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AIBU?

To ask if these books are too old for DD?

188 replies

ladyjadey · 17/01/2017 21:47

DD1 has read every book in the house three times. She has read everything in the local library. She has read everything I read at her age - almost 11, all the st Clare's and Malory towers books, all the David Walliams, Jacqueline Wilsons, Andy stantons.

She needs some new books and Louise Rennison has popped up in my searches, of Angus thongs and perfect snogging fame. Are these books too old for my DD? Does anyone have any experience of her novels? I don't want to buy something that I won't let her read but we've just run out of everything (any other suggestions gratefully accepted)

Thanks in advance

OP posts:
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Whatsername17 · 17/01/2017 21:50

Has she read any of the point horror books? Can't advise on the above a I haven't read them. Point horror are good teeny bopper books.

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ShoeEatingMonster · 17/01/2017 21:51

Malorie Blackman?

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buckingfrolicks · 17/01/2017 21:52

Time to move her on to the classics? Try Jane Eyre, or Black Beauty, or Oliver Twist?

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statetrooperstacey · 17/01/2017 21:53

Jills gymkhana ! I loved those books , can't remember who wrote them tho. Terry Pratchet, borrowers, swallows and amazons, secret diary of Adrian mole , Gerald Durrell, I also loved James Herriot books about her age.

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listsandbudgets · 17/01/2017 21:55

try the Percy Jackson books by Rick Riordian. DD was 11 in October and someone gave her the first five for her birthday. she started on them during the Christmas holidays and I've just.had to buy the next 5. she's ploughing through them

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lurkymclurkerson · 17/01/2017 21:56

I've read the Louise Rennison books - I remember finding them funny (I would have been 13/14) but they are very much focused on teen romances. Lots of kissing, touching boobs, trying to decide how far to go with a boy, etc. Depends on your DD but I'd probably say they were a little mature for an 11 year old in terms of content.

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FunkinEll · 17/01/2017 21:56

Oh I bloody loved the Angus, thongs book. I laughed my head off reading them when I was growing up. I read the first one when I was 12ish.

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lozengeoflove · 17/01/2017 21:57

Michael Morpugo would be my suggestion.

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SallyGinnamon · 17/01/2017 21:57

DD read them in Year 6 and loved them. She also loved the Cathy Cassidy books too. She's now 13 and a half and has grown out of them. So yes. I'd say they're fine for her now.

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Allthewaves · 17/01/2017 21:57

I like these when I was younger

Mossflower by brian jacques - whole series.

Animals farthing wood by colin dan

mrs frisby and the rats of nimh

Some might be a bit too young as can't remember exact age I read them, but the were much loved favourites.

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SoTheySentMeA · 17/01/2017 21:59

The series of louise rennison books you're looking at are a bit boy and image obsessive but they are mainly pg rated. She may not get a few things (i didnt know what a thong was when i was 11, although Sisqo cured that that year) and the humour is very teen girl oriented. Funny if you have a sense of irony. Based on the books shes already read id say get it be auze even if shes not into it now, she probably will be in a year or so.

Other than that, have you tried Anne Fine and Judy Blume? My faves at 11, along with the Enid Blytons you've mentioned above.

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SallyGinnamon · 17/01/2017 21:59

Sorry. I meant fine for your DD now.

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AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 17/01/2017 22:01

I was reading Catherine Cookson and Agatha Christie at that age (and Leslie Thomas in secret but didn't understand most of the sex stuff). Louise Rennison is a good shout if she is a mature 11. No different to reading teen magazines really.

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harderandharder2breathe · 17/01/2017 22:01

Teachers tried to put me onto classics at that age but I hated them. I still hate Jane Austen but like Charles Dickens but he's very wordy for an adult never mind an 11 year old.

Phillip Pullman is good, or some Garth Nix like Mister Monday series, Lemony Snickett, Harry Potter. (I like fantasy and YA books)

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cbigs · 17/01/2017 22:01

God statetrooper you mentioned jills gymkhana I loooooooved these books! My mum read them so bought them for me they're a massive part of my childhood 🤗🤗🤗

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Pineapplemilkshake · 17/01/2017 22:04

I loved Judy Blume at that age. Maybe not "Forever" as it's for older teens, but the other ones are great.

We have just discovered the Sculduggery Pleasant series, DS10 loves them.

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Pineapplemilkshake · 17/01/2017 22:05

Also, what about Sweet Valley High?

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MrsGsnow18 · 17/01/2017 22:06

I'd suggest some Phillip Pullman, Malorie Blackman or as someone else suggested classics like Little women/Jane Eyre.
I loved the Louise Rennison books when I was younger, I must have been around 12 when I read them, which whilst I didn't think it at the time was probably a bit young for some of the content.

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Stickerrocks · 17/01/2017 22:06

Young Sherlock, Young Bond, Theodore Boon, Ruby Redfort, anything by Lauren St John.

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Tinuviel · 17/01/2017 22:07

What about some older classics - Anne of Green Gables series, Katy books, Little Women? Narnia books are great at that age; I loved Noel Streatfeild books too but was really into dancing (to be fair not all of her books are about dancing but I first read Ballet Shoes).

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LilQueenie · 17/01/2017 22:10

I would try the judy blume and babysitter club books.

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Pineapplemilkshake · 17/01/2017 22:13

Also, what about Sweet Valley High?

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ditzychick34 · 17/01/2017 22:17

Philip Pullman is great, likewise Cassandra Claire. Vampires and such so can be a touch scary but grown up without being too much

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pieceofpurplesky · 17/01/2017 22:17

Try and encourage her to widen her field of comfort. Take her to the library if you can (and if it hasn't closed Hmm). Go for modern classics - the Northern Lights Trilogy, Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson, refugee boy by Zephaniah, The Hobbit, Michael Morpurgo Adolphus Tips, Little Women, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, Secret Garden, Little Princess ...

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Jaimx86 · 17/01/2017 22:18

Agree with Sweet Valley and the Point Horror/Point Romance

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