Books that bridge the gap between Michael Morpurgo and John Green

[18yearstooold]

Dd is 11, loves reading, is mature for her age, hates fantasy or sci-fi

Likes real life books, preferably with a bit of mystery

Totally outgrown the 8-12 shelves at the library but the teen section is full of vampires having sex or high school students having sex

She's only 11!!!

Any suggestions?

My 12y/o loves Malorie Blackman!

Sorry, meant to add that my DD doesn't want to read The Fault in the Stars yet, as it is sad and about relationships, although many of her friends have read it. She loved The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime, and Wonder, enjoyed The Hunger Games. She's read several M Blackman and is about to start Noughts and Crosses. You could try those?

Robert Swindells. Can be a bit hard hitting though.

Yes to Mallory Blackman. She is fab.

Judy Bloom?? They don't all have sex in.

Twilight has a lot to answer for :( I used to live in the teen section of my library and there was loads of interesting stuff there, no sex and barely any vampires.

And the old favourite Jacqueline Wilson? She wrote a few books aimed at older girls/young teens. They do talk about boyfriends though.

You might find some good stuff here:

www.amightygirl.com/books?age_range_filter=6

Oh - and I hate fantasy and sci fi and was initially put off by the description, but absolutely loved, as in, my favourite books ever, the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman. They are so worth it, and aren't really fantasyish at all with lots of battles and incomprehensible names etc. Just brilliant.

These will be a bit old now but I read Lois Duncan from around that age, although perhaps a little older. She wrote I know what you did last summer and similar thriller books.

Paula danzinger was another favourite but don't know if they will have aged well.

Perhaps put what she likes into goodreads for suggestions.

goodreads

My 10 year old daughter is enjoying the Skullduggery Pleasant series and loved Norther Lights.

Dd 11 lenjoyed To kill a mockingbird, Holes, Island of the blue dolphins, The Little house in big woods, H is for Hawk, Persuasion, Northanger Abbey Uncle Toms Cabin. Anything that had a social or historical context but also Sherlock Holmes , The mysterious Benedict society. Searching for Vemeer.
It's a difficult age to find suitable books for especially with an avid reader.

Oops sorry - chasing Vermeer!

Two more just recalled The Thief Lord and Witch Child

Agree, there's a lot of fantasy around. Things DD liked that are less 'teen' and which are real life:

A Dog Called Homeless by Sarah Lean
The Misfits + sequels by James Howe
Hoot by Carl Hiassen (I know he's an adult author, but this is written for children / YA)
Beswitched by Kate Saunders (very fun, 21st C girl gets time travel dumped in 1930s Enid Blytons style boarding school)
'I'd tell you I love you, but then I'd have to kill you' (a bit more teen-y in that there is some romance, but no sex! Silly fun spy school story)
Old but good - 'When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit', and 'I Capture the Castle'

DD didn't go for them ('too soppy') but I know other girls in her yr 6 class liked the Flambards books, which are out in a nice new edition.

Another couple

Looking at the Stars by Jo Cotterill
The Bone Dragon (can't remember author, she really loved this but be aware it deals with the aftermath of child abuse)

DD1 (12) enjoys
Ruby Redfort
The Adventure of series by Helen Mosse (sounds like it might fit your "real life books" criteria)
Hunger Games trilogy
Divergent trilogy (reading it now)
She's been given Skulduggery Pleasant by a friend but hasn't started it yet

The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Watership Down

Love the 'a mighty girl' link above, found it on a different MN thread a while ago and it has been a treasure trove of new books for my DD, also 11.
She has loved the Twighlight series, and also Cathy Cassidy series. Also enjoying Anthony Horowitz 'Horror' series, Maze Runner, Geek Girl and I'm hoping to get her into Terry Pratchett (RIP)

Does she like historical? There are some excellent YA historical authors who might fit the bill, if so - Mary Hooper, Marie-Louise Jensen, Eve Edwards and Eve Edwards writing as Julia Golding.
Also, Sally Nicholls might go down well - she's a great one for younger end of YA.
If she likes thrillers, Sophie Mackenzie. If dark creepy things with dry humour, Helen Grant.

Wonder
The Princess and the Foal (awful title but fascinating real life story)
Shine, a sea of stars, glitter by Kate Maryon
Journey to the river sea by Eva Ibottson

wolf brother
insignia
split second

no sex no vampires but well wtitten and engaging

If she likes 'real life' books:

She might like Holes by Louis Sacher: www.booktrust.org.uk/books/view/33345 - intertwines modern day with historical events but is pure fantasy as well. Great read and sweet Disney film - fun to watch after reading it (especially for parents as there are many surprisingly familiar faces popping up in it).

Haven't read it myself - but am hearing The Executioner's Daughter (so historical fiction) is very good: www.booktrust.org.uk/books/view/33509

Oldy but goody: Bridge to Terabithia www.goodreads.com/book/show/2839.Bridge_to_Terabithia - set in US south - exploring friendships between people from very different economic circumstances and that whole awkward issue (at 11/12) of being good friends with a boy (handled very gently - just friends - but explores being embarrassed about something because you might be teased/ pursuing your true interests). Just read it with my girls (Y7 and Y5) - excellent book.

Guardian has a nice list of classic books for 8 - 11 year olds here www.theguardian.com/books/2000/mar/24/childrens.library- this is probably borderline for her age - but there are some great reads:

Certainly Skellig by David Almond - which DD1 read in Year 6 because her teacher said it was his favourite book - is a brilliant read = something unreal but otherwise set in reality.

I'm from the US and tended to have a Mom who encouraged me at this age to look out for books with a Newbury Medal (a prize for best children's fiction) - that was her quality mark. A list of winners/ runner ups is here www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberyhonors/newberymedal#90s - lots of ideas there for your DD.

and I found this for KS3: schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks3-pupils/suggested-reading-list-for-year-7-pupils-ks2-age-11-12/

HTH

Thanks everyone, I've given her a list (there are a few favourites of hers on the list so definitely along the right lines)

Can't get her into skullduagary pleasant or terry pratchet though

These lists always seem to be for the younger part of the age range they state IME. If your DD is 11, maybe she should be looking at the pre-teens books or even in the teenage section, but not anything that might encompass 8 year olds?

PS I mean the ones in Waterstones or published in lists on the web etc, not the recommendations given above.

Oh yes, Holes is fantastic.

I found this article very useful for finding books for various ages

www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2014/dec/29/top-10-best-books-bloggers?CMP=share_btn_link