Egypt Game, The

Reach for this book when your child feels like a social outsider, is navigating a move to a new neighborhood, or uses elaborate pretend play as a shield against loneliness. It follows April Hall, a girl sent to live with her grandmother, who finds an unexpected community in a secret backyard game based on Ancient Egypt. Through their shared rituals and imagination, a group of diverse children creates a world where they finally belong. The story beautifully balances the whimsical joy of childhood creativity with more serious themes of abandonment and community safety. While there is a suspenseful subplot involving a local mystery, the heart of the book is the healing power of friendship. It is an ideal choice for middle grade readers who are beginning to trade toys for more complex social dynamics but still crave the magic of make-believe.