James and the Giant Peach
by Roald Dahl
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 730L (~4th grade) · 125 pages · 1993
Why we'd hand it over
Dahl's masterpiece for this age — weird, darkly funny about real suffering, and genuinely moving about how kindness builds chosen family.
What parents said
She loves charlotte's web (deals with death in a healthy way), Stuart little, Matilda, Charlie and the chocolate factory. We just finished treasure island and she said it's her favorite.