Books for a 9 year old with a reading age of 12
Discussion
My 9 year old daughter has been classed as an ‘advanced reader’, with a reading age of 12/13.
However, we’re finding problems encouraging her to read, as all the books at school are aimed at her physical age, and are basically a loose plot with the actual prose just there to expand vocabulary. She already has this vocabulary. But many books designed for her ‘actual’ reading age aren’t really (Physical) age appropriate (our own opinion, and we’re not puritans).
She’s been through Harry Potter, which she loved. She quite liked Famous 5/Secret 7 etc., but found them very dated and a bit childish/formulaic. Magic Faraway Tree etc. came and went aged 6. She liked the Diary of Anne Frank but got (understandably) upset and didn’t finish it (her reading that aged 8 wasn’t my idea by the way!).
Thinking of CS Lewis/Ronald Dahl/Philip Pullman next, but would welcome any other suggestions. She’s rejected the Hobbit as ‘a boys book’. I adored Terry Pratchett right into my 30’s, but have never read his kids books, but I believe they’re quite good?
She had such a love of reading, but it’s disappearing, which is sad to see. Think the reason is twofold: a) boring plots and b) Roblox (we’re on it on the second point).
As she’s so bored with fiction we’ve subscribed her to a kids science magazine, and I’ll probably subscribe her to ‘The Week’ as well, but I’d like to encourage imagination through fiction as well.
As mentioned, all the books at school are very, very basic in terms of plot and structure.
This sounds horribly like ‘look how clever my daughter is’, but it’s intended as a genuine question.
However, we’re finding problems encouraging her to read, as all the books at school are aimed at her physical age, and are basically a loose plot with the actual prose just there to expand vocabulary. She already has this vocabulary. But many books designed for her ‘actual’ reading age aren’t really (Physical) age appropriate (our own opinion, and we’re not puritans).
She’s been through Harry Potter, which she loved. She quite liked Famous 5/Secret 7 etc., but found them very dated and a bit childish/formulaic. Magic Faraway Tree etc. came and went aged 6. She liked the Diary of Anne Frank but got (understandably) upset and didn’t finish it (her reading that aged 8 wasn’t my idea by the way!).
Thinking of CS Lewis/Ronald Dahl/Philip Pullman next, but would welcome any other suggestions. She’s rejected the Hobbit as ‘a boys book’. I adored Terry Pratchett right into my 30’s, but have never read his kids books, but I believe they’re quite good?
She had such a love of reading, but it’s disappearing, which is sad to see. Think the reason is twofold: a) boring plots and b) Roblox (we’re on it on the second point).
As she’s so bored with fiction we’ve subscribed her to a kids science magazine, and I’ll probably subscribe her to ‘The Week’ as well, but I’d like to encourage imagination through fiction as well.
As mentioned, all the books at school are very, very basic in terms of plot and structure.
This sounds horribly like ‘look how clever my daughter is’, but it’s intended as a genuine question.
Edited by ChevronB19 on Wednesday 4th November 19:34
Bill said:
My daughter says she likes the Hunger Games, Inkheart, Ways to Live Forever, Season of Secrets and Lost in a Book. She's not so keen on Skulduggery Pleasance but older son liked them.
Some of these will be series, but she's just rattled the names of a few off at me.
Thanks for the tip, and also a thank you to your daughter!Some of these will be series, but she's just rattled the names of a few off at me.
Darkslider said:
Terry Pratchett's kids books are brilliant, I enjoyed them immensely at 12ish but they should hold her imagination. Johnny and the dead and the bromeliad trilogy (truckers/diggers/wings) were especially good as I recall. Might even seek them out again!
Having said I’ve never read his kids books, on the basis of your post I’ve just remembered I have a first edition of Johnny and the Dead, signed by the great man himself.My girlfriend of the time queued up and got it as part of my 21st birthday present!
ChevronB19 said:
Thanks for the tip, and also a thank you to your daughter!
