All parents of girls over 8yrs, come over here and help, please!

[timetosmile]

DD is 8 and enjoys reading.

She is not advanced/voracious/in need of 'stretching' but when she gets into a book or series she likes, she will disappear for days until it is all read, then pick listlessly at a few library books for a week or so until she picks up something she really enjoys again.

The hits of the past six months have been:-

Darcy Bussell Magic Ballerina series
Alexander McCall Smith Akimbo series
EB Naughtiest girl
Katie Chase Littlest Princess series
Sophie and the Hidden Gems or some such name

We are now hurtling toward the last year at Malory Towers and I am wondering what might take her fancy next, any ideas...?

DD2 of the same age loves Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Dear Dumb Diary and Dork Diaries. There are plenty in each series so keep her busy for a while.

Oh actiongirl, I loved those! And the Sadlers Wells ones with eronica and Sebastien

Lucy Jane at the Ballet is a lovely book, and I think there may be a couple following it.

Judy Blume goes down well in this house.

My DD who loves reading loves Mr Gum books. They're vry off the wall but she thinks they're hilarious. I read the first one with her and had plenty of laugh out loud moments myself!

Pressed send too quickly. Judy Blume: 'are you there god it's me margaret' 'deenie' 'blubber' 'tiger eyes' -all have been enjoyed.

My dd worked her way through all the How To Train YOur Dragon books, the whole of Jeremy Strong, Spiderwick Chronicles, Narnia books, Harry Potter, Jacqueline Wilson and Michael Morpurgo. Also some Penelope Lively books and E Nesbit.

I work in a school library. A lot of 8-year-olds love the Geronimo Stilton books and the Tiara Club series. They also love the Tashi books by Anne Fienberg.

Ivy and Bean
Tum Tum and Nutmeg

My dd is just getting into JW so that's us set for a while.

The 'Catwings' series by Ursula leGuin is very charming and nicely written.

The 'Earthsea' series is also wonderful -- depends on how dense she likes her literature though.

The Moomin series by Tove Jansson is nice for young readers.

The Nicholas series by Goscinny and Sempe is a lovely series consisting of stories set in France about Nicholas, his friends, family and community, that would appeal to girls as much as boys. Funny and witty and easy to follow. Probably as enjoyable to adults as to children, and therefore nice for reading aloud.

If your DD likes historical fiction and ripping good yarns then try to lay your hands on the children's historical novels of Geoffrey Trease. You may have to trawl ebay for them but the effort would be well worth it imo.

The Anne of Green Gables series might be a challenge but very engaging if she's a really well established reader.

'Five Children and It', 'The Story of the Amulet' and 'The Phoenix and the Carpet' by E. Nesbit are classics and very enjoyable.

Kate di Camillo has written many lovely and often very gripping books for 'children of all ages'. The DDs all loved 'The Tale of Despereaux', The Magician's Elephant' and 'The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane'.

'The Wreck of the Zanzibar' is a lovely book by Michael Morpurgo.
Also 'A Dog so Small' by Philippa Pearce.
'The Borrowers' by Mary Norton is a lovely piece of whimsy.
'Carrie's War' by Nina Bawden is a great read and was a good tv series iirc.

Warrior cats saga?

Molly Moon
Anything by Eva Ibbotson or Dick King-Smith
Lots of Michael Morpurgo and Jacqeline Wilson (but some are for older children so you need to check reviews)
Madame Pamplemousse series
Jack Stalwart series
Judy Moody series
Sally Gardner's magical children series - The Boy with the Magic Numbers, The Strongest Girl in the World etc

My DD is 11 and reads a lot. Recently she has been reading Malory Towers, Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, Carrie's War, anything by Michael Morpurgo, Berlie Doherty and Judy Blume. I also like Anne Fine books and Captain Underpants. Horrid Henry? Paddington Bear (from my childhood). DD used to loved the Rainbow Fairies (me not so much, as they are dull).

or how about trying some non fiction? What about pony books or ballet books?

DD likes the Faraway Tree and Mr Gum

she also likes the younger Jaquelin Wilson books and David Walliams

You've had tons of fabulous recommendations here. May I just add a couple? Liz Kessler, Emily Windsnap (a girl who turns into a mermaid) Beswitched (Kate Saunders) boarding school and time travel, Castle of Shadows Ellen Renner and a very funny book called Small Persons with Wings by Ellen Booraem which may be a little old (probably aimed at 9-12) but may not be and I can't believe no one has said Ballet Shoes?

I suggest you encourage her to write something about the books she's been reading.

How about the Rescue Princesses series - princesses but kick-ass ones!

Try the Nina series - only 3 books in it, but they're cute, quirky and adventurous:

www.randomhouse.co.uk/editions/nina-and-the-travelling-spice-shed/9781848530898

The Ottoline books and Goth Girl books are wonderful too.

Some great ideas here, I am off to google for my own dd!!

Ballet Shoes?

Emily Sparkes

The Imaginary

Demon Dentist