While She Knits -- Got Suggestions?

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

This question comes from sounisian Dkid. A friend of hers is looking for some ideas of fiction books:

she is looking for recommendations for an 11 year-old girl, a precocious and avid reader, who is being home schooled by religiously conservative parents. She has been sent books like Joy Hakim’s History of US and history of science so as to  give her a wider view of the world than she is getting as well as some older YA works of historical fiction such as the “Little Maid” books, which she has enjoyed very much. Can the Sounis community think of any contemporary YA novels that may also provide a wider world view, yet not offend the sensibilities of her parents?

What do you think, people? Maybe not some of our fantasy favorites, like The Perilous Gard or Howl's Moving Castle, but how about some ideas for realistic fiction that would be a good choice for this girl?

Comments

[khek.livejournal.com]

I would consider the Little Maid books middle grade books, for 8 - 11 year olds,, and really on the younger end of that range, not YA.

Some books to try that are a little more difficult than that, but for a 11/12 year old:
The Penderwicks series, by Jeanne Birdsall
The Lemonade War, by Davies
The One and Only Ivan by Applegate
Crunch by Connor
Everything on a Waffle by Horvath
Turtle in Paradise by Holm (historical fiction, but good)
Three Times Lucky by Turnage

They should also ask their local librarian for recommendations!

[imbecamiel.livejournal.com]

Depending on how they feel about fantasy in general vs certain types of fantasy that might be more concerning (it varies considerably among religious conservative families) R.J. Anderson's Fairy Rebels series might be a good choice. (As a Christian, her content and approach to the fantasy elements is more likely to be non-offensive. But again - perspectives on what is or isn't acceptable there can vary a lot even among families with generally similar standards.)

[ninedaysaqueen.livejournal.com]

For fantasy, I'd suggest Gerald Morris's The Squire's Tales. He's a mid-western minister, and his works are quite popular among conservative Christians. Plus, they're great for introducing younger readers to Arthurian legend and myth.

She might like The Enola Holmes Mysteries by Nancy Springer. They may be a bit above her reading level with some of the vocabulary, but they're terrific Sherlockian mysteries with wonderful themes of Victorian feminism. The only offensive thing would be some of the descriptions of poverty in Victorian London, but these books were published as middle grade books, so I wouldn't say this theme was depicted too strongly for the intended age group. Some vague references to "ladies of the night" but Enola goes on to say she doesn't really know what that means. XD

Regina Doman's modern YA retellings of classic fairy tales comes to mind, but they're probably a couple years ahead of her reading level wise. Maybe, something to try in a few years? There's no magical themes in these works, and they're quite popular among conservative Christians, as Doman is a Catholic author.

I tentatively suggest Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events and it's prequel series, All the Wrong Questions. Though, there are definitely no magical or adult themes in his books, it would mostly depend on how her parents feel about the "misery and woe" he uses for thematic and sometimes comic mood setting. Some people find his works glum (he does give you fair warning), but as a young reader, I just found them hilarious.

Lastly, Ann Rinaldi has written many lovely works of historical fiction for younger readers.

Hope that helps. BTW, Merry Christmas, Sounis!

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the rec of my books, imbecamiel, though I suspect if her parents are super-conservative they won't want their daughter reading anything with magic in it, (which sadly also rules out my latest MG novel A POCKET FULL OF MURDER, a book which would otherwise be right up her historical - quasi-realistic alley. Even though the magic in the book is basically 100% sciencey and there's nothing mystical about it at all).

But I second that recommendation for the Penderwicks so hard! Also, has she read the original Anne of Green Gables trilogy? If not, those should be perfect for her.

[ibmiller.livejournal.com]

This one is kinda tricky, as I am a super conservative religious home schooled guy (though it's been a decade), but my parents were enthusiastic science fiction and fantasy readers who gave me Narnia, Heinlein, Dorothy Sayers, Star Wars, Sherlock Holmes, Tolkien, Le Guin, and many others.

They aren't in print anymore, but the used market seems reasonably healthy - the Christian Heritage series by Nancy Rue (5 series following a family from the Puritan years to World War 2, six books in each series).

[octopirock.livejournal.com]

How important is the contemporary part of the request? I've got several books that I remember liking at that age that might fit the other requirements, but none have been published in the last 10 years.

