Think like a 9 year old. Is this a good idea for a present?

[Big Cuddly Bear]

I have a 9 year old girl that I need to buy a present for. She is a voracious reader. She reads about 500 pages a week, I am told. She is a huge Artemis Fowl fan, to give you an idea of the level of her reading. And she just finished the Black Cauldron series of books.

Anyway, I was thinking of getting her a Nook or a Kindle. My concern is not so much that she won't enjoy it, but whether I should trust her not to lose it. She is pretty good about stuff like this, but she is still 9, and it is pretty expensive....

This would be a Christmas / Birthday present.

LOL, but do you think she would enjoy it? Do 9 year old girls really enjoy electronic gadgets other than iPods or Nintendos?

 

[myhouseofmouse]

I think it is a great idea, my 8 year old DD got a kindle this past year and loves it. If she loves reading like you say, she will LOVE it. go for it....

 

[Handbag Lady]

Yes, that is a perfect gift for an avid reader. My friend's three kids are 10 and 11 (set of twins and a single) and they had their assigned Summer reading on their Kindles.

 

[gumballrxpress]

Remember that the electronic book reader needs books too load on to it, so that's an additional expense on top of the reader itself.

Rather than another gadget, a book with pages and/or a gift card from a book store/seller might be a better choice. There is something about an actual book that can't be duplicated. I often listen to audio books (multi tasking) but I do enjoy curling up with a good book (the kind with pages). Besides an actual book, doesn't need batteries, won't break if you drop it, doesn't need to be downloaded and if its lost can be easily, and most likely economicly replaced. Since it's not a gadget, it probably wouldn't be on the top 10 list of things that 'mysteriously disappear' (aka stolen). Best of all, once she is finished reading it, she can lend or trade books with her friends. My 11yo daughter does this regularly with her friends and has done so for a number of years. They spend quite a bit of time discussing their current reads.

 

[Sparx]

If you get her one, I'd get her a small gift card to the store too. It would suck if she got a nook or kindle then didn't have any money to put a book on it!

 

[wdwiala]

My 9 year old is yearning for an IPOD touch. You can get the free kindle app for it as well as games, etc.

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

Remember that the electronic book reader needs books too load on to it, so that's an additional expense on top of the reader itself.


SNIPPED


Rather than another gadget, a book with pages and/or a gift card from a book store/seller might be a better choice. There is something about an actual book that can't be duplicated.

Understood, and i would also include a $25 GC... I like books myself, and don't love my Kindle all that much, but I'm much older than 9...

But I do love having 50+ books to read while on vacation all wrapped up in about the same weight as 1 paperback.

 

[golfgal]

Understood, and i would also include a $25 GC... I like books myself, and don't love my Kindle all that much, but I'm much older than 9...

But I do love having 50+ books to read while on vacation all wrapped up in about the same weight as 1 paperback.

While there are free and bargain books, most of the newer books will be about $12. Is that something her family would be ok with? I have to say I like the IPod touch idea vs a Nook or Kindle. There is just more she can do with that and she can read books on there. The Nook is more versatile then the Kindle from what I hear if you want to go that route.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Yes...it is about the age of electronics requests (as I am
learning in my household). Books still cost money, no? I would consider a giftcard or preloading it with some selections if that is the case. Cool idea!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Since it is not your child, I would say no because you have to buy titles. Plus, if it gets lost or stolen that would be uncomfortable for the both of you.

I would go with a large gift card from a bookstore instead.

I see that more as a "parent" gift UNLESS you discuss it with the parents beforehand and get the OK first.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I think it depends on how she likes to read. I love holding a book. Personally, my eyes get tired trying to read a digital print out of something.

Is there something else you could consider book-wise? Like a book club membership, or a really big gift card to the book store?

I'm all for the technology if you like using it. Maybe see if you can sneak a test in of using Kindle or something?? Just to see how it goes?

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

I think it would be an amazing present! Adding the gift card, super amazing.

Although I hate to accept it, today's 9yo will probably have less and less "actual" paper books in her life than we did as 9yo voracious readers. This would be a great gift -- and if you're worried about the reaction of her parents, could you just ask them ahead of time?

Also, I agree that traditional books cost money, too. And at my tiny little regional library, you can now check out digital books, as well. So it's not the pricey option that it used to be.

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

While there are free and bargain books, most of the newer books will be about $12. Is that something her family would be ok with? I have to say I like the IPod touch idea vs a Nook or Kindle. There is just more she can do with that and she can read books on there. The Nook is more versatile then the Kindle from what I hear if you want to go that route.

Ah, but an iTouch is over $200,correct? I can't do that AND give a GC.

I know the parents will be fine with it. I really need to go check out a Nook before seeing if this is the route I want to go. For those who are recommending real books, well she can have those too! She has a school library and a township library.

 

[golfgal]

Ah, but an iTouch is over $200,correct? I can't do that AND give a GC.

I know the parents will be fine with it. I really need to go check out a Nook before seeing if this is the route I want to go. For those who are recommending real books, well she can have those too! She has a school library and a township library.

They are priced similarly to the Nooks/Kindles-depending on how much space you buy. They can be in the $130 -$250 range just like the Nook/Kindle.

 

[tiggger1]

While there are free and bargain books, most of the newer books will be about $12. Is that something her family would be ok with? I have to say I like the IPod touch idea vs a Nook or Kindle. There is just more she can do with that and she can read books on there. The Nook is more versatile then the Kindle from what I hear if you want to go that route.

I got my nook on Father's Day and I have about 50 books on it.. Most of them were free or really cheap. the only ones that I paid anywhere near $12 for were the Twilight Books and they were around 10 each.. I did buy a few that were $8 each but most of them I actually paid for were around $4 which is what I would pay for in a store.

Also I have only bought 2 with my money... the rest was from gift cards that came with the nook or the 2 free ones I got from Mypoints

 

[Rora]

I think it depends on how she likes to read. I love holding a book. Personally, my eyes get tired trying to read a digital print out of something.

Is there something else you could consider book-wise? Like a book club membership, or a really big gift card to the book store?

I'm all for the technology if you like using it. Maybe see if you can sneak a test in of using Kindle or something?? Just to see how it goes?

The bolded is a really really good point.

I absolutely love to read and an E-reader would be useful but I just love to hold the book in my hands.

I love the idea of a book club membership or a large giftcard to the bookstore.

Good luck!

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

They are priced similarly to the Nooks/Kindles-depending on how much space you buy. They can be in the $130 -$250 range just like the Nook/Kindle.

Based on this I just went to the Apple site... cheapest one is $199, and go to $400.

I can't post a link with so few posts.

 

[golfgal]

Based on this I just went to the Apple site... cheapest one is $199, and go to $400.

I can't post a link with so few posts.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=&q=Itouch&sourceid=navclient-ff&rlz=1B3GGGL_enUS356US356&ie=UTF-8

 

[Darcy03231]

I would go with the Nook because you can download library books for free!

I have the Sony and I love it for this reason. I've now read at least 100 free books (all best sellers/current authors) for free by downloading from my library.

If her library doesn't support ereaders (mine does and has a pretty good selection), you can get a non-resident card from the Philadelphia public library for $15/year and they have a great selection.

 

[fabmic]

I think it would be a good gift.