Need books for my goddaughter to read

[happyninja42]

So my friend just proudly informed me that my goddaughter who I've helped raise since she was born, is apparently reading way above her expected grade level, and is expected to advance even further by the end of the year.

Now I've already picked up a few books to give to her to read, that I think she would enjoy, but I was looking for some more. Preferably with a female protagonist for her to identify with, though that's not 100% required.

I'm currently giving her my Dragonsinger series of novels by Anne McCaffery, but I'd like some ideas on other books to get for her to start reading. She's in the first grade, but is reading at 3rd grade, and her teacher suspects she will be at 5th grade level by the end of the year.

So, any ideas?

I'm already planning on getting things like Nancy Drew, and Harry Potter, but I'd be interested to know about any other books that might be fun for her to read, either fantasy or scifi.

 

[Queen Michael]

A Series of Unfortunate Events isn't sf or fantasy, but it's darn good.

 

[bartholen_v1legacy]

Get her some Jo Nesbo to read... he he he.

In all seriousness, DO NOT DO THE ABOVE.

Instead, I'd suggest the "His Dark Materials" trilogy. It's a bit complex and dark for a third grader, so I'd suggest you hold off it for a while, but it has a fairly atypical girl as a main character, is wildly imaginative and has some nice themes about religion, fate and alternate worlds.

Narnia should be perfect reading for someone her age, and there's no shortage of books there.

 

[dohnut king]

Go with the best, E.B. White. Charlotte's Web, The Trumpet of the Swan, and Stuart Little are classics for good reasons. All are delightful, fascinating tales written by the man who literally wrote the book on writing. Start in the order above; Charlotte's Web is mid-4th grade, Trumpet is 5th, and Stuart Little is 6th. Every child should have the privilege of reading them.

 

[twistedmic]

There is the 'Goosebumps' series and the 'Chronicles of Narnia' that might be around her reading level. My niece (an advanced reader) read and liked the 'Hunger Games' series when she was in third grade and currently (in sixth grade, reads at an above twelfth grade level) enjoys the 'Wings of Fire' and 'Warriors' books.

 

[CrazyGirl17]

I recommend any of the following from one fantasy/sci-fi fan to another: the Redwall series, The Indian in the Cupboard, The Phantom Tollbooth, the Artemis Fowl books, the Indian in the Cupboard, The Last Unicorn, the Young Wizards series, and the Percy Jackson/Heroes of Olympus books.

 

[Cowabungaa]

So she's like 7 years old? Hmm, y'know the Tiffany Aching series, the Witches series and Death series of Terry Pratchett's Discworld books might be fun after she finishes the Potter books.

Because what's more fun for a 7 year old girl who's more clever than she ought to be than reading about sassy (sometimes child) witches and Death's granddaughter who are more clever than they ought to be? I bet she'll love the likes of Eskarina Smith, Susan Sto Helit, Tiffany Aching and Granny Weatherwax.

And when she reads them again a years later she might also get the social commentary and get even more out of it.

Some Neil Gaiman might also be a good idea when she's reading at 5th grade level because of his prose. Mostly Stardust, Neverwhere, Coraline and The Ocean at The End of the Line. Do note, I haven't read either of those, but I'm familiar enough with Gaiman to think that they'd be suitable.

Also, The Hobbit.

 

[Katherine Kerensky]

As bartholen said, the His Dark Materials trilogy would probably be good. The first book, at least.

Also, as for my personal recommendation, I'd get her the Mortal Engines series of books (known as the Hungry Cities Chronicles in North America, apparently) by Philip Reeve.
One of my favourite series, it has a few protagonists throughout the four books, about half of which are girls.
It's a sci-fi/steampunk/adventure sort of series. Throw in a dash of romance, a bit of comedy from references that adults might get or just word play... I can't wait for the movie.
Well, so long as it doesn't turn out to be another The Golden Compass.
Seriously, that movie is a crime against humanity when compared with the book.

 

[Michael Legault]

There is a series by recently departed Mega-Legend Terry Pratchett involving a young girl named Tiffany Aching. It starts when she is 6, and is five books. They are called We Free Men, A Hat Full of Sky, Wintersmith,I Shall Wear Midnight, and the final book Shepherd's Crown. My wife reads a crazy amount of sci-fi and fantasy and she recommends this above any others. Strong female protagonist and very well written. She says Eragon is okay as well but may be a little out of her range. I would say Wheel of Time would be good once she is closer to high school, many badass women characters in that series.

