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Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

Curve-ball classics for a very strong avid reader

37 replies

Hiddeninplainsight · 11/02/2019 11:00

Rather than hijacking the existing classics thread, I'm going to start a new one. My DD is a very strong, avid reader. She flies through books (although she does re-read them, thank goodness). I wanted to get some recommendations of books that would challenge and engage her (she is chomping at the bit to dive into YA, but she is only 10, and so I want to find other things to engage her).

I'm starting a new 'classics' thread for your more obscure recommendations please!

She could read pretty much anything, but although she has enjoyed the classics, what she really loves the pace of all things Rick Riordan. She is reasonably varied in her tastes (although she has no interest in animal stories) and is currently reading a pile of old Chalet School books, but I would like to find her something that will both engage and challenge her a little. Any thoughts of classics that we might not have thought of? Thanks!

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PRoseLegend · 11/02/2019 11:37

Tamora Peirce might be of interest to her.
Starting with the Lioness Quartet- about a girl who pretends to be a boy so that she can become a knight.
Then the next books are about her being found out, but saving the realm several times so that people accept her.
I devoured them as a 12 year old.

Bittermints · 11/02/2019 11:36

My daughter began reading Terry Pratchett at that age. Lifelong fan now!

WhenDoISleep · 11/02/2019 11:35

How about Tamora Pierce - I loved them (still do!). She has created 2 different universes, both of which have several different series set within them.

Mookatron · 11/02/2019 11:34

Not a classic per se, but has the feel of one : the evolution of Calpurnia Tate. My 10 yr old loves it.

Haven't read the other thread though... Probably should....

Bittermints · 11/02/2019 11:34

I loved The Wolves of Willoughby Chase at around that age. Joan Aiken. I think that genre is called alternate history now. Also When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit and its sequels.

GrouchyKiwi · 11/02/2019 11:33

Tamora Pierce? I'm sure she has some series suitable for that age. Like this: Circle of Magic

What about Matt Haig? The Father Christmas books are wonderful and he has lots of other fantastic books for different ages.

Maybe The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman?

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 11/02/2019 11:31

I don't know about classic, but I read Cynthia Voigt's Tillerman books about that age. Homecoming is the first one, but Dicey's Song won the Newbery medal.

My parents used to buy me the Newbery winners - I discovered some amazing books and authors that way.

Hiddeninplainsight · 11/02/2019 11:30

Outrageous she tried Earthsea, but it didn't grab her. She likes more real-world fantasy (if that makes sense - Chrestomanci and Harry Potter were in, even the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings made it in, but she has never wanted to read Eragon, for example). She loves dystopian (what I have let her read thus far), but isn't into dragons (her words).

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OutrageousFlavourLikeFreesias · 11/02/2019 11:22

If she enjoys fantasy, has she read Ursula le Guin's Earthsea series? Beautiful, haunting stories - I loved them when I was her age.

Hiddeninplainsight · 11/02/2019 11:17

I hadn't heard of those Grumpbum. Although I'm afraid that if the characters are anthropomorphic animals I don't think they will be my daughter's thing. I may recommend them to a friend of hers though, who may well love them!

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Grumpbum123 · 11/02/2019 11:10

Haven’t read the other thread but Brian Jacques Redwall series?

Hiddeninplainsight · 11/02/2019 11:06

I should add the reason for asking for obscure recommendations is that she has pretty much read everything on the other thread already.

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