Can you recommend books for a nearly ten yo with a reading age of 13+

[dollybird]

I'm looking for suitable books for my DD for her birthday. She's on the penultimate Harry Potter and also reading the Hobbit. Books that are aimed at 13 years olds don't always seem suitable for a younger child so would appreciate any recommendations. She's not a girly girl, also likes Roald Dahl, David Walliams and Wimpy Kid books, but not sure if she's enjoy books actually aimed at boys iyswim. thanks!

Terry Pratchett's "Equal Rites" may be just up her street - it's a story about the ever first female wizard. Everyone I've recommended it to (both adults and children) have praised it very highly.

All the CS lewis lion the witch and the wardrobe books. Can she see the allegory in it? It's not just a kids book series you know, (there was a memorable moment at about aged 8 when DD1 said to me " It's like about jesus isn't it" )

There was a list in the Times weekend this past saturday too if you can get that

dolly I remember being completely engrossed in "To kill a mockingbird" the summer before starting secondary school, when I was 10 1/2. I don't remember being shocked or confused, but I also can't remember the details anymore!

I also remember liking Judy Blume, Ian Serraillier, and I loved those "Ballet Shoes" books at that age too.

What is this "reading age" concept ? My children are not in UK school and I've not heard of it.

maxslittlebrother that sounds ideal, thanks! Theas18 she read The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe in year 3 but doesn't seem fussed about the others even though I told her how much I enjoyed them.

Romann I suppose To Kill a Mockingbird is from a childs pov so the details aren't too graphic. i did enjoy it, even though it was something I had to read rather than chose to. i don't know how they work out the reading ages though

The inkheart series is excellent. Books are better than the film with beautiful desciptions. main character is a 12 year old girl. My 10 year old loved these.

The Inkheart series does look good, although I have placed my order yesterday. In the end I went for Equal Rites, Artemis Fowl and The Dark is Rising box set (read Over Sea, Under Stone many times when I was young and loved it. Wouldn't mind reading the rest myself, so slightly selfish choice for that one!). The reviews on Inkheart seem mixed - mainly that older teens and adults don't get on with it but I find that about lots of 'children's' books. I couldn't finish the Hobbit as found it quite annoying

artemis is a great series. we have been lucky to have met eoin colfer the author a couple of times and he was great. fruendky and funny man.

should have read friendly. aahh new phone.

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy combines fantasy with a strong female protagonist and I have seen pupils fall off chairs with laughter!

yes to Percy jackson and Skuldugary
Roman mysteries
His dark materials is amazing, I think you need to be older to realky appreciate it, but she could read it ok.

DD2 devored Cassy Cassidy at that age (which I supect is of little littery merit).

She might like Agatha Christy/ sherlock short stories, I did at 12.

My 10yo DC loved the Hunger Games Trilogy, also quite liked Diana Wynn Jones & really liked Eva Ibbotson (can't remember the titles, there were a few) also now enjoying Little Women & I am considering giving her Curious Incident Dog..... next.
I was lost as to what to offer her after she'd read each HP book 3 times & was in danger of reading them a 4th, so we went to the library & asked for some recs.

I had to check I hadn't written the OP. You describe my DD but she doesn't care whether a book is aimed at boys or girls, she just wants to read. I will be pinching ideas from posters good enough to answer as my DD is also nearly 10 though her reading age is more like 14 1/2. Makes it hard to keep up with her as I am still keen to keep things to an age appropriate level.

Skulduggery is the biggest hit ever with my 10 year old DS. He has read each book a couple of times. It helps we're in Ireland and the stories are set there.

Try 'Emerald' by Rosemary Smith, only on kindle but ideal for her age and ability, exciting, female heroine who saves the day with her alien dog , reviews of 'awesome' and ' cool' from other eleven year olds

Sherlock Holmes maybe?

I was an 'old' reader and really got into history, science and autobiographies (I prefer these to biographies) quite early. Obviously, don't go for Marquis de Sade or the more sordid biogs of Catherine the Greay but maybe someone she admires or had an interesting life (but not too racy!).

'The Lady Grace Mysteries' by Grace Cavendish are brilliant. They're historical novels set in the royal court, each with a mystery to solve and a comic tone to them. Really good.

I agree with a lot of what has been suggested so far but am going to throw my vote in with Skulduggery Pleasant as well.

Appeals to boys and girls and if you can ever get to see Derek on one of his tours, definitely do it - he is hilarious in person and always takes time with each book signing to speak with the fans. Lovely bloke.