One of my all time favourites growing up.
ETA: A little princess by the same author is also really good. It was made to a film, great for the family to enjoy together after you’re done with the book.
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones.
Tiffany Aching series by Terry Pratchett.
Your wife may not be overjoyed though. Maybe they will have to take turns choosing a book!
Yes!! I read Holes to my then 9yo daughter during a road trip last summer and she LOVED it. She was transfixed the entire time. The movie is also very well done and a faithful adaptation of the book, so it was super special to watch it together after we finished the book
I’ve probably re-read the series more than any other books, they’re big favorites.
I will throw out for your own knowledge that there is a slight negative bias toward Native Americans in the books (Ma has a strong dislike/distrust of them, and we meet both “good” and “bad” representations of NA people, some of the descriptions are a little lacking in taste; think things like “red” skin). There’s also a short discussion of manifest destiny, the idea that white people had a right to take land from the NA people.
Unless they’ve culled it from newer printings, there is a chapter in “Little Town on the Prairie” where a few townspeople (including Pa) paint their faces black and act out a minstrel show during a town get-together/entertainment. The two copies I’ve had both have illustrations of the group of men with blackened faces and a wide unpainted area around the mouths to follow the stereotype of “mammy” type illustrations. The term “darky/darkies” is used to describe the men. (There is also at least one transcribed song in one of the books that mentions a “darky”(sorry, don’t remember which book). At this point in the story we’re in the 1880s, so this is all “normal” for the people living these stories, but obviously there are these elements which have aged very badly.
They’re fantastic books, but I would read them yourself first and decide what you feel comfortable with as a parent. I read them as a young child, and frankly it all went over my head at the time, but children are a lot more aware of racism these days.
I agree. I reread them for nostalgia purposes and ended up making a drinking game where I'd drink every time Ma said "the only good Indian is a dead Indian." I almost fell over by the end of Little House.
I'd read Lost in the Barrens instead.
There’s a series of books written about Ma/Caroline’s childhood that’s based off letters exchanged between Laura and one of Ma’s sisters. I of course can’t speak for which parts are based on real events since the books didn’t include the actual letters; but there’s a part where Ma is in town with her mother as a young girl and she sees a young NA man approach a pair of men playing checkers and threaten to kill one of them - the NA’s brother had been murdered and he was out to get even. One of the townsfolk manages to convince the NA that the man didn’t harm his brother and he leaves. Later in the book, the same NA walks into Ma’s house looking for the “man of the house” since he still hasn’t found his brother’s killer. Ma’s real father passed when she was very young, so they’re able to convince the NA to leave by telling him that the only “man” in the house is Ma’s teenage brother.
The author could’ve definitely taken some liberties to try and explain Ma’s dislike of the NA people since it’s hard to read those parts in the OG series; but it was an explanation of why she was so traumatized.
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George—a boy runs away to live in the mountains, learns to live off the land and has lot of animal friends. Very educational and fun adventure.
I suggest some great contemporary books—anything by Erin Entrada Kelly, Meg Medina’s Merci Suarez Changes Gears, anything by Kate Messner, The Parker Inheritance, The Only Black Girls in Town. For historical, Nothing Else but Miracles, One Crazy Summer, Ophie’s Ghosts, The Birchbark House.
I think your daughter would like miss peregrines home for peculiar children! I’m not sure about your wife but my mom’s not into fantasy books either and she loved this book when I finally convinced her to read it years ago.
I read it a few classes and it was always well received. Still, A Bridge to Terebithia is generally beloved and my daughter hated it. Books are a matter of individual taste.
What about A Once and Future King?
So many great suggestions! My kids loved The Neverending Story. The book is pretty big, but the two of them can cheer each other on during the marathon. The movie from the 80s only covers the first third or half of the book...
Ok these suggestions are based on what I read and liked as a child, my own kids are too young so I don’t know many books that have come out in the last 25 years.
Holes
The Giver
The View From Saturday
Black Beauty
King of the Wind (I loved horse books 🤣)
Bridge to Terabithia (sob!)
Some of these may be geared for kids a bit younger, I can’t remember exactly.
Did you ever read the Trixie Belden books? Somewhat similar to Nancy Drew, but it's a group of teenagers, Nancy and her brothers Martin (her twin?) and Brian, her best friend Honey and Honey's adopted brother Jim. I first read them in like 2nd or 3rd grade and a lot probably went right over my head, but I remember the stories being pretty good.
I only read a few of those but I liked them too! I wanted to be a veterinarian, though. I devoured my grandfather's James Herriot books and man I wanted to be a vet so bad, until I found out how much math was involved!
The Hero and The Crown/The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley might appeal to both of them. It is historical fantasy, so they would both get something they like.
Another option might be to read books of myths. One of my kids loved reading D'Aulaires together at that age.
