Advice needed -books for young girls - YouLookFab Forum

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Advice needed -books for young girls

Tanya

Veteran

I will be visiting a friend for three days in NY area in two weeks, and would like to buys some gifts for her girls, age 9 and 6. In fact, it will be the birthday of the older one, so a gift would definitely be in order but I would like to get something for the younger one, as well.

It has been a couple of years since I last saw them, so I don't know much about what they like, other than the older one loves video games. I usually default to some popular/fun children's books in such situations, so curious if you could recommend any. Other ideas other than books are welcome, too.

I could also use an idea for a hostess/housewarming gift for my friend -they recently bought a new house. My usual gifts in such situation of fancy home-baked goods or house plants won't work because of the long train ride.

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32 replies

Latest reply was from Tanya

elpgal

Veteran

If the 9 yo plays video games, she might like a Minecraft coins gift card but definitely check with the parents before. Exploding Kittens is a board game both kids can play. A subscription to Time Junior might be fun. This is my usual repertoire for that age group. Also popular are the Judy Blume book sets.

Oprah likes a fancy tea trio from Vahdam that I have gifted to friends this year. Also fancy cheese boards.

Echo

Veteran

When my daughter was that age, she was obsessed with the Warrior Cat series by Erin Hunter. OBSESSED.
https://warriorcats.com/

They're right around a level S/T/U (F&P), or between a 750-850 lexile, depending on the specific book and measure used, making them good for kids right around 3rd - 5th grades, and if she likes them, there are lots in the series.

My other suggestion would be Fablehaven by Brandon Mull. It is captivating for the imagination and there is an audio book that is very well done, too. Likewise, it is right around a level S or about a 775 lexile.

Gigi

Veteran

When I was that age, I really liked Judy Blume books. I think I might also have been into Nancy Drew books, but I don't know whether that's still a thing.

For the housewarming gift, maybe some fancy coffee or tea? Ha, I just now see that elpgal has mentioned tea. I didn't read her post beforehand, so we're on the same page!

Gigi

Veteran

Oh, I also remember really liking the Choose Your Own Adventure books. Again, I'm not sure whether those are still around.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I just looked up the book in which I have written all the gifts we both gave and received since 1995!
My daughter at 9 was starting to like Roald Dahl- Matilda is a good one, we actually started with the movie which is awesome. Of course it was on video in those days. Also old stories like Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfield. Anne of Green Gables?
Around age 6 they seemed to love stickers/sticker books or hair accessories. Scrunchies are back?
Depending on what your friend likes and her decorating style I would consider a cup/saucer/plate “trio”, even a vintage one eg Royal Albert.

rachylou

Veteran

Old books - but Maurice Sendak’s Chicken Soup with Rice for the six year old and The Littles for the nine year old - and tiny dolls to accompany. Those are my favourites to give.

A set of pretty cloth napkins as a housewarming/hostess gift?

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Robert MacFarlane The Lost Words and The Lost Spells are beautiful books to be treasured. https://www.thelostwords.org/lostspellsbook/

My daughter's both loved The Girl of Ink and Stars, the Percy Jackson novels, The Witch Wars series and anything by RL Stein.

Glory

Veteran

My children are now adults so my knowledge for this age group is rusty. They all loved the Archie comics that came in small book format. And they loved a gift card to the movies - some come with a snack included. Craft items were a hit - these included Melty beads and Rainbow Loom.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I have no advice, but am excited about your VERY welcome trip! Fun

Runcarla

Veteran

‘The Kitchen Madonna’ by Rummer Godden is a beautiful story with a lovely message, but lots of creative problem solving to make it a page turner for young’uns. The protagonist is a 9 yo with a precocious younger sibling.

‘The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankenwheiler’ by E.L Koningsburg is another page turner with an original premise. The protagonist is a 12 yo with a little brother in tow (they run away to live in a museum).

You could also gift the family a board game like ‘Ticket to Ride’ or ‘Settlers of Catan’.

JAileen

Veteran

We have a couple of young girls in our family. One Christmas I gave them drawing materials - nice drawing notebooks, pens, pencils. They really liked them.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

My niece is 10 now, but she tore through the graphic novels by Raina Telgemeier a few years ago. They’re about a middle schooler (I think the character starts in 6th grade), but kids that age seem to enjoy reading about others just slightly older than they are.

Runcarla

Veteran

@Tanya - I don’t know how long you will be visiting, but a way to get the youngsters engaged with the giftis to spend a little time with them - either read a chapter or two from the gifted book, or play the game. This could be something you do to keep the kids busy while the parents are dealing with meal prep or some other task.

Have a good time in NY!

rachylou

Veteran

Oh had to come back and say the reason I like Chicken Soup is because it’s been set to music … if you can get a hold of the cartoon or a recording, it’s nice for young readers. Motivating.

Echo

Veteran

RoseandJoan: I agree that the Percy Jackson novels are excellent and are very popular, but they are right around a W on the F&P scale, putting them firmly into the mid 6th grade to early 7th grade level. That doesn't mean that there aren't younger readers enjoying them, just that if one isn't sure the nine year old is an advanced reader, they might be a bit frustrating.

And FWIW, classics are great, but kids are aware of the popularity of books the same way they are aware of the popularity of video games, movies, television and other media. So, unfortunately, sometimes the classic books are less favored among younger kids than newer, more popular series. Even though many of the older books are just as good or better, it is often the newer books and series that are favored by kids that age (and are more likely to motivate them and keep them reading).

