bookset in the future for dd aged 9

8 replies

robinpud · 27/03/2006 20:11

dd' school has a reading thing on where they read certan books. Aims to promote reading generally. she has to read a book set in the past and 1 set in the future. Can do the book in the past no problem but am not sure about book in the future. Any clues? she is 9 with a reading age of a lot beyond that but I would prefer something suitable for a 9 year old. she is an innocent!

OP posts:

flibbertygibbet · 27/03/2006 20:20

It's hard to draw the line between "set in the future" and "sci-fi". Both of these would cut the mustard I think.

Personally I love Madeleine L'Engle's \link{http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140372318/qid=1143486926/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_2_1/026-8682303-2476451\A wrinkle in time}

A more contemporary book, very popular with kids atm - though not me I should mention - would be the
Philip Reeve books \link{http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0439979439/qid=1143487009/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_3_4/026-8682303-2476451\Mortal Engines, Predator's Gold etc ad nauseum}

I don't know why they're so popular personally but the first one did win a Blue Peter can't put down prize last year, so ...

If your dd is a very fluent reader I'd be tempted towards a Wyndham short story. Chocky would certainly be fine, but some of the others would be OK for a 9 yo, I think? I'm racking my memory now, and doubting myself. Chrysalids not suitable I think, nor Midwich Cuckoos. Hmm... Maybe not Wyndham. I'm thinking out loud here!

Original poster

robinpud · 27/03/2006 20:26

I like the look of the first and it reminds my that I have Lionboy which was also recommended by Blue Peter which I have enjoyed but thought I would save for dd for a bit. I love books but hate anything mildly suggestive of sci fi so feel inadequate to steer her. Second one also looks interesting. It makes me realise how fast she is growing up!

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WigWamBam · 27/03/2006 20:32

What about something like some of Ray Bradbury's short stories? Some of them are collected in anthologies intended for children - R is for Rocket and S is for Space are the two that spring to mind. I was reading them by about age 9, so they should be OK for her. Something like The Golden Apples of the Sun might be suitable as well.

flibbertygibbet · 27/03/2006 20:34

That's interesting, I just asked ds (8) and he instantly said Lionboy is set in the future!

He also mentioned Peter Dickinson's \link{http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0330483846/qid=1143487964/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_2_1/026-8682303-2476451\Eva} It's a fabulous book, but I think maybe a bit old for your dd atm by the sounds of things. (Weighty, emotive topics - genetic engineering, that sort of thing. I'll tell you more if you want, but it's better to read the book not knowing the plot.)

Blandmum · 27/03/2006 20:36

I also loved a Wrinkle in Time....found out not that long ago that dh read it and loved it as a child as well!

zippitippitoes · 27/03/2006 20:48

The Guardians by John Christopher

Original poster

robinpud · 27/03/2006 20:54

Keep them coming please! Like mother like daughter this is not her "thing" so she will need encouragement. Sadly she is often drawn to chick lit for 9 year olds of which there is sadly far too much about.

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roisin · 27/03/2006 21:09

Oh let her read Eva then - get her teeth into something decent. Tbh I find weighty topics and emotionally gut-wrenching plots a lot more palatable than chick-lit: even the stuff for 9 yr-olds seems to be centred round preying on children's insecurities - worries about family breakdowns, children in care, obsessions with boyfriends, etc., etc.

Flip