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Original poster

Interesting but challenging reads for teen (Y9 going to Y10)

35 replies

Scoobydoobydoo · 09/07/2021 18:34

Hello,
My daughter struggles with creative writing. A lot of this I know is to do with lack of reading quality material.
I know she is old enough to go to the library, do some research and get some good stuff to read.
Alas youtube and tiktok are more fancy!

I was looking for some recommendations of books/series she could read over the holidays.
She did enjoy Divergent Series.
I will do my research too but would be grateful for any pointers on fun but challenging reads for this age group.

Thanks very much
Xx

OP posts:
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Flamglimglubberty · 11/07/2021 01:23

@GolfEchoRomeoTangoIndia

Grin to realise that Ready Player One is full of spoilers and then go on to recommend The Eyre Affair. I love The Eyre Affair, but Jane Eyre is definitely a book which benefits from being read unspoiled.
Ah see I didn't rate Jane Eyre... A thoroughly predictable affair, difficult to spoil something so mundane and dull. Much like all Bronte works tbh 🤷🏼‍♀️

Again, something that old being spoiled is kind of impossible. It's like anyone saying Empire Strikes Back was spoiled. It's been in the public domain for so long now, referenced in absolutely everything you'd have to live under a rock not to know (that Chewbacca is a sith lord 🤫)

Tbf, if DD isn't particularly interested in reading at the moment I can hardly see her chomping at the bit to read Jane Eyre, so she won't ruin anything by reading The Eyre Affair. If anything The Wide Sargasso Sea is a better read than Jane Eyre.

Bryonyshcmyony · 10/07/2021 23:06

There are loads of good new books for young adults.

Take her to a book shop

Beachhuts90 · 10/07/2021 23:05

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Of Mice and Men
Jane Eyre
Wide Sargasso Sea
Diary of a Provincial Lady
Silas Marner
The Old Man and the Sea
Ethan Frome

TheSlayer · 10/07/2021 22:46

Children of blood and bone

Bryonyshcmyony · 10/07/2021 22:34

Miss Peregrine school for peculiar children series - maybe not hugely challenging but very imaginative
The Shadow and Bone series
The Maze Runner series

Cattitudes · 10/07/2021 22:30

You might want to look at the requirements for the exam boards, dd had a choice of story or description and generally found description easier than story. Also they had to write a persuasive letter which is a fairly specific skill. Obviously reading will help but specific practice might also benefit her. It can also help to listen to audio books.

fruitpastille · 10/07/2021 22:29

My ds enjoyed Mythos by Stephen Fry and it was a great way to learn about Greek mythology. His English teacher seemed impressed Grin

TheSlayer · 10/07/2021 22:28

The Graceling series too

Notagardener · 10/07/2021 22:27

Should add, DC likes Agatha Christie

Notagardener · 10/07/2021 22:20

As a child I read loads and loads but was still bad at writing. Decades later still reading a fair bit ...and still bad at writing...

TheSlayer · 10/07/2021 22:18

Queen of the Tearling
The Red Queen

Original poster
Scoobydoobydoo · 10/07/2021 22:14

Wow...thanks so much for amazing suggestions!
Some of these I have read myself and absolutely loved - all the light we cannot see, tattooist of auschwitz, a thousand splendid suns
I am sure if she was ready for some of this because of her reading maturity.

I will make a list of the suggestions and give her a gentle nudge.

Many thanks once again :-)
There are a few in here I can happily put on my own list!

OP posts:
ittakes2 · 10/07/2021 22:12

Helpful thread thank you

Newnormal99 · 10/07/2021 22:09

My daughter has just asked me to order some books for her - they look quite changing and she is just about to turn 14 so looks at the younger end for them.

Girl in pieces
They both die at the end
Girl interrupted
All the bright places

She also enjoys Malorie Blackman

Zhx3 · 10/07/2021 21:45

My dd loves Run, Rebel by Manjeet Mann.

www.newsfromnowhere.org.uk/books/DisplayBookInfo.php?ISBN=9780241411421

I often look at the NfN website for recommendations for all of my dc.

JanFebAnyMonth · 10/07/2021 21:37

Has she read The Hunger Games? I rate the books. For challenging reads maybe look at the last few years’ Carnegie prize long or short lists. Patrick Ness (several titles) and The Hate You Give spring to mind.

Not obvious for 14 yr old, 21st century girls, but things like Just William are great for character, plot and dialogue.... and of course, laughs!

GolfEchoRomeoTangoIndia · 10/07/2021 21:26

Grin to realise that Ready Player One is full of spoilers and then go on to recommend The Eyre Affair. I love The Eyre Affair, but Jane Eyre is definitely a book which benefits from being read unspoiled.

NewallKnowall · 10/07/2021 20:48

It really does depend on her maturity and interests. Does she need to start with shorter/easier to get into reading or does she already get lost in books and have reading stamina?

I enjoyed plenty of 'younger' books at that age, mixed in with reading adult books.

Younger books that I liked included those by Michelle Magorian, Flambards series, Dear Nobody by Berlie Doherty,, books by Jan Mark and Jean Ure.

English Lit texts such as To Kill a Mockingbird, the Wide Sagasso Sea, The Colour Purple, The Endless Steppe, The Silver Sword, Jane Eyre

I also got into authors like Maeve Binchy and Fiona Walker at that age or a bit older but some of them were v adult themed...

JoyOrbison · 10/07/2021 20:40

My dd is 14vand loved the Margaret Atwood trilogy % Oryx and Crake / Year of the flood / Maddadam... She used to be a voracious reader then lost her nterest in it but this trilogy has reignited her spark.

Flamglimglubberty · 10/07/2021 20:38

@PhilODox

Be careful with Ready Player One- unless she's seen a lot of films, it will ruin many for her, so many spoilers Hmm
Oh that's a good point, I hadn't even considered that 🤦🏼‍♀️ they're all such old films referenced I didn't even think of spoilers as most of the endings are just common knowledge now!

I'd highly recommend the Eyre Affair as a starting point. The plot lends itself to exploring more classic literature.

Another place to start I forgot to mention was the Disc World series by Terry Pratchett.

PhilODox · 10/07/2021 19:01

Be careful with Ready Player One- unless she's seen a lot of films, it will ruin many for her, so many spoilers Hmm

Flamglimglubberty · 10/07/2021 18:46

Also, World of Books is a great site for picking up incredibly cheap second hand books that are in good condition.

Flamglimglubberty · 10/07/2021 18:43

Sci-fi/dystopia

  • Ready Player One
  • 1984
  • Gone series by Michael Grant
  • The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

Fantasy (all by David Eddings)

  • The Belgariad Series, followed up by the Mallorean. 5 short books in each series
  • The Elenium & The Tamuli series. 3 longer books in each series

Other Fantasy

  • Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
  • Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
  • The cruel prince by Holly Black
PhilODox · 10/07/2021 18:39

Shadow of the Wind by Zafon

Tbh, I was just reading adult books at that age...

She could try William Gibson, Neal Stephenson, Alastair Reynolds.
Revenger/Shadow Captain are aimed at YA in fact.
Patrick Ness?

Hosum · 10/07/2021 18:30

Just thinking secret history by Donna Tartt would be a great shout.

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