HELP: Books for Kids

[Point of Order]

I have a 13-year-old cousin who is very smart and loves to read. I want to get her books that she will enjoy, but that will also spark in her an interest in learning more about the topic, whether it be science, history, engineering, etc. (think Death by Black Hole by Neil DeGrasse Tyson except a little more accessible to a 13-year-old).

Any recommendations appreciated. Thanks.

 

[sportschick]

Do you have her reading level? I can pull some stuff from my teaching files when I get home and send you list tomorrow.

 

[Point of Order]

I'll try to find out from her dad. I do know she's in 8th grade and she's among the smarter kids in her class. She's into something called Judy B. Jones books now, but I think she's read most if not all of them. Thanks.

 

[KevinmH9]

I'll try to find out from her dad. I do know she's in 8th grade and she's among the smarter kids in her class. She's into something called Judy B. Jones books now, but I think she's read most if not all of them. Thanks.

Are you looking for books more geared towards a particular interest (i.e. engineering, psychology, etc.) or just some good literature?

 

[Paper Dragon]

My favorite book in 8th grade was "Lightning" by Dean R. Koontz.

 

[Point of Order]

I'll try to find out from her dad. I do know she's in 8th grade and she's among the smarter kids in her class. She's into something called Judy B. Jones books now, but I think she's read most if not all of them. Thanks.

Are you looking for books more geared towards a particular interest (i.e. engineering, psychology, etc.) or just some good literature?

I want something geared toward a particular interest. It doesn't have to be science or anything in particular. I just want something that will introduce her to new ideas in a positive way. I love her family to death. They are a small-town, hard-working, blue-collar family. But a UFC fight is probably the most culture they experience on a regular basis -- not that there's anything wrong with that. I'd like to get something that lets her know there's a whole big interesting world out there and you should seek it out. I don't want to get her a bubble-gum pop lit book for kids.

 

[Paper Dragon]

I'll try to find out from her dad. I do know she's in 8th grade and she's among the smarter kids in her class. She's into something called Judy B. Jones books now, but I think she's read most if not all of them. Thanks.

Are you looking for books more geared towards a particular interest (i.e. engineering, psychology, etc.) or just some good literature?

I want something geared toward a particular interest. It doesn't have to be science or anything in particular. I just want something that will introduce her to new ideas in a positive way. I love her family to death. They are a small-town, hard-working, blue-collar family. But a UFC fight is probably the most culture they experience on a regular basis -- not that there's anything wrong with that. I'd like to get something that lets her know there's a whole big interesting world out there and you should seek it out. I don't want to get her a bubble-gum pop lit book for kids.

To Kill a Mockingbird.

Catcher in the rye.

seriously, go buy the girl a box of second-hand classics from a variety of genres. If you don't know her very well, odds are you'll need more than one shot to find the book that will change her life.

 

[DemoChristian]

It doesn't get better than The Lord of the Rings, which may not fit your scholarly definition but is definitely worth anyone's time.

 

[Point of Order]

I'll try to find out from her dad. I do know she's in 8th grade and she's among the smarter kids in her class. She's into something called Judy B. Jones books now, but I think she's read most if not all of them. Thanks.

Are you looking for books more geared towards a particular interest (i.e. engineering, psychology, etc.) or just some good literature?

I want something geared toward a particular interest. It doesn't have to be science or anything in particular. I just want something that will introduce her to new ideas in a positive way. I love her family to death. They are a small-town, hard-working, blue-collar family. But a UFC fight is probably the most culture they experience on a regular basis -- not that there's anything wrong with that. I'd like to get something that lets her know there's a whole big interesting world out there and you should seek it out. I don't want to get her a bubble-gum pop lit book for kids.

To Kill a Mockingbird.

Catcher in the rye.

seriously, go buy the girl a box of second-hand classics from a variety of genres. If you don't know her very well, odds are you'll need more than one shot to find the book that will change her life.

I like the Catcher in the Rye suggestion. I've got it on the shelf, too. Reckon a girl would enjoy it?

 

[slappy4428]

If she likes fiction, the Fab Five or 5 People You Meet With Morrie

 

[Point of Order]

I just looked on the shelf and found Of Mice and Men and Lord of the Flies (although I haven't read Lord of the Flies yet and I really want to, should I keep it?). I had Tuesday's with Morrie once but I think I got rid of it on Amazon. Thanks for the suggestions. Keep 'em coming.

 

[pressboxramblings07]

Lord of the Flies is fantastic. Read it in a couple of hours then give it to her.

 

[txsportsscribe]

so i guess she's too old for this

 

[HC]

I'd like to put in a vote for the "His Dark Materials" trilogy by Philip Pullman. It raises a lot of questions about science vs. religion and the nature of the human soul in an absorbing quest story, the protagonist of which is an 11 year old girl named Lyra. Engaging, accessible and food for thought - I'd have eaten this trilogy alive at 13. Heck, I'm crazy for it now.

 

[HC]

I would also add a recommendation for Madeleine L'Engle's "A Wrinkle in Time".

 

[KevinmH9]

Throw her some classics from Hemingway, Twain, Faulkner, Updike, Hurston, etc. They won't gear someone towards a particular interest, but will always make someone think.

 

[Songbird]

The Great Shark Hunt.

 

[Paper Dragon]

I'll try to find out from her dad. I do know she's in 8th grade and she's among the smarter kids in her class. She's into something called Judy B. Jones books now, but I think she's read most if not all of them. Thanks.

Are you looking for books more geared towards a particular interest (i.e. engineering, psychology, etc.) or just some good literature?

I want something geared toward a particular interest. It doesn't have to be science or anything in particular. I just want something that will introduce her to new ideas in a positive way. I love her family to death. They are a small-town, hard-working, blue-collar family. But a UFC fight is probably the most culture they experience on a regular basis -- not that there's anything wrong with that. I'd like to get something that lets her know there's a whole big interesting world out there and you should seek it out. I don't want to get her a bubble-gum pop lit book for kids.

To Kill a Mockingbird.

Catcher in the rye.

seriously, go buy the girl a box of second-hand classics from a variety of genres. If you don't know her very well, odds are you'll need more than one shot to find the book that will change her life.

I like the Catcher in the Rye suggestion. I've got it on the shelf, too. Reckon a girl would enjoy it?

Girl I know named her cat Holden. Girls like Mockingbird, too.

 

[bagelchick]

Has she read the Harry Potter series at this point? There's a new JK Rowlings book out too.
How about the "Twilight" series.... hear those are huge among the teen set. Again, it kinda depends on her reading level.

I always give books for christmas as I'm a big book/reading promoter too.