What is a good book to give an 11-yr old girl as a gift?

Question

Preferably somewhat new but older books OK too.

Answer 1

Try one of the books that the Princess Diaries were based on. I think the author's name is Meg Cabot. Any girl loves a princess story. I do and I'm almost 20!

Answer 2

I read lots of Enid Blyghton books when i was 11-12. Try the Naughtiest girl series, or Malory towers, Faraway tree, Famous Five,
The others are Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer, Astrix and Obelix,
anne of green gables.

Answer 3

King Fortis the Brave about a pair of twelve-year-old twins pulled into a magical world where they get caught up in a battle for control of the land. Really a great book, full of action and humor. Most importantly, it has two very strong female characters about the same age as the girl you mention that she will be able to relate to.

Answer 4

There are many authors outside that might offer intriguing insight. Depending on the personality of the girl, it is prudently possible that any book written by Meg Cabot, or some of the less disturbing books written by Ronald Dahl (He's not too immature!). Also, Judy Blume seemed another interesting choice, however it's more or less a little teen.

Answer 5

Because of Wynn Dixie
Pollyanna
Blue Willow
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Anne of Green Gables
Philip Hall Likes Me, I Reckon Maybe

Answer 6

Hi there. If the young lady likes fantasy, here's a suggestion for you. The title of the first episode in this series is THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY. It's 445 pages of action, adventure, magic, mystery and mayhem. If she's a fan of Conan, LOTR or Harry Potter books, this is one she'll enjoy. A Hollywood producer said it was, "Like Braveheart meets Lord of the Rings." (See other comments & reviews below.)

Good luck, whatever you decide to read!

Jon F. Baxley (Author, Editor, Ghostwriter and Proofreader)

THE SCYTHIAN STONE (eBook only)
THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY (eBook and hard cover)
THE REGENTS OF RHUM (coming fall '07)

Major Media Reviews:

Publishers Weekly

STARRED Review. A fast pace, sly humor, amusing dialogue and a richly researched background lift Baxley's fantasy, the first of a new series set in medieval Britain. When Merlin's long-ago apprentice Kruzurk Makshare (aka the Boozer) receives a dreamlike visitation from the legendary mage, he learns he must destroy another former apprentice, the villainous Seed of Cerberus. To do so will require a visit to the demon-guarded Blackgloom Keep. Enter young Daynin McKinnon, who discovers a curious rune-covered headstone, which may be the fabled Blackgloom Bounty, and brings it to Kruz's attention. Kruz believes it will provide entry into the fortress, while Daynin hopes the sale of the stone will restore his family's fortunes. The colorful cast of good guys and ne'er-do-wells includes the Pictish ghost of Brude McAlpin liberated from his tomb, assorted pursuing Caledonians and a bemused Prior Bede, whose monastery serves as a hiding place for the Blackgloom Bounty. Suitable for fantasy enthusiasts of all ages.

Library Journal
"This series opener...is a good choice for fans of epic-style sagas and Scottish history."

Harriet Klausner, Amazon's #1 Ranked Reviewer!
"This terrific medieval fantasy...will elate readers for its fast-paced, action-thrilled story line starring a strong cast."

Nancy McCulloch, PRWEB Article, March 20, 2006
"Two thumbs up for a colorful cast of characters, nonstop, rapid-fire action and compelling storyline!"

Fantasybookspot.com Review by Tyler, Febuary 2006
"Taking place in Medieval Scotland, this tale of magic, adventure and love really captured my attention..."

My author blog: http://the-blackgloom-bounty.blogspot.com/

Blackgloom @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1594144516

Answer 7

Try to look for a collection of stories by Hans Cristian Anderson, remember the "Little Mermaid". They are good stories for a kid like that age. But i think most kids now love Harry Potter.... so.... decide.. Harry Potter or Hans Christian Anderson. Look for availability of these books.... You can try Amazon too if you like...

Answer 8

I have three of my favourites from around that age; I took the descriptions from amazon.ca.

1.Harriet the Spy.
Ages 8-12. Thirty-two years before it was made into a movie, Harriet the Spy was a groundbreaking book: its unflinchingly honest portrayal of childhood problems and emotions changed children's literature forever. Happily, it has neither dated nor become obsolete and remains one of the best children's novels ever written.
The fascinating story is about an intensely curious and intelligent girl, who literally spies on people and writes about them in her secret notebook, trying to make sense of life's absurdities.When her classmates find her notebook and read her painfully blunt comments about them, Harriet finds herself a lonely outcast. Fitzhugh's writing is astonishingly vivid, real and engaging, and Harriet, by no means a typical, loveable heroine, is one of literature's most unforgettable characters. School Library Journal wrote, "a tour de force... bursts with life." The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books called it "a very, very funny story." And The Chicago Tribune raved, "brilliantly written... a superb portrait of an extraordinary child." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

2. Matilda
Matilda is a little girl who is far too good to be true. At age five-and-a-half she's knocking off double-digit multiplication problems and blitz-reading Dickens. Even more remarkably, her classmates love her even though she's a super-nerd and the teacher's pet. But everything is not perfect in Matilda's world. For starters she has two of the most idiotic, self-centered parents who ever lived. Then there's the large, busty nightmare of a school principal, Mrs. ("The") Trunchbull, a former hammer-throwing champion who flings children at will and is approximately as sympathetic as a bulldozer. Fortunately for Matilda, she has the inner resources to deal with such annoyances: astonishing intelligence, saintly patience, and an innate predilection for revenge.
She warms up with some practical jokes aimed at her hapless parents, but the true test comes when she rallies in defense of her teacher, the sweet Miss Honey, against the diabolical Trunchbull. There is never any doubt that Matilda will carry the day. Even so, this wonderful story is far from predictable--the big surprise comes when Matilda discovers a new, mysterious facet of her mental dexterity. Roald Dahl, while keeping the plot moving imaginatively, also has an unerring ear for emotional truth. The reader cares about Matilda because in addition to all her other gifts, she has real feelings. (Ages 9 to 12)



3:James and the Giant Peach:
When poor James Henry Trotter loses his parents in a horrible rhinoceros accident, he is forced to live with his two wicked aunts, Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker. After three years he becomes "the saddest and loneliest boy you could find." Then one day, a wizened old man in a dark-green suit gives James a bag of magic crystals that promise to reverse his misery forever. When James accidentally spills the crystals on his aunts' withered peach tree, he sets the adventure in motion. From the old tree a single peach grows, and grows, and grows some more, until finally James climbs inside the giant fruit and rolls away from his despicable aunts to a whole new life. James befriends an assortment of hilarious characters, including Grasshopper, Earthworm, Miss Spider, and Centipede

**All 3 the novels have movies, so after she reads it you can rent it and show it to her on television as a double treat,.

Good luck.

Answer 9

Harry Potter books, Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit (read it when I was 12) Walter Farley's "Black Stallion" series, there are many great books for young girls. Or choose something she is specifically interested in, hobbies, archaeology, gardening...good luck

Answer 10

Hmm, it really depends on the girl! Some girls of this age are still into younger stuff like horses (Saddle Club, Pony Pals) and fairies... whereas others are more into the teen scene. Traditional stories can be good: Anne of Green Gables, etc.