Charlie Thorne and the Lost City
A fast-paced, James Bond-style adventure that keeps the stakes high without getting too dark or complex for middle graders.
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The Demigod Files
by Rick Riordan
Middle grade · ages 9–12 · 720L · 2010
A bridge book that deepens the Percy Jackson universe without advancing the main plot — best read after Book 1, not as entry point; the three novellas reward fans but don't standalone.
Vanished
by Sheela Chari
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 720L · 2011
A smart mystery that takes its Indian-American protagonist's identity seriously, not as accessory; the plot clips along and the cultural stakes feel earned.
The Enchanted Wood
by Enid Blyton
Middle grade · ages 6–9 · 720L · 2018
A foundational adventure series with genuine charm and imaginative worlds—the episodic structure lets reluctant readers sample one land at a time, and the friendship-at-the-core keeps it warm despite the occasional real threat.