Books Lists
10+ Best Time Travel Books for 10-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)
Are you on the hunt for the perfect adventure that'll whisk your 10-year-old away through time? Dive into our curated selection of time travel books for 10-year-olds, where each page turns into a new discovery from a different age! Whether looking for a thrilling escape or a journey filled with historical insights, these books promise to spark the imagination of young readers. Keep reading to explore our diverse lists of captivating time travel tales tailored just for them!
Table of Contents
Fun Time Travel Books for 10-Year-Olds
- The Time Garden by Edward Eager
- Illustrator: N. M. Bodecker
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
- Synopsis: Four children discover a magical thyme garden where a talking toad leads them on a series of time-travel adventures.
- Why we recommend this book: It combines magic and history in a way that is both entertaining and educational, sparking curiosity about different times and cultures.
- Perfect for: Kids who love magic and adventure, and those who enjoy stories about teamwork and friendship.
- The Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne
- Illustrator: Sal Murdocca
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Historical Fiction
- Synopsis: A series where two siblings, Jack and Annie, discover a tree house filled with books that transport them through time and space on various adventures.
- Why we recommend this book: Each book provides a fun, engaging way to learn about history and science, perfect for encouraging a love of reading and learning.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy series and exploring different worlds and times.
- Charlotte Sometimes by Penelope Farmer
- Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Fantasy
- Synopsis: A girl named Charlotte goes to sleep in her boarding school and wakes up in the same place, but in the year 1918, swapping places with a girl named Clare.
- Why we recommend this book: It offers a poignant look at personal identity and the impact of time, while also providing historical insights into World War I.
- Perfect for: Readers who like thought-provoking stories and exploring historical settings.
- Time Stops for No Mouse by Michael Hoeye
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Mystery, Adventure
- Synopsis: Hermux Tantamoq is a watchmaker mouse who finds himself caught up in a thrilling adventure that involves time travel.
- Why we recommend this book: It’s a fun and whimsical tale that combines mystery with fantasy, engaging young readers with its unique characters and suspenseful plot.
- Perfect for: Animal lovers and fans of mysteries and adventures.
- A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
- Genre(s): Science Fiction, Fantasy
- Synopsis: Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin O'Keefe embark on a journey through time and space to save Meg's father from an evil force.
- Why we recommend this book: It challenges the imagination with its scientific concepts and presents strong messages about love and courage.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy science fiction and stories about brave, relatable characters overcoming great challenges.
Educational Time Travel Books for 10-Year-Olds
- The Time Warp Trio Series by Jon Scieszka
- Illustrator: Lane Smith
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Historical Fiction
- Synopsis: Follows three friends who use a magical book to travel through time, experiencing and influencing great historical events and figures.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical knowledge, cultural awareness, reading comprehension
- Why we recommend this book: It mixes humor with history, making learning fun and memorable.
- Perfect for: Kids who enjoy humor and adventure, and those curious about history.
- The Time Fetch by Amy Herrick
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Science Fiction
- Synopsis: A group of friends discover a magical object called the Time Fetch that is responsible for stealing time, leading them on a fantastical journey.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of scientific concepts like time, teamwork, problem-solving
- Why we recommend this book: It creatively blends science with fantasy, encouraging curiosity and critical thinking.
- Perfect for: Young readers who like science and fantasy with a bit of mystery.
- Nick of Time by Ted Bell
- Genre(s): Adventure, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction
- Synopsis: Nick McIver uses a time machine to fight pirates in the 1800s and Nazis during World War II, all while trying to change history for the better.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical context of World War II and the Age of Piracy, strategic thinking, bravery
- Why we recommend this book: It provides an action-packed look at different historical periods through the lens of time travel.
- Perfect for: Readers who love action, history, and tales of heroism.
- Mummies in the Morning (Magic Tree House #3) by Mary Pope Osborne
- Illustrator: Sal Murdocca
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Historical Fiction
- Synopsis: Jack and Annie travel back to ancient Egypt, where they help a queen solve a mystery and find their way back to the present.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical knowledge of ancient Egypt, reading fluency, comprehension
- Why we recommend this book: It’s a thrilling adventure that makes history accessible and engaging for young readers.
- Perfect for: Children who are fascinated by ancient civilizations and mysteries.
