10+ Best Books for 10-12-Year-Old In India w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect read for your young reader? Finding engaging and age-appropriate books for 10-12-year-old in India can be a delightful challenge. From captivating adventures to stories that resonate with their everyday experiences, there's a world of books out there waiting to be discovered. Keep reading as we explore various lists of books for 10-12-year-old in India that are sure to captivate their minds and spark their imagination.

Fun Books for 10-12-Year-Old In India

• The Blue Umbrella by Ruskin Bond
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Contemporary
  • Synopsis: The story revolves around Binya, a young girl from a small village in India, who becomes the owner of a beautiful blue umbrella. The umbrella becomes a point of envy in her village, leading to various adventures and lessons.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming tale that highlights themes of kindness, jealousy, and the simple joys of life. The narrative is simple yet profound, making it an excellent read for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy stories about rural life and learning life lessons through engaging narratives.

• The Adventures of Toto the Auto by Ruta Vyas
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Children’s Fiction
  • Synopsis: Follow the delightful adventures of Toto, an auto-rickshaw, and his driver, Pattu, as they navigate the streets of India and embark on various exciting journeys.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's filled with fun, adventure, and interesting characters, making reading enjoyable and engaging for younger audiences.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love vehicles and adventure stories.

• Grandma's Bag of Stories by Sudha Murty, illustrated by Priya Kurian
  • Genre(s): Folk Tales, Children’s Fiction
  • Synopsis: A collection of stories told by a grandmother to her grandchildren during their summer vacation. These stories are filled with wit, magic, and folklore.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a perfect blend of traditional tales with moral lessons, which are both entertaining and educational.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy bedtime stories and learning about different cultures through folklore.

• The Gita for Children by Roopa Pai
  • Genre(s): Religion, Philosophy, Children’s Non-Fiction
  • Synopsis: This book is a simplified version of the Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Indian scripture, tailored specifically for children to understand the profound messages.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces young readers to complex philosophical concepts in a very accessible and engaging manner.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in exploring philosophical and spiritual ideas.

• Mystery of the Secret Hair Oil Formula by Asha Nehemiah
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Veena and her aunt Malu start investigating when their homemade hair oil suddenly becomes a huge success, leading to unexpected adventures and a thrilling mystery.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines humor, mystery, and quirky characters, making it a captivating read for young minds.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love solving mysteries and enjoy stories with a dose of humor.

• Younguncle Comes to Town by Vandana Singh
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Younguncle, an eccentric and lovable character, arrives in a small town in India and brings with him a whirlwind of adventures and fun for the three children of the Sharma family.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s full of humor, adventure, and unique characters, which makes it a delightful read.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy stories about quirky characters and whimsical adventures.

Educational Books for 10-12-Year-Old In India

• Pashu: Animal Tales from Hindu Mythology by Devdutt Pattanaik
  • Genre(s): Mythology, Children’s Fiction
  • Synopsis: This collection brings together fascinating tales of animals from Hindu mythology, showcasing their roles and significance in various stories.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural knowledge, mythological awareness, moral reasoning
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a unique glimpse into Hindu mythology through the lens of animal stories, which are both educational and entertaining.
  • Perfect for: Kids interested in mythology and animal stories.

• The Royal Bengal Mystery and Other Feluda Stories by Satyajit Ray
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Follow the adventures of Feluda, a sharp and intuitive detective, as he solves mysteries across India with his cousin Topshe and friend Lalmohan Ganguly.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Logical reasoning, problem-solving, attention to detail
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines thrilling mysteries with rich descriptions of Indian locales, making it a captivating read for young detectives.
  • Perfect for: Young mystery enthusiasts and aspiring detectives.

• Amma, Tell Me About Diwali! by Bhakti Mathur
  • Genre(s): Mythology, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: Through a conversation between a mother and her children, this beautifully illustrated book explains the story and significance of Diwali, the festival of lights.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural understanding, religious significance, storytelling
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a colorful and engaging explanation of one of India’s most important festivals, making it accessible to young readers.
  • Perfect for: Children curious about Indian festivals and cultural traditions.

• The Mystery of the Missing Necklace by Enid Blyton
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Join the Five Find-Outers - Fatty, Larry, Daisy, Pip, and Bets - as they embark on an exciting adventure to solve the mystery of a stolen necklace.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, teamwork, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a classic mystery that engages young readers with its intriguing plot and dynamic characters.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy classic mysteries and teamwork-based adventures.

• Stories of Wisdom by Venkatramana Gowda, illustrated by Padmanabh
  • Genre(s): Folk Tales, Children’s Fiction
  • Synopsis: This collection of stories features various wise characters and clever antics that teach important life lessons and morals.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Moral reasoning, ethical decision-making, critical thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: Each story is crafted to impart wisdom through enjoyable and memorable narratives.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love stories with morals and those who enjoy learning through tales.

