Books for 10 Year Old Boys (Kid-Approved Favorites)

Finding the best books for 10 year old boys has always been more fun than challenging in our house.

My son has loved books for as long as I can remember, even before he could read them himself.

We’ve built a small library at home over the years, and at age ten, he still reaches for a stack of books most days without any prompting.

This list pulls together the titles he’s read and reread, the ones he’s recommended to friends, and a few that surprised both of us by how much they stuck.

If you’re raising a reader, there’s a good chance you’ll find something here that connects.

Collage of popular books for 10-year-old boys including titles like 5,000 Awesome Facts, Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja, The Aquanaut, and Would You Rather? Eww Edition.

**This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and a participant in other affiliate programs, I earn a commission on qualifying purchases.**

Books That Kept Him Reading at Ten

At ten, his reading habits changed fast. One week he wanted nonstop humor, the next he was deep into long fantasy series or anything with a mystery to solve.

These are the books he actually finished, asked for the next one, or picked up again without me reminding him. It’s a mix of series and standalones that genuinely held his attention.

The Last Kids on Earth

This series hit at just the right time. My son got completely caught up in the mix of zombie chaos, apocalyptic adventure, and silly humor. He tore through the first book in a day and then begged for the next one. It felt like a video game in book form, which, for him, was a major win. The friendships, the weird creatures, the ridiculous treehouse, it all worked.

Theodore Boone

He was skeptical at first (“Isn’t this just a law book?”), but once Theo started solving actual crimes and outsmarting adults, he was hooked. My son really liked how smart the main character was without being annoying about it. It ended up sparking a short-lived courtroom obsession and lots of “what would you do?” conversations.

The Inheritance Cycle

We held off on this one for a while because of the size, but once he started Eragon, he couldn’t stop. The world-building completely pulled him in. I remember him pacing around the house during a cliffhanger chapter and immediately starting book two the same day he finished the first. If your kid loves dragons or epic quests, this one’s worth the commitment.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

These books have been in constant rotation in our house for years. Even after moving on to longer or more “serious” books, my son still grabs a Wimpy Kid when he needs something light and funny. He laughs out loud every time, usually while reading bits out loud to me whether I’m listening or not.

Hardy Boys

We went through a full Hardy Boys phase, and I wasn’t mad about it. The stories felt old-school in the best way, no phones, just puzzles, courage, and slightly over-the-top danger. My son loved trying to figure things out before the brothers did, and it gave us a lot of good material for car chats.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians

This was the series that finally made mythology click for him. He started reading passages out loud at dinner and kept pausing to explain which god was whose parent. At one point he was convinced he’d be sorted into a specific cabin at Camp Half-Blood and had a whole argument ready to defend it. The pace and sarcasm kept him moving through the books quickly, and he really connected with Percy as a character rather than just the story itself.

Related: Greek Gods timeline worksheets

Escape from a Video Game

This one disappeared into his room and only came back when he finished it. He liked the whole “inside the game” setup because it felt more like following a playthrough than reading a traditional chapter book. He kept describing the traps and different paths as if he’d actually played them, and he moved straight through the rest of the series without a break. It worked well for a kid who likes gaming but still enjoys a good storyline.

Related: Best escape board games

Mystery In Rocky Mountain National Park

He picked this up before a family trip out west, and it ended up being one of the books he carried around everywhere. The mix of real-life locations and a kid-led mystery really grabbed him. He liked trying to guess the solution before the characters and loved that it made national parks feel more exciting, not just “somewhere we had to go hike.”

The Boring Days and Awesome Nights of Roy Winklesteen

This one completely surprised us. My son laughed out loud at Roy’s weird nighttime adventures and kept saying, “This is so random, but in a good way.” He liked the idea that ordinary days could hide something unexpected and fun. It’s one of those offbeat books that really sticks, especially if your child likes things that are a little quirky.

The Aquanaut

He picked this up for the artwork and ended up sitting on the couch reading the entire thing in one go. After he finished, he went back through the pages again just to look at the illustrations more closely. The underwater setting pulled him in first, but it was the emotional side of the story that surprised him. It’s still one he recommends whenever a friend says they “don’t really like reading.”

A Videogame Stole My Sister

This was one of those books that didn’t even make it back to the shelf before he finished it. The idea of rescuing someone from inside a game was enough to hook him immediately, but what kept him going was how quickly everything moved from level to level. He kept stopping to tell me about the boss fights and weird environments like he was describing something he’d actually played. It had just enough humor to stay light without losing the adventure.

Related: Puzzle books for kids

Shadow Jumper

This one really stood out. My son was fascinated by the idea of someone jumping through shadows and kept trying to explain how it could work in real life. The mix of mystery, health struggles, and superpower vibes made it more layered than he expected. It led to some great conversations about differences, resilience, and how cool it would be to jump rooftops.

The Academy

This one instantly clicked because my son loves sports. He got really into the soccer academy setting and the mix of pressure, friendship, and competition. It wasn’t just about winning games, it showed what it takes to actually pursue something hard. He related to the main character more than I expected, and it sparked some good chats about effort and confidence.

