DD 13 is looking for something interesting to read. She reads a lot already, but is looking for something new, possibly a series. She loves horses, dragons, fantasy, and lots of other stuff too. Books she has enjoyed are Dragonology, Dragon Riders, the Suddenly Supernatural series, Dragon Slippers, the Allie Finkle books, and many more. What are your kids reading?
"Dealing With Dragons" is the first of a great series! Some Christian fantasy that Rachael likes: The Door Within series by Wayne Thomas Batson Dragons in our Midst series by Bryan Davis The Dragonkeeper Chronicles by Donita K. Paul
Possibly, I will mention them to her. She is considering the Max books by James Patterson about the bird kids. The hobbit may be a bit lengthy for her. Thanks for the suggestions.
Haven't heard of it, I will check it out. She has read the Dragonkeeper Chronicles, I'll check out the Dragons in our midst series as well. She likes books about the care and keeping of dragons, not dragon slaying. If any dragons are harmed, she is not interested.
Pillage by Obert Skye ( dragons ) Leven Thumps series by Obert Skye ( my dd's,14 and 12 yrs old, and I have read all of them, they are great!) Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull ( we have all read these and by far they are my favorite) Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan ( we love, love , love these!) Candy Shop Wars by Brandon Mull (my dd 14 loved this one) Inkheart, Inkspell, Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke 39 Clues series 1-7 (books) plus card packs 1-3 ( you will need these to solve the puzzles) by different authors ( my dd 14 is obsessed w/ this series, she saves her babysitting money to buy the books and cards herself.) Skeleton Creek Series ( with online videos to watch which is way cool) by Patrick Carman ( he wrote some 39 clues books too). These are cool and scarey ( deals with ghosts). The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series by Michael Scott ( love these!!!)
Dealing With Dragons is a cute story about a princess that doesn't like all the princessy type stuff (like embroidery, and dancing, etc.). She she runs away and ends up in a dragon's cave. She and the dragon become good friends. Of course, she gets into all kinds of trouble. I'm thinking some knights come to rescue her, but she sends them packing. They can't seem to understand that she isn't being held captive, and that she actually LIKES living with the dragon.
Oh, oh!!! Not a dragon book, but have her read "Shadow Spinner". It's a great book, during the time of Shaharazad and the Arabian Nights. She might also enjoy "The Chestry Oak". It's sort of a horse story, set in WWII. Do a search for it to find a good review; I can't give it justice. I suggested it to one of Rachael's friends who is a horse lover, and said it was one of the best books she'd ever read. But it's hard to find; I was able to get it InterLibrary Loan.
The True Confessions of Charolotte Doyle-I am not sure it falls into the categories you listed but its a great book. It is not by a Christian Author though so I am not sure if that bothers you.
I asked my 14yo dd, who is a big fan of fantasy, what she'd recommend. She recommended anything by Anne McCaffrey (Dragonsinger, Dragonsong, Dragondrums, Dragonflight, Dragonquest, the White Dragon... there's a ton of them.) I would add a caveat to that - The Dragonsinger trilody (the first three books I listed) has no sex and is aimed at younger readers. Dragonflight has sex, and mention of rape, and is more adult in theme. She also recommends a Mercedes Lackey series, Joust, Altra, and Sanctuary. The sex is implied, but not described. Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar series is good, but the first few books feature a sympathetic gay protagonist. That's either a plus or a minus, depending on where you stand. Oh, and in a later book, a female character is raped rather horribly. Interestingly, that bothered me a lot more than my daughter. My daughter also really liked Uglies series - she says it's "kind of sci-fi, but not really". I think she means that the science is not really the focus of the story. It's more of a parable about identity and appearance and finding your place in society. Oh, and there's an element of mystery, too! She also says the Max books are really good, so your daughter will probably like them. Right now my daughter is reading anything by Patricia Briggs but she thinks they might be "a bit old for most 13 year olds". Which of course got me curious to ask why. She explained that they have graphic sex and violence, and it's "the way she uses language". Yes, I'm ashamed to admit it's true. I gave up trying to preview her books years ago. She reads faster than me! Both my daughter and my husband also recently finished "Shades of Grey" by Jasper Fforde, but for some reason the book left both of them rather shaken. My husband described it as "mind-bending". My daughter said, "I didn't expect the end to be like that." I think I have to read it myself, now! If you can let me know what your limits are regarding content, I have a good friend who works in a local bookstore. I can ask her for recommendations.
I am so glad you started this thread. Ems has been looking for some new books to read and I can't think of anything different of the top of my head.
I will certainly look over all of these suggestions, but some of them don't seem quite right. I would not let her read anything involving graphic sex or violence. Definitely no rape or drugs. I still monitor her reading material as well as music and movies. My DD is a just turning 13 on Thurs., so she is still on the young side.
Ah! Okay then, I'll get back to you with something more appropriate, after I talk to my friend. Definitely stay clear of McCaffrey and Lackey! (Although in a few years, she'll probably enjoy them very much.)
Here's what my friend wrote: "Okay, I can highly recommend Jamieson Findlay's The Blue Roan Child. It may not still be in print (it's from 2002), but should be easily available from a library. It's the perfect book for a horse and fantasy fan. Also, The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester should be safe. I haven't finished reading it, but there's definitely no sex, and as it's reviewers say, it's a cross between X-men and Little House on the Prairie, so any violence at the end should be minimal. If she's a real dragon nut, I'd also recommend Patricia Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles which is four books, the first book is Dealing with Dragons. Now, it's aimed at younger readers, but it's charming and funny and hip deep in dragons that a princess has decided to run away and live with because being a princess is boooring. So, if she doesn't mind reading a bit younger -- which if she enjoyed Dragon Riders and Dragonology she shouldn't -- this is a lovely escapist series, and very well written. Let's start with these and see how they work out." I hope that helps!
