Looking for short story suggestions which are grown up without being graphic.

[piprabbit]

I'm very proud of my little 9yo DD, who the school has just assessed as having a reading age of 16 yo (yes, I'm aware this a bit of a boast but there is a serious question and it is relevant).

I'm finding it hard to find her appropriate books to read. Firstly the content has to be at least vaguely age appropriate and secondly she is still building her stamina up and finds full length adult novels a bit of a chore.

So, I'm looking for authors who write short stories and novellas which she can use to stretch her vocab and build her reading muscles without getting bogged down. She's been enjoying some Sherlock Holmes short stories, but there must be something a bit more contemporary for her to tackle. Any ideas please?

All Summer in a Day, by Ray Bradbury. Beautifully written and about a nine year old girl. I will try to find a link.

www.wssb.org/content/classrooms/tate/content/freshman/all%20summer%20in%20a%20day/story.htm

Thanks ThreeBee, that sounds perfect and after my speedy skim read, I think it will suit her well.

I don't know about contemporary, but you could have a look at Mulla Nasrudin Stories and Jokes by Rodney Ohebsion. They're written for adults, funny, charming and inoffensive. It's not a short story but you could look at My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell. It has the same qualities.

James Herriot was about the first adult thing I read.

Hitch hikers guide to the galaxy.

His dark materials if she hasn't already.

I've just reclaimed a full set of James Herriot from my parents' house - I guess I must have been about nine when I read them first.
She's listening to HHGTTG on CD at the moment - perhaps I'll try her on Douglas Adam's Last Chance to See - each chapter stands on it's own.
I think she might struggle with His Dark Materials - I found it tough going, enjoyable but tough. I'll dig out my set though.

Thanks - it's really helping having you jog my memory and point me in the right direction.

yy to Gerald Durrell - that's funny IIRC?
I'll put a request in to the library for Rodney Ohebsion - I can have a read too - it's always nice to find a new author to try.

Again not contemporary, but PG Woodhouse, Jeeves & Wooster are short stories, well, some of them are.

George Layton's short story collections are perfect for primary age - try the collections titled The Fib,and The Swap.Also Adele Geras, Apricots at Midnight.Any story collection by Jan Mark or Berlie Doherty are very popular,too.

Saki's short stories? Not contemporary, but funny and clever, and lots of the best ones feature precocious children getting the upper hand over grownups. :) They are all online; my favourites are

The Open Window
The Lumber Room
Sredni Vashtar

Thank you for the suggestions - DD won't know what to pick first .

The Daydreamer by Ian McEwan. Thought provoking short stories aimed at pre-teens up.

Ian McEwan would never have crossed my mind for a moment - thanks for the suggestion.

It's honestly nothing like The Cement Garden . Ds studied it right at the beginning of yr7 so I'm sure suitable for a slightly younger person. Great little stories.