49 Great Books For Year 6 Kids (10-11)
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Books are a great resource for both learning and entertainment while in lockdown; that's why we've put together a huge list of books that your 10 to 11-year-olds will absolutely love.
A mixture of books that are perfect for all abilities and reading levels, this list has you covered. Whether your children love reading or need a little bit more encouragement to pick up a book, there will be the perfect story for them tucked away in this list.
Carrie's War by Nina Bawden
Revisiting her childhood, Carrie tells her children about her time spent in Wales as a war-time evacuee. Nina Bawden's touching story is one that has been loved for decades.
Kensuke's Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo
Kensuke's Kingdom has been loved by Year 6 students for years. A strong and beautiful story of friendship, trust and humanity.
Boy Overboard by Morris Gleitzman
Jamal and Bibi dream of leading Australia to glory in the next World Cup. But, escaping from pirates and assassins is not as easy as it seems...
Scat by Carl Hiaasen
Bunny Starch, the most feared teacher in school, is missing. Nick is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery, but not everything is as it seems...
Pog by Padraig Kenny
Filled with magical creatures and enough heart for it all to be worth it, this book about David and Penny’s strange new home is not to be missed.
Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
Entering roller derby wasn't supposed to change everything, but for twelve-year-old Astrid, it did. Now she has to rediscover herself and find her own strength.
The Girl Who Stole An Elephant by Nizrana Farook
A story all about loyalty and adventure, The Girl Who Stole An Elephant is a book that will keep your children hooked.
There's A Boy In The Girls' Bathroom by Louis Sachar
This classic and beloved story is all about perception, acceptance and empathy. The book has been on the shelves of Year 6 classrooms for decades.
A Boy Called Hope by Lara Williamson
Dan Hope is, well, hopeful. He wishes for a lot of things, but his biggest wish of all is for his father to love him.
Eren by Simon P. Clark
One of the only horror books on this list, Eren will be the perfect reading experience for young Year 6 students who love all things creepy and sinister.
Nevertell by Katharine Orton
Nevertell is a perfect fantasy book for Year 6 students. Filled with magic and characters that feel like friends, this book is a definite must for your reading list.
Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell
In a desperate attempt to find her mother, Sophie runs away to Paris. There she meets Matteo, who helps guide her along on her journey.
The Trials Of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Morrigan Crow is destined to pass away on her eleventh birthday. But she doesn’t know that the wondrous, magical city of Nevermoor is waiting to rescue her.
Tom's Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce
Tom's Midnight Garden is a classic story that will stick with your children for years. Haunting and dream-like, this book is perfect for Year 6 pupils.
No Ballet Shoes In Syria by Catherine Bruton
Aya is eleven when her family moves to Britain, seeking asylum from a war-torn Syria. When she stumbles across a ballet class, she uncovers a secret talent.
Cogheart by Peter Burzl
The first book in a fascinating series, Cogheart comes together in a wonderful merge of murder, mystery and a whole lot of mayhem.
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
All Auggie wants is to be treated like a normal child, but things don't always work out that way in this poignant and moving story about compassion and friendship.
The Boy In The Tower by Polly Ho-Yen
Ade loves looking out of his tower block window until the menacing plants start to grow. This is a fantastic sci-fi read that Year 6 pupils will love.
The Island At The End of Everything by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
The lyrical writing of The Island At The End of Everything covers themes from loss, friendship and mistreatment.
Snowglobe by Amy Wilson
Clementine discovers a house in her town that is filled with sinister snow globes. This is an illuminating magical story that your Year 6 child will adore.
Goodnight, Mister Tom by Michelle Magorion
A book you might remember reading as a child yourself, Goodnight, Mister Tom is about young Willie who gets evacuated to the countryside during World War Two.
Oranges In No Man's Land by Elizabeth Laird
Ayesha lives in war-torn Beirut with her grandma and younger brothers. But when granny falls ill, Ayesha heads into enemy territory to find a doctor.
Time Travelling With A Hamster by Ross Welford
A book about a young boy, his hamster, and their time travel adventures. This is a book that Year 6 students will have a great time reading.
War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
Joey, the beautiful foal who gets enlisted to help in the front lines of the war, helps inspire all the soldiers in this stunning book.
