Non fantasy books for an 8 year old girl

[Manteo]

When I was my daughter's age I was just starting to enjoy books like Sweet Valley Twins and The Babysitter's Club.

From books we've read together so far I think she'd enjoy something similar, by that I mean books about kids just going to school etc, no dragons, magic, unicorns.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Particularly if it's a series, I'd love to get her hooked on a series!

Daisy books as mentioned above are hilarious!

The Ivy and Scarlet books, though set in some historical point (early 20th C) but not magical more mystery at boarding school. But effectively girls doing their thing.

Malory Towers

Thanks for all the suggestions, I've been looking them all up!

My Dd loves Malorry Towers and also loved the Worst Witch series.

Have you checked the Newbery Award list?

Another vote for Enid Blyton.
Depending on what she likes there are the school stories - St Clare’s and Mallory Towers. If she likes adventure there’s Secret Seven and Famous Five but also the lesser known series - my 8 yo has just finished and loved The Secret Island and the follow ups about a group of children who run away and live by themselves on an island for 9 months. And then the random series about children who go to the countryside- quite good for learning about British Wildlife in a fun way -The Children of Cherry Tree Farm and the follow ups.

Darcy Burdock series is probably a good match for what you’re looking for!

My DD likes the books of the TV/Film series Spirit (the horse). There are ones at various reading levels. She’s 7yo and just reading the Lucky’s Diary one

Riding Free - Lucky's Diary [[https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1405299177/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_0MENAVGKBZM0KYDGQXFF?psc&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforu03-211]]

Hilary McKay's Lulu series. 6 books.

www.goodreads.com/book/show/30242229-hilary-mckay-lulu-series-collection-6-books-set-the-duck-in-the-park

She does a lot of series, all non-magical.

Jacqueline Wilson - there are around 1000 books and we have probably read them all!!
Other than that, I’d be interested in ideas.

There are a lot of horse series out there, too, but I think aimed at girls a bit older than her.

Another vote for Swallows and Amazons, there are several books in the series, all packed with fun adventures, picnics, and friendships.

Seconding Ivy and Bean, and Daisy and the Trouble With... they've both got lots of jokes in there for the adults!

The Bagthorpe Saga by Helen Cresswell

www.goodreads.com/series/40751-the-bagthorpe-saga

The first one is Ordinary Jack and you can find lots of copies on abebooks.co.uk

Onjali Rauf writes excellent books. My 7- and 9-year-old daughters love them.

Another thread has just reminded me of the Anastasia Krupnik series by Lois Lowry.

DD loved Jacquline Wilson at that age. Also what about Roald Dah (maybe not The Witches it's scary )

Dick King Smith is very good but I think less read now - The Sheep Pig and Harrys Mad were favourites here

Not a series, but books by Kate di Camillo are lovely to read together.

The writing is great and stories are gripping. One title that springs to mind is The Tale of Desperaux.