
Age rating and parents' guide:Max and the Midknights
by Lincoln Peirce
Ages 9–11
Max and the Midknights by Lincoln Peirce is best for children aged 9–11. It has mild violence, a few mildly scary moments, no romance and no bad language.
Max dreams of becoming a knight rather than an apprentice troubadour, even though medieval traditions stand in the way. When Uncle Budrick is captured by the cruel King Gastley, Max bands together with a lively group of misfit friends called the Midknights to mount a daring rescue. Its playful humor makes reading aloud and sharing a laugh enjoyable.
Content ratings
How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.
- Violence
- Mild
- Scary moments
- Mild
- Romance
- None
- Bad language
- None
Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on .
At a glance
- Graphic novel
- Part of the Max and the Midknights series
- Easy to get into from the first page
- Pictures on almost every page
- Emotionally light
- A good pick for reluctant readers
Great for kids who like
- Action & Adventure
Reading mood
- Adventurous
- Suspenseful
- Inspiring
Good to talk about
- Action & Adventure
Books like Max and the Midknights
Similar stories for the same ages, none more intense than this one should be for its youngest readers.

Ages 9–11
Secret Coders
by Gene Luen Yang
Hopper enters Stately Academy, an odd school filled with creepy four-eyed birds and mysterious secrets. Teaming up with fellow student Eni, she uncovers puzzles left behind by the school's eccentric founder. Invites readers to reflect on classmates, choices, and belonging.

Ages 9–11
Zita the Spacegirl
by Ben Hatke
When her best friend is suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal, Zita doesn't hesitate to jump in after him. She lands on an alien planet facing total destruction and must navigate a strange new world full of quirky creatures, friendly monsters, and neurotic robots. Makes room for curious questions and discovering how things work.

Ages 9–11
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
by Kate DiCamillo
Edward Tulane is an exquisitely made china rabbit who is vain, selfish, and deeply cherished by a little girl. When he is accidentally thrown overboard during an ocean voyage, Edward begins a long, unexpected odyssey across the country. Offers space for thoughtful conversations about empathy and difficult choices.

Ages 9–11
I Survived (series)
by Lauren Tarshis
This popular series follows fictional young characters as they live through some of the most terrifying events in world history, from natural disasters like volcanic eruptions and earthquakes to historical battles and shipwrecks. Encourages gentle, guided conversations about challenging feelings and experiences.

Ages 6–11
Dog Man
by Dav Pilkey
When a police officer and his loyal police dog are injured on the job, a life-saving surgery creates Dog Man—part dog, part policeman, and wholly dedicated to justice. While struggling with doggy habits like chasing balls, he must protect the city from the scheming villain Petey the Cat. Its playful humor makes reading aloud and sharing a laugh enjoyable.

Ages 6–11
Phoebe and Her Unicorn
by Dana Simpson
Nine-year-old Phoebe accidentally hits a unicorn with a skipped rock, freeing the mythical beast from her own reflection. In return, the vain but delightful unicorn, Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, grants Phoebe a wish—to become best friends. Encourages young readers to reflect on belonging and being a good friend.
On these book lists
A good book is the start. A mentor makes it stick.
In a free 1:1 session, a trained Bookstaken mentor reads with your child, asks what they think and helps the reading habit last.