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Original poster

Books for Tweens

22 replies

Liverpoodle · 09/05/2023 14:11

My dd is late primary school age and I am struggling to know what books to get for her. She has read and enjoyed all the Roald Dahl and David Walliams books. Has now read the first two Harry Potter books so reading at a reasonable level for her age. Trouble is she is quite immature for her age, loves Disney and ‘nice’ stories.
I would be very grateful if anyone can recommend a book series she might enjoy.

OP posts:
Newname2323 · 09/05/2023 14:12

Most obvious answer would be Jacquelin Wilson books my niece binge reads them and she's 11

Comefromaway · 09/05/2023 14:20

I think David Baddiel writes better books than David Walliams.

Is she too young for Holly Smale yet?

Fivemoreminutes1 · 09/05/2023 14:25

My 12 year old has enjoyed:
Agatha Oddly
Murder Most Unladylike
A Series of Unfortunate Events
The Chocolate Box Girls
Lottie Brooks

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Children's books General education
FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 09/05/2023 14:26

Definitely Jacqueline Wilson.

Steer clear of Vicky Angel, though.

popandchoc · 09/05/2023 16:43

My daughter loves the Lottie Brooks books by Katie Kirby. There are 3 out and another due this year,

DelurkingAJ · 09/05/2023 16:51

Toto the Ninja Cat
The Dragon in the Library
Diana Wynne Jones (Charmed Life would be a good place to start)
Or (more old fashioned perhaps) Narnia, The Borrowers, The Children of Greene Knowe

Yorkshiregold · 09/05/2023 16:57

Victoria Stitch books by Harriet Muncaster are really good

wildinthecountry · 09/05/2023 17:08

Honestly I would just take them to the Library and let them loose on the books .

Meduse · 09/05/2023 17:57

Please take her to a library or bookshop so that she ( and you) can peruse unknown authors.There is so much fantastic writing for children being published currently and sadly so much is not recognised as the authors aren’t celebrities. Alternatively,have a look at sites such as Toppsta which has suggestions as well as reviews by children,The Book Trust or The Reading Agency are other excellent sites.

If she likes mysteries however I would look at Katherine Woodfine,Robin Stevens,A.M.Howell Emma Carroll for historical subjects ,Katya Balen-I could go on….

akkakk · 09/05/2023 18:12

noel streatfeild - ballet shoes, but also loads of other ones...
cynthia harnett - historical books
pamela brown - stage books
Brian Jacques - Redwall books
Terry Pratchett - children's novels
gerald durrell
Sophie Anderson (the girl speaks bear etc)
PG Wodehouse - Jeeves & Wooster
Alexander McCall Smith

A mix there of children's books and gentle adults books depending on what she is ready for - there are loads of amazing authors out there...

dontgobaconmyheart · 09/05/2023 18:12

I agree with trying taking her to the library (or bookshop if that's within budget). Picking your own book is half the fun and a useful way of encouraging enthusiasm for it for children.

Some suggestions otherwise;

Wilder than Midnight by Cerrie Burnell
Midnighters by Hannah Tooke
The Hatmakers by Tamzin Merchant
The Secret Cooking club books
Lottie Brooks series
The Princess Diaries
Skandar and the unicorn thief

Ben Miller's books
Anything by Katherine Rundell
Jacqueline Wilson

The Awesomely Austen series is also a really nice introduction for her age group to Jane Austen's books - they're essentially the stories simplified for her age group, with accessible language and engaging illustrations. Also obviously have the benefit of being a sedate read if she enjoys 'nice' stories.

BiggerBoat1 · 09/05/2023 18:22

The Pony Club Detectives by Belinda Rapley

Beachhutnut · 09/05/2023 19:21

Lockwood and co books

Runningoutofusernamestochange · 09/05/2023 20:14

Has she tried Percy Jackson?

Bugbeau · 09/05/2023 20:32

The Day I Fell Into a Fairytale (we listened to it on audiobook and both my 7 and 11 year old loved it)
The Girl Who Spoke Bear my 11 year old and his dad who doesn’t usually read novels loved this on audiobook.

ItsCalledAConversation · 09/05/2023 20:42

We’ve just discovered Skandar - absolutely adore it, I’m hooked as well - but if your DD is immature then it might be a bit too much for her.

Otherwise:

The Girl With The Lost Smile - Miranda Hart
TheHouse With Chicken Legs etc
The Wizards of Once

Afolnerd · 09/05/2023 20:47

I agree with taking her to choose. Though my 9 year old book worm can never decide.

She loved the land of stories series and the tale of magic prequels.

She is currently reading Mallory towers.

Nobbies · 09/05/2023 20:48

Piggybacking to check out the recommendations

SnuggleBuggleBoo · 09/05/2023 20:48

Eva Ibbotson is brilliant! My favourite of hers are:

The Abominables
Journey to the River Sea
The Star of Kazan
The Secret Countess (I would wait til she's 12 or so for this one though I think)

SnuggleBuggleBoo · 09/05/2023 20:51

Also, 'There's a boy in the girl's bathroom' by Louis Sachar and 'Joey Pigza swallowed the Key' by Jack Gantos are perfect for this age. As are the Fudge stories my Judy Blume (read them in order) but be aware 'Superfudge' thoroughly squelches the concept of Santa.

Pushpull · 09/05/2023 21:02

I agree with taking her to the library. A good children's librarian will have heaps of recommendations. I like Jacqueline Wilson but the themes can be a bit real/.confronting if she still wants to be in Disney type light themes

The library encourages my tween to try new books or something a bit different as it feels such low risk.

Original poster
Liverpoodle · 10/05/2023 19:03

Thanks everyone I will have a look at some of these. Probably should restart going to the library, used to do it when she was preschool age.

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