In short
- Pick by what she already does in her free time, not by age alone.
- At 8 to 10: short-story collections, step-by-step drawing books and guided journals work well.
- All are our own books. Each book page links to Amazon in the US, UK, Canada and Australia.
The best book for a girl of 8, 9 or 10 is the one that fits what she already does in her free time. Reads under the covers with a flashlight? Stories. Doodles on every margin? A drawing book. Writes lists, notes and secret plans? A journal she can fill in.
Everything on this page is one of our own books. We know them page by page, so we can tell you who each one is for, and who it isn't for.
The short version
- If she loves stories: You Are an Amazing Girl, ten short stories for ages 6 to 11.
- If she draws on everything: How to Draw "Almost" Everything Kawaii, 300 cute drawings in easy steps.
- If she writes notes and lists: Empowering Journal for Girls, for ages 8 to 12.
- If she loves puzzles: The Ultimate Activity Book for Super Smart Girls, 100+ puzzles with the answers at the end.
- If she makes everyone laugh: Would You Rather, Fun for Kids Edition, 300+ silly questions.
- If you want something to do together: Mom & Me, Daughter Edition, a journal for the two of you.
If she always has a book in her hands
At this age a lot of girls are ready for chapter books but still love a story that fits into one bedtime. Short-story collections sit right in that spot: she can read one alone, or you can read one together and talk about it after.
You Are an Amazing Girl by Nadia Ross is our best-known book: international bestseller, 500K+ sold, 10+ languages. It has ten stories about girls in real growing-up moments, like Nicole starting at a new school, Sara and her big assignment, and Marie the soccer star. Each story opens by talking straight to the reader, often with a question, which makes it easy to start a conversation.
If she has read it already, two books keep the same feeling going. You Shine, Amazing Girl by Kelly Brightwood has ten stories about kindness and confidence, like Amira and her wildlife garden. Never Stop Dreaming, Girls by Ellen Mills has ten stories of girls who keep a dream alive, some in worlds she knows and some in enchanted ones.
If she draws on everything
Step-by-step drawing books work well from about 6, and at 8 to 10 most kids can follow the steps on their own. Every drawing starts with a few simple shapes, and she ends up with something she's proud to show you.
How to Draw "Almost" Everything Kawaii has 300 drawings with big eyes and sweet smiles, from bubble tea to blushing bunnies, and every drawing comes with a fun fact. If she's into mermaids, unicorns and fashion, How to Draw 400 Cute Stuff for Kids, Pink Edition, by our illustrator Saemi Oliveira, has 400 of them.
Our tip: add a pencil, an eraser and a plain sketchbook to the gift, so the drawings can leave the book and end up on birthday cards and bedroom walls.
If she writes lists, notes and secret plans
Around 8 to 10, a lot of girls start keeping a diary, even if it's just lists of favorite things. A guided journal gives her a prompt on every page, so she never stares at a blank sheet.
Empowering Journal for Girls by Sav Lucia is made for ages 8 to 12. There are pages about her strengths and talents, a jar to fill with positive words, and space to write what she's grateful for.
Two more ideas, depending on her age. For a 10-year-old who's starting to feel like a tween, Me, Unfiltered is a journal for ages 9 to 12 about who she is and what she dreams of. For a girl who'd rather draw than write, My Creative Diary mixes drawing, writing, crafts and coloring.
If she loves puzzles
The Ultimate Activity Book for Super Smart Girls by Renata Souza has 100+ puzzles for ages 8 to 12: mazes, word searches, sudoku, spot the difference and logic games. She can start anywhere, and the answers are at the back for when she's stuck. It's a good one for car rides and waiting rooms.
If she makes everyone laugh
Would You Rather, Fun for Kids Edition by Emerald Maroon has 300+ silly, mind-bending questions. It's less a book she reads alone and more a book she reads out loud to everyone else: on road trips, at sleepovers, at the dinner table. For a whole evening of games, see our family game night ideas.
A gift for the two of you
Mom & Me, Daughter Edition is a journal a mom and her daughter fill in together, for girls 7 and up. It has eight sections, from "Who Are We?" to "The Dream Corner", with questions, quizzes and activities. When it's full, it's a keepsake of the year you filled it. A dad, a grandma or a grandpa can do the same with the other books in the Just Us series.
How to choose, in one minute
- Think about what she did last Saturday afternoon, not what you'd like her to do. A gift that matches her habits gets used.
- At 8, reading together still counts. At 10, most girls want something that's just theirs, like a journal or a puzzle book.
- Write a short note on the first page. It's the part she'll keep longest.
Where to find them
Every book page on our site has a button to Amazon in the US, the UK, Canada and Australia, where you'll see the price and delivery times for your address. Your local bookstore can also order any of them with the ISBN on the book page, because our books are distributed to the trade by Ingram.
Shopping for a boy too? Most of these have a twin: You Are an Amazing Boy, You Shine, Amazing Boy, Never Stop Dreaming, Boys and The Ultimate Activity Book for Super Smart Boys.
Questions about choosing a book gift
What if she doesn't love reading yet?
Start with something she can do rather than read: Would You Rather, Fun for Kids Edition or The Ultimate Activity Book for Super Smart Girls. Or pick You Are an Amazing Girl and read the first story together.
Are these books right for a 10 year old?
Yes. You Are an Amazing Girl and You Shine, Amazing Girl are for ages 6 to 11, the drawing books for 6 and up, Empowering Journal for Girls for 8 to 12 and Me, Unfiltered for 9 to 12.
Will it arrive in time for her birthday?
Our books ship from Amazon, so the delivery date is the one Amazon shows for your address when you open the book.
Do you have the same books for boys?
Yes: You Are an Amazing Boy, You Shine, Amazing Boy, Never Stop Dreaming, Boys and The Ultimate Activity Book for Super Smart Boys. Our How to Draw books work for any kid who loves to draw.
Can a bookstore order them?
Yes. Our books are distributed to the trade by Ingram. Give your bookseller the ISBN from the book page and they can order it for you.
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