Nice book suggestions for 9 year old girl please

[BarkingHarriet]

Hi, before half term dd1 realised that everyone on her table but her was a "free reader", and got a bit upset that she wasn't. I reassured her that this was OK, that everyone on the table was older than her, and we went to talk to the teacher together about what she could do to improve her reading skills to get up to the level that the others are on (to which the teacher said "just keep reading")

However, she's now realised that dd2, who is 2 1/2 years younger, is on the same reading level as her at school, and again she's got upset. So again I tried to reassure her, and went to ask the teacher for any specific recommendations of books we could get, that would help her improve her vocabulary. But the teacher has basically said that that's it, she's at the top of the level, and they won't let her go to the next level up due to the content of those books.

Now, I do agree that she shouldn't be reading inappropriate books (she's 8.11 but a very sensitive soul!) but there must be somthing out there that's a little more challenging than Rainbow Fairies, but not scary, and that ideally features ponies, unicorns, fairies, princesses etc etc! She can't be the only child in this situation. Her reading age at the last parents evening last month was 9.4 if that helps.

Thanks

Apologies if I don't get back straight away - I'm at work!

How about good old Enid Blyton? My 8 year old enjoyed the famous five books but then got a bit bored with the story-lines so got her E. Blytons "mystery" books which she loved. Also The Mr Gum books by Andy Stanton are very funny, as are the Ottoline books by Chris Riddell - a bit wacky but my DD laughed out loud. Roald Dahl? Jacqueline Wilson?; "classics" such as The Secret Garden or The Wizard of Oz?. I agree with the rainbow fairy books, my 5 year old is reading them but I think is already getting a bit bored and is now reading Fantastic Mr Fox. Try book clubs for special offers. HTH.

yy roald dahl is fab (fairly yuck but in a funny way).

My DD is 8 but a good reader and she loves Enid Blyton. Her fave is Enchanted Forest which she has re-read nnnnn times.

she also likes Secret Seven (fairly straightforward text).

Also there are lots of things like Magic Pony, My Secret Unicorn etc.

Michael Morpurgo is a fab writer and while not especially girly, writes a lot about animals. He writes for all ages (ie 6-14+) so make sure you check.

Thank you for the suggestions! We've been reading Famous Five at bedtime actually, so we'll maybe start with those.

Thanks

How about Malory Towers, or St Claire's? Pippi Longstocking's also good, and anything by Eve Ibbotsen.

Thinking about this again, my DD enjoyed My Naughty Little Sister - they are old fashioned but the langaage is quite straightforward.

Ditto Milly Molly Mandy - the concepts are rather unusual today (eg MMM is sent to the shop son her own with a big list of errands she is about 4 I think) but then that makes for a good discussion point esp with an older child.

I agree that some of the Jacqueline Wilson would be a good segue between Rainbow fairies and more advanced books. Also Pippi books. We read Secret Garden / The Little Princess together and that was very popular. A bit more advanced, but good in terms of mermaids / fantasy is the Emily Windsnap series.

The worst witch series are pretty good too. My dd is an avid reader, currently her favourite is Pippi Longstocking illustrated by Laura Child. Recently she has had a bit of an Animal ark series frenzy and two that she returns to again and again are Humphrey the hamster books one and two.

Charlotte's Web?

A few months ago, dd and her pals were mesmerised by the Warrior Cat series by Erin Hunter - all about 'cat tribes' in the wild, how they fight for territory, who is the leader, rites of passage from 'kits to 'apprentice' to 'warrior', etc etc.

www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_1_8?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=erin+hunter+warrior+ca ts&sprefix=erin+hun

Not sure which one to start with though - there are dozens (which is a good thing if your dd likes the series....)

I used to love Helen Cresswell books when I was that age, also Nina Bawden (Carries War)and Joan Aiken (Wolves of Willoughby Chase)

I think they are all still available, but you can also pick up second hand copies cheaply too.

DD is eight - she loves reading and wont read anything that will upset her.Currently reading little women.
She has enjoyed famous five,secret seven, clarice bean,horrid henry, stardustwhich is similar to rainbow fairies, michael morpugo, malory towers,traveller in time,eva ibbotson,frank cotrell boyce, lucy hawking.She does not want to read harry porter or has seen anyof the films as she is afraid but has never complained regardin g any of the above books although she has commented that michael morpugo stories are a bit sad.
hope it helps.

Noel Streatfield's Ballet Shoes and White Boots?

Does she dance? The little girls in my class (yr 4 but good readers) are all really into the books by Darcy Bussell.
Anything by Philippa Pearce and I second the choices of JeffVadar.

My DD loved Judy Moody at that age.

Currently 10yrs old and loving Malory Towers.

Lots of the illustrated books, meant to be read aloud to preschoolers but what parents have the time to read all that?

(Okay, obviously just me, then But honestly, they are perfect for older children to read to selves).

DD (8, and a free-reader) is keen on history books for kids, craft books, Joke books, Where's Wally, Asterix, legends, fairytales, and all those illustrated little kid books with lots of dense text that I would never read aloud when she was very little.

My DD is 8 and loves Malory towers and St Clares books.
Would she like the Dick King smith 'sophie' stories they are probably aimed at children a little younger ,but very nice and gentle and would introduce her to a new author.

I have 2 9yo neices they only want to read horrid henry... so thats not much help to you.

Not sure about Roald Dahl -some of teh books might be a bit scary

I don't think Roald Dahl is scary. Yucky maybe (MR TWit's beard etc) but that's great because IME children love it.

I have read RD to my 6yo and my 8yo has read most of them.

Word of warning OP - some book son this thread may be a bit tricky for a 9yo - Ballet Shoes is a bit hard unless they were a very good reader I reckon. Don't want to put her off you see!

Another recommendation for Erin Hunter, my two have been glued to them for some time. I don't think there are any scary bits, but some parts are certainly sad (I've found both of them sobbing!).

My dd (9) is currently reading one of the Otto books by Charlotte Hapte, and also enjoyed Debi Gliori's Pure Dead series.

Personally I would have thought if she's not an advanced reader I wouldn't try Joan Aitkin or Noel Streatfield yet. I have read three of four of the Wolves of Willoughby Chase series to my two, but they have quite dense text if she's just moving on from Rainbow Fairies.

I second Dick King Smith, Michael Morpurgo and Judy Moody. dd recently enjoyed An Ordinary Princess, and loves the Mr Gum series by Andy Staton.

Oh, and my other suggestion would be to ask at your library. My local library is great for advice, and the advantage is that if the children don't like the books it doesn't really matter.

One of my DDs found 'the witches' scary and also Miss Trunchbull in Matilda.

aah that's interesting madame arcati. We don't have the witches actually.

Well I would say George's marvellous medicine and fantastic Mr Fox are certainly scare-free (and my faves FWIW)

Anything by Astrid Lindgren, my childhood hero

I don't understand the teacher's comment about the content on the next level being too adult for her, surely the others on her table can't be that much older?
I think you are doing the right thing, just trying to get her enthused about reading at home.