I have just finished reading the Harry Potter series with my 10 year old daughter. We take it in turns to read a page and then talk about each chapter. It has really developed her reading while giving us something in common to talk about. The books are written for children but have enough depth for us to talk about inferred meanings and plot deveolpment.
I want to continue reading with her so I'm now looking for new books. Can anyone recommend something which is long enough, readable by children and have sufficient depth. I've thought about Lord of the Rings, but I'm not sure she'll enjoy all the fighting. Are there any good childrens versions of the Iliad and Odyssey? Animal Farm might be OK, but a bit short.
Any suggestions very welcome, particularly if you confirm earlier suggestions.
the hobbit would be good as its shorter and softer than lotr, but along the same lines. the roald dahl books such as boy an flying solo may be good, never read them myself but i think theyr a bit more grown up than his other books. also what about the nania chronicles...lots of hidden meanings in there with all the hints to christianity. black beauty is excellent as is wind in the willows which again has hidden meanings. theres also a book called "when hitler stole pink rabbit" I cant remember who its by but its very enjoyable, i read it in middle school and again last year (im 19) and it could lead to discussion about ww2.
Those Roald Dahl books would be excellent, along with "Danny, Champion of the World", "The Witches" and "Charlie & the Chocolate Factory". Not all fantasy, but material that you could discuss together.
You might also want to consider Michelle Magorian's "Goodnight Mister Tom" and Nigel Hinton's "Time Bomb", both set around WW2 and quite suitable for an intelligent ten-year-old and her mum/dad.
Hi, maybe a little old for her yet, but Philip Pullman...The Amber Spyglass [this is a trilogy...but I can't remember the names of the others!!!] These are excellent books....there's not much that i can get my son to read [now 14...read them 18 months ago] but he really enjoyed these....and so did I!
...just to add....The Lord of the Rings, although excellent, my favourite book infact....is one of those books you have to want to read....otherwise it can be very hard going. Go with The Hobbit as someone else suggested and take it from there.
divegirl...holes by louis sachar (recently made into a film) is an excellent book for anyone and when my brothers were at your sons age they were exactly the same as him (still are actually) and didnt read at all but they both thoroughly enjoyed holes
I have just bought my son two of the Stormbreaker books, can't remember the author my niece is enjoying a series of unfortunate events, there is now 13 books.
the phillip pullman trilogy is His Dark Materials, consisting Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass (not necessarily in that order!) and they are fantastic, although i agree with divegirl that they may deal with issues a little complex for a 10 year old. even so, im sure you will both enjoy them thoroughly.