FreyaO Posted December 10, 2023 Share Posted December 10, 2023 We have access to two large library systems with extensive collections. However, the actual physical locations that we visit tend to be small and cramped, so what one sees on display is the same mass series over and over, mostly fantasy or elementary/middle school drama. Neither DD nor I are especially interested in either, hence the need for some inspiration and request for recs. I think what appeals to her is realistic fiction or literary non-fiction. She is essentially interested in real people (or realistic fictional characters) and their life and their countries and a true good story with plot twists. Not surprisingly, she likes the classics. What is the modern equivalent? Extra points: 1. Some literary value - beautiful language. 2. No sassiness. Ideally: Translated fiction or non-US authors. DD is close to 9, but an excellent reader and can handle complex and long text, plus some of it will be shared reading. We are OK with discussing subjects that some people consider inappropriate, death, war, etc. but yeah, it's still a child. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted December 10, 2023 Share Posted December 10, 2023 (edited) Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery The Vanderbeekers series by Karina Yan Glaser The Penderwicks series by Jeane Birdsall Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry Along Came a Dog by Meidert Dejong My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George A Single Shard When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park Rascal by Sterling North The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson Black Beauty by Anna Sewell The Year of Miss Agnes by Kirkpatrick Hill Call it Courage by Armstrong Sperry Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray The Door in the Wall by Marguerite De Angeli The Chestry Oak by Kate Seredy The Secret Garden A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare The Railway Children by E. Nesbit Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ramsome Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder Edited December 17, 2023 by ScoutTN 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.M. Posted December 10, 2023 Share Posted December 10, 2023 For translated fiction: one of my dc loves books by Tonke Dragt 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarita Posted December 11, 2023 Share Posted December 11, 2023 I just finished Single Shard by Linda Sue Park. I really liked that one, it's historical fiction set in mid-to-late 12th century Korea. For Chinese American children's historical literature, I've enjoyed Lawrence Yep. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penderwink Posted December 11, 2023 Share Posted December 11, 2023 Emily of New Moon (series) - L M Montgomery Homecoming - Voigt The Giver - Lowry Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH - OBrien Hobbit - Tolkien (I know it‘s fantasy, but I read it again recently and the language is so different from the popular tween fantasies) Starring Sally J Freedman as Herself - Blume Dark is Rising sequence - Cooper (it is fantasy, but worth looking at) Swallows and Amazons series - Ransome The Silver Sword - Serraillier The Would-be-Goods - NesbitT The Weirdstone of Brisingamen - Garner (fantasy, but I loved it) Goodnight Mr Tom - Magorian At that age I also really liked the Chalet School books, Little House series, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, and some of the longer Blyton books like the „Island of Adventure“ series, Treasure Hunters, Cherry Tree Farm. Also try browsing past winners of e.g. Newberry Medal 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarita Posted December 11, 2023 Share Posted December 11, 2023 Conn Iggulden has a few historical fiction series based on famous people of the past. I read these as an adult and the two I read were of Genghis Khan and Julius Caesar. It's not graphic but both male protagonists engaged in some sexual exploits. In terms of sassiness, well both boys/men engaged in some rule bending/braking and going against authority as both boys and men. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
***** Posted December 14, 2023 Share Posted December 14, 2023 So many good books listed above, I want to read them again for myself! A few others that were our favorites. She may be able to breeze through some of these pretty easily, but they are good ones: Snow Treasure Snow Treasure by McSwigan, Marie (amazon.com) Twenty and Ten Twenty and Ten by Bishop, Claire Huchet (amazon.com) NILS: The Wonderful Adventures of NILS... by Lagerlöf, Selma (amazon.com) Child of the Crossfire: A True Story by Alcyon Ruth Fleck (amazon.com) And be sure to check Sonlight for other great suggestions. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessinTX Posted December 14, 2023 Share Posted December 14, 2023 I'll add the author Pam Munoz Ryan. In particular we read Solimar recently and really really enjoyed it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreyaO Posted December 16, 2023 Author Share Posted December 16, 2023 On 12/10/2023 at 4:48 PM, A.M. said: For translated fiction: one of my dc loves books by Tonke Dragt Thank you! Our library owns The Letter for the King and The Secrets of the Wild Wood, but I would never have discovered them myself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreyaO Posted December 16, 2023 Author Share Posted December 16, 2023 @Penderwink, when someone mentions Blyton, I strongly suspect they are not Americans! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penderwink Posted December 16, 2023 Share Posted December 16, 2023 Indeed, I am not. 😉 But I also really liked the „Happy Hollister“ series (I think you can now get reprints) which might be the more American equivalent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted December 17, 2023 Share Posted December 17, 2023 Number the Stars 100 Dresses Night Diary Breadwinner series 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted December 17, 2023 Share Posted December 17, 2023 All of a Kind of a Family Heidi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
***** Posted December 18, 2023 Share Posted December 18, 2023 Yes, I was thinking of 100 Dresses and All of a Kind Family! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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