
Age rating and parents' guide:The BFG
by Roald Dahl
Ages 6–11
The BFG by Roald Dahl is best for children aged 6–11. It has mild violence, some scary moments, no romance and no bad language. Worth knowing: Mildly scary giants.
When young Sophie is snatched from her orphanage bed by a twenty-four-foot giant, she expects to be eaten. Instead, she discovers he is the Big Friendly Giant, a gentle soul who collects sweet dreams and blows them into children's bedrooms. A lovely invitation to stretch the imagination and dream up new worlds.
Content ratings
How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.
- Violence
- Mild
- Scary moments
- Moderate
- Romance
- None
- Bad language
- None
Worth knowing: Mildly scary giants
Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on .
At a glance
- Early chapter book
- Takes a few pages to get into
- Plenty of illustrations
- Some emotionally heavy moments
Great for kids who like
- General fiction
Reading mood
- Warm & gentle
- Suspenseful
- Inspiring
Books like The BFG
Similar stories for the same ages, none more intense than this one should be for its youngest readers.

Ages 6–11
Charlotte's Web
by E.B. White
On a peaceful farm, a runt piglet named Wilbur is spared from slaughter and finds an extraordinary friend in Charlotte, a wise and caring barn spider. When Wilbur's life is threatened again, Charlotte uses her clever web-spinning to convince the farmers he is too special to lose. Invites older readers to reflect on compassion, courage, and resilience.

Ages 9–11
The Losers Club
by Andrew Clements
Sixth-grader Alec would rather read books than do anything else, which constantly lands him in trouble at school. Sent to after-school care, he invents a club with a name designed to keep everyone away: The Losers Club. Invites older readers to reflect on compassion, courage, and resilience.

Ages 6–11
Diary of a Minecraft Zombie
by Zack Zombie
Meet Zack, a regular twelve-year-old zombie navigating the everyday challenges of middle school in the Minecraft universe. Alongside his mob friends like Creeper and Skeleton, Zack deals with tough teachers, scary human encounters, and awkward social situations. A lighthearted choice for sparking laughter and lively conversation.

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
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. A friendly starting point for exploring science through everyday questions.

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. Encourages young readers to reflect on belonging and being a good friend.
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Questions parents ask
Q: What age is The BFG for?
Q: Is The BFG appropriate for a 6 year old?
Q: What should my child read after The BFG?
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