Should I make DD read more challenging books?

[Campaspe]

First, the good news. DD, in Y4, loves reading and is good at it. She loves Wimpy Kid, David Walliams, Dork Diaries, Tom Gates, the Beano etc. However, she was told today not to read David Walliams in school and to challenge herself by reading books without pictures. The teacher specifically suggested Michael Morpurgo and The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

I'm a bit concerned now that all DD reads is this really modern, light stuff, which is great fun, but maybe not developing her skills given that it's all she reads? On the other hand, I don't want to put her off books given that she loves them and I have to admit that I wasn't reading 19C classics at 9.

How concerned should I be and how much should I try to control her reading? I tried to insist on THe Borrowers tonight, but DD found the language difficult and didn't like it. What books might bridge the gap between the likes of Wimpy Kid and more challenging fare? Thanks

YY to Morpurgo being depressing!

A book of short stories in a more complex style maybe?

I loved Imagine That: Fifteen Fantastic Tales and the Puffin book of stories for 9 year olds at that age, you can find them still on Amazon.

DNiece loved Pollyanna at that age.

The Worst Witch series by Jill Murphy.

Charlotte's Web.

Percy Jackson.

His Dark Materials series.

Agree with let her read what she wants. Reading for academic purposes (yes I know uni is many years away) and for pleasure are different. Reading outside school should be a pleasure.

I don't understand why people turn their noses up at Wimpy Kid - surely the important thing is to get them reading?!

My Ds loves Diary of a wimpy kid..If I had a reluctant reader I would just get him to read anything he wanted ..However he is an avid reader so he reads Diary of a wimpy kids ( I have just ordered latest one for Christmas today..) but also stuff to stetch him aswell not the same book over and over again

Oh god! This brings back memories. My parents were ALWAYS trying to get me to read Tess of the Durbavilles or whatever rather than my beloved Nancy Drew. It was soooo tedious. I ended up hiding the Nancy Drews to avoid the gentle nagging suggestions.

I majored in English literature and read Shakespeare. My ds loves Wimpy kid. And I find it quite fun to read as well.
I think love of books is more important than what they read.

I'd agree with the Percy Jackson books as a really good read that's a step up from the Wimpy Kid. I would also really recommend starting Cressida Cowell's How to Tame Your Dragon series - they start off quite straightforward and then get more complex as the story goes on and develops.

There's also Diana Wynne Jones - the Chrestomanci books would be really good for your DD, stories that really draw you in but more interesting vocabulary.
Lastly these may be out of print, but I would really recomment Lloyd Alexander's Prydain series.

I do agree with pp that maintaining your DD's enjoyment of reading is the key thing.

My DD loves the Hetty Feather books (although they made her cry)!

My daughter loves the Wimpy Kids books. She hasn't shown any interest in Michael Morpurgo. She's in Year 4.
We've been reading to her the more challenging books and she growing in confidence at reading some or all of them to herself.
Recent books she's enjoyed:
Mary Poppins
Maisie Hitchens by Holly Webb
What Katie Did
Carrie's War
The Dolls House by Rumer Godden
Little House on the Prairie

She also loves Jeremy Strong (actually in the 100 mile an hour dog there is some good language), Anne Fine, loads of others.

For slightly older children I sometimes recommend what I call "Value Added" books, that is they have an aspect in addition to just reading a story.

The best one is Arthur Ransome's "Coot Club" set on the Norfolk Broads in 1930. All the places in the book are actual locations, and can be found on the Ordnance Survey 2-1/2inch map of the Broads. All the villages, rivers, lakes, pubs and windmill pumping stations can be seen on the map. Apart from some railways being closed, and there now being more main roads, little has changed. It also gives interesting insights to the social history of the '30s: the children want to contact friends in a nearby village, and say if they post a letter in the morning, it will get there by the second post in the afternoon! When they buy provisions at a riverside shop, the shop-boy carries the goods down to their boat for them.

Another book in a 'real' place, is "Watership Down". The rabbits' home threatened by development is actually on the outskirts of Newbury, in Berkshire. There are several web sites about the locations, and even guided tours sometimes to places featured in the book.