Kathie

Veteran

My kids (who are now middle and high school age) loved the Magic Tree House and Rainbow Magic Princess Fairies books when they were K-2 age, and my older one read the Goddess Girls series when he got older. And, he still re-reads his Percy Jackson's- those have become old friends, even though he started reading them around 2nd/3rd grade. (Echo- I'm nodding along with your comments about "keep them reading." Mine are voracious readers, and I think in part because we supported them reading whatever they wanted at home, including all the popular kid books.)

Suz

(website)

Veteran

How amazing that you get to take this trip!! What a thrill.

My kid was a big reader and into just about any book -- that Warrior Cat series was a huge obsession in this house, as in Echo's, as was Percy Jackson. But I'm not sure what the current popular books are for that age group.

Anyway, for a gift, you probably want something more substantial seeming than a mass market paperback -- a nice edition or set -- so I'm thinking, why not ask a bookstore clerk for recommendations? I mean, assuming you know the kids are readers in the first place. If not, a different kind of gift might better.

As others said, art supplies can also be a great bet. Or maybe something fashion related? That's tricky, of course -- who knows what is "in" for those age groups?!

For your friend...you could have flowers sent ahead of you so you wouldn't have to carry anything in.

Tanya

Veteran

Thanks you all SO much for such helpful info. I have made a list of all the repfmendations and am slowly reading the reviews on Amazon. In addition to getting a book for each girl, I will also get a board game for the whole family (Ticket to Ride) and am leaning towards the recommended set of fancy teas, although not completely certain on that yet.

Helena

Veteran

My daughter loved the Nancy Clancy series, as well as the Rainbow Magic mentioned above, and Junie B. Jones series. I would say she also started on Harry Potter maybe when she was 9 or 10, so the older girl might enjoy that. She also loves Ticket To Ride - such a fun one!

Another housewarming option is to do a gift card for a home store and then attach it something easy to pack - a tea towel, tuck it in a mug, something like that ... a little easier for travel and still not as impersonal looking as 'just a gift card' (which is always handy in a new home!)

bella

(website)

Veteran

If the girls are good readers, they might have some of the books already. In my house, art supplies are always appreciated, as well as craft and cute writing supplies. I am posting some links below so you see what I'm talking about.

As for housewarming gifts, I've given cozy throw blankets a few times, and they were always well received. If you choose neutral colors, it wouldn't clash with their decor.

https://www.amazon.com/Shuinib.....sr_1_7?dch

https://www.amazon.com/sharpen.....sr_1_10?dc

https://www.amazon.com/Pencil-.....=1&am

https://www.amazon.com/NULYDO-.....4?dchild=1

https://www.amazon.com/Chuangd.....d=1&a

https://www.amazon.com/Student.....=1&am

Anonymous

The Percy Jackson books are lots of fun, and I think a 9 y/o could read them easily! I loved Misty of Chincoteague too and the Black Stallion series, probably around that age.
Age 6 or so, I liked Curious George, Pippi Longstocking.
And "how to eat like a child" I found absolutely hillarious in 2nd or maybe 3rd grade!

elpgal

Veteran

Ticket to Ride is bound to please. Rock-painting supplies - acrylic pens, stickers are also popular in that age group if they have access to the outdoors.

viva

Veteran

Just a quick plug for All-of-A-Kind-Family (several novels in a short series) which were probably my favorite around that age - a Jewish family in NYC at the turn of the century. Just an amazing way to learn about history and Jewish life at that time.

karen13

Veteran

My DD adored the Mysterious Benedict Society around that age. It also just dropped as a TV series (Disney Channel?) so might have some name recognition.

rachylou

Veteran

I loved All-of-a-Kind Family! I loved reading about the cooking… that’s also why I loved the Little House Books, the description of breakfast! Lol

Joy

Veteran

My grandson (6) and his little sister love the Dragon Master series. He reads ( devours) them and she like to listen to them. These are thin chapter books.

There is also a series of chapter books, each title is the name of a dog. “Pup” or “puppy “ is in the name of the series. Each book is about a dog that is successfully adopted.

The Dragon Master series happily includes girls as main chapters. They seem intelligent and powerful.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Tanya can you tell us what you did in the end? I do like to finish off the threads?

Tanya

Veteran

Hi Jenni, what I ended up buying (and it was a great success) is the following:
1) Ada Twist, Scientist book for the younger girl (both parents and myself are all scientists)
2) One of the Warrior Cats books for the older one (she loves cats)
3) Ticket to Ride board game for the whole family -played it a lot with the older girl and her mom, it is still a bit too advanced for the younger girl
4) Fancy tea trio from Vahdam that Elpgal recommended as a hostess gift.

It was a fun visit and we had a blast. It was great to get to know the girls again - last time I saw them was three years ago. Since they are both very much into Roblox game, upon my return I sent them both gift cards for the game "money" they can buy game items with (after checking with their Mom that was OK).

Finally, the older girl had a birthday party during my visit, so I spent good part of the previous day making a fancy chocolate raspberry mousse cake, that the girls helped with (pics below).

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Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thank you Tanya for the update. All sounds wonderful and what an amazing cake!
I like the sound of the scientist book for any future gifts. Our whole family of 5 are into science: veterinarian, family doctor, science technician, food technologist and data engineer. So if at a later stage I need to give gifts to girls again, will bear it in mind

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