The Westing Game or The Tattoed Potato and Other Clues or any other book by Ellen Raskin (I'm not sure what age level they're at though). The Sally Lockhart books by Philip Pullman are good too.
Zoe: I thought you wanted to spend more time off-ship this visit. Wash: Out there is seems like it's all fancy parties. I like our party better. The dress code is easier and I know all the steps.
'Shindig'
We're Literary 2: To Read Makes Our Speaking English Good
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."
Maysa - Dec 08, 2003 3:52:28 pm PST #100 of 10002
deborah grabien - Dec 08, 2003 3:53:24 pm PST #101 of 10002
It really doesn't matter. It's just an opinion. Don't worry about it. Not worth the hassle.
Jesse, as was I. It was the quirks that caught me: Poirot's mustaches and morning chocolat, Ms. Marple being all pink and inexorable. But I really loved the Tommy and Tuppence ones best at that age. Not sure why.
Kat - Dec 08, 2003 3:53:45 pm PST #102 of 10002
"I keep to a strict diet of ill-advised enthusiasm and heartfelt regret." Leigh Bardugo
Enid Blyton is good for a precocious reader who likes mysteries.
If you want contemporary, I'd strongly recommend Wendelin Van Draanen's Sammy Keyes Mysteries. I think the first one is either Sammy Keyes and the Skeleton Man or Sammy Keyes and the something Hotel.
Sammy is a total hoot. She is a 7th grader who always finds herself in trouble and at the center of something that needs solving.
bon bon - Dec 08, 2003 3:55:56 pm PST #103 of 10002
It's five thousand for kissing, ten thousand for snuggling... End of list.
I remember enjoying 1 minute mysteries around then, if that's what it's called.
And The Westing Game! Good call.
Jesse - Dec 08, 2003 3:56:57 pm PST #104 of 10002
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.
But I really loved the Tommy and Tuppence ones best at that age. Not sure why.
Me too! I reread one recently and still loved it, actually. It's because Tuppence is the best -- she's all cute and independent and capable and fun.
Actually, I need kid present book recs, too. My cousin is 6, but a really good reader. He read the first two Harry Potter, but they got too dark for him. Lemony Snicket ditto. My aunt mentioned things like Superfudge, but now I figure everyone else will get him that. I was thinking Phantom Tollbooth, but I wonder if he'll get the jokes?
Kat - Dec 08, 2003 3:57:46 pm PST #105 of 10002
"I keep to a strict diet of ill-advised enthusiasm and heartfelt regret." Leigh Bardugo
He likes fantasy, Jesse?
Jesse - Dec 08, 2003 3:59:20 pm PST #106 of 10002
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.
As long as they aren't scary, I guess.
Hil R. - Dec 08, 2003 3:59:56 pm PST #107 of 10002
Sometimes I think I might just move up to Vermont, open a bookstore or a vegan restaurant. Adam Schlesinger, z''l
Maybe some Roald Dahl, Jesse?
erikaj - Dec 08, 2003 4:00:29 pm PST #108 of 10002
Always Anti-fascist!
Tommy and Tuppence were cool...very happening for 1925 or whenever...and there was a show, on pbs with a Francesca somebody... my one junior high friend and I got a big kick out of them. Yeah, I was softer-side Willow, then.
deborah grabien - Dec 08, 2003 4:01:49 pm PST #109 of 10002
It really doesn't matter. It's just an opinion. Don't worry about it. Not worth the hassle.
My word, how did I forget Blyton? Thing is, there's the probable need to warn a modern kid about the racism (not to mention the sexism) of the period - I remember liking the books, but thinking Noddy awfully weird in some ways.