Teen girl books

[christmasfish]

DD13 has always been a voracious reader, but since starting at grammar school, she never reads for pleasure anymore. Some of it is a lot of homework turns her off from more reading, but in her "reading time" (1 hour before bed, screen free) she'd rather play the guitar or write her diary. None of this is a problem - it's her time, but I'm just sad she's missing out on the books she used to love.

Her reading age is (was?) older than her actual age. Books aimed at young teens don't really interest her.

Things she loved in the past: Hunger Games (but only the first one), Holly Bourne books, The Good Girl's Guide to Murder, Five Survive, They Both Die at The End. I tried and failed to get her interested in Divergent.

I have a cunning idea to get her to start listening to audiobooks, and I think the novelty will be enough to hook her back in. But I need to make sure the first one is a banger. So whilst I would love for her to be reading Jane Eyre or Lord of the Flies, I think we're going to have to start with something a bit less classic and a bit more page-turny / TikTok famous. She hates fantasy, so none of the romantasy stuff is going to do it for her.

Any ideas?

Defiantly sounds very strick and prescribed to me !
There is no way I could control either dds time to that predefined degree. However both of mine are very very good with homework and don't need carrots and sticks to do It. They have always just done it.

• and nor would I want too ,they have heavy institutionalised schedules at school ( grammar) and top students.

Honestly I would encourage the guitar and diary. At this age there is so much going on in their heads. The fact she is using these outlets to express herself like this daily is HUGE. Putting pen to paper of her own volition after she's done school and homework? Wow, good for her.

I would be a bit wary of sending her any message that can be interpreted as telling her that producing her own music and writing is inferior to consuming someone else's. Producing your own stuff is a hard habit to encourage and so good for the brain, I think.

My own daughter got a lot of inspiration from her English teacher's bookshelf and the school library at this age. She also enjoyed reading a couple of books with her dad - not every night, but they always had a joint book on the go and did the odd chapter together. Good Omens is a family favourite.

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox?

My DD read-although a bit older and is her absolute fav-easy to relate and very readable

Although I also agree with others above-she is spending her time in a very valuable way and if it is what she needs right now to relax that's ok too

I'm not sure what you mean about carrots and sticks - there are no rewards for doing homework, nor have I ever needed sanctions for not doing it. When she's finished her homework, she comes and watches TV. I think that's fairly normal!

And an hour of no screens before bed - well, that might be strict, but it's been proven that blue light interferes with sleep. Also, I want her to be able to switch off from any friend drama / WhatsApp groups before bed, to give her brain a bit of a break. What she chooses to do in that time is totally up to her. I'm not saying she can't play the guitar or write - not at all! I just don't want her to miss out on literature she previously loved, and am trying to tempt her with a few juicy morsels of books.

But I take PP's point that academic schools do sometimes fry their brain a bit at school and she might just not have headspace for fiction right now. I just see all the lovely library books they have at school, and some of her friends joining the creative writing clubs, book clubs etc. and DD has no interest in it (despite previously loving it all and wanting to be an author). As a parent, I'm just trying to make sure she has every opportunity.

I have some fabulous suggestions here - thanks all. I hope she gets on with Scythe, as I only get one Audible book a month, so if she doesn't like it, I've got a wait until I can try her with something else. We do have BorrowBox and Libby through our local library but the YA fiction is pretty limited.

At a similar age my DD became completely obsessed with the Warrior Cat series. She has all of them and when she had a tidy up of her room before she went to Uni, this was the only full series she wanted to keep. She's 19 now and still very attached to these books, though hasn't read them for years. I just remember her being completely obsessed with and talking non stop about them.

Mine like Maggie OFarrells book about near death experiences gave us lots to talk about. Also Margaret Atwood cats eye about little girl bullying.

Not sure you can force reading. Mine read when they have long journeys or are sunbathing. Both read most of the books on my kindle when we were on holiday with long journeys.

Absolutely not looking to force reading!

Looking to find ways to support, encourage and to find a book that entices her back to the joy of reading.

I have The Handmaid's Tale in my back pocket for a few years' time - it's exactly to her taste - feminist and dystopian, but a bit grown-up for her right now.

Update: she has listened to 40 mins of Scythe and is enjoying it!

Thank you again for recommendations - I now have a list to work through.