10+ Best Graphic Books for 10-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect graphic books for 10-year-olds that will keep your young reader engaged and excited? Look no further! Whether your child is a seasoned graphic novel enthusiast or just dipping their toes into this vibrant world, we've got a selection that's sure to spark their imagination. Keep reading to discover our top picks of graphic books for 10-year-olds, each promising to deliver a mix of fun, adventure, and captivating visuals.

Fun Graphic Books for 10-Year-Olds

• Smile by Raina Telgemeier
  • Genre(s): Autobiography, Coming-of-Age
  • Synopsis: This graphic novel is a true story about the author's tumultuous dental journey and navigating the challenges of middle school.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great mix of entertaining and educational content, showing resilience and personal growth in a way that's relatable to young readers.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy real-life stories and anyone dealing with their own personal challenges.

• Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
  • Genre(s): Humor, Action, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Follow the adventures of Dog Man, a canine police officer who is part dog, part man, and all hero.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's packed with humor and action which makes reading fun and engaging for children.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love superheroes and laugh-out-loud comedy.

• Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Science Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: After moving to their great-grandfather's house, Emily and her brother Navin must use an ancient amulet to save their mother from a strange otherworld.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers an exciting blend of adventure and fantasy that keeps readers hooked while encouraging them to face their fears.
  • Perfect for: Fans of epic adventures and fantasy worlds.

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules by Jeff Kinney
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fiction
  • Synopsis: This book continues the diary of Greg Heffley, detailing his attempts to navigate middle school and deal with his annoying older brother, Rodrick.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's incredibly relatable and funny, making it a great choice to motivate reluctant readers.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy humorous takes on everyday school and family life.

• Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke
  • Genre(s): Science Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Zita finds herself a stranger on a distant planet after she pushes a button that transports her into outer space. Now, she must embark on a quest to save her friend.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its strong female protagonist and rich, imaginative settings encourage creativity and bravery.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who dream of adventures and enjoy stories about friendship and courage.

• Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier
  • Genre(s): Supernatural, Family
  • Synopsis: Catrina and her family move to the coast of Northern California for her sister's health, but the town they move to is full of ghosts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines elements of personal and supernatural challenges, offering a gentle look at illness and loss through accessible storytelling.
  • Perfect for: Children who like spooky stories with a heartwarming twist.

Educational Graphic Books for 10-Year-Olds

• Science Comics: Rockets by Anne Drozd and Jerzy Drozd
  • Genre(s): Non-Fiction, Science, Educational
  • Synopsis: This graphic novel explores the history and science behind rockets, from ancient Chinese fireworks to modern space exploration missions.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Science literacy, historical knowledge, technological understanding
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes complex scientific principles accessible and engaging through vivid illustrations and clear explanations.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring scientists and engineers, and any kid curious about how things fly.

• Secret Coders by Gene Luen Yang and Mike Holmes
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Educational
  • Synopsis: This series follows Hopper and her friends as they use their coding skills to solve mysteries at their school.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic programming concepts, problem-solving, logical thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces coding in a fun and interactive way, encouraging computational thinking among young readers.
  • Perfect for: Kids interested in computers and coding, and young detectives who love puzzles.

• The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage by Sydney Padua
  • Genre(s): Historical, Biography, Humor
  • Synopsis: An imaginative and humorous account of the lives of Ada Lovelace and Charles Babbage, the pioneers of computing, with a twist of alternative reality.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical knowledge, computing history, creative thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively mixes historical facts with whimsical fantasy, making it a unique and captivating read.
  • Perfect for: History buffs, tech enthusiasts, and fans of steampunk.

• Human Body Theater by Maris Wicks
  • Genre(s): Non-Fiction, Science, Educational
  • Synopsis: A whimsical yet informative tour of the human body, presented as if it were a stage show, explaining everything from bones to the respiratory system.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Biology, anatomy, health education
  • Why we recommend this book: It presents complex biological systems in an entertaining, easy-to-understand format.
  • Perfect for: Young learners curious about how their bodies work and future doctors.

• Dinosaurs: Fossils and Feathers by MK Reed and Joe Flood
  • Genre(s): Non-Fiction, History, Science
  • Synopsis: Part of the "Science Comics" series, this book details the history of paleontology and the creatures that once roamed the earth.
  • Skills and subjects this inproves: Paleontology, scientific inquiry, earth science
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a comprehensive introduction to dinosaurs and the science of studying fossils in an engaging graphic format.
  • Perfect for: Dinosaur enthusiasts and young paleontologists in the making.