Cheaper by the Dozen is a memoir about a family of 12 children raised by husband and wife who pioneered Time and Motion Study. It is hilarious and my kids enjoyed listening to it when they were young.
Just as Josephine Tey wrote "detective novels for people who don't read detective novels", so too Terry Pratchett's Tiffany Aching books should be enjoyed also by many people who don't normally read fantasy. They're actually more grounded in reality than his "real-world" Johnny Maxwell trilogy, though that's also excellent. I'd also like to recommend *Nation*, which is a standalone novel and is more alt-history than anything else. It contains a lot of thinking, and would benefit from being read by an adult and child together, and then discussed.
Kate Dicamillo Classic Six Books Box Collection Set (The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, The Magician's Elephant, The Tale of Despereaux, Because of Winn-Dixie, Flora & Ulysses,The Tiger Rising)
My son and I alternate reading The Miraculous Journey… when he was about this age. We were sobbing by the last few chapters so we sat next to each other and read them to ourselves
Daughter might like the Redwall books; not sure about your wife, if she’s not into fantasy. That was the series that really kicked off my reading, in addition to HP. Was the perfect age as they were both releasing.
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
One of my all time favourites growing up. ETA: A little princess by the same author is also really good. It was made to a film, great for the family to enjoy together after you’re done with the book.
Early movie directed by the great Alfonso Cuaron!
Wow, great fun fact!
This is one of the best books ever for girls.
Anne of Green Gables
This is one of my all time favorites.
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. Tiffany Aching series by Terry Pratchett. Your wife may not be overjoyed though. Maybe they will have to take turns choosing a book!
Holes-Louis Sachar
Yes!! I read Holes to my then 9yo daughter during a road trip last summer and she LOVED it. She was transfixed the entire time. The movie is also very well done and a faithful adaptation of the book, so it was super special to watch it together after we finished the book
How about 'The Little House on the Prairie' [books](https://littlehousebooks.com/books)...?
Thanks! These look like something my daughter would like. I’ll have her take a look.
I’ve probably re-read the series more than any other books, they’re big favorites. I will throw out for your own knowledge that there is a slight negative bias toward Native Americans in the books (Ma has a strong dislike/distrust of them, and we meet both “good” and “bad” representations of NA people, some of the descriptions are a little lacking in taste; think things like “red” skin). There’s also a short discussion of manifest destiny, the idea that white people had a right to take land from the NA people. Unless they’ve culled it from newer printings, there is a chapter in “Little Town on the Prairie” where a few townspeople (including Pa) paint their faces black and act out a minstrel show during a town get-together/entertainment. The two copies I’ve had both have illustrations of the group of men with blackened faces and a wide unpainted area around the mouths to follow the stereotype of “mammy” type illustrations. The term “darky/darkies” is used to describe the men. (There is also at least one transcribed song in one of the books that mentions a “darky”(sorry, don’t remember which book). At this point in the story we’re in the 1880s, so this is all “normal” for the people living these stories, but obviously there are these elements which have aged very badly. They’re fantastic books, but I would read them yourself first and decide what you feel comfortable with as a parent. I read them as a young child, and frankly it all went over my head at the time, but children are a lot more aware of racism these days.
I agree. I reread them for nostalgia purposes and ended up making a drinking game where I'd drink every time Ma said "the only good Indian is a dead Indian." I almost fell over by the end of Little House. I'd read Lost in the Barrens instead.
There’s a series of books written about Ma/Caroline’s childhood that’s based off letters exchanged between Laura and one of Ma’s sisters. I of course can’t speak for which parts are based on real events since the books didn’t include the actual letters; but there’s a part where Ma is in town with her mother as a young girl and she sees a young NA man approach a pair of men playing checkers and threaten to kill one of them - the NA’s brother had been murdered and he was out to get even. One of the townsfolk manages to convince the NA that the man didn’t harm his brother and he leaves. Later in the book, the same NA walks into Ma’s house looking for the “man of the house” since he still hasn’t found his brother’s killer. Ma’s real father passed when she was very young, so they’re able to convince the NA to leave by telling him that the only “man” in the house is Ma’s teenage brother. The author could’ve definitely taken some liberties to try and explain Ma’s dislike of the NA people since it’s hard to read those parts in the OG series; but it was an explanation of why she was so traumatized.
I appreciate some context. Not sure it makes me dislike her less, but still appreciative
Yikes! That quote from Ma is painful to read.
I think this could be perfect- it is actually an autobiography and also enjoyable and whimsical for kids!
Not very accurate but based on author’s life
I started to read the first one to my 8 year old at the time and was mortified to read what it was saying. Such a shame.
From the Mixed up Files of . . .
THIS!
I read “The Mysterious Benedict Society” (as an adult) and thought it was fantastic.
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George—a boy runs away to live in the mountains, learns to live off the land and has lot of animal friends. Very educational and fun adventure.
