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Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

Similar to 'A tree grows in Brooklyn'

7 replies

parietal · 06/08/2024 16:56

DD (age 13) is v fussy about what books she will read. She is not a typical teen and says 'no' to everything in the teen section of the bookshop. She reads well ahead of age 13 and likes long books (read the full Cassandra Clare series at age 11 but now dislikes fantasy / vampires etc).

The only book she has enjoyed in the last 6 months is 'A tree grows in Brooklyn'. What else is similar that she might like? Real young people, a story she can get into, not too old fashioned ...

OP posts:
Wildblood · 06/08/2024 17:11

I loved that book around that age, Betty Smith wrote a few other books not sure if they are still in print. Thinking back to other books I loved the first thing that came to mind was 'Forever Amber' although possibly a bit adult, but a cracking story. I think I also loved John Irving books, again could be too grown up. Newer books, 'Behind the scenes at the museum' by Kate Atkinson is a lovely read. The Helen Forrester books were also firm favourites.
These all might be too old fashioned though, it's hard to think of a more up to date young adult authors that aren't writing fantasy/sci-fi, hopefully someone more knowledgeable will come along soon.

JazbayGrapes · 06/08/2024 17:12

If she likes to read, at 13 she could pick out books for herself. Maybe Kristin Hannah books, like "Firefly Lane" would interest her?

parietal · 06/08/2024 18:30

I know she could pick out books for herself - she did that a lot at age 10. but now that she thinks she has grown out of the 'teen' section, it is a lot harder to choose suitable things in the 'adult' section. and as I said, she is very fussy. She knows what she doesn't like but doesn't really know what she wants.

OP posts:
Latenightreader · 23/09/2024 23:37

What about Agatha Christie? I read my way through lots at that age and several have teenage characters.

Rocknrollstar · 24/09/2024 02:07

I capture the Castle by Dodie Smith?

BettyBardMacDonald · 24/09/2024 02:59

I was an Agatha Christie addict at her age.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond is a classic.

Mandy by Julie Edwards (Andrews)

HuaShan · 24/09/2024 04:57

Hernan Wouk 'City Boy'. I loved it around that age. A teenage boy sent to YS summer camp and all his adventures.

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