Champ and Major
A hilarious, low-stakes read about the gap between what you want in a pet and what you actually get — perfect for kids who think they're ready for a dog but haven't met one yet.
Read this next
All picks after this →Ferris
by Kate DiCamillo
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 680L · 2024
A charming, low-stakes companion to Mercy Watson that captures the chaotic joy of a dog's perspective without any real peril.
Elf Dog and Owl Head
by M.T. Anderson
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 720L · 2023
Anderson's trademark wordplay and absurdist humor makes this a delightful middle-grade romp that doesn't talk down to readers—kids and parents both find something to laugh at.
Romeo and/or Juliet: A Choosable-Path Adventure
by Ryan North
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 720L · 2016
A brilliant deconstruction of R&J that uses the choosable-path format to teach that stories aren't inevitable—you rebuild the play as comedy, tragedy, absurdist adventure, or romance, depending on your choices.