where does dd1 (7) go from Enid Blyton?

[babyjamas]

dd1 is 7 - a competent reader i would say. she is currently reading (and loving) the Faraway Tree books, and has recently been reading the Malory Towers and Naughtiest Girl books. i would now like to start moving her slowly onwards and upwards. what do you suggest? huge battle last week with the book catalogue from school - we finally compromised on a HSM sticker book (her choice) and Carrie's War (my choice obviously!)- although i think that may well be just a step too far. what are some good 'inbetween' type books? am thanking God that we are now beyond those awful flower fairies and magic kittens!

If she is a competent and keen reader I would take her to the library/bookshop and let her choose what she fancies. Reading is about pleasure and enjoyment, not about moving onwards and upwards IMO - she will do that in her own time as her tastes mature.

I read far too much EB as a child but I eventually moved on to Dostoevsky

i read (and loved!) EB as a child - have no problem with her reading those. Just really want to see what the next 'good' books are. if i left it up to her she would choose some book based on American tv shows (eg HSM and Hannah Montanna - see school catalogue choice in OP!)and would v much like to gently prompt her towards some 'better' literature.

Oh I see! My DS is too young for me to know what HSM et al are. I still think a trip to the library might be a good idea - the librarians should be able to advise you.

I would go Secret 7 and then of course Famous 5.

Lots of good stuff out there for 7-y-olds. Dick King-Smith is very good, My dd loved the Animal Ark series, but they are bit 'flower-fairy-esque' in that there are about 9 gazillion of them (but slightly less saccharine!). The My Secret Unicorn is another series that your dd might like (again, slightly sicky-sweet, but not too bad). Then there are the 'classics' like E. E. Nesbit. Will keep thinking...

Having read all of EB books when I was young, I would also take the Secret 7 and Famous 5 route.

I would honestly just let her read whatever she wants. Despite the impression you get on here, it is quite unusual for a 7 year old to be as good a reader as your dd is - and I really think that much harder books (like Carrie's War) may well put her off. I would let her choose whatever she wants - you need to get the reading habit instilled, and if it's Hannah Montana, grit your teeth and bear it!

My ds is at a similar stage, I would think and he loves Cressida Cowell - although I suspec that might be a boy thing (lots of bum jokes!). He is also enjoying the Finn Family Moomintroll at the moment. Oh, and endless books and magazines about football statistics.

Can I add one more thing? I think the best thing to do with "better" books at this age (I do know what you mean!) is to read them to your dd, rather than get her to read them to herself.

Seeker, my dd loves Cressida Cowell too. In fact, she once laughed so hard she actually made herself fall out of bed (luckily not a bunk bed) !

A lot of the books I mentioned are not 'hard' at all (Dick King-Smith is probably easier than EB, in fact). I think it's a good idea to suggest new authors, as otherwise the dc can get 'stuck in a rut' and refuse to try anyone who's not tried and tested. (Was talking to a friend the other day whose 11-y-o is like this... will only read and re-read books by one or two authors.)

Noel Streatfield?

I liked the Enid Blyton 'Adventure Series.
How about The Chronicles of Narnia? or Roald Dahl/Anne Fine/Jacqueline Wilson/ Animal ARk series/Michael Morpugo.

My dd is only 5 so I have no idea about the relative difficulty of any of the above books. I think secret seven are a bit easier than famous five.

My local librarian normally is full of helpful advice.

My dd loved Noel Streatfield, but we had them as read alouds at this age. They "had too many words" as she said for her to read to herself. She's re reading them now at 12!

I love it when my ds is reading about Hiccup in his bedroom, Ellbell - I can hear him laughing from the kitchen!

Have you heard the audio CDs? David Tennant reads them - they are brilliant!

No, seeker, haven't heard the CDs. Will get them for the car this summer, I think.

I never really moved on from EB!

At that age my DD really liked Dick King-Smith, Roald Dahl, the Animal Ark series (there are some suitable for older readers, some for younger). She was and still is really into animals.

By time she's 8 there will be an incredible range - and probably a lifelong addiction to Harry Potter!

Pippi Longstocking? But agree that reading the 'classic' stuff to her may be the way to go for a year or 2 yet.

How about the earlier Laura Ingalls Wilder books? Little House in the Big Woods / on the Prairie / on the Banks of Plum Creek? Very girl-friendly and the characters are your dd's age. Plenty of pictures, even if lots of words at times too.

I read DD 'Swallows and Amazons' the other day, and she loved it, but a lot of the vocabulary was way over her head.

thanks for all the ideas. i handed her 'the BFG' last night as she had finished her last EB book - nd she did seem to be enjoying it. you've brought back some happy childhood memories with Noel Streatfield et al! I love reading and just want her to be a happy reader (unlike her older brother who has never read a book for fun - rather like his dad sadly!)

What about Mr Mageika. Its easy and fun to read.

Take her to library and let her choose.

How about:
the Worst Witch series, by Jill Murphy,
Dragonrider, Igraine the Brave, How Santa Fell to Earth, all by Cornelia Funke,
the Demon Headmaster series, by Gillian Cross,
The Voyage of QV66, by Penelope Lively,
Carbonel, The Kingdom of Carbonel, Carbonel and Calidor, all by Barbara Sleigh,
Green Smoke, Dragon in Danger, The Dragon's Quest, all by Rosemary Manning,
the Pippi Longstocking series, by Astrid Lindgren,
the Wombles series, by Elizabeth Beresford,
the Dr Dolittle series, by Hugh Lofting,
the Ramona series, by Beverley Cleary,
the Moomin series, by Tove Jansson,
The Dolls House, Miss Happiness and Miss Flower, both by Rumer Godden.

Dd is currently enthralled by:

The Secrets of Droon series
The Magic Treehouse series

DD2 is currently enjoying The World according to Humphrey series about a classroom hamster.
If she likes EB, what about Nancy Drew?

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