Books for very able 10 year old reader

Oh, SE Hinton definitely

Dd's liked Agatha Odly around this age, dd2 followed by straying into the YA section (under some supervision) and reading Karen M Mcmanus and Holly Jackson towards the end of year 6. She also really liked some books by Sarah Crossan particularly One and Toffee.

Dd1 enjoyed anything by Rick Riordan other than the Percy Jackson series, and Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend.

Both have more recently enjoyed Wings of Fire by Tui T Sunderland. Initially the graphic novel but dd2 has also started reading the books.

Katherine Rundell
SF Said

Look on booksfortopics.com and search by year - they're good thoughtful lists

Also, the Nancy Drew mysteries.

I’ve just remembered that I loved reading the Miss Read books when I was about 11. Your daughter might enjoy them, if they’re still in print.

I was very into ponies so my favourites at that age were

Patricia Leitch- Jinny and Shantih series
Monica Dickens- Follyfoot Farm books
Elyne Mitchell- Silver Brumby series
Walter Farley- The Black Stallion books

Hannah Gold books.x

Erin hunter (my 12 year old loves them)
Discworld series

I'd just set her free in the library.

Skandar and the unicorn thief, repeatedly recommended by my child and their friends who are 10/11.

I was that kind of reader at her age. I loved

Agatha Christie
Sherlock Holmes stories
Lord of the Rings
John Wyndham
P.G. Wodehouse
Somerset Maughan
Laurie Lee
Flora Thompson

I had children's versions of the classics, so books like Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, etc

I also liked Heidi and the sequels, and What Katy Did and the sequels.

Anything by Katharine Rundell, she's fantastic!

Also the Marsh Toad Mysteries series by Elen Caldicott, the Percy Jackson series, the Shape shifter series by Ali Sparkes, the Tom Gates books, Sophie Anderson, Cressida Cowel, Holes, Watership Down, the Narnia series, Little Women, Black Beauty, Charles Dickens...

Don’t worry I have read tons. And stand by the concept of reading words and phrases not necessarily in today’s common use, as a means to broadening vocabulary. The point isn’t whether Blytons vocabulary is limited in itself, it’s that it is different to every words and language used today. Reading a wide variety of books is what is best (and best fun) for an able reader.

I think we have the same taste in books! I did think about this but was concerned OP's child would only be able to locate Armada series. OP, if you get Chalet School , ask your library for the Girls Gone By series (uncut).

Yes, some of those on Faded Page are taken from the Armada versions. They do specify which edition was used to create the transcript.

Enid Blyton really for 5 year olds (though I steered my boys heavily away as writing so 2 dimensional).

The 'Adventure' books, Malory Towers etc aren't for five yos. I was actually an adult before I realised that the premise of Valley of Adventure was drawn from the closing days of WW2. And the writing is no less 2 dimensional than many other popular authors. Not everything has to be beautiful prose. Sometimes (often) you just want a damn good story, and Enid Blyton delivers.

The books that are for 5yos, the Faraway Tree and the Wishing Chair, are really original in the fantasy worlds created. I was fortunate that I could read well enough to read them for myself at an age when I was still just young enough to believe it all could be true.

That's not broadening vocabulary. EB uses a very limited set of words in her books and is a disappointing choice for a "very able 10 year old reader". Don't get me wrong, I loved her books as a child but I think modern books are far superior. And on that topic, did you imagine that modern books are full of 'whatevs'. I suggest you read some.

Ds aged about 8yo loved them, especially the details so it depends on the DC.

Children’s classics - Narnia series/ Anne of Green Gables series/ The Hobbit/ The Lord of the Rings/ Enid Blyton/ Terry Pratchett (Bromeliad/ Johnny Maxwell)/ Little Women/ The Secret Garden.

I'm going to protest against Swallows and Amazon's though...painstakingly detailed descriptions of doing something technical and knotty to boats sent me to sleep

I think we have the same taste in books! I did think about this but was concerned OP's child would only be able to locate Armada series. OP, if you get Chalet School , ask your library for the Girls Gone By series (uncut).

All of these!!! Definitely agree re E Nesbit, still enjoy a re-read of "The Wouldbegoods". Definitely more classics, second all the Louisa M. Alcott books, all the Anne books and Laura Ingalls Wilder.

I did think some of the books suggested a bit limiting: Enid Blyton really for 5 year olds (though I steered my boys heavily away as writing so 2 dimensional). Phillipa Pearce, Rumer Godden definitely

I definitely can. It provides insight into the language and mores of the day. Not a “whatevs” in sight.

You can't talk about broadening vocabulary and suggest Enid Blyton!

I loved E. Nesbitt and Joan Aiken at her age. Agree wholeheartedly with a lot of the classics recommended on here.

If you are gender critical, don’t let your child near The Swifts. Insidious nonsense.