The View from Saturday - E.L. Koningsburg (some of her other books might not get past her parents though)

Island of the Blue Dolphins - Scott O'Dell

Nzingha: Warrior Queen of Matamba - (yes, it's from the Royal Diaries series, but I remember it being good)

Catherine, Called Birdy - Cushman, Karen. Historical fiction, set in the middle ages (I think?), with some sides of girl power.

Phillip Pullman's Sally Lockhart trilogy. Victorian mystery, strong female protagonist.

"Suitable" books

[(Anonymous)]

Anybody over the age of ten will love Rosemary Sutcliff's historical fiction, as, let us remember, MWT herself does! Try The Eagle of the Ninth, or The Armourer's House or, if the parents are /very/ religious, Simon, where the hero is a puritan. RS was a mild Anglican herself, and there is certainly nothing offensive, nor preachy, in her books -- just BRILLIANT historical fiction.
After that, try Swallows and Amazons.

[freenarnian.livejournal.com]

Adding my voice as a home-school alumna with a rich literary childhood akin to your own (my parents started out more cautious and then entrusted me with more and more variety as I matured... I certainly never felt I lacked any broader view of the world around me)...

The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis and The Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander are both excellent examples of children's fantasy/mythology written by Christians. Lloyd Alexander's Time Cat might be a safer bet if magic is a concern. If any magic at all is a problem, however (and I know that school of thought exists), I would second those recommending Rosemary Sutcliff's historical fiction for children (with a careful avoidance of her adult novels, as they often contain mature content) or the classic works of Robert Louis Stevenson. In a similar vein, The King's Shadow by Elizabeth Alder, and The Viking Quest series by Lois Walfrid Johnson are well-researched and engaging stories set in interesting historical periods. If mystery is an acceptable genre, the Mandie books by Lois Gladys Leppard are classics. And perhaps my favorites: The Redwall books Brian Jacques are wonderful and a very fond part of my childhood. They're in a tradition similar to Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows.

Hope this helps!

[ibmiller.livejournal.com]

(I think most parents, no matter what their philosophical commitments, would start out more cautiously :)

For Lloyd Alexander cat stories, my favorite is The Cat Who Wished To Be A Man - a delightful book. But it does have magical transformation.

I should also recommend Elizabeth Enright's Melendy series (The Saturdays, The Four Story Mistake, Then There Were Five, and Spiderweb for Two).

Edward Eager is fantastic (though also magical) - Half Magic is classic, and Knight's Castle is hilarious - even moreso if you know Ivanhoe.

I do like Sutcliffe (though I also second the warning about her adult novels like Sword at Sunset - while very powerful, they are extremely dark and messy). I also love Gillian Bradshaw's books - starting with her Hawk of May trilogy about Gawain and Arthur (very Sutcliffe esque, though a bit more mystical and explicitly Christian, though a somewhat more overtly supernatural Christianity - and it does discuss the adultery between Guenivere and Lancelot, though never explicitly).

Redwall books are great, and Watership Down is another book sort of in that vein.

Caddie Woodlawn is also an excellent book - similar to the Laura Ingalls Wilder and Anne of Green Gables books.

[(Anonymous)]

I can't really think of any contemporary books she might like, especially not any her parents would approve of. But I do have some recommendations for the fantasy genre...

The Tales of Goldstone Wood series by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
The Ilyon Chronicles by Jaye L. Knight, "The Word Changers" and "A Wish Made of Glass" by Ashlee Willis

All those are written by Christian authors, and are popular among the conservative Christians I know (myself being one). The Ilyon Chronicles doesn't having any magical elements, and probably contains the most obvious Christian content. "The Word Changers" would probably be the most enjoyable gor her though, judging by her age.

Anyway. Hope these help!

--maidenbeckah, who is too lazy to sign in

[maidenbeckah.livejournal.com]

I thought of a contemporary book. "The Revised Life of Ellie Sweet" by Stephanie Morrill. I haven't read it, but several of my friends really like it. : )

ND Wilson

[(Anonymous)]

As a former homeschooler with very my conservative parents, ND
Wilson should be put on the list. His Hundred Cupboard series is my favorite of his. He even recommend Megan in a blog post of his a while back. There is some magic, but it is more of the Narnia type.

