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Topic: Looking for suggestions

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Subject: Looking for suggestions
Date Posted: 2/27/2009 10:49 AM ET
Member Since: 11/12/2005
Posts: 984
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My daughter is 12 (will be 13 in November) and I am having a hard time finding books that she likes that are her age level.  She would sit all day and read Warrior Books by Erin Hunter; Animal Ark books by Ben Baglio and Goosebump books by R.L. Stine, but I can't seem to find any books that are her age that she likes.  Anyone have any suggestions?

Theresa
Date Posted: 2/27/2009 11:05 AM ET
Member Since: 11/28/2007
Posts: 354
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I'm sure you've heard about them, not sure if you think they are age appropriate, but my 13 year old daughter devoured the Twilight series.......she wasn't too much of a reader until she read them, now I can't stop her (and of course don't want to).......She is currently reading the Marked series by PC Cast.......after that she will move onto Ugiles, Pretties, Specials by Scott Westerfeld.

My 10 almost 11 year old daughter is into the Charlie Bones series, by Jenny Nimmo.....

Good luck!~



Last Edited on: 2/27/09 11:06 AM ET - Total times edited: 1
Subject: You might want to try.....
Date Posted: 2/27/2009 2:40 PM ET
Member Since: 2/17/2009
Posts: 2
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The Chronicles of Narnia for starters. The books were MUCH better than the movie and IF she's seen the movie(s) she can try and compare between the literary and the Hollywood versions. Theres also the Artemis Fowl series. They are WONDERFUL!!! Similar to HArry Potter but COMPLETELY Different!! They have to do with MAgic & Computers....a little synopsis for you...."When a twelve-year-old evil genius tries to restore his family fortune by capturing a fairy and demanding a ransom in gold, the fairies fight back with magic, technology, and a particularly nasty troll." The 1st book is called "Artemis Fowl" and you can go from there. Theres Dragonriders of Pern, The Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett, Lord of the Rings,  and theres also The Mortal Instruments Series.

From the selection of books you mentioned your daughter reading, she may enjoy something a little above her 'age range.' I know I was reading Judy Blume novels that were well above my so-called age level when I was 9 because reading was my life. I began reading stuff like your daughter and stuff like I mentioned above when I was even younger and then again when I was 10 and havent stopped since. I can help you find more for her IF you like. Let me know and feel free to add me as a buddy if youre comfortable with it.

I hope this helps a bit?

Peace!

Raven Grey
Date Posted: 2/27/2009 2:44 PM ET
Member Since: 11/12/2005
Posts: 984
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I have tried the Judy Blume books, but she says they are boring.
Subject: books
Date Posted: 2/27/2009 4:01 PM ET
Member Since: 1/23/2009
Posts: 3,041
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Although they aren't as long as the "Twilight" books, some that I enjoyed when I was around her age (some of these I actually read when I was well past her age!) are: "Beauty", "The Hero and the Crown", and "The Blue Sword" all by Robin McKinley "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare "The Secret Garden" by Francis Hodgson Burnett absolutely anything by Christopher Pike (favorite being "Remember Me" and its two sequels) "Kissed by an Angel" by Elizabeth Chandler "The Bridge to Terabithia" and "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson "The Giver" by Lois Lowry anything by Mary Higgins Clark (my whole 8th grade class was in love with her books) Sweet Valley High series (might be a little dated now; even when I read them, they seemed to be) "The Princess Diaries" by Meg Cabot "Fearless" by Francine Pascal (I loved these way more than the Sweet Valley High books. I think they may be out of print, but I've seen them posted on PBS) These years were also my introduction to paranormal fiction. My dad brought the first Laurell K. Hamilton books in the Anita Blake series home along with the Fear Street book I had asked for, and from then on I just loved vampire fiction. I was 12 when I started reading those, and my parents never censored anything that I read.
Subject: Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Date Posted: 3/1/2009 12:57 AM ET
Member Since: 10/7/2008
Posts: 917
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Is a wonderful retelling of greek mythology from a pre-teen age viewpoint.  The main character finds out he is a half blood; mortal mother and God for father.  There are 4 books out now with the 5th one to come this spring.  I found them a couple of years ago and fell in love with them, listened to the audio versions and the kid reading them is hilarious.  I have loved greek mythology since jr. high and this is a good way for kids to learn about it in a fresh and fun way.

The first one is called the Lightening Thief, Sea of Monsters( tale of Golden fleece), Curse of the Titans and Battle of the Labyrinth.  So good!



Last Edited on: 3/1/09 1:03 AM ET - Total times edited: 2
Subject: Hi Karen
Date Posted: 3/1/2009 1:03 AM ET
Member Since: 1/23/2009
Posts: 3,041
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I'm in UT as well! I got curious when I saw your U of U symbol!
Date Posted: 3/1/2009 11:04 AM ET
Member Since: 10/6/2005
Posts: 10,741
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David Rain's Dragons by Chris D'Lacey (5 books so far)

The Land of Elyon series by Patrick Carman (4 books so far)

The Dragon Keeper Chronicles by Donita K. Paul (5 books so far)

just about anything by Jane Yolen or Lloyd Alexander or Susan Cooper

oh and don't forget Madeleine L'Engle!



