What to Read Aloud to Daughters 7 and 12 Together

[Ann]

I am looking for suggestions of books I could read aloud to my daughters aged 7 and 12 together. My 12 yr old has enjoyed all The Hunger Games, Diana Wynne Jones amongst many others. I have tried my favorite classics , Little Women and Dickens etc but they haven' t really engaged. Can anyone suggest modern adult classics they (and I!) might enjoy?

[Judy]

There is a series called The Mysterious Benedict Society, which has action and suspense with children as the stars, with various abilities, and without being too scary for the younger daughter. I think there are two or three books there.

[Manybooks, Fiction Club host]

All-of-a-Kind Family and its sequels (although the 12 year old might find them a bit too simple, but the stories are wonderful and could generate lots of discussions about the Jewish immigrant experience in early 20th century New York City).

And I would echo Chandra, most anything by L.M. Montgomery would be a good fit.

For more contemporary reads, and stories that have a bit of "bite" to them, I just loved Out of My Mind and Anything But Typical. Both feature protagonists facing challenges (including bullying), both are excellent and thought-provoking.

And if your daughters are interested in the life-story of Helen Keller, Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller is simply wonderful.

Oh and lest I forget, books by Canadian children's author Jean Little, especially The Belonging Place, From Anna and its sequel, Listen for the Singing.

And by Second Story Press, "The Gutsy Girl" series, Home Free and The Contest (short, thought-provoking, wonderful teenaged protagonists, and featuring one of my favourite literary figures, Anne of Green Gables as a theme).

Another excellent book for a read-aloud (another Canadian story, situated on PEI), The Ghost of Northumberland Strait

And what about some novels by Astrid Lindgren? Mischievous Meg, Mardie to the Rescue (sequel to the former), Seacrow Island, The Brothers Lionheart, Ronia, the Robber's Daughter are all excellent and would likely work for both your seven year old and your twelve year old.

[Mir]

Astrid Lindgren, the Narnia books.

[Manybooks, Fiction Club host]

Miriam wrote: "Astrid Lindgren, the Narnia books."

Great minds think alike, Astrid Lindgren would work very well :-)

[Lisa]

I'd also ask your 12 year old for suggestions for books for the 3 of you to read together, including books she's already loved. She might enjoy revisiting them with her younger sister, and might feel more involved if she chooses some of the books.

[Kelly]

I just read, Pioneer Girl: The Story of Laura Ingalls Wilder, which is a picture book for older children. I of course love how they have broken the Little House series into picture type books where you can lead children into the longer chapter books.

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

I shared all the Ramona books with my son when he was 11-12. Your daughters would probably identifiy even more strongly with the characters. Beverly Cleary

[Kailey (Luminous Libro)]

Try Tolkien's The Hobbit, since it was written with that age group in mind. The story goes that Tolkien's publisher gave it to his 11 year old son to read, before he would agree to publish it.

Also the entire The Little House Collection series by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
The entire series by C. S. Lewis of The Chronicles of Narnia.
The Voyage Of Barracks by Petrie is full of action and fun.
Try any of Joan Aiken's books. They are all fabulous and engaging.

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

Many of my suggestions have already been made, so I'll second the idea of the The Little House Collection, The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy & sequels, and All-of-a-Kind Family series.



If they enjoy some fantasy/sci-fi and humor, perhaps the Larklight series?

I don't know if it would be too young for your twelve year old, but I read it as a teenager and thought it was very sweet: Welcome to the Grand View, Hannah!

Also, perhaps something like Mandy?

I'll see if I can think of anything else. Happy reading! :-)

[Manybooks, Fiction Club host]

I just read an excellent Canadian children's novel (based in Saskatchewan), a bit heavy emotionally, but a wonderful story, with a wonderful heroine, Tumbleweed Skies by Valerie Sherrard.

And I think the following series might also be wonderful (I picked up one of the books from the library, and realised that there are two others (it looks like historical fiction based on the author's own girlhood in 1950s South Dakota), Prairie Summer, Lessons, Prairie Winter (by Bonnie Geisert). I have Prairie Winter, and it looks like a wonderful family story, about how the three eldest girls of a farming family spend winter alone in town in order to be able to go to school.

[Amy]

Because of Winn-Dixie
The Westing GameGooney Bird Greene

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

The Magic Half, in the tradition of Edith Nesbit, by the author of Ivy and Bean but for slightly older children.

[Linda]

Just had a flick through my shelves, and these might appeal:


Happy Reading!

[Amy]

In Grandmas Attic is another good one for various ages. It has slight Christian content, not enough to be bothersome even if you are not Christian, IMO.