Age rating and parents' guide:Momo
by Michael Ende
Ages 9–12
Momo by Michael Ende is best for children aged 9–12. It has no violence, a few mildly scary moments, no romance and no bad language. Worth knowing: Menacing grey men; adults drink in a pub and smoke cigars.
Momo lives alone in an old amphitheatre, and people come to her because she really listens. When the grey men start stealing the town's time, only she sees what is happening. Invites children to think about how they spend their own time, and why it matters.
Content ratings
How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.
- Violence
- None
- Scary moments
- Mild
- Romance
- None
- Bad language
- None
Worth knowing: Menacing grey men; adults drink in a pub and smoke cigars
Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on .
At a glance
- Novel
- Emotionally light
Reading mood
- Thoughtful
Books like Momo
Similar stories for the same ages, none more intense than this one should be for its youngest readers.

Ages 9–12
Bronze and Sunflower
by Cao Wenxuan
Sunflower, a girl from the city, is taken in by a poor village family after her father drowns. Their son, Bronze, cannot speak, but the two become as close as brother and sister through floods, locusts and hard times. Invites children to talk about kindness, hardship and family.
Ages 10–12
A Single Shard
by Linda Sue Park
Tree-ear is an orphan living under a bridge in a 12th-century Korean potters' village, and he dreams of making pottery himself. He works for the master potter Min, and is sent on a long journey to the king's court. Invites children to talk about patience, honesty and hard work.

Ages 9–13
The Village by the Sea
by Anita Desai
In a small fishing village in India, young siblings Lila and Hari face severe hardship. With their mother seriously ill and their father struggling with alcoholism, the children must shoulder the burden of keeping the family together. Hari eventually leaves for Bombay in search of work, while Lila manages life at home. It is a poignant, grounded story of resilience, sibling bonds, and hope amidst economic struggle, giving young readers a vivid look at rural life and modern change.

Ages 9–13
Asha & the Spirit Bird
by Jasbinder Bilan
Living in the foothills of the Himalayas, Asha worries when money stops arriving from her father in the city. When a ruthless moneylender threatens to take their family home, Asha sets off on a dangerous trek across the mountains to find him, accompanied by her best friend Jeevan. Invites older readers to reflect on compassion, courage, and resilience.

Ages 9–11
A Wolf Called Wander
by Rosanne Parry
Swift is a young wolf pup living happily with his pack in the mountains until a rival pack attacks, scattering his family and leaving him alone. Forced to flee, he embarks on an epic, perilous journey across a thousand miles of wilderness to find a new home. Encourages gentle, guided conversations about challenging feelings and experiences.

Ages 9–11
The Forbidden Library
by Django Wexler
After her father goes missing at sea, Alice is sent to live with her mysterious uncle Geryon in his massive, labyrinthine estate. She soon discovers that his vast library is magical, and that certain books hold dangerous worlds you can actually step inside. Invites older readers to reflect on compassion, courage, and resilience.
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.
Questions parents ask
Q: What age is Momo for?
Q: Is Momo appropriate for a 9 year old?
Q: What should my child read after Momo?
Love books yourself? Get paid to read with kids as a Bookbuddy