 

[Fox12]

Hard to say for someone that young. She may enjoy Robert Lewis Stevinson. The Little Mermaid, the matchstick girl, ect.

A wrinkle in time is kind of like a sci-fi Narnia, but better. She would probably enjoy that book greatly. It has a good mix of fantasy and science, and features a sassy female protagonist whose smarter then her peers. Perfect for a little girl.

Coraline is probably perfect for her reading level. The language isn't too complex, but the stories quite good. You can also try the Graveyard Book.

The early harry potter books are probably pretty safe, and Fantastic Beasts/Quiditch Through the Ages/The Tales of Beetle the Bard are solid spinoff titles.

Edit: C.S. Lewis devoted one of his novels to his god daughter. That may be a touching hook, coming from you.

 

[TakerFoxx]

If she likes sci-fi, you can always go on eBay and dig up the Animorph books.

 

[The Almighty Aardvark]

Ones that have already been mentioned I'll second:

- His Dark Materials
- Narnia
- Coraline
- A Series of Unfortunate Events (Highly recommended, but might be a little too grim and better for when she's a couple years older)

All 4 of these have female protagonists. I'll try to think of others, but those would probably be among my top recommendations

EDIT: Actually, the Borrowers might be another good series. It's a series about tiny people living secretly in the walls of a house, having to scrounge and scavenge the things that the regular sized owners take away to survive. It's cute, and it's on the younger side of these novels, which means she could get the full appreciation out of it, something that I'm not sure she would immediately be able to with some of the other recommendations.

 

[happyninja42]

So she's like 7 years old? Hmm, y'know the Tiffany Aching series, the Witches series and Death series of Terry Pratchett's Discworld books might be fun after she finishes the Potter books.

Because what's more fun for a 7 year old girl who's more clever than she ought to be than reading about sassy (sometimes child) witches and Death's granddaughter who are more clever than they ought to be? I bet she'll love the likes of Eskarina Smith, Susan Sto Helit, Tiffany Aching and Granny Weatherwax.

And when she reads them again a years later she might also get the social commentary and get even more out of it.

Oh my god yes! I can't believe I forgot about those books! They were awesome. I'll have to dig up some hardback versions of them to give her. Thanks for reminding me of Pratchett.

Thanks for the other suggestions as well, I'll look into these. She doesn't have any preference for scifi/fantasy that I know of, at least no more than any typical imaginative 6 year old would. But I'd like to get her nerdification started early, so I figured I'd find some books that flavor for her. xD

 

[Something Amyss]

Susan Cooper's The Dark Is Rising Sequence starts off with Over Sea, Under Stone, which is aimed at younger kids. In fact, it originally wasn't intended to start a series. The first book is more mystery than fantasy, but involves looking for a certain artifact of import. There is sometimes a female protagonist, though mostly it features Will Stanton.

I second Fox's mention of A Wrinkle In Time.

And Coraline's still awesome. I've read the book, watched the movie, and listened to Neil Gaiman narrate it.

 

[secretkeeper12]

I second Fox's mention of A Wrinkle In Time.

Make that a third. Unlike most books, you can actually learn from this one!

Personally, I'd recommend Catch-22 [http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/814330-catch-22] (link provides quotes), on account of how gut-bustingly hilarious it is. If your goddaughter has been reading advanced novels, she should have no problem understanding the (il)logic of military structure satired in this novel. It's a real gem, one of my favorite American novels. Even if you don't care about World War Two, READ IT!

 

[residentout1]

Alex rider or Artemis fowl are books I like to read when I was growing up there the wish list by Eoin Colffr (same guy does Artemis fowl) has a female protagonist and when she gets older you could try The Enemy series by Charlie Higson there are female protagonists in the books. (the books jump from protagonist to protagonist.)

 

[Fieldy409_v1legacy]

Deltora quest and Artemis Fowl...

Umm, the Hobbits pretty good for Kids I think unlike the movie which tried too hard to emulate LOTR.

 

[Barbas]

I am given to understand that Where's My Cow is both a veterinarian's delight and a surefire crowd-pleaser for children of all ages: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wheres-Cow-Discworld-Terry-Pratchett/dp/038560937X

If that does not float your submersible then perhaps the young lady would prefer the chilling tales of celebrated author Robin Jarvis? I can tell you from experience that The Oaken Throne is a masterful tale of romance and skullduggery with plenty of those amusing talking woodland animals that children seem to love: http://www.robinjarvis.com/historieshome.html

I should warn you, however, that the Deptford Mice series can be...bone-chilling.