Must-reads for 9-11 yo girls?

[lunita]

I've had a "mom's recommended reading" basket in Amanda's room for ages, and lately she has read several books from it, leaving it kind of bare. Any suggestions for books to replenish it with? I try to have it kind of eclectic so that there's a better chance that *something* will catch her eye/suit her mood when she is looking for something to read. The last few she has taken from there are Number the Stars, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh, and Peter and the Starcatchers.

Any suggestions?

[sarahrose]

The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Island of the Blue Dolphins, The Endless Steppe, Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Avonlea etc), Heidi, anything by Margurite Henry (Misty of Chincoteague, King of the Wind etc), The Black Stallion series (Walter Farely). The Mandie Series (I had to look it up, by Lois Gladys Leppard, mildly religious but I remember really enjoying this series)

I just racked my brain trying to remember what I read at that age, obviously these stick out to me as my favorites from childhood.

[Rosemary]

I've had a "mom's recommended reading" basket in Amanda's room for ages, and lately she has read several books from it, leaving it kind of bare. Any suggestions for books to replenish it with? I try to have it kind of eclectic so that there's a better chance that *something* will catch her eye/suit her mood when she is looking for something to read. The last few she has taken from there are Number the Stars, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh, and Peter and the Starcatchers.

Any suggestions?
A and I are reading Pictures of Hollis Woods for the mother daughter book club at the library. So far we are enjoying it.

[KMP]

M's last few favorites have been....The Molly Moon series, Tuck Everlasting, The Indian in the Cupboard series, and now she is in the middle of Inkheart, (and I'm in the middle of Inkspell ;-) )

[Pensive]

I was going to say, "Island of the Blue Dolphins"!. We read an excerpt in reading group in 6th grade and I liked it so much that I bought the book. It's up on my bookshelf, right over there! Good book.

[Pensive]

What about Madeleine L'Engle? I think I read "A Wrinkle in Time" when I was about 11.

[Pensive]

"Little Women"?

[lunita]

Amanda read Island of the Blue Dolphins with her class last year, somewhat tied into her study of California history. She really loved it too.

[sarahs]

These are my favorite kind of threads.:smile:

Some from here:

A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass
The Wanderer by Sharon Creech, also, Bloomability, and Granny Torelli Makes Soup.
The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place by E.L. Konigsburg
The Midwife's Apprentice and Matilda Bone by Karen Cushman, also Catherine Called Birdy and The Ballad of Lucy Whipple
Stargirl and its sequel by Jerry Spinelli
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
A Drowned Maiden's Hair by Laura Schlitz
The Book of Story Beginnings by Kristin Kladstrup

Both of my girls have gotten into Tamora Pierce at around age 10. I think the Protector of the Small is the most accessible to younger girls. The first book in that series is First Test.

If she hasn't already read The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia Wrede, they are so much fun! Starting with Dealing With Dragons.

There are sooooo many great books for kids this age. Its really a golden age for reading.

[gfrach]

What about Madeleine L'Engle? I think I read "A Wrinkle in Time" when I was about 11.

Me, too. It's still one of my favorite books. :-)

[Bonny]

good questions -- I often feel like my kids have read just about everything age appropriate (obviously they havn't!) So I really appreciate the ideas in these threads!

[victoria]

Little Women
Anne of Green Gables
the Emily series also by LM Montgomery (I loooooved those at age 10)
The Borrowers if she hasn't read them already, there are around 4 or more books in the series.
The Secret Garden and The Little Princess.
Cheaper by the Dozen and sequel.
Have you guys read The Invention of Hugo Cabret yet? It's awesome.

[lunita]

I'm so glad everyone mentioned L. M. Montgomery. I loved Anne and Emily when I was Amanda's age and a bit older, and for some reason I hadn't thought to suggest them to her. I'll definitely take the first one off of my book case to put in her basket.

[lunita]

Amanda did a book report on The Invention of Hugo Cabret last year and really loved it. I have most of the others and I just have to move them to her basket -- it seems like books can sit on shelf for years, but she doesn't pick them up unless I'm specifically suggested them... and not too overtly by pushing the book. lol.

[lisabelle]

I've been buying the first couple of Betsy-Tacy books (Maud Hart Lovelace) for the girls in my life lately. I *loved* those when I was in Amanda's age.