Ten Books that 10-Year-Old Girls Will Love

I’m so excited for this post! Years ago when I first dreamed of having a blog, this was the kind of post that I was eager to write and share! After sharing our family-favorite read aloud books and the best exciting audio drama resources, I wanted to write many more posts sharing all the other children’s books and series that we love.

I have spent much of my life searching for and collecting all the best books for kids. There are many reasons why reading is important to children and there are many forms of reading. My siblings and I discovered our favorite ages for chapter books was the 8-12-year-old range. We loved getting books for our birthdays and we even had a book-themed Christmas!

Then for years after that, we had a New Year celebration with books. We made a book ladder and wrapped all the books we had collected that year at book stores and at library book sales or online off Ebay or Christianbook! I love these books and have been compiling a list that I will continue to update as I remember more and more that we enjoyed as children ourselves.

For years, we would visit our library and would grab a book or two – or a shelf-full. Then we would spend every moment we could, reading all those books. We were always taking notes of which ones we thought were suitable for our younger siblings to read as well. More than once we came across many that had questionable or inappropriate content and we took these off our list. These days it is even harder to know what content is hidden in children’s literature, so we are always grateful to find books that are honoring to God and fulfilling. We love stories that teach lessons and bring glory to Him.

Thankfully, we have been able to find many books and series that we thoroughly have enjoyed and that my older siblings and I would pass back and forth. It was fun to talk about the characters and the stories and then share them with our younger siblings. We ended up collecting a good sized list of our favorites!

I am thrilled to share here a list of stand-alone books for girls that I believe your daughters and you will enjoy as well. As I went through my book lists from my childhood, I realized how much longer this list could be. So I decided to make this list be ten of mine and my sisters’ top favorites in no particular order. Feel free to read them aloud or let your children read on their own and share with you what they are loving from the story! You can also find many as audiobooks online!

*Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and help me to keep blessing you as I continue to share many of our favorite homeschool recommendations at no cost to you.

Caddie Woodlawnby Carol Ryrie Brink

Caddie Woodlawn is a spunky girl who loves a good adventure. She makes friends with the Indians and loves playing with her two brothers. Capturing the life of a family on the frontier in the 1860s, this book and all the stories about Caddie will definitely keep girls entertained and wanting to read more.

Magical Melons by Carol Ryrie Brink

If you loved reading about Caddie Woodlawn in the first book, then you will enjoy more stories about her and her family in Magical Melons (also published as Caddie Woodlawn’s Family). Read more about Caddie, her little sister Hettie, and her brothers Tom and Warren and all the adventures they find themselves on.

Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher

One of my favorite classic books, Understood Betsy is truly a delight to read. Hear how Betsy moves to a small town and goes to a one room schoolhouse for the first time! There she has finds that she doesn’t have to be in just one grade and that she loves to teach the younger children. Girls will read how Betsy gains her confidence and learns to love life on the farm.

Sarah, Plain and Tallby Patricia MacLachlan

The first of five books, Sarah, Plain and Tall, is a wonderful story about love and family. Anne and Caleb learn how to love and accept Sarah into their lives and are thrilled when she comes to love them as well. A touching story that inspired three movies the whole family will enjoy.

Mandyby Julie Andrews Edwards

Mandy is an orphan who wants to see what is beyond the orphanage wall. She decided to find out on her own and what she discovers and how it changes her life and the lives of many around her, will keep girls excited to keep reading.

Bound for Oregon by Jean Van Leeuwen

Based on a true story, Bound for Oregon is about a family on the Oregon trail and all the trials they endured. As the Todd family faces hostile people, sicknesses, and the other difficulties on the rough terrain, girls reading this book will learn how important faith is to a family who shares a dream of a better life.

Because of Winn-Dixieby Kate DiCamillo

A girl, a dog, and a supermarket sparks a wonderful story of friendship. Opal learns how everyone’s story affects them in different ways and how she can be a light and a joy to those around her. Because of Winn-Dixie has also been turned into a fun movie for the whole family!

Nim’s Island by Wendy Or

Living on an island has its benefits to Nim, whose father is a scientist. She loves all of her animal friends and her tropical home. She has many adventures, but is she ready for the biggest adventure of her life? Girls will want to read more about Nim as she discovers how important it is to be brave and strong in the face of danger.

Tuck Everlastingby Natalie Babbitt

Imagine if you could live forever, but you couldn’t let anyone know. That is what happened to the Tuck family many years before meeting Winnie. When Winnie learns of their story, she is left with a huge choice that really makes her think. Tuck Everlasting is a truly exciting yet humbling story that brings to mind many questions about life’s journey. Girls and boys ten and up will enjoy this novel.

Misty of Chincoteagueby Marguerite Henry

Marguerite Henry’s books have been loved for generations. Misty of Chincoteague is a favorite as it tells the story of a boy and a girl and their love for a special horse. An exciting read of wild horses and the capture of Phantom and her soon beloved filly, Misty. The inspiring events of this story will engage girls and boys of all ages as they have for years.

I hope you and your children are excited to read many of the books on this list! If you have read them and enjoyed these books, let me know in the comments below. Also, share what other books you have loved over the years! There are so many more good stories for girls and boys, so stay tuned for more posts like this and our top favorite books for ten-year-old boys!

But the wisdom from above is always pure, filled with peace, considerate and teachable.
It is filled with love and never displays prejudice or hypocrisy in any form.
James 3:17 TPT