# Help me find a book to read to my 11-year-old daughter **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 2, 2012, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-book-to-read-to-my-11-year-old-daughter/617537 "2012-04-02T01:38:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Anduinel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Anduinel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anduinel)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-book-to-read-to-my-11-year-old-daughter/617537/21 "2012-04-02T08:50:45Z")
Based on your reading list so far (and depending on how she feels about graphic novels/comics), it sounds like she might like the [Shanower Oz Adventures](http://www.amazon.com/Little-Adventures-OZ-Book-1/dp/1600105890/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1333355499&sr=1-6) ([preview](http://www.comixology.com/Little-Adventures-In-Oz-Vol-1/digital-comic/NOV090862)), [Princeless](http://www.tfaw.com/Graphic-Novels/Profile/Princeless-TPB-Vol.-01___401307) ([preview](http://comicsworthreading.com/2011/08/11/exclusive-preview-of-princeless-due-in-october-recommended/)), [Rapunzel’s Revenge](http://www.amazon.com/Rapunzels-Revenge-Dean-Hale/dp/159990070X), or [Lions, Tigers, and Bears](http://www.runemasterstudios.com/ltb.php) ([preview](http://www.runemasterstudios.com/ltb1preview.php)). They’re good books for reading together, though the comic format necessitates some creativity when reading out loud. For straight prose, Bruce Coville’s Magic Shop books, the Aliens Ate My Homework Series, and The Unicorn Chronicles all sound like they would fit the bill. If she enjoyed the Chronicles of Prydain, then she might like The Foundling (also by Lloyd Alexander and set in Prydain). ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-book-to-read-to-my-11-year-old-daughter/617537/22 "2012-04-02T10:09:12Z")
how about something a little bit lighter - The Halfmen of O Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or for a bit of fun, Roald Dahls Revolting Rhymes… ---
**Author:** ![shantih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@shantih](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shantih)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-book-to-read-to-my-11-year-old-daughter/617537/23 "2012-04-02T10:32:28Z")
My daughter is just about the same age, and I love reading to her at night. We both loved the Percy Jackson series, too; I assume you’ve already read through the continuing books starting with The Lost Hero? I’m not loving The Kane Chronicles as much as the Percy Jackson books, but they’re okay. If she’s a Walt Disney World fan (and shouldn’t everyone be?), she might enjoy the Kingdom Keepers series, which has a healthy dose of both fantasy and sf. I’m in the middle of reading The Hunger Games to my girl as a prelude to her seeing the movie, but I haven’t decided what to do about the next two books in the trilogy. I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it, I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-book-to-read-to-my-11-year-old-daughter/617537/24 "2012-04-02T11:06:13Z")
Has she read _The Wind in The Willows_ yet? I agree with [Peter S. Beagle](http://io9.com/5897484/10-books-every-fantasy-author-should-read) that it was life-changing. Seconding the Terry Prachett YA stuff, starting with _The Amazing Maurice And His Educated Rodents_. Actually, even the Nome stuff (_Truckers_, _Diggers_ & _Wings_ AKA _The Bromeliad_ trilogy) is good - think \*The Borrowers \*but not. _The Borrowers_ itself is a classic, of course. One series i always recommend is the [Edge Chronicles](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Edge_Chronicles) (especially if you like illustrations), but I’m not sure that’s light enough, based on the OP. There are moments of levity, but it’s a grim setting over all. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-book-to-read-to-my-11-year-old-daughter/617537/25 "2012-04-02T11:29:35Z")
[The Thirteen Clocks,](http://www.amazon.com/The-13-Clocks-Childrens-Collection/dp/1590172752/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333365955&sr=8-1) by James Thurber. > [@](#): > > Once upon a time, in a gloomy castle on a lonely hill, where there were thirteen clocks that wouldn’t go, there lived a cold, aggressive Duke, and his niece, the Princess Saralinda. She was warm in every wind and weather, but he was always cold. His hands were as cold as his smile, and almost as cold as his heart. He wore gloves when he was asleep, and he wore gloves when he was awake, which made it difficult for him to pick up pins or coins or the kernels of nuts, or to tear the wings from nightingales. There’s a handsome prince whose name begins with “X” but doesn’t, a beautiful princess, a wicked Duke, and a Golux, the only Golux in the world. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-book-to-read-to-my-11-year-old-daughter/617537/26 "2012-04-02T11:36:50Z")
What about The Princess Bride, whether or not she’s seen the movie? The Neverending Story is also excellent - much, much better than the movie. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-book-to-read-to-my-11-year-old-daughter/617537/27 "2012-04-02T11:55:42Z")
