Please help me choose books for my nieces aged 4, 6, 9 and nearly 13 years old

[sunshineoutdoors]

I want to get my nieces a nice book each for Christmas, preferably ones that a fairly new to avoid getting something they already have, but a classic might be appropriate too. Please could I get some suggestions from people more knowledgeable than myself? (Haven't got a clue what's age appropriate/popular)

They are 4, 6, 9 and nearly 13 years old, as the title of my thread suggests

For the 6 year old - Pippi Longstockings? There's a lovely edition illustrated by Lauren Child.

For the 9 year old - either Ballet Shoes, Charlotte Sometimes or Miranda Dreams.

For the nearly 13 year old - Angus, Thongs And Full Frontal Snogging (but not if her parents are easily shocked!) or maybe even Twilight (it's absolute pants but most teenage girls seem to love it!).

No idea re the four year old sorry - unless perhaps a copy of The Faraway Tree on CD? The six year old would probably enjoy this too.

Sorry - I think it is MARIANNE Dreams, not Miranda. I got confused because both are names we considered for dd1! :)

Billionaire boy for 9 year old- so funny, just read it to my class, there is a new one out by the same author (David Walliams) called something like gangsta granny, I will be getting that for my 9 year old daughter for xmas.

Brambly Hedge for the littlest one - the illustrations are gorgeous so if the words are too tricky she can look at the pictures, but equally the words aren't so tricky that she wouldn't be able to read a bit, iyswim

For the 13 year old: To kill a mocking bird by Harper Lee, Holes by Louis Sachar, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

Also check this out - it's a UK site where 10-15 year olds review books for each other: www.cool-reads.co.uk

I have a 9y DD. She likes the David Walliams books, Wimpy Kid series, Harry Potter, etc.

Hav also just bought her as part of her Christmas present the Malory Towers box set.

Thank you, these ideas are great, giving me lots to have a look at

Have chosen.... Brambly Hedge, Pippi Longstocking, Gangsta Gran and To Kill a Mockingbird. So, directly inspired by all of you. Thank you mumsnet!

I used to love Mallory Towers! All the midnight feasts and sending people to Coventry. Looking back the characters were all pretty annoying though! Was it Daryl who was the main character? Maybe should start a revival in the babynames topic...