Karen McCrombie

[susanstryingterm]

DD has read The Girl Who Wasn't There and loved it. However, a friend who's an English teacher seemed a bit meh about Karen mc Crombie books and said all the text speak and Americanisation wasn't really teaching kids to appreciate good English,

DD wants to get more of her books. Should I encourage her or try to divert her elsewhere? She's a reasonably interested reader but not avid.

They're not the most educational books but they are fun, lighthearted and easy reads. I get why an English teacher would rather have a child reading another style of book but I also think reading should be enjoyable. I wouldn't stop her reading them although I'd try and get her to read other books too. Did the teacher suggest what your daughter could read instead?

If she wants to read them, then I would let her. I think the most important thing is to encourage reading then, once she is hooked, try and guide her on to something more enriching.

She suggested, if DD liked the ghostlike time travel element that I introduce her to Charlotte Sometimes, which I loved myself as a child. I've also read about Beswitched on here and think I'll try that one for her as well.
To be honest, while I don't have a major objection to Karen McCrombie, I can't see me treasuring her books or storing them in the attic for posterity, They seem to be chick lit for kids which is fine but I want DD to read other stuff as well. I've tried to interest her in Noel Streatfeild but no luck

If she enjoys Karen McCrombie then you may be better trying her with more modern authors. If she likes mystery/crime there's a new series by Robin Stevens called Murder Most Unladylike - it's probably aimed at 11/12 year olds and is well written. Just realised you didn't mention how old she is so not sure where to pitch suggestions but there is also Sophie McKenzie (Girl Missing) or Anne Cassidy (The Murder Notebooks). They aren't classics (although Looking for JJ by Anne Cassidy was a prize winner) so it depends what you want - I agree with Leeds2, you want to encourage an enjoyment of reading and see where it leads.

Beswitched is very funny, definitely worth a try. The Gallagher Girls spy books are fun fast moving stories.