Doran Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Warning -- this may be hard (kinda like that favorite five movies thread). I want you to choose one book. Just one. Pretend you met my daughter (13) for the first time. You would understand right away how much she loves to read. You might have to pry her eyeballs off the page of whatever is in her lap just to get her to say hello in the first place. (I hope not...but I'm just sayin' ;)). You see that she is a mature, confident, intelligent young lady, but that she also has the twinkle in her eye of someone who loves an adventure and isn't entirely grown up yet. You feel compelled to invite her to read the book that was your most favorite during your own teenage years. Which one do you recommend to her? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Up through 11, definately, "The Diamond in the Window." I STILL like that book, and have thoroughly enjoyed sharing it with my DD and several of her friends in our book group. 12 and up, LOTR. It's still my favorite book of all time. But I have a feeling that she's read it already, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Virginia Dawn Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Little Women was one I read over and over, but I'm guessing your daughter has already read that one. ETA: I was kind of hooked on Gothic romances at that age. I read a lot of Mary Stewart and Daphne DuMaurier, but I chose not to go that route with my dd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy In KS Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Can I please pick two???? Les Miserables Ender's Game I read these both when I was 13/14 and they are still two of my favorite books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi @ Mt Hope Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I would say The Count of Monte Cristo. I think I read that maybe just a year or two older. It is still my all time favorite book (although Les Miserables comes close~which I did read at 13 or 14). I've read TCOMC several times since then, which is quite a feat considering the length... I'm assuming she's read The Secret Garden, Anne of Green Gables, Eight Cousins... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 They're like Pringles, you can't pick just one!!! Okay, since I'm a rule follower I'll give you one. "Witch of Blackbird Pond" I wanted to be Kit and grow up on an island. We did this as a read-aloud this year and I enjoyed it even more. Here's a tip however, do not start "Pride & Prejudice" right after reading it. I had a hard time feeling anything for those poor Bennett girls after being immersed in the hard work ethic of early America. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaLisa Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 But I'd recommend The Yearling. HTH! Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMCassandra Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I didn't find it until last year, but Phantom Toll-Booth was a book I would have really enjoyed at that age. What I did enjoy at that age: Chronicles of Narnia. I read them over, and over, and over . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diane in CO Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith....one of my all time favorite books! Diane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j.griff Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Sorry, my absolute favorite at that age was by Stephen King, ;) http://www.stephenking.com/pages/works/Eyes_of_the_Dragon/ BUT, I also loved Homer- The Iliad AND the Odyssey. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMindy Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Oh, man....first you challenge my memory...what was I thinking at age 13 and then you want me to pick ONE book?! I have always loved the Narnia books and I still re-read them every couple years. (Does that count as 1?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Just one? The Princess Bride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 At that age? The Outsiders. Hands down. I think I was 12 or 13 when I read The Outsiders over & over. It really spoke to me. It blew me away. I absolutely loved that book. My copy was very worn (and much loved). At an older age (high school/college), my 2 faves were: Heart of Darkness and The Count of Monte Cristo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockermom Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 At that age I loved "The Egyptian" by Mika Waltari (I was a weirdo.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendi Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Warning -- this may be hard (kinda like that favorite five movies thread). I want you to choose one book. Just one. Pretend you met my daughter (13) for the first time. You would understand right away how much she loves to read. You might have to pry her eyeballs off the page of whatever is in her lap just to get her to say hello in the first place. (I hope not...but I'm just sayin' ;)). You see that she is a mature, confident, intelligent young lady, but that she also has the twinkle in her eye of someone who loves an adventure and isn't entirely grown up yet. You feel compelled to invite her to read the book that was your most favorite during your own teenage years. Which one do you recommend to her? That's a series, though. Is that okay? Wendi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate CA Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Yes, at 13 I loved that too. :) My 13yodd loves almost anything by Louisa May Alcott! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I think it is the best work of fiction ever produced by western civilization. I also love The Chronicles of Narnia. And Little Women. And . . . ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I don't remember how old I was....but I *think* it was around age 13 that I read Island of the Blue Dolphin. I could not put that book down and I thought about those characters for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam "SFSOM" in TN Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Warning -- this may be hard (kinda like that favorite five movies thread). I want you to choose one book. Just one. Pretend you met my daughter (13) for the first time. You would understand right away how much she loves to read. You might have to pry her eyeballs off the page of whatever is in her lap just to get her to say hello in the first place. (I hope not...but I'm just sayin' ;)). You see that she is a mature, confident, intelligent young lady, but that she also has the twinkle in her eye of someone who loves an adventure and isn't entirely grown up yet. You feel compelled to invite her to read the book that was your most favorite during your own teenage years. Which one do you recommend to her? Preteen/young teen -- Gone-Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karenciavo Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 My favorite book at age 13 was Brave New World. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonia Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith....one of my all time favorite books! Diane Ditto - my 8th grade teacher gave it to me and I still have it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doran Posted May 28, 2008 Author Share Posted May 28, 2008 It not only gives me reminders of books to suggest to dd, it reminds me of books I'd like to read or reread. AND....it gives me a glimpse of who you are/were. Fun! Note: She has already read some of your favorites, but that's okay. I'm happy to know what you loved whether it will be new to her or not. