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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:
Hosum · 10/07/2021 18:28

Persepolis is a good shout on graphic novels

Hosum · 10/07/2021 18:28

Hi - she can really access an adult reading list - handmaids tale, the power, the end of men, tattooist of auschwitz. My sister the serial killer so much stuff! The red eye series if she is horror oriented.

Smoothbananagram · 10/07/2021 18:11

The latest Hunger Games novel The Ballad of Songbird and Snakes - it goes back to the first games I think. My HG loving daughter has also enjoyed Flowers for Algernon and Lord of the Flies this year.
I teach Year 9 English. Those more on the fantasy side of the reading spectrum enjoy Cassandra Clare's series and Laini Taylor's novels. Agree with PP recommendation of Frances Hardinge too.
You might want to consider the graphic/ upsetting nature of the material but a few of mine have read The Tatooist of Auschwitz this year and I tentatively recommended All the Light We Cannot See on the back of this. The one who got back to me really loved it.
The Help and A Thousand Splendid Suns are usually well received as recommendations in Year 10 - again, assuming a level of maturity.

GhostTypeEevee · 09/07/2021 21:17

My son loves Animal Farm and is reading 1984 right now.

Although not challenging as such he also enjoyed the Power of Five series and Private Peaceful. His school likes to encourage different books and styles

GolfEchoRomeoTangoIndia · 09/07/2021 18:53

On a different note
Three Men In a Boat
PG Wodehouse
Evelyn Waugh’s shorter funnier books
Georgette Heyer’s regency romances are not great literature, but they’re entertaining and very well written prose and would both expand her range and act as a gateway into Austen.

TeenMinusTests · 09/07/2021 18:53

Now I don't know the last 2, but I would have thought that the first 3 could be quite daunting to a not keen reader?

Of Mice and Men is often studied in school (DD did it in y9) and is beautifully crafted.

However in a similar vein:
Animal Farm & 1984
To Kill a Mocking Bird

Bertramwilberforce · 09/07/2021 18:51

Take her into a bookshop with a budget

GolfEchoRomeoTangoIndia · 09/07/2021 18:50

So 14 rising 15 then?
Fly By Night by Frances Hardinge - anything by her frankly, she’s streets ahead of most generic YA fiction.
His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman.
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin - younger age group but fantastic prose
Titus Groan by Mervyn Peake is amazing for teens if she can get into it.

FlowerArranger · 09/07/2021 18:49

Off the top of my heas...

Pride and Prejudice
Tess of the d'Urbervilles
Tom Sawyer and/or Huckleberry Finn
Of Mice and Men
Education
The Corrections

TeenMinusTests · 09/07/2021 18:39

Noughts & Crosses series (Malorie Blackman)
Northern Lights series (Philip Pullman)
Swallows & Amazons series (Arthur Ransome - older style language helpful for Eng Lang)

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