Last Edited on: 3/1/09 11:04 AM ET - Total times edited: 1
Date Posted: 3/1/2009 11:35 AM ET
Member Since: 1/30/2009
Posts: 5,696
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She also might enjoy the Earthsea series by Ursula K LeGuin.  And if you can track down a copy, Lud-in-the-Mist by Hope Mirrlees - I loved that book when I was her age.  And Holly Black's modern fairy books are really good - Tithe, Ironside & Valiant.  Neil Gaiman's Graveyard Book is fantastic, too.

Another vote for Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain and anything by Madeline L'Engle!

ETA -  Watership Down by Richard Adams!



Last Edited on: 3/1/09 11:38 AM ET - Total times edited: 2
Date Posted: 3/1/2009 2:50 PM ET
Member Since: 6/12/2007
Posts: 1,905
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My daughter loves the Daughters of the Moon series by Lynn Ewing (13 in the series).  Shes on number 5.

She also likes the Gilda Joyce books by Jennifer Allison.
Date Posted: 3/1/2009 3:01 PM ET
Member Since: 3/4/2007
Posts: 4,581
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Try Darren Shan's books.  He has two series, Cirque Du Freak and Demonata.  Both are geared for her age group, but like the Harry Potter books, have wide appeal for adults, as well.  These are horror and unlike Goosebumps, are well-written and not dumbed down.  Margaret Patterson Haddix also writes outstanding books.  The Shadow Children series is one of my favorites, but she has several stand alone books, too.
Date Posted: 3/9/2009 2:47 PM ET
Member Since: 12/23/2005
Posts: 1,361
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  • Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin
  • A Door Near Here by Heather Quarles
  • The Vampire Kisses series by Ellen Schrieber ---way different than the Twilight series
  • A World of Pies by Karen Stolz
  • Chicks with Sticks series by Elizabeth Lenhard
  • The Window by Jeanette Ingold
  • Behind the Attic Wall by Sylvia Cassidy
  • Tamsin by Peter S. Beagle
  • Jade Green by Phyllis Reynold Naylor
  • The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley
  • Dragons in our Midst series by Bryan Davis 
  • Cooper Kids series by Frank Peretti
  • Adaline Falling Star by Mary Pope Osborne
  • Time Stops for No Mouse by Michael Hoeye
  • What I Call Life by Jill Wolfson
  • The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera
  • 1001 Arabian Nights by Geraldine McCaughrean
  • 100 Cupboards by N.D Wilson
  • Watership Down by Richard Adams
Date Posted: 3/24/2009 12:33 AM ET
Member Since: 3/22/2009
Posts: 2,402
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If she's an animal lover, she might like The Saddle Club series by Bonnie Bryant, The Thoroughbred series by Joanna Campbell, 
Misty of Chincoteague and other books by Marguerite Henry, Black Beauty by Anna Sewell, the Black Stallion series by Walter Farley, or Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo.

Other popular books with teens around here are:

The Redwall series by Brian Jacques

Blue Bloods by Melissa De la Cruz

The Haunting  by Joan Lowery Nixon (as well as most of her other books).  

As mentioned above, the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyers might be a good fit and all of Meg Cabot's books are fun. Classics such as the Anne of Green Gables series or Madeline L'Engle might be fun. Also, if she likes spooky tales she could try books by Betty Ren Wright or Mary Downing Hahn (might be a little too easy) or some of compilations of ghost stories and/ strange phenomenon such as Weird United States.
Date Posted: 3/26/2009 6:24 PM ET
Member Since: 1/8/2009
Posts: 116
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The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - Ann Brashares.

Tuck Everlasting - Natalie Babbitt.  (Thought provoking)

I agree with the person who mentioned The Giver by Lois Lowry.  I believe there are now sequels to this.  There are also some books that are similar & I know that one of them is called Among the Hidden. No idea of the author.

My youngest daughter went through quite a Roald Dahl phase, but I can't remember how old she was at the time.  Her favorite all time book was Holes by Louis Sachar. 

I read the Diary of Anne Frank when I was that age.
Date Posted: 3/26/2009 6:33 PM ET
Member Since: 1/23/2009
Posts: 3,041
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'Among the Hidden' is by Margaret Peterson Haddix.

Nancy, 'The Giver' was my suggestion. The books you mentioned that are sequels are not really sequels; they do not have the same characters, but are rather set in a similar world. They are considered "companion" books to 'The Giver'.

Date Posted: 3/29/2009 10:55 PM ET
Member Since: 5/18/2008
Posts: 110
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Ann of Green Gables

Avonlea series, Nancy Drew, The Lemony Snicket series
Subject: More recommendations
Date Posted: 3/30/2009 3:43 AM ET
Member Since: 9/7/2008
Posts: 72
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I recommend:

Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, including "The Golden Compass", "The Subtle Knife" and "The Amber Spyglass".  Very exciting (and thought-provoking) reading.

All the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling, if she hasn't read those already. 

Jeanne Duprau's Ember series, including "The City of Ember", "The People of Sparks", "The Prophet of Yonwood" and "The Diamond of Darkhold".  The hero and heroines are 12-13 years old and very engaging.

Angie Sage's Septimus Heap books, including "Magyk", "Flyte", "Physik" and "Queste".  Memorable characters, exciting plots and unpredictable storytelling.  Adults like these books too.

"I, Coriander" by Sally Gardiner.  Great book about a brave girl with considerable spunk.

"The Princess Academy" by Shannon Hale.  Spirited and smart characters.

If she likes a little romance and time travel, try Caroline B. Cooney's "Both Sides of Time", "Out of Time" and "Prisoner of Time" books.  

 

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