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumping In Puddles Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 At that age? The Outsiders. Hands down. I think I was 12 or 13 when I read The Outsiders over & over. It really spoke to me. It blew me away. I absolutely loved that book. My copy was very worn (and much loved). Yes! Here too, and ummm...(ahem) the movie too :001_wub: :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Atl Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim in Appalachia Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 There are a lot of other books that have impacted me in positive ways, but that is my all time favorite. I think I was 15 when I read that. I just realized you said 13. At 13 I read Dante's Inferno and loved it. It was my favorite book that I read up to that point. But my reading consisted mostly of Stephn King and Judy Blume. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 nt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I think I was about that age and it is still one of my most read books. Her Calico Palace is also wonderful and then there is Mrs. Mike. Can not choose, sorry Doran. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MySerenity Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Anne of Green Gables and the sequels... I absolutely loved those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlashine Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Starring Sally J. Friedman as Herself by Judy Blume. Still can't believe how well loved that book is now that I have it back from my mom. Must've read it 20 times. Also set in WW2, if you're covering that in history anytime soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith....one of my all time favorite books! Diane Diane beat me to this, so I second her choice!!!!! If I could have another, it would be the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I spent a week at the beach at age 13ish hiding in a dark room reading this all week while everyone else was catching waves, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H.S. Burrow Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 was A Summer to Die by Lois Lowry. I can't remember how many times I checked that book out of the library!! Here's a link http://www.loislowry.com/summer.html You made me remember this...I'm going to find this for my 13 DD! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrg Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 of 7 and 17! I remember at 13 going on a family vacation that was completely lost to me as I was so engrossed in Exodus by Leon Uris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 This is also exactly what I would say for that age: Tree and LOTR, all of 'em, followed by the Simarillion.... I also read Summer of '42 that year, but wasn't supposed to be reading it, so.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omma Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I liked the Hobbit (and then the Lord of the Rings series). Brenda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niebski Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I was a Witch of Blackbird Pond girl, too... then I found Piers Anthony :) Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsmamainva Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I read "The Hobbit" in the 7th grade and it is STILL one of my all-time favorite books ... can't wait for the movie to come out!!! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erica in PA Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith....one of my all time favorite books! Diane This is my favorite book of all time! I just love it. Erica Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2jnb Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Where the Red Fern Grows.....it was the book that made me love reading. I also bought it at Christmas for my dss (13) and he has not put books down since. Sad...but wonderful. Alison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanga Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 I have more than one, but since your dd is an avid reader you probably can use as many suggestions as possible. The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy Anne of Green Gables by L.M Montgomery Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurel Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Witch of Blackbird Pond. Loved it, read it over and over. At 10-13 I also remember rereading Just as Long as We're Together by Judy Blume. And then a few years later (16 or 17), I read The Chosen by Chaim Potok, and that has taken over as my favorite book of all time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 They're like Pringles, you can't pick just one!!! Okay, since I'm a rule follower I'll give you one. "Witch of Blackbird Pond" I wanted to be Kit and grow up on an island. We did this as a read-aloud this year and I enjoyed it even more. Here's a tip however, do not start "Pride & Prejudice" right after reading it. I had a hard time feeling anything for those poor Bennett girls after being immersed in the hard work ethic of early America. :grouphug: Yes! That was the first that moved me. I was 9 and I was awed. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. The next, neck-for-neck (??phrasing??) , was To Kill a Mockingbird, & The Diary of Anne Frank not long after. Close calls: The Story of Hellen Keller, The Hiding Place, & Gone With The Wind. Heidi, Jane Eyre, & Rebecca are all tied for first as well. P & P wasn't on my list until I was about 12/13. My mother read me all of the Mary Poppins series, and I know that set me on my life -long love of books. She had to order each of them from a bookstore, and we would go together and fetch them. It was a treat each and every time. :) I was wee, and I still remember it. Barely, but I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennifersLost Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Dune, by Frank Herbert. Most kids won't like it that early, but I think I read it for the first time in fifth or sixth grade and then read it over and over and over and over again, LOL. Man, that was an amazing book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jlynn Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Sorry, my absolute favorite at that age was by Stephen King, ;)http://www.stephenking.com/pages/works/Eyes_of_the_Dragon/ BUT, I also loved Homer- The Iliad AND the Odyssey. :D I was wondering if I was the only one who loved this as a 13 yr old. Absolute favorite for a couple of years. I actually told my 6yr old brother the story on a long drive (we lived in Germany at the time) one time. He deployed last year and asked my mom to send him some books...this one was on his list of favorites too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
latinteach Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 A Wrinkle in Time by Madelyn L'Engle. (Followed by a Wind in the Door and a Swiftly Tilting Planet. Sorry, I listed 3 but it's a trilogy. Actually, there are several more follow-up books L'Engle wrote before she passed away, but I don't think they are nearly as good as the first 3.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doran Posted May 29, 2008 Author Share Posted May 29, 2008 ...this thread is a keeper for us! Such terrific books listed here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melhouse Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 One of my favorites that I haven't seen mentioned yet is Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt. I loved this book!! Fun thread, Melissa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Watership Down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 I also remember liking Summer of My German Soldier when I was that age... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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