angandmike Posted December 12, 2010 Share Posted December 12, 2010 I have a 13 yo girl who is a voracious reader. I've recently found that she's gotten into some "teen harlequin" books (didn't know there was such a thing) from our library and would like to get her into something more wholesome. We don't mind sci-fi at our house (like Harry Potter, but yet no Twilight), but since I had a problem with being "addicted" reading romances at a young age, I really don't want my daughter headed down that road. I'd love some ideas of books to get for Christmas as well as how to deal with getting what I feel are inappropriate books from the youth section of our public library. Thanks for the help, Angie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-FL Posted December 12, 2010 Share Posted December 12, 2010 How about Jane Austen? Plenty of romance, but a healthier look on it. There's the Bronte sisters too, but Wuthering Heights isn't the best view of romance. I just read Enchantment by Orson Scott Card. Romance w/o s*x in a re-telling of Sleeping Beauty. For sci-fi/fantasy--CS Lewis, JRR Tolken come 1st to mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted December 12, 2010 Share Posted December 12, 2010 (I was the teen who had a collection of at least 100 Barbara Cartland novels, and yet I think I turned out pretty well!) One recommendation is The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy. It has a romantic element along with a mystery. This seems to be a nice hardback copy. Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleopatra Posted December 12, 2010 Share Posted December 12, 2010 I have a 13 yo girl who is a voracious reader. I've recently found that she's gotten into some "teen harlequin" books (didn't know there was such a thing) from our library and would like to get her into something more wholesome. We don't mind sci-fi at our house (like Harry Potter, but yet no Twilight), but since I had a problem with being "addicted" reading romances at a young age, I really don't want my daughter headed down that road. I'd love some ideas of books to get for Christmas as well as how to deal with getting what I feel are inappropriate books from the youth section of our public library. Thanks for the help, Angie I read lots of Regency romance novels when I was a teen. Now that I'm an adult, I really feel it was time wasted (LOTS of time!) when I could have been reading books that were more edifying. This might give you some ideas ........ http://www.classical-homeschooling.org/celoop/1000.html It's one of my favourite book lists! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 Gone With The Wind? That Scarlett was a busy girl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 Well if she's a christian, then http://www.amazon.com/Quest-Love-Stories-Passion-Purity/dp/0800758218 Might turn her into an Elisabeth Elliot fan. :) If you haven't read it, it has lots of stories about how people came together, including arranged marriages, etc. Very thought-provoking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diviya Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 My mom, sister and I have always loved Georgette Heyer's books. Regency romances, but absolutely no s*x - very witty and engaging. We still reread them occasionally. I don't love all of them though - here's a list of the ones I think are really good: Frederica, The Grand Sophy, These Old Shades, Black Sheep, Devil's Cub, The Nonesuch, Lady of Quality, The Talisman Ring. (Devil's Cub maybe isn't entirely appropriate for a 13yo) Certainly wouldn't qualify as high quality literature, but it's not too big a step from these to Jane Austen, and definitely an easier step than from "teen Harlequin", whatever that is :D And perhaps PG Wodehouse - can't remember at what age I started reading them, but funny, funny, funny!! Hope that helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keptwoman Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 I was going to suggest Georgette Heyer too. Also fwiw I read a lot of trash at that age, a LOT, but I also read a lot of really good literature. They are not mutually exclusive. I look at it like junk food for the brain, I eat healthy a lot of the time but sometimes I feel like some junk. It's the same with reading, lots of time I like books that make me think, then I go through periods where I can't cope with anything too heavy and read my junk food books for a time. Sometimes I have one of each on the go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenn in CA Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 The Mitford series by Jan Karon is wonderful! There are 7 very thick novels so it will take her a while to get thru them. I haven't read Janette Oak but her novels are definitely wholesome and Christian. Also Francine (Francene?) Rivers who writes historical fiction romances. We avoid the teen section at the library. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenn in CA Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 Also, what about Anne of Green Gables. That's a series with a bunch of books too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Wisc Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 (edited) Has she been introduced to Artemis Fowl? Check him out...I can't believe there is a library out there that doesn't have these books. They are fun and action packed for young teens. Jean Oh--and Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Another series of fun for kids (er...for adults, too)!!!!! Edited December 14, 2010 by Jean in Wisc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlsdMama Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 My sweet daughter compiled a list of favorite and recommended books by age & time period. You might find something useful in the 7th-8th grade area. Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/3338449-anajoy-rusticgirl?shelf=8th-grade Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 Has she been introduced to Artemis Fowl? Check him out...I can't believe there is a library out there that doesn't have these books. They are fun and action packed for young teens. Jean Oh--and Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Another series of fun for kids (er...for adults, too)!!!!! Lol, you have got to love a series the author describes as "die hard with fairies". Artemis books are fun. The Sister's Grimm books are a blast, the Ranger's Apprentice series, the Books of Bayern, The 39 Clues, Alex Rider, what else.... The Secrets of the Immortal Nicolas Flamel series is my new favorite. Others my 13 year old loves, the Rowan Hood series, Anne of Green Gables, anything by Rick Riordan or Jane Austen. The whole family are Belgariad fans, Tolkien has his own shelf here. :) Sherwood Smith's Wren series is cute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacy in NJ Posted December 16, 2010 Share Posted December 16, 2010 :001_smile: Many of Charles Dicken's books have a pretty health view of romantic love. Have a look at Little Dorrit first. Follow the books up with the wonderful BBC drama. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlsdMama Posted December 16, 2010 Share Posted December 16, 2010 To add - Ana (14) is a huge Shannon Hale fan. (I believe her favorite is Goose Girl.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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