The Quillan Games (Pendragon, #7)

Reach for this book when your middle-schooler is feeling overwhelmed by social competition or frustrated by a world that seems to have unfair rules. It is particularly effective for children who feel like they are constantly being 'tested' or who are beginning to question the motives of authority figures. While the plot centers on a deadly series of gladiatorial games in a dystopian world, the core emotional resonance lies in the protagonist's struggle to maintain his integrity while forced into a system designed to make him lose. As the seventh installment in the Pendragon series, the stakes have escalated significantly. Bobby Pendragon enters Quillan, a territory where the population is controlled through high-stakes entertainment and gambling. This volume explores deep themes of systemic injustice and the moral weight of leadership. Parents should be aware that the book contains intense action sequences and descriptions of peril, but it serves as a powerful catalyst for discussing the importance of standing up for one's values even when the odds are rigged against you.