I agree, I think, RLacey. I'm not sure it's a question of finding a game that's precisely aimed AT children, because as the person Jake was quoting pointed out, the Nancy Drew games themselves have a huge CROSSOVER audience--adults and kids, but (intended to be) more female than male.
That said, I'm not sure I really see a kid playing TLJ or Syberia and loving it. Maybe I am wrong, but those seemed much more drama-y to me. As I kid I wanted either fantasy or humor--and preferrably both.
Thoughts still evolving on this. Good question Jake. Of course, I was never an 8-13 year old boy, so my opinion may be of limited value.