Philip Reeve’s **Larklight** trilogy is probably right up her alley. His **Mortal Engines** books are very dark and violent but the **Larklight** ones are basically whimsical Victoriana steampunk - almost parodic but certainly tongue-in-cheek. And the action does keep things moving along. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-book-to-read-to-my-11-year-old-daughter/617537/28 "2012-04-02T12:01:16Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > At that age, I was reading a lot of Andre/Alice Mary Norton. I never really got into the Borrowers series, but I did enjoy most of her SF, and some of her fantasy. The Borrowers series are by Mary Norton, who is not the same person as Andre Norton. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-book-to-read-to-my-11-year-old-daughter/617537/29 "2012-04-02T12:38:33Z")
[In the Suicide Mountains](http://www.amazon.com/In-Suicide-Mountains-A-Tale/dp/0395294681/ref=sr_1_18?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1333369975&sr=1-18) by John Gardner. Two of the principal characters are a kick-ass princess and a swooning, violin-playing prince. Written as a nod to The Canterbury Tales. Is she comic book people? [Leave It to Chance](http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Leave+It+to+Chance) is accessible to kids without writing down to them. The heroine is the tomboyish daughter of a Dr. Strange-type hero magician. ---
**Author:** ![Long\_Time\_First\_Time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@Long\_Time\_First\_Time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Long_Time_First_Time)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-book-to-read-to-my-11-year-old-daughter/617537/30 "2012-04-02T14:14:12Z")
If you’re looking for an enchanting book that doesn’t have a young, female protagonist you might go with \*Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell \* by Susanna Clarke. Like the disc world books, it’s better listened to than read, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-book-to-read-to-my-11-year-old-daughter/617537/31 "2012-04-02T14:45:11Z")
> [@Long\_Time\_First\_Time](#): > > If you’re looking for an enchanting book that doesn’t have a young, female protagonist you might go with \*Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell \* by Susanna Clarke. > > Like the disc world books, it’s better listened to than read, IMHO. …and it’ll take him up until she leaves for college to finish it. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-book-to-read-to-my-11-year-old-daughter/617537/32 "2012-04-02T15:15:03Z")
I have the perfect series: [Skulduggery Pleasant](http://www.amazon.com/Scepter-Ancients-Skulduggery-Pleasant-Derek/dp/0061231177/) by Derek Landy. It’s about a twelve year old girl who, after her uncle’s death, finds herself drawn into a subculture of mages and mayhem. Her partner is a detective who is an animated skeleton. The books are loaded with humor: > [@](#): > > “You sure I can’t come with you?” Stephanie asked. > “I need you out here in case something goes terribly, terribly wrong.” > “Like what?” > “Oh, any one of a number of things.” > “Fills me with confidence, that,” she muttered. > … > “But because of the vampires, the alarms on the outer corridors are never set, so once I get by the main hall, it should be plain sailing, as they say.” > “As who say?” > “I don’t know. People who sail presumably.” > … > “Oh, yes, my cunning plan. I need to access a control panel on the east wall. From there, I can disable everything. The floor is pressure sensitive, so I’m going to have to stay off it, but that shouldn’t be a problem for someone of my natural grace and agility.” > “You’re very impressed with yourself, aren’t you?” > “Exceedingly so.” He secured a thin wire on to a ventilation duct, looped it through his harness and led it back to one of the skylights. > Stephanie frowned. “You’re going to lower yourself down from here?” > “Yes. That’s the fun bit.” > “Right. But you’re going to have to open the skylight, yes? Won’t that set off an alarm?” > “Only a small one,” Skulduggery said with confidence. And that’s all from one page. They’re packed with action and fights, and Stephanie, the protagonist, is an excellent but realistic fighter (by which I mean, she gets hurt when she fights, sometimes quite seriously, but usually comes out on top). The first book is the weakest, but it’s a good introduction, and it gets really great as they go on. I liked the series a lot more than Percy Jackson, so if she liked that, she ought to love Skulduggery. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-book-to-read-to-my-11-year-old-daughter/617537/33 "2012-04-02T16:52:39Z")
This recommendation has only has 4 out of 5 of your criteria, not being sci-fi or fantasy, but I heartily recommend it nonetheless: [The Flavia de Luce series](http://www.flaviadeluce.com/) Set in 1950 rural England, 11-year old Flavia is a precocious chemist and solver of mysteries. Great for both adults and kids. Fun, fast-paced, irreverent but with some weight as well. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-book-to-read-to-my-11-year-old-daughter/617537/34 "2012-04-02T17:22:57Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > The Borrowers series are by Mary Norton, who is not the same person as Andre Norton. Damn, you’re right. My grandpa told me this little gem, and it’s the first time I’ve ever known him to be wrong about any SF trivia. ---
