Books like My Naughty little sister but current day

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Hello - dd(5) loves My Naughty Little sister books. It's the first chapter books that she's been into (me reading to her). Is there anything similar vein, real-life type stories, but preferably more modern? Any ideas appreciated as we're both enjoying MNLS but will need to move on at some point

my DD loves MNLS too. She also really loves Pippi Longstocking which is kind of weirder than MNLS but also about a naughty girl and her adventures. Not much more modern but feels a bit more modern - particularly if you get the Lauren Child illustrated version. They are a bit surreal at times but DD loves them (she's also 5)

Thanks.. it is interesting to see that some of the books I remember from childhood are still firm favourites! It's funny in MNLS to have to explain things, e.g. what is a 'coalman' and why a hoover would be considered something new and exciting!

Yes it's so sweet. I like Granny writing a letter to say she's ill - not even a phonecall - so mother goes to visit and MNLS just joins the school for the day. No admissions or forms to fill in or anything

I love the one about her joining the school too! Hilarious!! Read a couple of pages of Pippi on Amazon and it sounds lovely but think might leave it for a few months until she's slightly older. Have just ordered the first set of the Sophie books. Hadn't heard of those but look worth a try?

What about Ramona books by Beverley Cleary? They were first written in the late 60s / early 70s but I don't think they come across as being dated.

Or you could try the Julian stories by Ann Cameron, they're about two little boys but very much in the same vein.

Katie Morag?

My 6yo has got really into the Ivy and Bean series. (It's American, but available here.) They are hilarious, and well written: two imaginative, naughty girls getting up to adventures. There's a series of 8, my favourite is Ivy and Bean: Doomed To Dance which has them forced to endure ballet classes.

We also like the Clementine books - again American, again a feisty 7 yo girl as central character.

I like Junie B Jones. It's American and I prefer her kindergarten exploits to Grade 1 as the misunderstandings and mispronunciations are funnier. She is always in trouble and has to visit Principal fairly often.

Thanks, that list will keep us going for ages!

Iggy And Me series by Jenny Valentine. I reviewed the first one for another website, and commented that it was a modern day My Naughty Little Sister!

I was going to suggest Sophie & Ramona too

Ramona is v American, but the characters & stories are great

you could try the Superfudge books too, although those are boys they are wonderful & so funny

oh, & \link{http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_9_5?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=josie+smith+books&sprefix=josie%2Cstripbooks%2C226\Josie Smith} ("Junie B Jones" reminded me) - my DDs used to love them

looks like they're out of print but lots of used ones

My ds loves the Sophie books. They are really heart warming. The Ramona books are lovely as well.

He has moved from these to Jill Tomlinson eg The Owl Who Was Afraid Of The Dark etc. I know it is not real life but it is of a similar atmosphere and innocence and he loves them too.

\link{http://www.amazon.co.uk/Judy-Blumes-Fudge-Set-Blume/dp/0142409065/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top\Fudge}

and for slightly older girls \link{http://www.amazon.co.uk/Anastasia-Krupnik-Lions-Lois-Lowry/dp/0006726356/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_7\the Anastasia books by Lois Lowry} are excellent - she's a bit like a male version of Fudge's big brother Peter (& she has a clever, funny little brother too, called Sam)

Bel Mooney wrote stories about a girl called Kitty (during the early 2000s if that is not too long ago). Beverly Cleary wrote about a girl called Ramona but those might be older. 'This is the Bear and the Bad Little Girl' by Sarah Hayes. Ivy and the Bean by Annie Barrows (not sure if this is a book or TV). The Constance and Tiny series by Pierre Le Gall. (ditto)

ooh I like Bel Mooney (she used to do a really good problem page in one of the papers). I'm going to look out for her Kitty books.

It was the daily mail, wasn't it? I would suggest the magic faraway tree and the owl who was afraid of the dark. I know they're not at all similar genre wise but they're what dd enjoyed around the time we read mnls.

Bel Mooney is Jonathan Dimbleby's ex (&, yes, a DM columnist)

Kitty is their actual daughter

\link{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bel_Mooney#Personal_life\wiki}

I've never been a DM reader (honest! Apart from on a plane because it doesn't count if you're in international airspace). I think the column started off in the Times and they got rid of her

Have you tried Milly Molly Mandy. Probably even older than MNLS but just as good in a similar way.

Would also second the Faraway series and Ramona - although mine liked Ramona when they were a bit older.

I have also found 2nd hand copies of a couple of Rumer Godden's books aimed at younger girls - The Fairy Doll, and the Story of Holly and Ivy. My dd loves these

ROFL at beatricequimby recommending Ramona

(should be Beezus...)

Holly & Ivy is a wonderful, wonderful story but wil make you howl, OP

Milly Molly Mandy is hard work, IMO - much earlier period than MNLS, & not nearly as much fun. & Magic Faraway Tree just tries too hard

DD (very nearly 5) loves Susan Hill's Stories from Codling Village - about a little girl and her friend next door - which is available on Abebooks. She likes The Fairy Doll as well.

Thanks for recommending Ivy and Bean, Devora - I like the look of them. There are so many good American books for ages 6+.

and Lotta on Troublemaker Street (Astrid Lindgren).

Clever Polly and the stupid wolf by Catherine storr?