FWIW my lot found the Famous Five and Swallows and Amazons etc very dated and boring. Loved Roald Dahl though but those were what we read to them. The older one didn't like CS Lewis particularly, but I need to dig them out for the younger ones.
If your daughter has been through the interminable Harry Potters and enjoyed them, start her on all of Pratchett's books - the ones nominally for adults If that's a step too far, try the Lemony Snicket series of books - my daughter enjoyed those a lot at the same age/reading age range/ while waiting for the next Harry Potter to be published!
Many of the classics mentioned already are long dated. I'm 49 and utterly hated C S Lewis 'Narnia' novels when I was at the same age (9-10) - so preachy/ cringeworthy. Kenneth Graham's The Wind in the Willows might still be worth a go, though.
If that's a step too far, try the Lemony Snicket series of books - my daughter enjoyed those a lot at the same age/reading age range/ while waiting for the next Harry Potter to be published!Many of the classics mentioned already are long dated. I'm 49 and utterly hated C S Lewis 'Narnia' novels when I was at the same age (9-10) - so preachy/ cringeworthy. Kenneth Graham's The Wind in the Willows might still be worth a go, though.
Edited by Huff on Thursday 5th November 21:28
The Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl stuff is great for younger kids, but it sounds like she has outgrown them.
The exception I would say is Boy by Roald Dahl. It's an autobiographical account of his schooldays. I read it when I was 10 and I thought it was brilliant. There is a sequel too, Going Solo, which covers his early career and fighting with the RAF.
The exception I would say is Boy by Roald Dahl. It's an autobiographical account of his schooldays. I read it when I was 10 and I thought it was brilliant. There is a sequel too, Going Solo, which covers his early career and fighting with the RAF.
The Diamond Age: Or A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer - Neal Stephenson
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/827.The_Diamon...
"It is to some extent a science fiction coming-of-age story, focused on a young girl named Nell, and set in a future world in which nanotechnology affects all aspects of life. The novel deals with themes of education, social class, ethnicity, and the nature of artificial intelligence."
It is WELL worth a read!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/827.The_Diamon...
"It is to some extent a science fiction coming-of-age story, focused on a young girl named Nell, and set in a future world in which nanotechnology affects all aspects of life. The novel deals with themes of education, social class, ethnicity, and the nature of artificial intelligence."
It is WELL worth a read!
We’ve had a similar problem with my 6 year old, he reads well and so therefore is getting handed stuff that’s intended for somewhat older kids, introducing themes that we don’t think are right to be discussing with him (e.g a book about Wolverine, in the first few pages it mentions his mum commits suicide when he’s a child because he’s a freak/monster - can’t say it felt like an appropriate concept to be discussing with him).
Good to pick up some suggestions from here.
Good to pick up some suggestions from here.
Another vote for The Wind in the Willows. Properly sophisticated, challenging prose. Winnie the Pooh and the Moomins also well written, entertaining and, particularly in the case of the latter, rich characterisation. The Hobbit (which I'm currently reading to my 5 year old for the third time in as many weeks ... agh) is an entertaining romp, but is a little less substantial than the others I've mentioned. It does however teach you that "attercop" is an archaic word for spider.
DanL said:
I’ll second or third the suggestion for Terry Pratchett. Mort or the Colour of Magic are good starting books, I suppose, but others may be able to make better suggestions.
The Tiffany Aching books would be a great place to start with regard to Pratchett. She is a great character and Pratchett deals with some fairly adult themes in them in a very considered way. The Wee Free Men
A Hat Full of Sky
Wintersmith
I Shall Wear Midnight
The Shepherd's Crown
Miss Tick sniffed. “You could say this advice is priceless,” she said. “Are you listening?”
“Yes,” said Tiffany.
“Good. Now… if you trust in yourself…”
“Yes?”
“… and believe in your dreams…”
“Yes?”
“… and follow your star…” Miss Tick went on.
“Yes?”
“… you’ll still get beaten by people who spent THEIR time working hard and learning things and weren’t so lazy. Goodbye.”
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