Can anyone recommend a book for an 8 year old please?

[mystiquesonya]

Hi, my dd is 8 & has surprised me today by asking if I can read to her at bedtimes (hasn't had a bedtime story from me for years). Bless her. I think it's a good idea because it may expand the range of books she's interested in if I read ones that she wouldn't normally choose herself (currently she only chooses ones she's already heard of, say, if she's seen the TV programme, so Tracy Beaker, Horrid Henry etc.) I was trying to think back to what I liked at her age and can only remember Enid Blyton (the Famous Five and the Mysteries) and Roald Dahl, in particular The Witches. I also enjoyed Charlotte's Web. Can anyone think of any other books that she may enjoy being read to her. I'm quite excied about this, lol, I have fond memories of my own mother reading to me at bedtimes until I was about 12 . I remember enjoying Nina Bawden too, but not sure if that's when I was a little older. Any suggestions gratefully received!

I loved The Hobbit at that age, also any of the Noel Streatfield Ballet Shoes series.

There are some good American stories out there too - Little House on the Prairie is always a winner but, have a look at:

The Wheel on the School - Meindert de Jong
Children on the Oregon Trail - A. Rutgers van der Loeff
My Side of the Mountain - Jean George
Year of the Black Pony - Walt Morey

(still have my copies from then on my bookshelf now.

Narnia?
Little House series
Susan Cooper - her Dark is Rising series is brilliant, and her others are worth a look too - The Boggart and the sequel are fun, and Victory and King of Shadows are historical mixed with the present day.
If you can find copies, Ludo and the Star Horse by Mary Stewart, The Furthest Away Mountain by Lynne Reid Banks, The Brothers Lionheart by Astrid Lindgren, and Search for Delicious by Natalie Babbitt are all lovely.
Or The Phantom Tollbooth

A more modern alternative might be the How to Train Your Dragon series by Cressida Cowell - they are fun to read for an adult, too, and your little one might appreciate the tie in to the film!

I would thoroughly recommend Rebecca's World if you can find a copy!

The Lionboy trilogy by Zizou Corder is good to read aloud - I read them to dd when she was about that age. They're written by

I agree that How to Train Your Dragon is also good if she hasn't read it.

Judy Blume... Trying to think of best for age.. Tales of a forth grade nothing or super fudge ?

Joan Aiken "Wolves of Willoughby Chase" etc
Elizabeth Gouge "The Little White Horse"
Lucy M Boston "The Children of Green Knowe"
The Secret Garden?