Suggestions for books to buy for a bright 14 yr old girl like War and Peace.

56 Answers

Mary

There is a bit of a huge gulf between those two books.

What kinds of things does she want to read about?

Lauren

I really liked A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith at that age

Teri

There are more to the giver series.

Robin

I have several gifted 10-year-old students who love Harry Potter, Hunger Games, and several other YA series. Plus, one of them raved about Sapiens (non-fic) so much, I had to get it. She might also like Jane Austen, Dickens, and Hugo’s Les Miserables if she like War and Peace.

Syntha

Alanna by Tamora Pierce Graceling by Kristen Cashore

Ravi

If she had read War and Peace, I suggest to give Anna Karenina plz

Jolanta

I think to read Anna Karenina for her just too early ?

Ravi

But in the post , it is said that she had recently read War and Peace

Jolanta

Yes, it’s true…? however, I’m not sure that she is ready to understand Anna, truly understand …You know what I mean?

Ravi

I understand, but I am amazed how did she read War and Peace

Jolanta

Me too ?

Viv

Gormenghast trilogy by Peake or maybe Herman Hesse. Or Crime and Punishment if she like the great Russians.

Kethry

So You Want To Be A Wizard, Diane Duane. Pawn of Prophecy, David Eddings. Arrows of the Queen, Mercedes Lackey. Invitation to the Game, Monica Hughes.

Corey-Jan

Has she read Les Miserables? Or The Count of Monte Cristo?

Jerry

Count of Monte Cristo. Make sure you get a full unabridged version (1,000+ pages). No Barnes & Noble Classics. They edit and shorten quite a few of the classics.

Deanna

I didn’t know about the B&N edit. Good to know – thanks for sharing this tidbit.

Lisa

Don’t know if it is too mature, The Great Gatsby. Romeo and Juliet. I liked Cyrano De Bergerac. The Scarlet Letter. (can use movie tie-ins) Divergent, Hunger Games, anything by John Greene.

Lisa

The Telltale Heart, Fall of the House of Usher (Edgar Allen Poe)

Lisa

My daugher just finished Shackelton.

Lisa

I also read Agatha Christie: And Then there were None as a kid! Fun.

Lisa

For light-hearted reads tryJodi Picoult–Handle with Care and My Sister’s Keeper.

Kathi

Wow. I have never read a Jodi Picoult novel I would describe as light-hearted.

Kathy

Kathi agreed. Such heavy heartfelt topics.

Janet

The fact that someone is a good reader does not mean that the content is appropriate. Don’t push children to read things that are thematically too far above them. It becomes a lot of words with minimal plot understanding.

Lisa

Well said, Janet!!

Amanda

if she enjoyed ‘War and Peace’, im wondering what level she’s going to struggle with understanding… :/

YolandaQuestion author

Thanks, pushing a kid to read anything except homework is a useless process. I always tell them to reread the deeper choices when they are older.

Candace

Some kids are more mature and advanced in reading skills than others. I enjoyed books like this at that age too but no one pushed it on me

Judy

I read Les Miserables and Ivanhoe at that age and enjoyed them. Also hundreds of detective novels, a lifelong addiction.

Kathy

I had a 12 year old gifted student reading Clan of the Cave Bear while another was enjoying the I Survived series. Each child is unique. But I agree, there is a world of content difference between War and Peace and the Giver. Have you tried The Bartimaus Trilogy or Phillip Pullman’s series?

Kelly

The Hate U Give, Divergent series, His Dark Materials series (Phillip Pullman)… and many more if you need more ideas!

Annie

Definitely The Hate U Give!! ?

Deanna

Great Expectations, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Woman in White…

Bianca

Probably Jane Eyre. I’d also push for Anna Karenina. Possibly A Gentleman in Moscow.

Calli

I read “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keys at that age and enjoyed it. I reread it as an adult and realized a lot went over my head. Still an excellent read though. There is sex but nothing too graphic IMO. I also read “Gone With the Wind” at fourteen for the first time. It was too long though.

My favorite book that I read at that age was “She’s Come Undone” by Wally Lamb. There’s a lot of very graphic scenes though so I highly recommend an adult pre-read it or be available to discuss rape, sexual assault, miscarriage, infidelity, and death. Lots of issues regarding mental illness.

Karen

Uncle Tom’s Cabin is a favorite, as well as A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Sandy

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, John Green books

Gray

I enjoyed the following classic titles when I read them during that age :
Gone With The Wind
The Scarlet Letter
Of Mice and Men
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Anne Frank’s Diary of a Young Girl
Raise High the Roof Beam
Franny and Zooey
Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories

And I was too much into Stephen King in my teens.

Gray

Also, since April is National Poetry Month, it’s a good idea to introduce her to poetry if she’s not into it already?

Karen

that is such a fantastic suggestion. Sterling Kids publishes the Poetry for Young People’ series. My favorite volume is Langston Hughes’ volume.

Krista

The Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck

Does she like history? At 14-15 I read tons of Historical Fiction, and (Non-Fiction) about British Royalty. (Think Tudors, Elizabeth I) Authors in this genre that I remember the best are Antonia Fraser and Carolly Erickson.

Laini Taylor writes fabulous fantasy books with srong female characters. “Daughter of Smoke and Bone” is the first book of a trilogy.

Watership Down by Richard Adams

Mercedes Lackey

Michelle Moran

Neil Gaiman

Dickens, “A Tale of Two Cities” to start

I Capture tbe Castle by Dodie Smith

Karen

Mighty Girl website has loads of excellent recommendations.

Mili

Wow!

Mili