Challenging Graphic Books for 10-Year-Olds

• Bone: Out from Boneville by Jeff Smith
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Three cousins, Fone Bone, Phoney Bone, and Smiley Bone, are run out of Boneville and find themselves in a vast, uncharted desert that leads them into a mysterious valley filled with wonderful and terrifying creatures.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative complexity and the development of a high-fantasy world require readers to engage deeply with both the text and the subtext.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a captivating adventure that combines humor with a rich, immersive storyline, encouraging imagination and a love for reading.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy epic tales and exploring new, fantastical worlds.

• El Deafo by Cece Bell
  • Genre(s): Autobiography, Coming-of-Age
  • Synopsis: This is a semi-autobiographical account of the author's childhood with a powerful and honest look at growing up with a hearing impairment.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex themes of disability, friendship, and acceptance, which require a mature understanding from the reader.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a unique perspective on the challenges of hearing loss, packaged in an engaging and visually appealing format, fostering empathy and understanding.
  • Perfect for: Readers looking for a story about overcoming personal challenges and self-acceptance.

• Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 by David Petersen
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: In a world without humans, mice struggle to live freely and safely. The story follows a group of brave mice known as the Mouse Guard who protect their territory from predators and other threats.
  • Why this book is challenging: The sophisticated storytelling and detailed artwork require readers to pay close attention to both visual cues and textual details.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines heroism and adventure with stunning illustrations, encouraging both visual literacy and a love for intricate narratives.
  • Perfect for: Fans of epic stories and animal protagonists, and those who appreciate detailed artwork.

• Cardboard by Doug TenNapel
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A poor widower buys a cardboard box for his son's birthday, which they craft into a man that magically comes to life. The story escalates as the cardboard creatures they create start taking on a life of their own.
  • Why this book is challenging: The plot explores deep themes of loss, creativity, and the consequences of one's actions, which are profound concepts for younger readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thrilling and creative tale that promotes imagination and discussions about the material and emotional aspects of our lives.
  • Perfect for: Creative minds who enjoy stories about creation, adventure, and the consequences of human ingenuity.

• Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, illustrated by Nathan Hale
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This graphic novel reimagines the classic tale of Rapunzel, who uses her long, magical hair as a tool to escape from her tower and embark on an adventurous quest across the land to defeat an evil witch.
  • Why this book is challenging: The reimagined fairy tale requires readers to think critically about traditional stories and their modern twists.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun, empowering spin on a familiar story, encouraging critical thinking and creativity in reinterpreting classic tales.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy classic fairy tales with a modern, adventurous twist and strong female protagonists.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into the colorful world of graphic books with your 10-year-old, you're in for a treat! Not only are these books fun and engaging, but they also offer unique opportunities to develop good reading habits. Here are a few exercises to enhance your young reader's experience:

• Create a Visual Vocabulary Book
  • What it is: A dedicated notebook for drawing words or concepts learned from graphic books.
  • How it helps: Enhances memory and understanding of new vocabulary through visual association.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to illustrate at least one new word or concept each day.

• Story Map Creation
  • What it is: Drawing a map that outlines the plot and characters of the story.
  • How it helps: Helps with comprehension and retention of the story structure.
  • Tips: Use different colors or symbols for different parts of the story to make the map visually engaging.

• Character Diary Entries
  • What it is: Writing diary entries from the perspective of a character in the graphic book.
  • How it helps: Develops empathy and deeper understanding of characters.
  • Tips: Choose a different character each week to keep the exercise fresh and exciting.

• Discussion Club
  • What it is: A small group of peers who read the same graphic book and discuss it regularly.
  • How it helps: Enhances critical thinking and verbal expression.
  • Tips: Prepare a few questions in advance to guide the discussion and keep it lively.

• Comic Strip Summaries
  • What it is: Creating short comic strips to summarize each chapter or the entire book.
  • How it helps: Reinforces understanding of the narrative and main events.
  • Tips: Allow freedom in expression; it doesn’t have to be perfect, just fun and representative of the story.

By incorporating these exercises, you'll not only make reading more interactive and enjoyable for your child but also boost their comprehension skills and love for reading. So, grab those graphic books and let the adventures begin!