For context, I’m in my early twenties, my sister is in middle school. We live together and I help my single mom take care of her. I pack her lunches, take her to school, take her to the doctor and dentist, and do her laundry so I am in more of an authoritative role than a sisterly role. She is extremely young for her age. She is very into Hello Kitty, Miraculous Ladybug, and Squishmallows, if that paints a picture for you.
I’m currently reading a Little Life, and I said it was very good when talking to my grandma and my sister was there. She’s now ADAMANT about reading it. I told her she couldn’t read it, so now she’s more committed to reading it. I don’t actually think she’d get through it, but she does have access to Audible and said she’d audiobook it then. So, my mom took her to the bookstore to get some books. Together, they pick out some sports romance books. They have the cute cartoonish people on the front. I thumb through them. EXTREMELY graphic sex 60-80 pages in. Porn level, unrealistic sex. Did I read books that include sex scenes as an eighth grader? Yes. But they were YA books like The Fault In Our Stars where sex was alluded to, not described in insane, graphic detail that I think can lead to creating unrealistic, dangerous expectations for young girls.
I read a lot. I have read tons and tons of YA books and have given her a lot of recommendations. I just gave her box sets of The Summer I Turned Pretty, To All The Boys, and Harry Potter, and then I gave her The Fault In Our Stars and Turtles All The Way Down. She doesn’t like fantasy outside of Harry Potter, she also doesn’t like anything dystopian or sci-fi or the classics. We’ve tried The Hunger Games, Divergent, Uglies, Shadow and Bone, Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, and Anne of Green Gables to no avail. I’m struggling to find middle school level but not sexually graphic stuff for her and need recommendations!
by webkinzluvr
9 Comments
Hello there!
I honestly don’t have book recommendations but have you explained to her why she can’t read those books? Or did you just say no in a ‘because I said so’ type of way?
I still remember being her age and I could understand more than I let on. And I wish adults talked to me more maturely about certain things.
That being said, when I was her age I was a little curious about certain forgiven topics so I googled them secretly. I was either a bit shocked or disgusted but that’s it. It didn’t traumatise me.
I don’t know her personality or how she might react, however. But my point is, she will probably find a way to take a look because the forbidden rouses curiosity unforunately,
If she truly insists on reading it, maybe you can try to explain to her that it contains topics that are difficult and shocking even for grown adults, and that’s why you want her to be careful.
Best of luck !
Authors Holly Jackson (*A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder* series) Karen McManus (*One of Us Is Lying* series) Jennifer Lynn Barnes (*The Inheritance Games* series). Those authors in general have great YA books, not just those series.
When I was in middle school (a while ago lol) I was obsessed with Meg Cabot. Not sure if she’s dated now but she has a few rom com-y high schooler love stories. She wrote the princess diaries series but I really loved her standalone novels like All American Girl, Pants on Fire, Jinx, How to Be Popular, Avalon High, Airhead.
My favourite series was Ally Carter’s Gallagher Girls series, it’s not fantasy so maybe she’d enjoy it? It’s about teen girls who attend a secret boarding school that trains them to be spies lol
*Un Lun Dun* by China Mieville
One genre I can see you’ve not tried yet is mystery. What about the Truly Devious books? The characters are a bit older so it can feel like she’s reading up.
Tiger Eyes or Deenie – Judy Blume
The Thief Of Always – Clive Barker (he also wrote YA scary stories)
In fact that might be the hook to get her interested. Bring up those sort of books with mock concern for whether or not she shouldn’t read them because she might get scared. Make them seem reluctantly given.
When I was concerned with a book being too mature for my kid, I read it myself first.
I highly recommend Jandy Nelson’s books! They are about young protagonists and just unbelievably engaging. I’ll Give You the Sun is a fave, I’ve gifted it 3-4 times, and The Sky is Everywhere is also great. It looks like she just had a new one come out too if she is looking for new releases!
When I was her age I asked for The Book of Lists for Christmas. My parents gave it to me but with pages torn out, and I went to the bookstore to find out the missing pages included Popes Who Died During Sex. Also, we were passing around Forever by Judy Blume. Censorship only increased my desire to read forbidden stuff.
Mystery might be a good choice, or maybe The Mixed Up Files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler (sp?).
Have a open book policy so she feels she can come to you for info
Have a look at these , some may be up her alley.
When you trap a tiger – t. Keller
The Misfits #1 – a royal conundrum – Lisa Yee
Inside out and back again – t. Lai
Look both ways – j. Reynolds
Half Brother – k. Oppel