
Affiliate link · we may earn a commission
Safe for the age band
Age-appropriate with no significant concerns.
Sign in to save your wishlist and reading history across devices.
- Pages
- 208
- Published
- 1982
- Reading level
- independent
- Ages
- 7–11
- Grades
- 2–5
About the book
About the book
A young orphan and a Big Friendly Giant team up to stop child-eating giants.
AI summary
Silly, warm, imaginative. Some scary giant scenes for very sensitive kids.
Why parents choose this book
What makes The BFG worth choosing
An honest, parent-first look at who this book suits, what it offers, and what to know before you buy.
Best for
- Age range: 7–11 (fits siblings across a range).
- Reading maturity: Chapter book — short chapters and simple plots that build reading stamina.
- Kids who tend to love it: Courage, Friendship, Fantasy, Classics.
- Personality fit: big-imagination kids who love new worlds; social readers who love character-driven stories.
Parents love this book because
- Age-appropriate content for the 7–11 band with no significant flags.
- Reinforces values many families care about: kindness, Courage.
- Written by Roald Dahl, whose books parents return to for consistently thoughtful storytelling.
Your child will probably enjoy The BFG if they…
- Love magic, dragons, or fantasy worlds
- Enjoy adventure and quests
- Care about characters and friendships
This book helps develop
- Kindness
- Courage
Things parents should know
- Violence: cartoonish or off-page action.
Reading commitment
Similar books your child may love
- Fantastic Mr. Fox · Roald Dahl
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 7–11.
- The Queen's Thief: The Thief · Megan Whalen Turner
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 7–11.
- Julie of the Wolves · Lois Lowry
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 7–11.
- Ella Enchanted · Gail Carson Levine
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 7–11.
- Heidi · Johanna Spyri
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 7–11.
- The Lightning Thief · Rick Riordan
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 7–11.
- Because of Winn-Dixie · Kate DiCamillo
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 7–11.
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar · Eric Carle
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 7–11.
Why we recommend it
We think The BFG is a confident pick for the 7–11 age band. It leans into fantasy in a way that feels genuine, not formulaic. Roald Dahl's voice is what makes it stick: readable, respectful of kids, and easy to hand to the next child in the family.
Content ratings
More by Roald Dahl
Other books by Roald Dahl
You'll probably like
Books parents also bought
Similar authors












