the summaries brief and fun; maybe even draw a scene from the chapter.

• Character Maps
  • What it is: Create a visual map linking characters and their traits.
  • How it helps: Helps in understanding character development and relationships.
  • Tips: Use colors and symbols to make the map visually engaging and easier to remember.

• Question Corners
  • What it is: Develop a list of questions about the story before starting a new book.
  • How it helps: Sets a purpose for reading and enhances focus.
  • Tips: Discuss these questions with friends or family members who have read the book.

• Reading Aloud
  • What it is: Take turns reading the book aloud with a parent or a friend.
  • How it helps: Improves pronunciation and builds confidence in reading.
  • Tips: Use different voices for different characters to make the reading session more fun.

• Story Predictions
  • What it is: Guess what might happen next after a reading session.
  • How it helps: Stimulates imagination and analytical thinking.
  • Tips: Write down these predictions and check later to see which ones were right.

• Illustrate the Story
  • What it is: Draw scenes or characters from the book after reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances creative expression and helps visualize the text.
  • Tips: Share the drawings with family or friends to discuss their thoughts on the story.

These exercises are not just about improving reading skills; they're about making reading a fun and integral part of daily life. Roald Dahl's books, with their rich plots and quirky characters, provide the perfect canvas for these activities. So, grab those books, and let's make reading an adventure!