Interesting but challenging reads for teen (Y9 going to Y10)

[Scoobydoobydoo]

Hello,
My daughter struggles with creative writing. A lot of this I know is to do with lack of reading quality material.
I know she is old enough to go to the library, do some research and get some good stuff to read.
Alas youtube and tiktok are more fancy!

I was looking for some recommendations of books/series she could read over the holidays.
She did enjoy Divergent Series.
I will do my research too but would be grateful for any pointers on fun but challenging reads for this age group.

Thanks very much
Xx

As a child I read loads and loads but was still bad at writing. Decades later still reading a fair bit ...and still bad at writing...

Should add, DC likes Agatha Christie

The Graceling series too

My ds enjoyed Mythos by Stephen Fry and it was a great way to learn about Greek mythology. His English teacher seemed impressed

You might want to look at the requirements for the exam boards, dd had a choice of story or description and generally found description easier than story. Also they had to write a persuasive letter which is a fairly specific skill. Obviously reading will help but specific practice might also benefit her. It can also help to listen to audio books.

Miss Peregrine school for peculiar children series - maybe not hugely challenging but very imaginative
The Shadow and Bone series
The Maze Runner series

Children of blood and bone

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Of Mice and Men
Jane Eyre
Wide Sargasso Sea
Diary of a Provincial Lady
Silas Marner
The Old Man and the Sea
Ethan Frome

There are loads of good new books for young adults.

Take her to a book shop

@GolfEchoRomeoTangoIndia

to realise that Ready Player One is full of spoilers and then go on to recommend The Eyre Affair. I love The Eyre Affair, but Jane Eyre is definitely a book which benefits from being read unspoiled.

Ah see I didn't rate Jane Eyre... A thoroughly predictable affair, difficult to spoil something so mundane and dull. Much like all Bronte works tbh 🤷🏼‍♀️

Again, something that old being spoiled is kind of impossible. It's like anyone saying Empire Strikes Back was spoiled. It's been in the public domain for so long now, referenced in absolutely everything you'd have to live under a rock not to know (that Chewbacca is a sith lord 🤫)

Tbf, if DD isn't particularly interested in reading at the moment I can hardly see her chomping at the bit to read Jane Eyre, so she won't ruin anything by reading The Eyre Affair. If anything The Wide Sargasso Sea is a better read than Jane Eyre.