I’m looking for some books to read aloud to my 9 and 12 year old girls. The youngest likes to read but my oldest hates it. I was a big reader as a kid and I feel like maybe if I do the work of reading for her I can get her into it but even if not, I would like to share meaningful stories with them both.

I’m thinking of starting with A Tree Grows in Brooklyn… what else would you recommend? I’m open to anything but I think “coming of age”, relatable stories will capture their attention most. They’re not much into fantasy. I love a good tear jerker but when we read Charlotte’s Web, my oldest was hysterical (a couple years back) and that was just at chapter 2.

I remember A Prayer for Owen Meany seriously affecting me in high school but I realized today that it’s more religious than I remembered and I can’t recall if there is anything too mature.

Also thinking about reading The Giver - that’s about as dark or sad as I would want to go at their age I think.

Would love your recommendations.

  • ReadAllDay123@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Do they like fantasy, realistic, historical fiction, mystery, adventure, sci fi, etc.? What kind of books, TV shows, and media do they like? That’s the key to finding something they’ll enjoy. I’m a librarian and I’m happy to recommend something based on my knowledge, though there are certain genres I know/prefer better than others.

    • elcaminogino@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      They love graphic novels which are not really read aloud material - but the stories they tend towards are things like The Babysitters Club, everything Louis Sachar ever wrote - both loved Holes and the Wayside series, both enjoyed Dork Diaries but the oldest has outgrown that. As far as movies and TV my oldest likes sitcoms - Fuller House, Modern Family, again The Babysitters Club but also things like Stranger Things and horror movies like the Scream series. I think what has happened is that her interests re outpacing her reading level. She actually had to read The Skin I’m In for school and enjoyed it a lot. It was the first book that she was ever assigned they had more mature themes and I think it kept her very engaged.