Most of Ryan's games are suitable for kids around 9 and up. I would start with Above and Below. All the cool storytelling and neat creatures to recruit but with more streamlined mechanics. It is easier to grasp than Near and Far... fewer moving parts.
It took my 11 year old daughter four or five games to truly get Near and Far after having played A&B and other middle-weight games.
But, she got it so well that Friday night she and I finished up our "Character" mini-campaign. I was up 15 points, over two games, which is a lot when a good score is in the mid-50's.
She beat me in that game by 16 and won the whole campaign by a point.
The smile could be seen from orbit.
Mine, of course, proud poppa and all that. She was kinda happy too.
You know, I shall take a deep look into these games... thanks again!