10-11 year olds are still within the middle grade readership (8-12 year olds) but some are growing out of the younger end of this spectrum and are ready for something slightly edgier. Tween books aimed at 10-13 year olds usually have protagonists who are in their early teens, and the themes and sense of humour may be a bit more mature than the books aimed at younger readers. Having said that, many 10- and 11 year olds continue to enjoy books that younger kids also like, and often reread favourite book series as comfort reads.
Our list of popular book series below covers quite a spectrum, reflecting the different maturity levels and changing tastes of 10-11 year olds.
Hell Breaks Loose
by Derek Landy
Skulduggery Pleasant (prequel to the 15-book series). Dark fantasy novels about a detective, her mentor and other friends and allies. Age 11+
The Sad Ghost Club 3
by Lize Meddings
The Sad Ghost Club (book 3). Graphic novel in black and white about feeling nervous about social interaction, loneliness and friendship. Age 11+
Rise of the School for Good and Evil
Soman Chainani, RaidesArt (illustrator)
The School for Good and Evil, prequel to the six book series. Fairytale fantasy series for the contemporary world. Age 11+
The Fowl Twins Get What They Deserve
by Eoin Colfer
Fowl Twins (book 3). Like their older brother Artemis, the Fowl twins are criminal masterminds despite their young age. For readers age 10+
Harry Potter: the Complete Series
by J.K. Rowling
It’s quite fun to acquire the books in the Harry Potter series one by one, but if you want to get them all in one go, there’s a variety of boxsets to choose from, including fancy gift sets and versions that are specifically for adults. If you’d like to listen to the Harry Potter books as a set of audiobooks, they are all read by British actor Stephen Fry, but there does not seem to be an option to buy them as a complete set.
“Kids who like comedy would probably enjoy this series, because it’s really funny and he does really dumb things which make me laugh.” Read more...
Izzy, Children
” I think it’s really sweet the way she lives. When they get a shop-bought thing, they all get excited because most of the time they have to make everything themselves—the dresses, the food, the drink, the entertainment. In one of the books Mary, Laura’s older sister goes blind and from then on Laura has to be the one who has the full weight of making money.” Read more...
Izzy, Children
“It’s all the Greek gods and goddesses as if they’re in high school. They’re all kids. Their school is MOA, which stands for Mount Olympus Academy. There are these four main girls, Persephone, Athena, Aphrodite and Artemis, who are basically all friends.” Read more...
Izzy, Children
“Warrior Cats. It’s just really different from all the other books I’ve read. It really gets you into the place you’re reading about. There are so many different cats, and you end up knowing all the names, as if you actually know them in real life. The way the author makes you believe in the book is really amazing. She can put so much description and so many different feelings into the book, so that you feel you’re there.” Read more...
Izzy, Children
Best Series for 10 Year Olds, recommended by Izzy
Everyone wants to get their kids reading, and a really gripping series is a great way of developing their inner bookworm. Izzy, a 10-year-old girl living in the UK, talks us through her favourite series for kids.
