Books for tweens

11 replies

Outnumbered4321 · 27/07/2023 10:58

Hi,

Any suggestions of good books for an eager reader, she's almost 12.

She likes fantasy but found LOTR a bit of a slog, enjoys murder mysteries.
LOVES harry potter, Agatha Christie, Geek girl series, hitchhikers's guide to the galaxy, Terry Pratchett, Phillip Pullman... She likes books with a young female protagonist, so things like Little Women and Anne of Green gables were also up her street...

Hoping to introduce her to new genres that will be a mix of frivolity and stretch and most of all to keep her interested in and enjoying books since she's just got her first phone!

OP posts:

Himawarigirl · 27/07/2023 11:38

My daughter loves the Murder most unladylike series, also books by Jamila Gavin. In particular she loves Never Forget You and her series set in India, starting with The Wheel of Surya. Also Eva Ibbotsen’s books. She loves the Star of Kazan and the Journey to the River Sea/escape to the river sea. At her age I read Back Home by Michelle Magorian. And if she likes fantasy has she read the Neverending Story. Also books by Katherine Rundell.

toastofthetown · 27/07/2023 11:45

If she likes books like Little Women, would The Secret Garden, A Little Princess or Charlotte Sometimes appeal. The latter was probably one of the favourite books from my childhood.

fruitpastille · 27/07/2023 11:55

Ruby Redfort mysteries
His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman
Little house on the Prairie possibly.

FionnulaTheCooler · 27/07/2023 11:56

The School for Good and Evil books.

fruitpastille · 27/07/2023 11:58

Main character is a boy but Percy Jackson has cool female characters too and has led to my dd reading other fiction based on Greek mythology eg Circe by Madeline Miller.

DelurkingAJ · 27/07/2023 11:59

Diana Wynne Jones for fantasy.
Is she ready yet for things like Pride and Prejudice? No need to avoid classics if she’s ready.

ProseccoOnTap · 27/07/2023 12:01

Mine has enjoyed the Murder most unladylike series too.

And Warrior Cats - she is obsessed with them!!

FindingTheFox · 27/07/2023 12:04

Percy Jackson
The Shapeshifter series
Howl's Moving Castle
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
Coraline
The Book of Stolen Dreams
The Green Rider series

Himawarigirl · 27/07/2023 12:46

The Kane Chronicles are also good. Same author as Percy Jackson but the focus is Egyptian mythology with a female main character.

Original poster

Outnumbered4321 · 27/07/2023 14:58

Wow, thanks so much! Some brilliant suggestions here :)
Will be taking her to the bookshop with this list so she can pick some out!

OP posts:

BlueChampagne · 31/07/2023 13:28

Lady Grace Mysteries (set at the court of Queen Elizabeth I)
A Little White Horse
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Terry Pratchett's Tiffany Aching books

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