[aclaire1980]

I have twin 10 year old nieces. One loves to read and the other does not like reading at all. I have an easy time finding books for the one who loves to read. However, I have trouble buying books for the reluctant reader. I noticed at a book store recently that she looked at some books that featured dogs, horses, and the TV show, Wizards of Waverly. Her favorite subject is history, so I picked up a few historical fiction books at a used book sale. Do any of you have books that you would recommend for her? I feel like it would just take the right book in a topic that interests her to help her enjoy reading. Thanks!

Amy

[Marissa Doyle Posts: 2,975 Status: Offline Charles Bewitched: out now! WWW]

If she loves history, what about the Royal Diaries series?  And for animal stories, Dick King-Smith, maybe.

[ghostgirl Posts: 611 Status: Offline Any day, now...I can feel it...! WWW]

My 10-year-old loves to read and loves animals of all kinds.  You might look at the Animal Ark series of books. 

[Andi W. Posts: 546 Status: Offline WWW]

What about "Out of the Dust" by Karen Hesse. Historical fiction written in free verse.

[ChristineSarmel Posts: 228 Status: Offline WWW]

Maybe something non-fiction like a dog breed encyclopedia. Sometimes kids who say they don't like to read really mean I don't like to read fiction.

[Mike Jung]

Bobby Pyron's A DOG'S WAY HOME is a recent MG novel that I've heard good things about.

[robineg]

Take a look at THE NIGHT FAIRY by Laura Amy Schlitz. It's rare that a piece of writing leaves me absolutely agog, but this book is so simple, tender, charming, and absolutely dazzling. JMO. And lots of girls love fairies. 

[J-Bert Posts: 257 Status: Offline WWW]

It's funny Laura Amy Schlitz was just mentioned because another of her books is what first came to my mind--A DROWNED MAIDEN'S TALE, historical fiction. Good plot and characters so I got pulled into the story right away. Is there a particular time period in history that your niece is interested in?

Maybe the HANK THE COWDOG series would be worth a try?

[TracyH Posts: 670 Status: Offline WWW]

Sadly, my daughter hates to read and she's ten. So, we read together and some of the books she's enjoyed this year are both Penderwicks books, Skellig (especially), all four Secret books, Matisse on the Loose, Midwife's Apprentice and Because of Winn Dixie.

[annastan Posts: 588 Status: Offline WWW]

The book that came to my mind was Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan. It's a great story, and it has a historical setting.

[BeckyLevine]

You might try her on books with chapters that are a little more episodic, kind of like short stories? I'm thinking of some older books like Pippy Longstocking and the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books. And maybe Louis Sacher's Sideways School books?

[mcg0625]

How about the American Girl novels by Ann Howard Creel? I know at least one deals with dogs. Also, A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, and The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray. They are historical and magical. Finally, It's Raining Cupcakes by our own Lisa Schroeder.

[blythe]

Graphic Universe's mythology series? Something like this? It's a graphic novel for young readers: Korean Cinderella. Graphic novels rock for reluctant readers.

https://www.lernerbooks.com/products/t/8768/9780822571742/pigling

[LindaB Posts: 332 Status: Offline I want to write!]

The Phantom Stallion series by Terri Farley
Almost anything by Bill Wallace - he has tons of animal books.
The Tales of Emily Windsnap - I've often engaged reluctant readers with this series.
Meg Cabot's Ally Finkle's Rules for Girls series is terrific and a draw for reluctant readers.
What about the Bad Kitty series?
The Frog Princess
Betty Birney's Humprey series - it's about a class hamster

LindaB

[MysteryRobin Posts: 690 Status: Offline]

Catherine Called Birdie? It's easy to read because of the short diary entries, historical, and so so funny! My 10 year old gobbled it up.

[ara]

These aren't historical, but my 10-year-old daughter loved BOYS ARE DOGS and GIRLS ACTING CATTY by Leslie Margolis. Both are quick, fun reads.

[Lwrites Posts: 159 Status: Offline]

how about the Dear America series? they sound like a perfect fit for her.

also, what about the American Girl books? (as in, the books that are written to go with the American Girl dolls.) I think most of the girls in those books are 9-10, and they're easy historical reads. They're also pretty short, so they won't be intimidating.

[rab Posts: 541 Status: Offline WWW]

I got reminded of Astrid Lindgren's Children of Noisy Village books. Maybe they would work.

[Stephanie Ruble Posts: 1,904 Status: Offline author/illustrator WWW]

I was going to suggest graphic novels as well.

Copper by Kazu Kibuishi (features a boy and his dog)
The Professor's Daughter by Joann Sfar and Emmanuel Guibert (historical fantasy)
Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (historical fantasy that's heavily illustrated)

Other graphic novels she might like, but that aren't necessarily dogs, horses, or history:
Robot Dreams by Sara Varon
Baby Mouse (series) by Jennifer and Matthew Holm
Lunch Lady (series) by Jarrett Krosoczka
Daisy Kutter (my favorite graphic novel) by Kazu Kibuishi
Flight Explorer (anthology edited by by Kazu Kibuishi)