- The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates #1: Magic Marks the Spot by Caroline Carlson
- Illustrator: Dave Phillips
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Humor
- Synopsis: Hilary Westfield escapes from finishing school to join a band of time-traveling pirates, encountering magical creatures and legendary treasures.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Creative thinking, humor in literature, courage and independence
- Why we recommend this book: It combines pirates and magic with a witty narrative, making it an irresistible read for adventurous spirits.
- Perfect for: Kids who dream of adventures and enjoy stories with strong, quirky characters.
Challenging Time Travel Books for 10-Year-Olds
- When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
- Genre(s): Science Fiction, Mystery
- Synopsis: Set in the late 1970s, this novel follows sixth-grader Miranda as she receives mysterious notes that seem to predict the future and unlock a mystery that involves time travel.
- Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure is complex, involving multiple timelines and subtle clues that challenge the reader to piece together the puzzle.
- Why we recommend this book: It masterfully blends elements of mystery and science fiction, encouraging critical thinking and attention to detail.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy puzzles and mysteries, as well as stories that make them think.
- The Time Garden by Edward Eager
- Illustrator: N. M. Bodecker
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
- Synopsis: Four cousins are whisked away on a series of adventures through time thanks to a magical thyme garden.
- Why this book is challenging: It introduces historical settings and language that are unfamiliar to modern readers, providing a richer, more complex reading experience.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a magical journey that combines history with fantasy, offering both entertainment and educational value.
- Perfect for: Kids who love historical adventures and magical tales.
- The Glass Sentence by S. E. Grove
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Historical Fiction
- Synopsis: In a world where different eras exist concurrently after the Great Disruption of 1799, a young mapmaker, Sophia, embarks on a quest to rescue her kidnapped uncle and uncover a conspiracy.
- Why this book is challenging: The concept of different historical periods existing side-by-side is intellectually stimulating and requires imaginative thinking.
- Why we recommend this book: It offers an intricate plot and a richly imagined world that blend history and fantasy in a unique way.
- Perfect for: Readers who appreciate detailed world-building and complex narratives.
- The Time Quake by Linda Buckley-Archer
- Genre(s): Science Fiction, Historical Fiction
- Synopsis: This is the third book in the Gideon trilogy, where time-traveling friends from the 21st century must navigate 18th-century London to prevent a disastrous time quake.
- Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex scientific and philosophical questions about time travel and its consequences.
- Why we recommend this book: It combines thrilling adventure with thought-provoking themes, making it a compelling read.
- Perfect for: Young readers who love science fiction and historical settings.
- Tanglewreck by Jeanette Winterson
- Genre(s): Science Fiction, Fantasy
- Synopsis: Silver, a young orphan, must find a powerful time-traveling device, the Timekeeper, before it falls into the wrong hands, leading her on an adventure through time.
- Why this book is challenging: The narrative explores complex themes such as time manipulation and existential questions, which are intellectually demanding.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a beautifully written, imaginative story that challenges conventional thinking about time and space.
- Perfect for: Readers who enjoy deep, thought-provoking stories and rich, imaginative worlds.
Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit
Hey there! If you're diving into the thrilling world of time travel books, you're in for an exciting adventure. But how can you make the most out of your reading experience, especially if you're around 10 years old? Here are some fun exercises that not only enhance your reading skills but also make your journey through time travel tales even more enjoyable.
- Create a Time Capsule
- What it is: Build a physical or digital time capsule with items or notes related to what you read.
- How it helps: Encourages you to connect personally with the story and its characters.
- Tips: Include predictions of what might happen next in the story or your thoughts on the characters.
- Draw a Timeline
- What it is: Sketch a timeline based on the events in the book.
- How it helps: Helps you keep track of the chronological order of events, which can be tricky in time travel stories.
- Tips: Use different colors or symbols for different periods or significant events.
- Character Diary Entries
- What it is: Write diary entries from the perspective of different characters in the book.
- How it helps: Enhances understanding of characters' motivations and emotions.
- Tips: Try to write how the characters would speak or think to make it more authentic.
- Predict the Future
- What it is: Guess what might happen next in the book or how the story could end.
- How it helps: Improves analytical thinking and engagement with the story.
- Tips: Discuss your predictions with friends or family who are reading the same book.
- Map It Out
- What it is: Create maps of the book's setting or the different times and places the characters visit.
- How it helps: Aids in visualizing and understanding the story's setting and the journeys taken.
- Tips: Add details like landmarks or character movements as you read through the book.
Using these exercises, you'll not only improve your reading comprehension but also have a blast exploring different eras and adventures. So grab your favorite time travel book, and let's get started on this temporal journey! Happy reading!