Top 10 Must Read Books For 6 – 10 Year Old Children

As it is National Storytelling Week, we felt inspired to discuss some of our favourite must read books for 6-10 year olds. In the past we have discussed must read books for children of younger ages, but now it is time to consider some of the best books for the next reading stage. As children reach this age, they will start to become much more engaged in reading and take an interest in the storylines. Depending on their reading ability, these books can either be read by you or your child; or, a bit of both.

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

All of the Roald Dahl children’s books are must reads; a popular choice for beginners and advanced readers alike! All the Roald Dahl books are brilliantly written and full of fun.  Even if your child has seen the film, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is even better in print as Dahl’s wit comes across in every single sentence.

Charlottes Web by E.B White

This classic children’s tale tells the story of a girl called Fern and a pig called Wilbur.  When Wilbur is alone in the barn, he makes friends with a spider called Charlotte who hatches a plan to save Wilbur from the farmer.

Romona Quimby series by Beverly Cleary

Ramona Quimby is funny and fearless; the sort of girl whose joys and sorrows are infectious. Follow Ramona as she tackles childhood with her active imagination and intrepid attitude.  These books are valued for the realistic view they present of growing up – the confusion, the hilarity and the emotional challenges will have young readers hooked from the start.

The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey

This is the first of Dav Pilkey’s Captain Underpants series and introduces George Beard and Harold Hutchins who bring Captain Underpants to reality when they hypnotize the headmaster.  George and Harold’s pranks and mischievous behaviour encourage boys to read, no mean feat when only 25% of boys in the UK read outside of the classroom.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Books by Jeff Kenney

This is the first in the series of The Diary Of A Wimpy Kids books – another series that has had boys visiting the library in droves.  The books tell the story of Greg Heffley, a weakling who writes a diary that has proved immensely popular with primary school boys across the UK.

Horrible Histories Books by Terry Deary

British born actor and writer Terry Deary has written a series of educational history books for kids that are as entertaining as they are informative.  They’ve proved to be a favourite series of books in libraries all over the UK, with many kids choosing to use them for project research as well as for fun.

How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

This book tells the story of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III a young Viking who captures a small dragon whom he calls Toothless.  His attempts to train the dragon as a rite of passage result in calamity and hilarity alike.  This is the first in a series of twelve books that have enchanted children in Britain and America.

The BFG Book by Roald Dahl

Another offering from this popular author, The BFG is the Big Friendly Giant who snatches orphan Sophie from her bed and carries her off to Giant Country.  He and Sophie then battle to stop other Giants from eating the children of the world.

George Speaks by Dick King-Smith

This much-loved tale about a baby who starts to talk at the age of just 4 weeks will have kids of all ages chuckling as they read.  George has such a large vocabulary that his family is flabbergasted by such an unusually gifted child.

Goodnight Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian

Set in rural England during World War 2, Goodnight Mr. Tom features a London boy who is evacuated to the country during the Battle of Britain.  William Beech finds himself in the care of a widower in his sixties who shows the boy kindness and understanding for the first time.  Both heart-wrenching and thought provoking, this has become a must read modern children’s classic.