Book suggestions for 11 year old girl

[lspst8]

Can anyone suggest some books to get an 11 year old girl for Christmas? My church does Christmas bags for less fortunate children, and all I know about my child is that she likes to read and scrapbook. Being a 30 year old woman with no children, I really don't know what 11 year olds are reading today.

Thanks so much in advance.

 

[happygirl]

Can anyone suggest some books to get an 11 year old girl for Christmas? My church does Christmas bags for less fortunate children, and all I know about my child is that she likes to read and scrapbook. Being a 30 year old woman with no children, I really don't know what 11 year olds are reading today.

Thanks so much in advance.

Babysitter club books by Ann Martin
I think most Judy Blume books
American Girl series
Little Women

 

[EthansMom]

Fairest by Carson Gail Levine
Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

 

[Pixiedust34]

It's really hard to pick books without knowing her reading level and interests.

My dd is 11 and outgrew American Girl books a while ago, but she does like the Warriors series. She also likes Harry Potter but could never get into the Twilight series. A lot of her 11 yo friends did like Twilight, though. The Narnia series is good, as well as The Wrinkle in Time series. The Carson Gail Levine books are popular and my dd enjoys those.

Check out the Newbery books and perhaps something there will be a good fit. My dd has read a lot of the Newberry books and has enjoyed just about every one she has read.

http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/a...a/newberymedal/newberyhonors/newberymedal.cfm

 

[laurie31]

My DD11 loves the Series of Unfortunate Events series, and she's starting to read Twilight. However, some parents may not feel comfortable with an 11yo reading that, so I likely wouldn't give it as a gift. The former, she started reading in 4rd grade (there are 13 books total) so I wouldn't worry about it being inappropriate.

The Little House series would also be good.

Or you can go to the preteen section of the bookstore and see what appeals to you, or you could even give a gift card to the bookstore. DD loves getting those; she gets the fun of shopping, plus the actual gift.

Another thought - if she likes scrapbooking, does she have a camera? You can get a very decent digital camera with a small card for aroud $50 with the CyberMonday deals. She wouldn't have to have a computer to store the pics; she could just go to WalMart (or whereever) and print the ones she likes for 15 cents each. (A traditional film disposable costs about $20 to process, plus you get all the "bad" pictures too. With digital, you only spend money for the ones you want to keep).

Michaels has some great deals on Scrapbooking stuff right now. I got a top loading album for my DD13 for $4.99.

 

[MrsSpratt]

Anne of Greengables - the books start when the heroine is 11, and she ends up with a wonderful life!

 

[mjkacmom]

I'd stick to scrapbooking supplies. If she likes to read, she's probably read a lot of the books suggested. I don't like buying books for people, except for newborn first children.

 

[Mom-to-2-Princesses]

I have two daughters 11 and 14.

I think I would make sure a gift receipt is included (target might be nice because if the books aren't her type she owuld have other choices -- don't do Barnes and Nobile they only have a 2 week return window)

The Harry Potter books are good because the kids love to re-read them over and over.
Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull
Artemis Fowl Series by Eoin Colfer
Maximum Ride series by James Patterson (haven't met a kid who doesn't like these books!)

As you can tell, my girls like adventure/fantasy books which makes me happy because so many of preteen books are so into the drama of Middle/High School.

Good luck!

 

[npmommie]

Can anyone suggest some books to get an 11 year old girl for Christmas? My church does Christmas bags for less fortunate children, and all I know about my child is that she likes to read and scrapbook. Being a 30 year old woman with no children, I really don't know what 11 year olds are reading today.

Thanks so much in advance.

my dd is younger but she enjoys the Roald Dahl books. Matilda is one of her favorites
maybe too young for an 11 yo though, not sure.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

My soon to be (next week) 11yo DD loves to read! She has finished the Little House series and is currently devouring every Nancy Drew book she can get her hands on! While many of her friends are reading/have read Twilight, I am one of those parents who considers it inappropriate for her age (much to her chagrin). She did not care for the Harry Potter books too much, but has recently discovered my Clive Cussler collection!

 

[chisnpeke]

I love the Little House books when I was that age. Harry Potter would also be a good choice.

 

[Rora]

Just wanted to add the Harry Potter series!!

 

[chisnpeke]

Anne of Greengables - the books start when the heroine is 11, and she ends up with a wonderful life!

That's another good one that I really liked!

 

[luvmyfam444]

you could get her a bit of scrapbook sitckers for pretty cheap @ Walmart - many for $1 & of course Dollar Tree carries tons.
As far as books - I am a highly conservative mom so there is no Harry Potter or Twilight allowed here - in fact I read many of her books myself.
you got good recommendations on the Little House series & Anne of Green Gables - I would stick to any of the classics, they may be less likely to be offensive. Books like Tom Sawyet, Heidi, Secret Garden, Caddie Woodlawn (may be too young - can't remember)

Or go to your local Christian bookstore & ask them for reccomendations - my dd loves the series A Sister in Time that Lifeway carries. They are similar to American girl - stories about girls throughout history.

I wouldn't give a giftcard since she's less fortunate she probably can't get to a bookstore.

You could check a used bookstore & see if there are any books in excellant condition & buy her several - you'd be surprised how good some of those books look.

 

[HonnyDipp]

My daughter started reading Judy Blume books when she was 11. She loves "Dear God It's Me Margaret" and "Superfudge" she also loves The Babysitter Club books, and the Sweet Valley High books. But I dont think they make them anymore, she reads my old copies. Also, the Harry Potter books are great reads for kids!

 

[lspst8]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I might just go the gift card route, because I would hate to get her something she has already read. I would assume since she loves to read that she has already read Harry Potter and the Little House books, and maybe even Twilight (if her mom doesn't have strict rules!)

Has anyone read The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke? I read it as an adult and loved it, but it is more aimed at children -- like Harry Potter. It's about 2 little boys who run away to Venice, Italy. I may give her my copy if I can find it!

 

[lewdyan1]

The Lightning Thief series by Rick Riordan has been a hit with kids at my DD's middle school and it is being made into a movie coming out in 2010. I still like the idea of a GC.

 

[leighe]

The Ordinary Princess is wonderful but I can't remember the author.

Also - Frank Baum wrote a whole series of Oz books that followed The Wizard of Oz. I always loved those.

 

[mcco5543]

Babysitter club books by Ann Martin
I think most Judy Blume booksI
American Girl series
Little Women

I was literally going to post all of these. Glad I read the thread first! I was an avid reader and adored these as a child of that age!

Particularly the American Girl and Baby sitters Club