adult books suitable for a 13 year old

[fluffycauliflower]

My daughter just read The Help and really enjoyed it, it has got me wondering what other books aimed at adults she might like, has anyone got any recomendations? She doesn't like anything scary, she is also not particularly into romance.

ooh now...can I reccomend "Welcome to the World Baby Girl" by Fannie Flagg

here

It's got nothing really grown up in it...but it's charming.

When I was 13 I read almost entirely adults books, the "teen fiction" section of library was small. Now, with adults buying YA literature, there is so much choice for this age group - I'm jealous!

Thinking back, I read lots of classics; Jane Austen & Charlotte Bronte particularly. Also sci fi like Isaac Asimov. And detective novels - Peter Wimsey, Poirot, Marple.

She might like Terry Pratchett, they're not scary and the themes aren't dodgy for 13. Also David Eddings if she likes fantasy, again nothing too "adult" in the content.

tales of the atori ....good series...

Thanks for the suggestions I think there must have been heaps of books that I have read over the years that she might like but I can't think of them. I have never read Terry Pratchett, I must try them myself.

At her age I loved

Love in a Cold Climate
I Capture the Castle
The L Shaped Room (although this does deal with sex and pregnancy)

Of more contemporary books, I think she might enjoy

The Book Thief
The Life of Pi
Room

Hope I have pitched these right!

Definately agree re Life of Pi. Also, Isabel Allende did a trilogy of books for young adults. It starts with The City of the Beasts not as scary as title suggests. They are really lovely books with some strong female characters in all of them.

At that age I read a lot of Agatha Christie. Also the James Herriot books (good for animal lovers).

How about To Kill a Mocking Bird?

Gerald Durrell
Laurie Lee
Ursula le Guin
Mary Renault
Daphne du Maurier
Elizabeth Goudge

were the sort of authors I was reading about that age.

Oh, and how about Sherlock Holmes?

P G Wodehouse

Hi Thanks for the ongoing suggestions. Can anyone recomend a good Agatha Christie to start with? I thought the Room was supposed to be a bit harrowing - I haven't read it myself for that reason.

Loved:

L Shaped Room (although quite dated now and a bit racist on reread but still an old favourite)
Animal Farm (had no idea that it was an allegory though!)
Rebecca
A Town Like Alice - Neville Shute (slightly racy I think)
My family & other animals

In thoery I let my 13 yr old DC read what they want. Though I try to reign in on subject matters they might find disturbing. It's a difficult balance.

DD has recently enjoyed Pigeon English, One Day and Jeny's War.

At that age I read The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet. There's a little bit of sex in it and one rape, if that bothers you. (My parents gave it to me to read so obviously thought it was ok, and it didn't bother me.) lots of intrigue and history in there! Also it's over 1000 pages long. :)

Room is more harrowing in its concept than in the way it is actually written. Reading it does not make you feel distressed IMO, it's just when you imagine it happening to you and your child that it could get upsetting.

Agree with great suggestions above also
Alex awards US for best books of previous year of interest to teens
www.teenreads.com/features/awards/alex-awards-2012

Thanks visual arts, I'll try her on that one.