Daniel José Older
Star Wars The High Republic - Race to Crashpoint Tower
A solid entry point for Star Wars fans who find the main saga too complex or violent; the 'High Republic' era is brighter and more focused on heroism.
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The Executioners Three
by Susan Dennard
Middle grade · ages 10–14 · 780L · 2025
A thoughtful fantasy about prejudice and belonging that avoids preachy beats — three genuinely distinct voices, real stakes, and kid protagonists who make decisions, not just react.
The BFG
by Roald Dahl
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 730L · 2019
Dahl at his best — hilarious, genuinely thrilling, and quietly heartbreaking about what it means to be small and unwanted in a world built for giants.
Caddie Woodlawn
by Carol Ryrie Brink
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 750L · 1970
A genuine historical novel with teeth — Caddie's wildness is funny and real, but the book doesn't shy from the moral weight of 1860s racism and frontier violence; parents should be ready to discuss.