bluedarling Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 dd8 has read every age-appropriate series I can think of for someone around her age. We are trying to hold her off on Harry Potter for a bit (we made older kids wait until 12 for religious reasons...we probably won't make it that long with her.) She just finished the entire Wizard of Oz series, and she loves it! She has read Chronicles of Narnia, Little House books, didn't care for boxcar children, I've printed lists of books for gifted readers and am not finding anything she hasn't read that she is willing to read (especially series that will keep her busy more than 1 hour.) Anne of Green Gables was a little old for her. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krsmom Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 Swallows & Amazons Gone Away Lake American Girls The Saturdays Series Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluedarling Posted October 25, 2014 Author Share Posted October 25, 2014 Swallows & Amazons Gone Away Lake American Girls The Saturdays Series I had mentioned Swallows & Amazon in reviewing the lists I had printed for her...she's willing to try that! Doesn't like American Girls, and I think she's already read some of the Saturday series (but I'll double-check). I just ordered Gone Away Lake and Swallows & Amazons from the library. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krsmom Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 Your welcome. I hope she enjoys them. My dd's just reminded me that Swallows and Amazon's is slow going in the beginning. If I remember correctly, there are a lot of references to sailing/nautical terms that can be problematic until she gets a bit further along and then it is smooth sailing. Sorry, I couldn't help myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dagne Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 The Borrowers Pippi Longstocking Tales of Magic The Mysterious Benedict Society Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanaqui Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 The Penderwicks Inkheart The Great Brain The All-of-a-Kind Family The Year of the Dog series The Ramona books, of course Above World The Series of Unfortunate Events The Amy and Laura books (gosh, I loved those as a kid - they don't get enough love!) The various "shoes" books by Noel Streatfeild (yes, I spelled the last name correctly) - they're not really a series, but they're titled like one in America The Betsy-Tacy books Powerless (main characters are in middle school, there's mention of crushes by the last book in the trilogy, I know some kids her age think that's gross!) The Grand Plan to Fix Everything and its sequel, The Problem with Being Slightly Heroic The WondLa books Homer Price Princess Academy (despite the silly title. This book does, as I recall, have a made-up pantheon, if that's a problem.) Emma Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree (may have misremembered title) Kiki Strike Lemonade War series Dragon Milk series Swindle series by Gordon Korman The series starting with Journey to Topaz The series by Sonia Levitan starting with Journey to America (both these two series take place during WWII, so some readers might find them a bit much) The series starting with One Crazy Summer (you might want to wait a year or two) Do they strictly *have* to be series? I could write a longer list. Bolded books, to my knowledge, are pretty acceptable to at least 95% of all parents-of-eight-year-olds. I think all of them are appropriate, but those are the super uncontroversial ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluedarling Posted October 25, 2014 Author Share Posted October 25, 2014 The Borrowers Pippi Longstocking Tales of Magic The Mysterious Benedict Society She's read all but Tales of Magic...I'm not familiar with that series to know how "dark" the magic is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluedarling Posted October 25, 2014 Author Share Posted October 25, 2014 The Penderwicks Kiki Strike The Great Brain The All-of-a-Kind Family The Year of the Dog series The Ramona books, of course Above World The Series of Unfortunate Events The Amy and Laura books (gosh, I loved those as a kid - they don't get enough love!) The various "shoes" books by Noel Streatfeild (yes, I spelled the last name correctly) - they're not really a series, but they're titled like one in America The Betsy-Tacy books Powerless (main characters are in middle school, there's mention of crushes by the last book in the trilogy, I know some kids her age think that's gross!) The Grand Plan to Fix Everything and its sequel, The Problem with Being Slightly Heroic Do they strictly *have* to be series? I could write a longer list. Thank you! We have some of the Series of Unfortunate events, but I remember being a bit shocked by the content when I read the first book many years ago. Is it appropriate for an 8yo? I've been holding her off. I ordered a Betsy-Tacy book. Yes, she does not like romance at all (and I'm loving that! My baby is growing up too quick!) Some of the other books I've never heard of...off to look them up! And no, it doesn't have to be series, I just prefer not repeat this loss of what to suggest too often! I'm really struggling to keep up! The Wizard of Oz series was nice....it lasted over a month, and all I had to do was go down a list for the next books. All of a Kind Family was on our list already, and she didn't like Ramona. We''ll give the others a look! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanaqui Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 Is it appropriate for an 8yo? I think so (I read them myself at about that age), however, it is possible we have different standards in this respect. The sad reality is that no two people can agree on all books :( I've gone back and bolded the ones that really should be utterly uncontroversial :) Might just add a few more series in there while I do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanikit Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 Not all series books, but: My daughter read The World around the corner recently (Maurice Gee) and enjoyed it - apparently the same author writes a series that is more intense - I haven't looked at it yet though. Edgar Eager's Magic Series (begins with half magic) - it is very mild, but fun. The Hundred and One Dalmations and its sequel Superfudge Series and other Judy Blume books - some of them do seem to be aimed older, but by 8 many should be just fine. Dick King Smith books - though not a series they are all entertaining Enid Blyton writes many series - Famous Five, The Children of Cherry Tree Farm and sequels, Malory Towers, St Clare's series, The Naughtiest Girl in the School series Nancy Drew series (could try the Hardy Boys too depending how girly she is or isn't) Any of the Noel Streatfeild books The Animal Ark series Roald Dahl books (not a series although Charlie and Chocolate Factory does have a sequel, but many others should be fine) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenmama2 Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 Wolves of Willoughby Chase Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black-eyed Suzan Posted October 27, 2014 Share Posted October 27, 2014 Mrs. Piggle Wiggle series ETA: has she read Paddington Bear yet? Madeline L'Engle's Wrinkle in Time series (although I haven't read the later ones recently, the first one is appropriate) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanaqui Posted October 27, 2014 Share Posted October 27, 2014 Any of the Noel Streatfeild books Hey, twinsies! Of course, she also wrote some books for adults, such as The Whicharts, which are *not* appropriate for children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockhopper Posted October 27, 2014 Share Posted October 27, 2014 Somehow every time I glance at your thread title, I read "8-year old DOG". :-) You'd have to be MUCH more of a dog person than me to start a thread looking for books for your dog! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
domestic_engineer Posted October 27, 2014 Share Posted October 27, 2014 Encyclopedia brown The Toys Go Out trilogy Paddington Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EndOfOrdinary Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 Spirit Fighter series is the Biblical version of Percy Jackson. My son really liked them and enjoyed all the clever connections the author made. You mentioned holding off on Harry for religious reasons and I thought of this one. My son began reading Percy around age 8. There is nothing objectionable in the first set "Percy Jackson and the Olympians." NOT Heroes of Olympus. The only objectionable thing is that the premise is that the Greek gods are not mythology but enacting all the stuff actually right here on earth. It is so extravagant I doubt it would be considered believable or realistic to an 8 year old. In fact one of the reasons the book is so delightful is how extravagant the premise is. However, the idea might bother you depending on your beliefs. N.D. Wilson did the Ashtown Burials which is along the Percy Jackson lines as well. Kids on fantastic quests to save the world. All sorts of wonderful bits about the Age of Exploration and various history references which make it fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluedarling Posted October 29, 2014 Author Share Posted October 29, 2014 Spirit Fighter series is the Biblical version of Percy Jackson. My son really liked them and enjoyed all the clever connections the author made. You mentioned holding off on Harry for religious reasons and I thought of this one. My son began reading Percy around age 8. There is nothing objectionable in the first set "Percy Jackson and the Olympians." NOT Heroes of Olympus. The only objectionable thing is that the premise is that the Greek gods are not mythology but enacting all the stuff actually right here on earth. It is so extravagant I doubt it would be considered believable or realistic to an 8 year old. In fact one of the reasons the book is so delightful is how extravagant the premise is. However, the idea might bother you depending on your beliefs. N.D. Wilson did the Ashtown Burials which is along the Percy Jackson lines as well. Kids on fantastic quests to save the world. All sorts of wonderful bits about the Age of Exploration and various history references which make it fun. Thank you! keep the ideas coming! I've filled up the library cart for this week, but I'll return to check for more very soon! I know my 13yo enjoyed Percy Jackson...I never thought of asking her if it was appropriate for her sister! (Their reading level is quite similar.) And...my 8yo has been totally into mythology lately! I think she'd love it! And the Age of Exploration is coming up in our studies very soon...so Ashtown Burials might tie in quite nicely. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EndOfOrdinary Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 My son is a bit of a history geek. He liked the way both were written. She might like the Roman Mysteries. They are like candy books, but historically accurate mysteries set in Roman times where a group of friends solves a crime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hannahs4 Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 Little Women All the Margeret Henry horse book (Misty books, King of the Wind etc) Some of The Black Stallion series At the back of the North Wind Princess and Curdie Alice in Wonderland These have all been loved by my 9 year old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saw Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 How about books by Edith Nesbit or the Chalet School series? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clementine Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 If she's an animal lover, my daughter loved the Ga'Hoole series (owls) and the Warriors series (cats). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paige Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 What about James Herriot's books? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluedarling Posted November 1, 2014 Author Share Posted November 1, 2014 What about James Herriot's books? She read the Treasury for Children we have ages ago, but I'll bet she didn't realize there were more! I'll be sure to get some next go around! I think she'd like those! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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