**Author:** ![Pixel\_Dent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bc8723/32.png) [@Pixel\_Dent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixel_Dent)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-book-to-read-to-my-11-year-old-daughter/617537/35 "2012-04-02T17:28:25Z")
> [@coffinjumper](#): > > How about Terry Pratchett’s Tiffany Aching books? They’re part of the larger Discworld series too, so it can lead to a lot of good books in her future. This was going to be my suggestion as well. You beat me to it. ---
**Author:** ![Politzania](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ab097/32.png) [@Politzania](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Politzania)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-book-to-read-to-my-11-year-old-daughter/617537/36 "2012-04-02T18:29:42Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > At that age, I was reading a lot of Andre/Alice Mary Norton. I never really got into the Borrowers series \*\* Thank to **Thudlow Boink** - I’m feeling less gobsmacked that I never connected the 2 Nortons… Back to the topic - I’ve been enjoying the Bloody Jack series by LA/Louis A Meyer - an orphan girl from the streets of London masquerades as a boy to get on a Royal Navy ship and adventures ensue. I’m thru the second in the series & raring to start the third. The audiobooks are AWESOME, but I bet reading aloud would be fun, too. ---
**Author:** ![Aeris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Aeris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeris)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-book-to-read-to-my-11-year-old-daughter/617537/37 "2012-04-02T19:00:11Z")
Pretty sure no one’s mentioned _Tuck Everlasting_. If they have, I second it. I also second, _My Side of the Mountain_. I would like to add _The Westing Game_. It’s an age appropriate mystery book. It was one of our required books in middle school and I loved it so much I’ve read it a few more times since then and now I own it. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-book-to-read-to-my-11-year-old-daughter/617537/38 "2012-04-02T19:26:59Z")
First, I want to commend you and your daughter on your excellent taste in literature :). You mentioned several of my favorite read-alouds in your OP. That said, there are two books that are among my all-time favorite read-alouds that haven’t been mentioned yet. Both of them are Newbery Medal winners that don’t follow the medal’s sometimes tradition of being awarded for Most Depressing Children’s Literature. **Holes** , by Louis Sachar. It’s not straight-up fantasy, but it has a little touch of magical realism in it, perhaps. The story has at least three different time-frames, and it’s a delightful narrative mystery. On its downside, almost the only female character in the book is a villain–but it’s not like it’s an anti-girl book, it’s just a boy’s adventure. If your daughter is okay with boy’s adventures, it comes highly recommended. **The Tale of Despereaux** is astonishingly good. Seriously, I might put it up there with Watership Down in terms of animal-based fantasies. It, too, has got multiple entwining narratives; and it, too, has a lot to say about human nature. I’ve read it many times to many classes, and more often than not, when I read the final page, students break into spontaneous applause. It’s really, really good. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-book-to-read-to-my-11-year-old-daughter/617537/39 "2012-04-02T19:35:32Z")
Any of the historical novels of [Leon Garfield](http://www.amazon.com/Leon-Garfield/e/B001H6J3HW/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1333395277&sr=8-1). They don’t call him the children’s Charles Dickens for nothing. I LOVED Black Jack when I was a girl a bit older then your daughter. > [@](#): > > An atmospheric and chilling thriller set in 19th century London. Bartholomew Dorking finds himself inexplicably tied to the murdering villain Black Jack, who should have hung from the gallows - but who has now, it seems, come back from the dead! Leon Garfield was one of the most celebrated children’s authors of the twentieth century, and won the Guardian Award, The Whitbread Award, and the Carnegie Medal BLThis is a fast-paced, roller-coaster ride of a read, and is accompanied by energetic black and white line drawings by acclaimed artist Jason Cockcroft Strangely enough, I mainly remember it as a moving young love story between Bartholomew Dorking and the rich girl they rescue while she is being carried off to a madhouse. And it has the happiest, most satisfying ending anyone could wish for. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Sensitive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/58956e/32.png) [@Darth\_Sensitive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Sensitive)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-book-to-read-to-my-11-year-old-daughter/617537/40 "2012-04-02T20:11:21Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Diane Duane’s [Young Wizards](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diane_Duane#Young_Wizards) series, starting with _So You Want To Be A Wizard_. Though I’ve only read up to book four, and that was long ago, they were good adventure stories. Came in here to suggest this. I started reading them in middle school and I’ve kept it up to now. Good stories, strong characters, interesting dilemmas. Also would suggest Ender’s Game. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-book-to-read-to-my-11-year-old-daughter/617537.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-book-to-read-to-my-11-year-old-daughter/617537.md?page=3)