Great Middle Grade Reads discussion

Hi all, I am new to this group and I am looking for suggestions to pass on to my nearly 10 year old daughter. She has really enjoyed the Rainbow Magic (Daisy Meadows) multiple series of books, but is finally wanting to branch out into something more challenging. She is a very reluctant reader and struggles with the next stage of middle school books. Has anyone got thoughts on something that she could try? She enjoys fairies, animals, princesses etc and I have tried several other series of books to entice her, but nothing has held yet. We've tried things like Goddess Girls (I liked it!) Magic Puppies/Kittens and Fairy Realm. We have some classics like Anne of Green Gables and Black Beauty to try over the summer. I would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance.

Melissa wrote: "Hi all, I am new to this group and I am looking for suggestions to pass on to my nearly 10 year old daughter. She has really enjoyed the Rainbow Magic (Daisy Meadows) multiple series of books, but ..."

Hi Melissa! My daughter is also a huge fan of the Rainbow Magic. Here are some suggestions after going through her book shelf.

Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne

Disney Fairies series

The Princess School series by Jane B. Mason and Sarah Hines Stephens

Flower Fairies Friends series by Kay Woodward

The Puppy Place series by Ellen Miles

Geronimo Stilton series

Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Park

Hope some of these will work out for you!

I would add the Droon Series by Tony Abbot.

Thanks so much for those suggestions, I will add them to the TBR list. She did try a Magic Treehouse, but it didn't take. Maybe I need to look at the series again. She has read some of the Disney Fairy books too. She has her own Good Reads account now so I can help her track her reading a little better. Thank goodness for libraries (and Good Reads members), because finding the right books is no easy task.

I am a fan of anything by Margaret Peterson Haddix. The Shadow Children Series or The Missing Series are extremely well written page turners. Paul

Paul wrote: "I am a fan of anything by Margaret Peterson Haddix. The Shadow Children Series or The Missing Series are extremely well written page turners. Paul"

Lots of great suggestions here! The Magic Treehouse was read by my kids but wasn't their "favorite" either.

I'm not coming up with more princess or fairy ideas but others to try:
Judy Moody
Katie Kazoo
Dragon Slayers Academy (main character is a boy but it has girl characters)

Also, graphic novels might be a good step at this point:
Rapunzel by Shannon Hale
Baby Mouse Series

And one of my girls' all-time favorites is the Ellie McDoodle series, just re-retitled with the addition of a new book, 4, as the Ellie McDoodle Diaries.

Thanks again for more suggestions. More books to add to the TBR list. My daughter has tried some graphic novels and really enjoyed Fashion Kitty and the Winx Club series. I don't particularly like graphic novels, but if she does and it gets her into reading then who am I to complain?!! Thanks again everyone.

Not fairies, but still innocent & fun
Beverly Cleary - Ramona Quimby

Clementine and sequels by Sara Pennypacker

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "Not fairies, but still innocent & fun
Beverly Cleary - Ramona Quimby

Clementine and sequels by Sara Pennypacker"

I almost came back and suggested those two but forgot! My youngest read all the Beverly Cleary, every one. :) They are timeless.

The Animal Ark books, starting with Kittens in the Kitchen.

The Fairy Realm books by Emily Rodda were a good transition from the Rainbow Magic series among my girls and their friends. First book is The Charm Bracelet. I also liked The Wonderful Wizard of Oz at that age.

How about Kate DiCamillo's books? I'm a huge fan. Her language is beautiful, but not difficult.
The Tale of Despereaux
The Magician's Elephant
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Because of Winn-Dixie

Junie B Jones series are ones my daughter likes

She likes the Bones series, its more of a comic type book though.

Thanks again for everyone's suggestions. We are currently having some success with the Percy Jackson books. Yay!! She got several for her 10th birthday recently and is working her way through. Which is great because I was wanting to read them too. Thanks again to all.