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Original poster

Non fantasy books for an 8 year old girl

43 replies

Manteo · 06/01/2022 22:01

When I was my daughter's age I was just starting to enjoy books like Sweet Valley Twins and The Babysitter's Club.

From books we've read together so far I think she'd enjoy something similar, by that I mean books about kids just going to school etc, no dragons, magic, unicorns.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Particularly if it's a series, I'd love to get her hooked on a series!

OP posts:
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mathanxiety · 19/02/2022 01:11

Not a series, but books by Kate di Camillo are lovely to read together.

The writing is great and stories are gripping. One title that springs to mind is The Tale of Desperaux.

listsandbudgets · 15/02/2022 13:09

DD loved Jacquline Wilson at that age. Also what about Roald Dah (maybe not The Witches it's scary Grin )

Dick King Smith is very good but I think less read now - The Sheep Pig and Harrys Mad were favourites here

PurgatoryOfPotholes · 03/02/2022 00:15

Another thread has just reminded me of the Anastasia Krupnik series by Lois Lowry.

GrouchyKiwi · 02/02/2022 18:40

Onjali Rauf writes excellent books. My 7- and 9-year-old daughters love them.

PurgatoryOfPotholes · 02/02/2022 18:27

The Bagthorpe Saga by Helen Cresswell

www.goodreads.com/series/40751-the-bagthorpe-saga

The first one is Ordinary Jack and you can find lots of copies on abebooks.co.uk

Phineyj · 02/02/2022 17:49

Seconding Ivy and Bean, and Daisy and the Trouble With... they've both got lots of jokes in there for the adults!

AdaColeman · 02/02/2022 17:41

Another vote for Swallows and Amazons, there are several books in the series, all packed with fun adventures, picnics, and friendships.

PurgatoryOfPotholes · 02/02/2022 17:33

There are a lot of horse series out there, too, but I think aimed at girls a bit older than her.

TiddleTaddleTat · 02/02/2022 17:31

Jacqueline Wilson - there are around 1000 books and we have probably read them all!!
Other than that, I’d be interested in ideas.

PurgatoryOfPotholes · 02/02/2022 17:26

Hilary McKay's Lulu series. 6 books.

www.goodreads.com/book/show/30242229-hilary-mckay-lulu-series-collection-6-books-set-the-duck-in-the-park

She does a lot of series, all non-magical.

FlexibleWorkingDenied · 31/01/2022 07:04

My DD likes the books of the TV/Film series Spirit (the horse). There are ones at various reading levels. She’s 7yo and just reading the Lucky’s Diary one

Riding Free - Lucky's Diary [[https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1405299177/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_0MENAVGKBZM0KYDGQXFF?psc&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforu03-211]]

tinierclanger · 31/01/2022 06:59

Darcy Burdock series is probably a good match for what you’re looking for!

babybythesea · 31/01/2022 06:56

Another vote for Enid Blyton.
Depending on what she likes there are the school stories - St Clare’s and Mallory Towers. If she likes adventure there’s Secret Seven and Famous Five but also the lesser known series - my 8 yo has just finished and loved The Secret Island and the follow ups about a group of children who run away and live by themselves on an island for 9 months. And then the random series about children who go to the countryside- quite good for learning about British Wildlife in a fun way -The Children of Cherry Tree Farm and the follow ups.

MsAmerica · 19/01/2022 23:30

Have you checked the Newbery Award list?

Tinkhasflown · 10/01/2022 21:47

My Dd loves Malorry Towers and also loved the Worst Witch series.

Original poster
Manteo · 09/01/2022 19:01

Thanks for all the suggestions, I've been looking them all up!

OP posts:
AnGofsMum · 09/01/2022 13:10

Malory Towers

OhDear2200 · 09/01/2022 13:01

Daisy books as mentioned above are hilarious!

The Ivy and Scarlet books, though set in some historical point (early 20th C) but not magical more mystery at boarding school. But effectively girls doing their thing.

2319inprogress · 08/01/2022 22:38

The Penderwicks brilliant story of a family - but leave the last book until older.

Notoironing · 08/01/2022 22:36

Try the City Farm series.

HelloDulling · 08/01/2022 22:18

@StrychnineInTheSandwiches

The Wells & Wong series by Robin Stevens.
These. Like Agatha Christie for girls, set in a girls boarding school.
TheSpiral · 08/01/2022 22:16

Clarice Bean - the chapter books not the picture books

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 08/01/2022 22:13

The Wells & Wong series by Robin Stevens.

madamehooch · 08/01/2022 22:10

Pamela Butchart

JaninaDuszejko · 08/01/2022 19:47

All the Enid Blyton books. DD1 love the Famous Five and the Adventure series at that age.

What about some real life stories the Little House books by Laura Ingells Wilder? The stories get more grown up as Laura gets older but the first three (LH in the Big Woods, LH on the Prairie and By the Banks of Plum Creek) she should find interesting. When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit is also a good option at that age. They are all a more challenging read than Enid Blyton so might be a bedtime story rather than a read alone depending on her reading ability but completely age appropriate.