Another give-me-book-rec post!

[cahn]

I feel that I ought to know the answer to this, but it is easier to ask you because I know you will have good solutions!

E. needs to read a science-fiction book that is appropriate for her age (12/6th grade/middle grade). If she were two years older I'd give her Ender's Game or Becky Chambers, but she's not. She says she likes fantasy better than SF but I suspect this is at least partially because she hasn't really read much SF, most of the stuff I know about being aimed a little above her head (she's read Dragon Pearl and liked it but is using it for another category). I'd considered giving her a Heinlein juvenile but I think she should probably be just a little older for that too. I also gave her The Martian to look at, which she rejected on account of it being too long :) (If it's something that I think will suit her interests enough, I'll give it to her anyway even if it's long, but Martian was already pushing things a bit -- I'll give it to her in a year or two and I think it'll work better for her then.)

(If there are sentient animals or puzzles to solve that would be a plus, but not required. Another reason she likes fantasy better is because there are more sentient animals, I think.)

Comments

[rachelmanija]

Okay, I know later books are full of problematic elements, but I bet she'd love Dragonsong and it stands on its own.

[luzula]

Ha, that's just what I was going to say. I mean, sentient animals.

[mildred_of_midgard]

I love how we ALL went "Pern!"

[nineveh_uk]

Fourth'ed!

Or Nicholas Fisk, if he holds up for current readers.

[morbane]

I say as someone who also loves Dragonsong - I feel like the very way it stands on its own makes it read far more fantasy than sci-fi? Yes, it's in a far-future space world, but in Song and Singer those elements are very far in the background.

(As a gateway to other sci-fi reading, maybe? But first it would be a gateway to more McCaffrey, and there's a reason we're reccing Dragonsong as opposed to certain others.)

[cahn]

:D Oh yeeeeeah I think she would love it! If she doesn't end up reading it for Book List, I shall give it to her anyway :)