What books should a tenth grader read?
Check out this 10th-grade reading list.
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10th Grade Reading List
A student in 10th grade is ready to tackle more complex ideas and themes.
He’s ready for some classic works of literature as well as some contemporary favorites.
Reading List for Tenth Grade
Here are some suggestions for 10th-grade books.
They cover a wide range of genres.
See what sparks your 10th grader’s interest, and encourage her to step out of her comfort zone as well.
Animal Farm by George Orwell
This clever allegory of the Russian Revolution features farm animals like pigs, horses, and dogs.
It is a fast read that is masterfully told.
Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
One of the great British novelists, Dickens weaves a masterful tale set both in England and France during the Reign of Terror.
It is not an easy read, but its themes of love and sacrifice are well worth it.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
In this futuristic dystopia, firemen don’t put out fires, and they start them.
Their job is to destroy the world’s most dangerous commodity: the book.
What is the power of the written word?
This sci-fi book explores the topic.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
This novel is not just a romance; it’s Gothic fiction complete with a fiery protagonist, an enigmatic romantic lead, and a mansion filled with creaks, passageways, and screams.
Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington
Washington was born into slavery but rose to prominence as an educator, speaker, and advisor to presidents.
His eloquent 1901 work advocates for education as the Black man’s best path to advancement.
Robert Frost’s Poems
Poetry is meaning intensified, and Robert Frost is an American master.
This best-selling anthology includes some of his favorites like “Mending Wall” and “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.”
The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien
The fantasy genre’s crowning achievement, this 3-volume series is exciting, stirring, and unforgettable.
Read all three or just one (if you can read just one!).
I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
When the Taliban took over her Pakistani community, Malala fought for her right to education and continued to attend school.
Riding home on the bus, she was shot in the face by the Taliban but miraculously survived.
This is her story of turning tragedy into a message that has ignited a global movement.
The Right Stuff by Tom Wolf
This is the chronicle of the inner life of the astronauts who first landed on the Moon.
It’s a gripping read about those who first launched into space.
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Famous for inventing the character of Dracula, Stoker’s Gothic horror novel tells of Count Dracula’s travels to England and his attempts to spread the curse of the undead.
And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
Angelou’s powerful and fresh verse shines in this collection of her poetry.
To Kill and Mockingbird by Harper Lee
One of the most beloved stories in American literature, this book addresses the deep injustice and blind hatred of the deep South in the 1920s.
12 Books for 10th Grade
A 10th-grade reading list should encompass several genres.
This list of 12 books has sci-fi, horror, romance, and poetry to name a few.
This list may hold your 10th grader’s future favorite book!