The Wild Robot

This was one of the quieter books that stuck with him long after he finished it. Roz’s journey as a robot learning how to survive, and eventually connect with animals, caught him off guard. He wasn’t expecting to care so much about a robot. I remember him saying, “I didn’t think this was going to be that deep,” which is basically high praise from a 10-year-old.

Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja

Instant hit. Secret ninja society, school chaos, and tons of action? He was in. He liked that it had a similar humor to Wimpy Kid but with more adventure. He read the first few books in a row and even tried making up his own ninja code afterward. Total bonus: it got him journaling for about a week, which never happens.

The Sign of the Beaver

This was one we read together, and it ended up sparking a lot more conversation than I expected. My son was really interested in the survival aspects at first, how Matt lived alone in the wilderness, but he ended up just as drawn to the friendship that develops with Attean. It led to good discussions about history, trust, and seeing things from another perspective. Definitely one of the more thoughtful reads on the list.

Related: This is often studied in all secular homeschool curriculum

Skeleton Creek

This book was an experience. My son loved the creepy vibe and couldn’t wait to watch the video clips that went with each part. It felt a bit like solving a mystery in real time, and the multimedia format kept him totally hooked. I remember him saying it was the first book that actually gave him chills, and that’s not easy to do.

Spectacular Stories for Curious Kids Sports Edition

This one was perfect for short bursts of reading. He liked being able to jump around to different stories and was especially into the real-life underdog moments. It gave him a new appreciation for athletes beyond just the stats, and he’d often pause to tell me a random fact mid-chapter. It wasn’t flashy, but it really stuck.

Related: Summer Olympics worksheet

101 Things Every Boy Needs To Know

I honestly wasn’t sure how he’d feel about this one, but he ended up liking it way more than expected. He said it felt like “someone older actually talking to you,” and he kept flipping through it even after he finished. It had that mix of casual advice and confidence-building that hit just right at age ten. It’s one of the few non-fiction picks he’s actually recommended to his friends.

Interesting Facts For Curious Minds

This one sat on the table for weeks because he kept dipping into it between other books. He was constantly throwing out random trivia, about space, history, animals, usually mid-conversation or over breakfast. It became our go-to road trip book too, because he could quiz us and actually stump us sometimes. Great pick for kids who like learning without it feeling like “school stuff.”

Related: Books about inventions

5,000 Awesome Facts (About Everything!)

This book basically lived on our coffee table for months. My son would flip to a random page and suddenly we’d all be learning the history of cheese or how volcanoes work. The mix of wild facts and bright visuals made it easy to get lost in. It’s still one he pulls out when he’s bored or just wants something fun to look at before bed.

Related: Best history books for kids

Would Your Rather? – EWW Edition

Total crowd-pleaser. This one turned into a dinner table game for weeks. The questions were gross enough to make him laugh out loud but not so over-the-top that I regretted buying it. He loved testing everyone in the house with the weirdest options and even started writing his own “would you rather” questions afterward.

The Don’t Laugh Challenge – 10 Year Old Edition

This one had him cracking up almost immediately. He brought it to a sleepover and said it was the highlight of the night. He liked that it turned jokes into a challenge, trying not to laugh made it way more fun. Plus, it got him reading out loud without realizing it, which I considered a win.

Hilarious Jokes For 10 Year Old Kids

This became his go-to book for making people laugh. He kept it nearby just so he could sneak up and deliver a punchline completely out of context. Not every joke landed, but that didn’t matter, he loved having his own “material,” and I loved seeing how confident it made him feel.

Why?

This was the book that made me realize how many random questions he had stored up. He read it like a mystery, looking for the weirdest or most surprising answers. Every time I thought he was zoning out, he’d pipe up with “Did you know…?” and it was always something fascinating. It made learning feel casual and constant, which is exactly what I hoped for.

FAQs

What are the best books for reluctant 10 year old readers?

If your child isn’t an enthusiastic reader yet, start with fast-paced series like Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja, Escape from a Video Game, or The Last Kids on Earth. These books are high on action and low on pressure, which helped my son stay engaged early on.

Are graphic novels good for 10 year old boys?

Absolutely. Graphic novels like The Aquanaut or Hilo offer a different kind of reading experience that still builds comprehension, vocabulary, and a love for storytelling. They’re especially helpful for visual learners or kids who need a change from traditional chapter books.

What book series do 10 year olds love?

Series like Percy Jackson, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Inheritance Cycle, and Theodore Boone have been big favorites in our house. Series work well at this age because once they’re hooked on book one, they often keep going.

How do I choose a book for a 10 year old boy?

Think about their interests, do they love sports, adventure, humor, or fantasy? The books in this list cover a wide range of genres, and we’ve found that giving a few options and letting him choose made the biggest difference.

More Great Gift Ideas for Boys

If your 10 year old enjoys books as much as mine, you probably love finding gifts that build on those interests. Whether they’re into building sets, strategy games, or just want something fun to do on a rainy afternoon, these guides are full of ideas we’ve tested and loved:

Each list includes thoughtful picks to match different personalities, whether your kid is sporty, creative, curious, or all three.

Last Updated on 21 October 2025 by Clare Brown

Books for 10 Year Old Boys (Kid-Approved Favorites)

Books That Kept Him Reading at Ten

FAQs

More Great Gift Ideas for Boys

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

As Featured In..

Navigate