Think books recommended for 12 yo DD too adult .

[Coffeebutter]

My DD is in Y8 but an August baby so only just 12 and quite immature.
Most her peers are 13 or near and reading quite racy books.
I’m quite shocked at the contents of she books and it has caused a row at home with her. The Jenny Han series which is about a love triangle, features drinking/parties, about losing virginity or not etc/boys …

One of the books for example for KS3 reading list had a 16 recommendation on Amazon due to sexual content and language. WTF.
The issue is most books are 13 and up so quite a jump from 8-12 category.

AIBU or follow my instinct to protect her childhood, why do kids needs to be sexualised and read such adult material and dark stuff like Gangs/drugs/depression that features on the reading lists.

Any recommendation for more wholesome books for a 12 yo?
I never thought I’d be a prude but I’m honestly horrified about it.

I was reading wholesome books at 12, like the Anne of Green Gables series and Charlotte Sometimes, but I was also reading Lace and Forever, so I don’t think this is a new thing.

Katya Balen is exactly who you need. Her books are lovely - wholesome yet rich characters etc, not babyish. October, October just won the Carnegie and it is gorgeous.

I find the same thing. My DD is 11, and has grown out of all the books aimed at her age group. I can’t find anything appropriate that she would like to read.

Would she like classic crime/detective fiction? Agatha Christie was one of the first adult novelists I read, at about 12-13. She doesn't go into a lot of gory description of her corpses, and there's nothing else you wouldn't want a 12yo to read. Patricia Wentworth is another classic crime author - not in Dame Agatha's class, but can be safely given to a young reader.

Eva Ibbotson or Georgette Heyer for romance.

Mary Stewart wrote romantic suspense - but might seem very dated to someone who has grown up with modern tech.

Thinking back, there were quite a few of those romantic suspense authors who wrote for adults, but could equally be read by young teens. Jane Aiken Hodge and Madeleine Brent are two others that I remember. I don't know if novels like that are published these days.

Thanks for the recommendations!

Will def get the Katya Balen books.
Just hope it’s not a losing battle of her friends are reading these kind of books…. Fingers crossed 🤞