Look for some Tamora Pierce. She writes fun little fantasy stories. They're not deep or anything, but entertaining and actually written for kids.
Another fun author around this age range in Monica Hughes. It's been ages since I read these, but I have fond memories of them (I tried to read them again recently, but apparently the "Local Authors" section at my library doesn't allow books to be checked out. WTF? You mean you have a "Local Authors" section in order to reduce access to their books? You can claim that you have a copy but never actually let anyone read it!)
Also, Garth Nix. His writing is much darker. At least in the ones I've read there tends to be some death and necromancy involved. I'd put these at about the same level as His Dark Materials and say "go with your instincts" about either. My feeling is that a library would probably put these in a "Young Adult" section, while Tamora Pierce feels much more like a kids book (though I'm getting it from the library's Young Adult section)
I think I was about 11 or 12 when the librarian started recommending adult books to me. My recollection of those early adult books is that they were extremely challenging to read (but worth it because the authors were not talking down to me whoo!) Pure garbage of course, but I began on the adult shelf with Piers Anthony's Xanth Series (Be careful, some of his stuff is pretty dirty) Anne McCaffery's Pern, and Mary Stewart's books about Merlin.
I second Tamora Pierce, though, if I remember correctly, as her heroine grows up in the series, there are some sexual references.
My brother was addicted to Diana Wynn Jones around that age.
I'm trying to remember what I liked at that age and all I can come up with are The Phantom Tollbooth and (believe it or not) Norse mythology. Which scared the CRAP out of me, but I loved it.
Ah, I cannot believe I didn't think of Tamora Pierce, especially given one of my cousin's obsession with her.
I've read some Garth Nix, and yeah, it is much darker. I don't know if Erica's quite at that level yet, but I can certainly loan her my copy of The Golden Compass and see how that goes. I remember her being intrigued by the blurb on the back, anyway.
Even if my copy of The Golden Compass is ten jillion years old.
I really loved Monica Hughes. I tried Erica on it about a year ago, and she was sort of into but possibly not quite ready for it, but now might be a better time.
Erica has sophisticated reading taste, which is partly my fault I am sure, but as far as ability and patience goes she's pretty even with her peers, so I would likely stay away from the adult books for a few years.
Another fun author around this age range in Monica Hughes. It's been ages since I read these, but I have fond memories of them (I tried to read them again recently, but apparently the "Local Authors" section at my library doesn't allow books to be checked out. WTF? You mean you have a "Local Authors" section in order to reduce access to their books? You can claim that you have a copy but never actually let anyone read it!)
Also, Garth Nix. His writing is much darker. At least in the ones I've read there tends to be some death and necromancy involved. I'd put these at about the same level as His Dark Materials and say "go with your instincts" about either. My feeling is that a library would probably put these in a "Young Adult" section, while Tamora Pierce feels much more like a kids book (though I'm getting it from the library's Young Adult section)
I think I was about 11 or 12 when the librarian started recommending adult books to me. My recollection of those early adult books is that they were extremely challenging to read (but worth it because the authors were not talking down to me whoo!) Pure garbage of course, but I began on the adult shelf with Piers Anthony's Xanth Series (Be careful, some of his stuff is pretty dirty) Anne McCaffery's Pern, and Mary Stewart's books about Merlin.
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My brother was addicted to Diana Wynn Jones around that age.
I'm trying to remember what I liked at that age and all I can come up with are The Phantom Tollbooth and (believe it or not) Norse mythology. Which scared the CRAP out of me, but I loved it.
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I've read some Garth Nix, and yeah, it is much darker. I don't know if Erica's quite at that level yet, but I can certainly loan her my copy of The Golden Compass and see how that goes. I remember her being intrigued by the blurb on the back, anyway.
Even if my copy of The Golden Compass is ten jillion years old.
I really loved Monica Hughes. I tried Erica on it about a year ago, and she was sort of into but possibly not quite ready for it, but now might be a better time.
Erica has sophisticated reading taste, which is partly my fault I am sure, but as far as ability and patience goes she's pretty even with her peers, so I would likely stay away from the adult books for a few years.
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