The Extraordinary Colours of Auden Dare by Zillah Bethell
Auden Dare doesn't see things like most people; Auden Dare doesn't see in colour. But, hope blooms when Auden makes an interesting discovery at the back of the garden.
Boy by Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl recounts his days as a child in this exciting and extravagant memoir. Just as thrilling and unexpected as his fiction, Boy is a guaranteed success.
Skellig by David Almond
This magical realism story weaves together myth, humour and warmth in a beautiful display of artistry. A perfect balance between weird and wonderful, Skellig is a must-read book.
The Railway Children by E. Nesbit
The Railway Children is the timeless tale of three siblings who move away to a small cottage, and all of the adventures they end up on.
Awful End by Philip Ardagh
The first book in a trilogy, Awful End is a hilariously odd book that will keep your Year 6 children entertained whilst out of school.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
This book will keep your children on their toes. With eccentric characters and a spellbinding mystery, this tender and warm story is a perfect childhood read.
Malamander by Thomas Taylor
When Violet enlists Herbie to help solve her parents' disappearance, things start to get a whole lot eerier in Eerie-on-sea.
Once by Morris Gleitzman
Once is a book about a Jewish boy who is determined to break out of the orphanage where he lives, and save his parents from the Nazi occupation.
The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman
Lyra is rushing to the cold, far north to save the world from her scary uncle whose new invention threatens to destroy everything she knows.
Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz
An action-adventure filled to the brim with spies, government secrets and mysteries that only get more complicated as they go along.
Front Desk by Kelly Yang
Mia Tang has a lot of secrets. Mia Tang also has a lot of courage and heart. This meaningful book about immigrant families is not to be missed out on.
Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
This series is bursting at the seams with Greek gods, monsters and mythological creatures. Percy Jackson is a reading experience that you won't find anywhere else.
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
A courageous story about a boy, his dying mother and the monster who comes to visit him. A Monster Calls is a deeply moving tale of love and loss.
The Midnight Gang by David Walliams
This book tells the adventures of The Midnight Gang and their stay in the hospital. The magical tale of friendship will warm hearts everywhere.
Aru Shah And The End Of Time by Roshani Chokshi
After accidentally setting free an ancient demon in the Museum of Indian Art and Culture, Aru Shah has to stop the world from being frozen in time forever.
Letters From The Lighthouse by Emma Carrol
After months of bomb-raids in London, Olive is finally evacuated. Desperate to help out, she starts delivering notes and uncovers the secret behind her sister's disappearance.
Number The Stars by Lois Lowry
Annemarie and her friend can't remember what life was like before the war. When Ellen is 'relocated', Annemarie has to go on a mission to save her friend's life.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
While The Hobbit might be more suitable for Year 6 pupils who have a higher reading ability, this epic fantasy is still a book they'll love.
The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi
This world of man-eating demons, mechanical rabbits and giant robots sees two ordinary children on a life-or-death mission to save the ones they love.
The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
The Bad Beginning is the starting point of the famous A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. This quirky book will make everyone want to keep reading.
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Jerome is shot by a police officer who believes his toy gun is real. In his death, he meets other young boys like him who have met a similar fate.
The Girl Who Drank The Moon by Kelly Barnhill
Upon her deliverance to her new family, Luna accidentally ends up becoming enchanted with magical powers.
Goosebumps by R.L. Stine
The Goosebumps series makes for perfect reading for Year 6 pupils who love horror and scary stories.
There May Be A Castle by Piers Torday
Mouse is with his family when the car crashes. Thrown into a whole new world, Mouse has to begin the quest to find his way back home.
Crater Lake by Jennifer Killick
On the worst school trip imaginable, Lance and five other students must band together to save the rest of their Year 6 classmates from an alien invasion.
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in Creative Writing and Film
Natalie RayworthBachelor of Arts specializing in Creative Writing and Film
Born and raised in London, this writer and editor has a deep passion for creative expression. With a Bachelor's in Creative Writing and Film, Natalie has experience crafting both factual and imaginative pieces. When not writing or editing, she can often be found immersed in a good book or exploring the city's many secondhand bookstores. A lover of music and art, Natalie brings a creative flair to her work, inspired by her lifelong fascination with the Natural History Museum and her childhood days spent pretending to be Peter Pan in the Diana Memorial Playground.
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