
Age rating and parents' guide:Secret Coders
by Gene Luen Yang
Ages 9–11
Secret Coders by Gene Luen Yang is best for children aged 9–11. It has no violence, a few mildly scary moments, no romance and no bad language.
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. By learning real-world computer science concepts, binary code, and logic, the pair begin hacking their way through the school's bizarre mysteries. It is an engaging graphic novel that seamlessly blends an intriguing detective story with playful STEM learning.
Content ratings
How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.
- Violence
- None
- 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 Secret Coders 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
- Mystery & Detective
- Action & Adventure
- Realistic Fiction (School & Friendships)
Reading mood
- Adventurous
- Mysterious
- Suspenseful
Good to talk about
- Science
- Robots & inventions
Books like Secret Coders
Similar stories for the same ages, none more intense than this one should be for its youngest readers.

Ages 9–14
Spy School
by Stuart Gibbs
Twelve-year-old math whiz Ben Ripley dreams of becoming a top CIA agent, but he never expects to be recruited into a top-secret academy for middle-school spies. Once there, he quickly realizes he is completely out of his depth—and that he may have been brought in as bait to catch a dangerous mole. Packed with awkward mishaps, gadget-fueled action, and clever twists, this fast-paced adventure appeals to readers who enjoy hilarious school stories mixed with exciting undercover missions.

Ages 9–11
George's Secret Key to the Universe
by Lucy & Stephen Hawking
George's pet pig escapes into the next-door garden, leading him to meet his eccentric neighbor Eric and Eric's daughter Annie. Eric owns Cosmos, an incredible supercomputer capable of opening doorways into outer space. When a sinister teacher schemes to steal Cosmos, George finds himself on an extraordinary journey through the cosmos to save the day. Blending an exciting science-fiction adventure with real astrophysics explained clearly, it is an engaging ride for curious young readers fascinated by the stars.

Ages 9–11
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library
by Chris Grabenstein
When game lover Kyle Keeley wins an invitation to spend the night in his town's brand-new public library, he expects a fun sleepover with games and holographic wonders. Instead, eccentric game-maker Luigi Lemoncello announces a challenge: the doors are locked, and the children must decipher a trail of riddles, anagrams, and book-related clues to find the hidden exit. Full of playful competition, clever wordplay, and teamwork, this fast-paced mystery keeps young puzzle-solvers eagerly guessing along with the characters.

Ages 9–14
The Explorer
by Katherine Rundell
When a small plane crashes into the Amazon rainforest, four children survive alone with no adults to guide them. Fred, Con, Lila, and young Max must quickly figure out how to forage, build shelter, and navigate the jungle's dangers together. Their desperate fight for survival takes a surprising turn when they uncover clues left by a mysterious figure who lives hidden deep within the trees. It is a gripping, atmospheric adventure that celebrates resilience, teamwork, and the natural world.

Ages 9–11
Gangsta Granny
by David Walliams
Ben dreads staying with his cabbage-obsessed grandmother every Friday evening, convinced she is the most boring person alive. Everything changes when he stumbles upon a tin full of diamonds and discovers she is actually an international jewel thief with eyes on the Crown Jewels. Teaming up for an audacious heist brings the pair close together. Packed with silly humour, cheeky jokes, and real warmth, this story delivers fast-paced laughs alongside a genuinely touching look at the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren.

Ages 9–11
Frindle
by Andrew Clements
Fifth-grader Nick Allen is known for his clever ideas and knack for distracting teachers. When he decides to coin a new word for pen—"frindle"—his strict language arts teacher, Mrs. Granger, is not amused. What starts as a simple classroom prank quickly spirals out of control, spreading across the school and sparking a national craze. This smart, funny school story explores how language evolves, creative thinking, and the surprising respect that can grow between a mischievous student and a dedicated teacher.
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.