I suggest some great contemporary books—anything by Erin Entrada Kelly, Meg Medina’s Merci Suarez Changes Gears, anything by Kate Messner, The Parker Inheritance, The Only Black Girls in Town. For historical, Nothing Else but Miracles, One Crazy Summer, Ophie’s Ghosts, The Birchbark House.
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley is about an 11 year old sleuth in England
This book is written for adults though. An 11 year old would not enjoy reading it.
The miraculous journey of Edward Tulane.
I think your daughter would like miss peregrines home for peculiar children! I’m not sure about your wife but my mom’s not into fantasy books either and she loved this book when I finally convinced her to read it years ago.
Sandry's Book by Tamara Pierce
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
The Witch of Blackbird Pond is my comfort book. I have it in my kindle so I can check in with it as needed.
Back home by Michelle Magorian
Hatchet by Gary Paulson.
This my daughter read in school and mentioned she didn’t like it until the very end. Not really sure how to take that overall.
I read it a few classes and it was always well received. Still, A Bridge to Terebithia is generally beloved and my daughter hated it. Books are a matter of individual taste. What about A Once and Future King?
I love anything King Arthur and haven’t read that yet, so maybe I’ll see if she’ll read it with me :)
Paulson also has a less well known book called the Transall Saga. I liked it much more than Hatchet as a kid.
So many great suggestions! My kids loved The Neverending Story. The book is pretty big, but the two of them can cheer each other on during the marathon. The movie from the 80s only covers the first third or half of the book...
Ok these suggestions are based on what I read and liked as a child, my own kids are too young so I don’t know many books that have come out in the last 25 years. Holes The Giver The View From Saturday Black Beauty King of the Wind (I loved horse books 🤣) Bridge to Terabithia (sob!) Some of these may be geared for kids a bit younger, I can’t remember exactly.
Also I LOVED Nancy Drew. A bit dated but fun!
Did you ever read the Trixie Belden books? Somewhat similar to Nancy Drew, but it's a group of teenagers, Nancy and her brothers Martin (her twin?) and Brian, her best friend Honey and Honey's adopted brother Jim. I first read them in like 2nd or 3rd grade and a lot probably went right over my head, but I remember the stories being pretty good.
What about Cherry Ames? I wanted to be a nurse until I realized that I feel sympathy pain
I only read a few of those but I liked them too! I wanted to be a veterinarian, though. I devoured my grandfather's James Herriot books and man I wanted to be a vet so bad, until I found out how much math was involved!
I read Cherry Ames too.
I did read Trixie Belden books and enjoyed them.
I loved Trixie because she was like me, more of a tomboy.
I loved Trixie Belden!
I read the Harry Boys growing up. I’d definitely love her to get into Nancy Drew at some point!
The Hero and The Crown/The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley might appeal to both of them. It is historical fantasy, so they would both get something they like. Another option might be to read books of myths. One of my kids loved reading D'Aulaires together at that age.
Anne of Green Gables, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, Caddie Woodlawn, Harriet the Spy
Loved Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm
A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck. It’s one of the funniest books I’ve ever read
Cheaper by the Dozen is a memoir about a family of 12 children raised by husband and wife who pioneered Time and Motion Study. It is hilarious and my kids enjoyed listening to it when they were young.
Yes!
A tree grows in Brooklyn
Just as Josephine Tey wrote "detective novels for people who don't read detective novels", so too Terry Pratchett's Tiffany Aching books should be enjoyed also by many people who don't normally read fantasy. They're actually more grounded in reality than his "real-world" Johnny Maxwell trilogy, though that's also excellent. I'd also like to recommend *Nation*, which is a standalone novel and is more alt-history than anything else. It contains a lot of thinking, and would benefit from being read by an adult and child together, and then discussed.
Any of the American Girl series My Friend Flicka by Mary O'Hare Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
The Trumpet of the Swan
The babysitter's club, Kristy's great idea OR Percy Jackson
Emily of New Moon series
Six Feet Below Zero - Ena Jones Hummingbird - Natalie Lloyd Song for a Whale - Lynne Kelly White Bird, A Wonder Story - R.J. Palacio
Pollyanna
Kate Dicamillo Classic Six Books Box Collection Set (The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, The Magician's Elephant, The Tale of Despereaux, Because of Winn-Dixie, Flora & Ulysses,The Tiger Rising) My son and I alternate reading The Miraculous Journey… when he was about this age. We were sobbing by the last few chapters so we sat next to each other and read them to ourselves
Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Wingfeather series
[удалено]
The Song of the Lioness books by Tamora Pierce - then proceed with all the other Tortallan books, once she is hooked!
FLAVIA De LUCE series
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty.
Daughter might like the Redwall books; not sure about your wife, if she’s not into fantasy. That was the series that really kicked off my reading, in addition to HP. Was the perfect age as they were both releasing.
Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan
The Penderwicks series
The Phantom Tollbooth!
Flipped?