Challenging Books for 10-12-Year-Old In India

• The Conch Bearer by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This novel follows the journey of Anand, a young boy from Kolkata, who is entrusted with a magical conch that he must return to its rightful place in the Himalayas. Along the way, he faces various challenges and meets new allies.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex themes of duty, sacrifice, and the struggle between good and evil, layered with rich descriptions and a diverse cast of characters.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a thrilling adventure filled with magic and mythology, providing a deep dive into Indian culture while fostering imagination and empathy.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy fantasy adventures and learning about different cultures through engaging narratives.

• The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Historical Fiction
  • Synopsis: In this sequel to The Conch Bearer, Anand and his friends are transported back in time by a magical mirror to an ancient kingdom, where they must save it from destruction.
  • Why this book is challenging: The novel weaves together complex historical contexts with fantasy elements, requiring readers to engage with both the historical setting and the magical aspects.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines history with fantasy, offering a captivating story that also educates about historical India.
  • Perfect for: Readers who love time travel and historical adventures mixed with magical elements.

• The Arrow of the Blue-Skinned God: Retracing the Ramayana Through India by Jonah Blank
  • Genre(s): Mythology, Travel, Non-Fiction
  • Synopsis: This book retraces the steps of Rama, from the epic Ramayana, across India, blending mythology with the author’s travel experiences to paint a contemporary picture of the locations and their significance.
  • Why this book is challenging: It combines dense mythological content with real-world geographical and cultural observations, requiring readers to connect ancient tales with modern contexts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides an insightful fusion of travelogue and mythology, deepening understanding of cultural and historical contexts.
  • Perfect for: Young explorers interested in mythology and geography.

• A Children's History of India by Subhadra Sen Gupta
  • Genre(s): History, Non-Fiction
  • Synopsis: This book offers a comprehensive overview of Indian history from ancient times to the present, tailored for young readers with engaging narratives and important historical events.
  • Why this book is challenging: It covers a broad range of historical periods and events, demanding a good concentration and ability to connect historical dots.
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes learning about India’s rich history accessible and engaging, encouraging a deeper interest in historical studies.
  • Perfect for: Young historians and readers interested in India’s past.

• The Serpent's Revenge: Unusual Tales from the Mahabharata by Sudha Murty
  • Genre(s): Mythology, Folk Tales
  • Synopsis: Sudha Murty retells lesser-known stories from the Mahabharata, one of the major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, highlighting the moral lessons and complexities of the characters.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book delves into intricate mythological stories with complex moral and ethical questions, challenging young readers to think critically about right and wrong.
  • Why we recommend this book: It exposes readers to epic narratives that are not only entertaining but also impart moral wisdom.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy exploring epic tales and learning about moral complexities.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're between 10 and 12 years old and living in India, you're at a fantastic age to dive deep into the world of books. Developing good reading habits now can not only boost your academic skills but also open up a universe of imagination, knowledge, and fun. Here are some engaging exercises to help you along the way:

• Set a Daily Reading Goal
  • What it is: Decide on a number of pages or a set amount of time to read every day.
  • How it helps: Creates consistency and helps make reading a daily habit.
  • Tips: Start with small, manageable goals and gradually increase them as you get more comfortable.

• Create a Reading Nook
  • What it is: Set up a special, comfortable spot in your home dedicated to reading.
  • How it helps: Having a designated reading space can make reading time something to look forward to.
  • Tips: Make sure it’s well-lit and away from distractions like TV and noisy areas.

• Join a Book Club
  • What it is: Participate in a group that reads and discusses books on a regular schedule.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding through discussion and encourages you to read more often.
  • Tips: Look for book clubs at your school, local library, or start one with your friends!

• Read Aloud to Others
  • What it is: Read books aloud to family members or friends.
  • How it helps: Improves your reading fluency and helps you gain confidence in your speaking skills.
  • Tips: Try to express the emotions of the story with your voice to make it more engaging.

• Challenge Yourself With a Reading List
  • What it is: Make a list of books you want to read over a certain period, like during summer vacation.
  • How it helps: Keeps you motivated and excited about reaching a goal.
  • Tips: Include a variety of genres to keep it interesting and broaden your horizons.

• Use a Reading App
  • What it is: Utilize technology by using an app that tracks your reading progress.
  • How it helps: Helps keep a digital log of your reading habits and can remind you to read daily.
  • Tips: Choose apps that also offer rewards or badges as incentives.

• Reflect on What You Read
  • What it is: After finishing a book, spend some time thinking about what you learned and how it applies to your life.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and allows you to connect more deeply with the material.
  • Tips: Write down your thoughts or discuss them with someone else to solidify your understanding.

Developing good reading habits at your age is like planting seeds that will grow into a lifelong love for reading. These exercises aren't just tasks; they're stepping stones to becoming a more proficient reader and a more informed individual. Give them a try, mix them up, and most importantly, have fun with your books! Happy reading!