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Original poster

7 year old girl - classic

33 replies

CharlotteBog · 08/12/2023 09:23

Apologies for not trawling through the board to see if there are answers already (MN search stinks!).

I would like get my 7 yo niece a book for Xmas. She is a good reader (Malory Towers etc). I was thinking something like Heidi, Sleeping Beauty or Anne of Green Gables, but think the older language might be a challenge. Actually, those books might still be a little old for her.

I remember my older son going through the phase of being able to read chapter books w/o pictures, but still being at the age to enjoy Flat Stanley level books.

I would prefer paperback as they are easier to handle.

Thanks

OP posts:
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orangetriangle · 26/12/2023 21:18

second noel streatfield books
what about the Heidi series
or the what Katy did series
or Anne of Green Gables series
Also loved Millie Molly Mandy at that age

PiggieWig · 17/12/2023 11:45

Stig of the Dump
The Iron Man
Alice in Wonderland
Wind in the Willows

ilovesushi · 17/12/2023 11:42

At that age I absolutely loved "A Little Princess" by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It was a challenge to read but I remember being so engrossed by it. I read it and read it so many times over the years and is still a favourite.

purser25 · 16/12/2023 21:16

The family from one end street

Original poster
CharlotteBog · 16/12/2023 21:06

I got Anne of Green Gables - Puffin Classic Paperback edition, which will appeal to a younger girl.
I also got Charlotte's Web on behalf of someone else, also Puffin. 70th Anniversary edition.

I was able to get to a Waterstones which was good.
I will keep this thread for recommendations for another year or so.

OP posts:
Scout2016 · 16/12/2023 16:45

My 7 year old DD says Judy Blume's Fudge books.

Latenightreader · 16/12/2023 16:07

What about E Nesbit? I loved the Five Children and It series and The Railway Children. I was less keen on the Treasure Seekers.

5PurpleDinosaurs · 12/12/2023 19:05

SquirrelFan · 12/12/2023 18:54

Sarah Crewe (The Little Princess) by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Thimble Summer or The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright
They're classics with more accessible language

Edited

I was going to say The Little Princess.

Still a fave.

EducatingArti · 12/12/2023 19:03

How to train your dragon series
Some of the Jacqueline Wilson books though beware that she has written for a range of ages and some themes in some of them will be too old.
Yes to Noel Stretford books and also Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf though both of these will have language issues.
Mr Penguin books ( funny stories about a penguin detective)
Judy Moody books are great fun though you may have to explain some of the Americanisms

Quornflakegirl · 12/12/2023 18:56

At 7 my girls loved the Fudge series by Judy Blume.

SquirrelFan · 12/12/2023 18:54

Sarah Crewe (The Little Princess) by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Thimble Summer or The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright
They're classics with more accessible language

ErnestCelendine · 08/12/2023 12:49

My daughter loved Milly Molly Mandy at 7.

Original poster
CharlotteBog · 08/12/2023 12:45

So many great suggestions, thank you.
I shall be going to Amazon shopping over the w/e.

OP posts:
Humanswarm · 08/12/2023 11:32

Not a fiction book, but as a scientist you may enjoy for her ' The bedtime book of impossible questions'. My son is just turned 8 and loves reading, however has moved from fiction to devouring books of this kind instead. This is a lovely example of something to read independently but also instigates lots of lovely chatter about the book too! Some of the content is amusing, whilst other quite thought provoking!

BareBelliedSneetch · 08/12/2023 11:19

The dolls house by timer godden

noel streatfield? Ballet shoes? Theatre shoes? White boots etc?

Whataretheodds · 08/12/2023 11:17

At 7 I read and loved A Traveller in Time by Alison Uttley
Also Miss Happiness and Miss Flower by Rumer Godden

Babla · 08/12/2023 11:16

Any Enid Blyton or maybe Ursula Le Guin or Alan Garner

BigBoysDontCry · 08/12/2023 11:13

As I say my own DS really didn't enjoy older classic books but his friend loved them. His family were definitely posher and middle class so maybe the whole thing just clicked better with him 😂

Softwintersun · 08/12/2023 11:07

Charlotte sometimes by penelope farmer
Little grey men by bb

Modern classics

Original poster
CharlotteBog · 08/12/2023 11:01

BigBoysDontCry · 08/12/2023 10:36

Yeah should have said I'm 57 but I thought you were looking for classics. I think Harriet the spy was modern in the 70s 😂

Show quote history

Yes, I did say that in my title, and then backtracked quite nicely!

I read Heidi as a young girl and don't remember being baffled by the language, but I think I was older than 7, more like 10 or 11.

i'm 52 - the 70s is indeed modern!

OP posts:
BigBoysDontCry · 08/12/2023 10:36

CharlotteBog · 08/12/2023 09:56

Harriet the Spy and The Call of the Wild were written a while ago so have the same issue as Heidi etc - older language.

Yeah should have said I'm 57 but I thought you were looking for classics. I think Harriet the spy was modern in the 70s 😂

BareBelliedSneetch · 08/12/2023 10:23

Definitely Ramona, my 7 yo loves those.
or Ralph S Mouse
stewart little
the borrowers
the moomins
mrs pigglewiggle
worst witch
pippi longstocking
ottoline and the yellow cat

Rebootnecessary · 08/12/2023 10:12

NameChangeDayNov · 08/12/2023 09:56

Did Eva Ibbotson write Which Witch? I remember enjoying that at around 7 or 8.

Show quote history

Yes I think so!

EarthyMangold · 08/12/2023 10:05

Ronja the Robber 's Daughter, Astrid Lindgreen
Thimble Summer, Elizabeth Enright
The Ramona Quimby series, Beverley Cleary

EarthyMangold · 08/12/2023 10:01

The first few books in the Laura Ingalls Wilder series are great for that age group (might need a little bit of help with context etc to get started but plenty of interesting/exciting things happen once you get into it).