help me - can you recommend a book for my 12 year old niece?

[puddle]

It's her birthday and she'll be 12. She's not terribly academic and doesn't read a great deal although she has read all the Jacqueline Wilson books. I'd like to get her into another author - has anyone got any ideas?

I was reading Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer and Agatha Christie at 12, none of which she would cope with, so am a bit stuck.

My DD is 11 and reads everything going. Favourites at the moment are Cathy Cassidy (she has a website and if you send a drawing of one of her characters you may get a letter back from the author herself). Also Narnia books.

The Book People - fiction for age 10+. Have a browse through those. If she's not a great reader though she might prefer things from age 5-10 .

Anne Fine is great and writes for a range of ages.

if she is tomboyinsh- Arthur Ransome Swallows an Amazons series

CS lewis
Young james bond series by Charlie Higson
Jane Blonde( female girly 007 style adventure)by Jill Marshall
Horrible Histories
Molly Moon series by Georgia Byng

This is probably really out of date but when i was 12 i used to read a series called sweet valley high, typical teenage romance with size 8 twins...how i fantasised to be like them [shame]

Looking through the list Jan posted, the princess diaries looks as though it might appeal but is it a load of old tripe?

Her brother is a book worm and has lots of the ones you suggest sorrel (except Molly Moom so might have a look at those).

Never heard of Cathy Cassidy.

Looking through the list Jan posted, the princess diaries looks as though it might appeal but is it a load of old tripe?

Her brother is a book worm and has lots of the ones you suggest sorrel (except Molly Moom so might have a look at those).

Never heard of Cathy Cassidy.

anne fine

Oh god-i've made myself look like a real dunce. I should add that i did do well at school despite my reading matter being mmmm teenage mills & boons....

chipth, my DD1 loved the Sweet Valley books (she is 23 now, how old are you?)

She is called Jessica so that contributed to their appeal

How about this

These stories have a strong moral theme and elements that "children" of all ages love - humour, excitement, children outwitting adults, good people winning and bad people getting their commeuppance - plus a sprinkling of magic!

JanH-So glad i'm not the only one I'm 29-soon to hit the big 30

(She used to like Babysitters Club too )

Sweet Valley High! i remember those from when I worked in a bookshop. LOADs of them. I'm sure they BRED on the shelves

Sweet Valley High! i remember those from when I worked in a bookshop. LOADs of them. I'm sure they BRED on the shelves

Sweet Valley High! i remember those from when I worked in a bookshop. LOADs of them. I'm sure they BRED on the shelves

The Princess Diaries reviews from amazon - pretty good on the whole!

I enjoyed Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo recently. Quite Harry Potterish but less likely that her brother might already have it.