Ten is the age where they want to feel like a detective, but they’ll still hide under the blanket if a door creaks. The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin is the classic, like a Rubik’s Cube that solves itself. It’s clever, twisty, and makes them feel like a genius.
For something lighter, Lemons by Melissa Savage is brilliant. It’s set in the 1970s and involves searching for Bigfoot. It’s like reading a friendship story while having a campfire ghost story. The characters are so real you’ll want to send them a postcard.
17 Best Books For 9- To 10-Year-Olds In 2026, As Per Expert
And don’t forget From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg. It’s about kids running away to live in a museum. Every ten-year-old dreams of sleeping in a giant bed and hiding in a mummy’s sarcophagus. This book is basically a permission slip for their wildest fantasy.
