There's one more you might consider. Have they read Tuck Everlasting ? I don't remember the author's name, but the tale is gripping: a rural Southern family that happens to be immortal, so they always have to keep on the move (chased, of course, by an antagonist who very much wants to put an end to the Tuck problem). Reading level is a bit easier than Spirit Thorn, but the ideas involved are every bit as complex. The book is one of the best discussion-starters you'll ever find. What would it be like to never grow old, as those around you age and die? What's it like to never fit in?

Cleopatra -- As the narco wars grow hotter, don't think we haven't considered it. Money, however, is always an issue.

Our own daughter has a penchant for Spanish, and has home schooled her kids in Spanish daily. The "extra" expense has been several weeks in Mexico for the whole family annually. Pity!

Our daughter, now grown (and homeschooling her own kids) was home schooled through 3rd grade. Zero problem transitioning, because we had been diligent in maintaining her activities with other children from the beginning. YMCA activities, Campfire Girls ... whatever is working well in your own community. The only caveat: She was noticeably ahead of her peers in all subjects, and ended up skipping 5th grade.

Our grandson, 10, was all excited about Spirit Thorn, a book one of his friends was reading for the second time. They had paid for a Kindle download, but we were able to find it gratis at the book's website, although I don't believe downloads were available there, just reads. In our family, I'm the out loud storyteller, and I loved it -- especially the fairly complex moral development and the subtle introduction of sophisticated science. The story also pleased me because even though the adventure protagonist was a boy, the courage hero (heroine?) was a girl. Both were young teens. For my tastes, I might have picked it for older kids, but he wasn't awfully concerned about that. For your 9 year old? I don't know. What are her tastes? BTW - Angela in Ohio mentioned Five Little Peppers and How They Grew. Wow! I had forgotten that excellent book.