I was wondering what this book would be rated.  I am looking for some books for my 11 year old daughter to read and saw this one.  Amazon lists it for 9-12 year olds.   If you have read this, can you tell me if anything sexual is in it?  Thanks

I remember reading this when I was around your daughter's age, and I re-read it about a year or so ago. I don't remember anything explicit or sexual in it, and McKinley writes beautifully, so I think it would be a very good read for her.

Even her books that were marketed to adults (Sunshine) would be appropriate to YA.  (Sunshine was even reissued with a YA marketing.  The main character in that is past high school.)  There is no heavy lust.  Most of the relationships between adults are well off screen.

Beauty is a beautiful retelling of Beauty & the Beast.  There is no sexual interaction.  As I recall, there isn't even any kissing until the very end.  You can safely allow your daughter to read this.  You might enjoy it too as its such a lovely rendering of this familiar tale.

I love that book.  It's one of the few that I've read more than once.

Another good author is Patricia Wrede.  Your daughter might enjoy the "Enchanted Forest" series.  It starts with "Dealing with Dragons".  There are 4 books in that series.

2 other series my sons enjoyed at that age were:  "Half Magic" by Edward Eager.  There are 7 books in the series.  The first one was published in 1954, but we found them at the library.

Has she read "The Chronicles of Narnia"?  That is another favorite.

You'd be fine with Beauty, The Blue Sword, The Hero and the Crown. All great for YA.  Sunshine is a little explicit for 11, I'd say.

Thanks everyone.   Going to get her hooked young.  LOL   She LOVES reading.  She is really into Nancy Drew right now. 

Mary,  she read the Chronicles of Narnia series last school year.  I will look into the other books.

Willa, I will also check the other ones that you mentioned.