[freenarnian.livejournal.com]

I might have to check out Knight's Castle, if it's humorous and at all related to Ivanhoe! :)

[ibmiller.livejournal.com]

It's quite hilarious, and pretty directly related to Ivanhoe. :)

[drashizu.livejournal.com]

Strongly seconding the Ann Rinaldi rec - I read at least half a dozen of her books as a middle schooler and loved them. I think I learned a lot, too.

[live-momma.livejournal.com]

My 12 year old* is rereading Castle Hangnail right now. She also really enjoyed Digger.

Calvin & Hobbes (not a novel, but great for encouraging independent thought and generally well-liked by homeschoolers)

The entire How to Train Your Dragon series (newest book came out last month, and DD was #1 on the library's waitlist)

Patricia C. Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles. Also Sorcery & Cecelia (it's the first book in a trilogy written by Wrede and Caroline Stevermer)

Sharon Shinn's Safe-Keeper trilogy

Also, check out the Mensa Kids' reading lists: http://www.mensaforkids.org/achieve/excellence-in-reading/

*Atheist, homeschooled, avid reader

Thank You

[(Anonymous)]

Big thanks to Sounis (including Checkers for posting). I knew I would need help with this
request (second guessing my own immediate recs) and I immediately thought of this community which did not disappoint. I have passed on everyone's suggestions to my friend and they are very much appreciated. Hopefully, this voracious young reader will receive some new books to love for the holidays. Thanks again!

Dkid

[aged-crone.livejournal.com]

For some reason I, who love historical fiction, have never liked Ann Rinaldi's books. And although I bought them for the library because they had such good reviews, they never got checked out.

[aged-crone.livejournal.com]

Why trilogy? All of the Anne of Green Gables books!

[aged-crone.livejournal.com]

*And* Elizabeth Enright's Gone-Away Lake and Return to Gone-Away.

And Knight's Castle is wonderful. I've read it aloud to fifth graders and they loved it. "He striketh thrice! Out upon him!"

Sutcliff's Arthurian books for young people are exquisite. The Sword and the Circle, The Light Beyond the Forest, The Road to Camlann.

Caddie Woodlawn also has a sequel - Magical Melons. And I second the recommendation.

[aged-crone.livejournal.com]

Whoops - that was supposed to be in reply to ibmiller.

Ignoring the "contemporary" part, and even the "YA" (because I basically pre-date that category and so I mostly ignore it):

They're long out of print, but Cornelia Meigs' historical fiction books are excellent. I especially like A Wind in the Chimney.

Kage Baker's The Hotel Under the Sand

Eloise Jarvis' books. Moccasin Trail, The Golden Goblet, Crown Fire, The Striped Ships, Mara Daughter of the Nile, and on and on.

L. M. Boston's Green Knowe books.

Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace.

Available from Image Cascade - the Beany Malone and Katie Rose (and Stacey) Belden books.

Constance Savery's The Reb and the Redcoats and Enemy Brothers; and, if you can find it, Emeralds for the King.

The Scarlet Pimpernel series (yes, series, don't let anybody try to tell you there's only one book!)

If you're lucky enough to be able to find copies, Antonia Forest's books.

Have you read Andrew Clements' Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School series? Five books. It turns out that a Masonic collection plays a role in the story, so depending on her religion it might not be acceptable, but it's quite a good adventure/ mystery series.

Zilpha Keatley Snyder's The Changeling and The Velvet Room.

Sydney Taylor's All-of-a-Kind Family series. (And for those of you who know those books: The Dolls that *We* Love was in fact a real book and I have a copy).

On the Blue Comet, by Rosemary Wells.

Elizabeth Coatsworth's series that starts with Away Goes Sally and ends with The Wonderful Day.

The Borrowed House, by Hilda Van Stockum. Also The Winged Watchman. Also her two family series.

[aged-crone.livejournal.com]

The Witch of Blackbird Pond, The Bronze Bow, Calico Captive, all by Elizabeth George Speare.

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

As a kid I didn't enjoy anything past ANNE OF THE ISLAND myself; though I tried ANNE OF WINDY POPLARS a couple of times, I couldn't get into it or any of the later books. So that's why I suggested just the first three, but YMMV of course.