What meara said.
Although I'd put in a good word for the Oz books too. With the proper illustrations. Classic fantasy for the win!
Joyce ,'Never Leave Me'
There's more to life than watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer! No. Really, there is! Honestly! Here's a place for Buffistas to come and discuss what it is they're reading, their favorite authors and poets. "Geez. Crack a book sometime."
What meara said.
Although I'd put in a good word for the Oz books too. With the proper illustrations. Classic fantasy for the win!
I was going to recommend the Song of the Lioness quartet as a good start, but on rethink it might make sense to go with the Circle of Magic series. They're aimed at a slightly younger set, so might be a better intro to the author for even a very precocious 8-year-old. If she likes them, but wishes for something a tad older-feeling, then she's ready to jump into the Alanna and Keladry series (which do include some very fade-to-black love-making scenes as the characters get older, as a warning.)
Does anyone else remember Miss Pigglewiggle?
Mrs. PiggleWiggle. And,. yes, they are wonderful books.
Laga, YES! I still remember the story of the girl who wouldn't bathe who got tomatoes planted on her skin!
There's also a book called "Red Moon, Black Mountain" by Joy Chant - several children in a family step from their trip in the English countryside into a different world with all kinds of adventures. Possibly for an older audience than the Narnia books, but well written.
Went with "A Wrinkle in Time". Actually never read it because I heard it many times read out loud by "Uncle Ruthie" on KPFK. Which now that I think of it is a great way to absorb it. But I'm keeping the other suggestions for the future, because I'm friends with her father and her Grandma, and I strongly suspect there are more gifts from me in her future.
Oh, sorry, didn't catch that we were suggesting for an 8 year old. In that case, yeah, the Circle of Magic ones might be a better intro, Gris is right.
Have the literistas here put together a Big List of Cool Kids' Books, ie, a compliation of all the posts on that subject?
John Updike passed away today.