What slightly random books do your 11/12 y/os like that might be in the library?

[Takver]

DD's having an 'I've read everything' moment, & just trying to think of some things that might be in the library that might be a bit of a change. She generally reads loads of fantasy/adventure stuff, but recently read Jane Eyre & liked it (result of shelf rummaging - I figured Jane was the archetypal socially awkward bookish type).

I thought of When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit but for some reason can't reserve it (will try & get a copy as IIRC it is very good), have asked for 'Framed' by Frank Cottrell Boyce & also Tom's Midnight Garden.

Any other suggestions as to books that might appeal? She's not into 'soppy' stuff yet (liked the horsey bits of Flambards but not the romance).

Truckers/Diggers/Wings by Terry Pratchett
Anything by Frances Hardinge

Not quite as far outside her comfort zone as you'd like perhaps, but books with a lot to offer her.

What about Noel Streatfeild?

The Truckers series is a good idea, I don't think she's read them (will ask)

I'm glad to find someone else who likes Frances Hardinge, I never see her mentioned on here :) She's read a few, I think probably all those in the library, will have another look though. Noel Streatfield we still have from when I was little

Has she read things like Charlotte Sometimes or A Traveller in Time (Alison Uttley - being reprinted I believe)

No, neither, those are just the sort of thing. Which also reminds me of When Marnie Was There as well.

Charlotte Sometimes always makes me think of the Cure song

Authors to look for:
Diana Wynne Jones
Celia Rees
Alan Garner
Susan Cooper
Rosemary Sutcliffe
Theresa Breslin
Terry Pratchett
PG Wodehouse
Georgette Heyer (romance, but very plot driven)
Malorie Blackman
Tamora Pierce

For individual book titles, Charlotte Sometimes is lovely, and she might Luke My Family and other Animals. Pride and Prejudice, or a good gothic novel like The Woman in White or Frankenstein. Watership Down.

Ruby Redfort books by Lauren child.

Has anyone mentioned Diana wynne jones? Lots of choice by her.

For children's classics,

the What Katie Did books
Carrie's War
Daddy Long Legs
Emily of New Moon
Saki short stories

Great, keep 'em coming! I don't know the Ruby Redfort books, Catmint, will check them out :) Have you read Emily of New Moon lately, Yami? Dd had them from the library (she did quite like them, tho not as much as Anne), and I found they sadly didn't stand up so well to re-reading, though I loved them as a child.

I have hidden my copy of Watership Down owing to rabbit issues at work resulting in occasional pie (in fact I have sometimes considered changing my user name to MrMcGregor )

I assume she has read the Francis Hodgson Burnett books, I am not sure what age they are aimed at, might be too young for her.
there was a book which they made into a tv programme sometime in the late 80s I think about a girl called Araminta (Minty) and I remember liking it, she did some time traveling thing I think as well. I can't remember what it was called though. I have a feeling it was something to do with a clock but I could be mixing up my stories. anyone know?

I Capture the Castle - Dodie Smith?

got it - Moondial by Helen Cresswell www.amazon.co.uk/Moondial-Puffin-Books-Helen-Cresswell/dp/0140325239

shame - just realised it is out of print but you might be able to get a second hand copy.

I remember loving the Drina Adams books by Jean Estoril when I was that sort of age, must have been a bit older I think from looking at the dates they were republished but they are harmless 'nice' books - again all out of print now but they are about a ballet dancer and nice books. www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=node%3D291747&field-keywords=drina&rh=n%3A291747%2Ck%3Adrina&ajr=2

I also liked the Alex books by Tessa Duder - worth looking for second hand, about a young girl who is a top swimmer. bit different to the usual stuff.

There's a book on it's way which should do the trick:)

Try her with:-

Chinese Cinderella
Yankee Girl
Maggot Moon

All of these are a bit different to what she has been reading.

Madamehooch x

Thanks, MadameHooch! The article about John Carter Cash in the Guardian today was interesting, but I think dd is still not convinced by Lupus Rex because of the high animal body-count

I'll check out the other three as well :)

Periwinkle, I thought I Capture the Castle would be more suited to someone older, teens maybe? Its a long time since I read it, am I remembering wrong, though? Maybe I should just look out for a copy for me anyway . . .

Re Frances H-B, the Little Princess is one of only two books I can think of that have reduced dd to proper tears (the other, rather predictably, was when Laura's dog Jack dies in one of the Little house books).

This is a link to a reading list I drew up for 11/12 year olds. I would recommend Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman.

www.booksteensandmagazines.com/blog/reading-list-year-7-11-to-12-year-olds

Noughts & Crosses is a good idea, I'm sure they'd have the series in the library.

BTW, the reason suggestions on here is good is that our library is very tiny, & we're not near any big bookshops, which makes it harder for dd to browse & find things. But she can request for free from any other library in the county, which is great.

My favourite book when I was that age was reeeeally random!

I can't remember the author but it was called 'From the mixed up files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler'

I was also into poetry for a while at that age...

Lots of my favourite children's books/children's authors have already been mentioned, but here are few other suggestions (some of them may be a bit young and I bet lots are out of print):
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
The Anastasia Krupnik series by Lois Lowry
A Summer to Die by Lois Lowry (very sad)
Cynthia Voigt's Tillerman books. Homecoming is the first one.
The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken
Midnight is a Place by Joan Aiken
A Bottled Cherry Angel by Jean Ure
Playing Beatie Bow by Ruth Park
My Sister Sif by Ruth Park
Eleanor Elizabeth by Libby Gleeson
Double Spell by Janet Lunn
The Green Knowe books
The Borrower books
Vivian Alcock books

And a more recent one - The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray by Chris Wooding.

a book I loved when I was her age is Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster, about an orphan girl who is sent to college by a rich anonymous benefactor. a delightful book, it does contain some romance, but mostly it is about college life at the turn of the last century, and you feel at the end of the book that you have been to college with Judy yourself.

a Traveller in Time by Alison Uttley is another book I loved at that age, about a girl who goes to stay with elderly relatives in Derbyshire and finds she goes back in history to the time of Mary, Queen of Scots, a wonderful evocative book with a lovely atmosphere.

the Warden's Niece, by Gillian Avery, another favourite of mine at that age. set in the 1870s, about a girl who runs away from school and goes to live with her elderly great uncle who is Warden of an Oxford College, and has lessons with the boys next door and their wildly eccentric tutor Mr Copplestone, it is very funny with some great characters.

the Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge, Set in the early Victorian era, about a girl who goes to stay with her uncle in the west country, and helps to end an ancient family feud.

A Long Way from Verona by Jane Gardam. About a schoolgirl in Tyneside during WW2, very funny and with some great characters.

Had forgotten both Harriet the Spy and Daddy Long Legs, I bet both would appeal, ditto Traveller in Time. Will check out the others that she hasn't read (though I suspect some of the older ones may be too random for the library system!)

A couple of modern ones that other dc this age might like, and which I haven't seen mentioned at all on here: A Dog Called Homeless by Sarah Lean, and Seraphina by Rachel Hartman (with thanks to Mme Hooch for the latter :) )

Ooh, thought of another few that I really loved - Eight Cousins and Rose in Bloom by Louisa May Alcott.

And Back Home by Michelle Magorian (she wrote Goodnight Mr Tom too).

What about some Judy Blume stuff too?

Midnight is a place, mentioned above, was one of my absolute favourites as a girl.

And Children of Morrow by H M Hoover.