By Shannon Serpette for Dadspadblog.com – If your book selections tend to waver between true sports stories and biographies of famous men, you’re going to need an assist when it comes time to select reading material for your daughter. Your choices will have her rolling her eyes or sending less-than-enthused looking emojis to her friends.
To help you slam dunk your choices, keep reading our list. It’ll give you a selection of modern books and classics that will work for your daughter whether she’s in pre-school or high school. We’ll even list the age range for you to make this fool proof.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, ages 2 to 5
You might not understand the appeal of Bill Martin Jr’s book, but your little daughter will eat it up. It’s catchy and your child will be mesmerized until the last page.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar, ages 2 to 6
The illustrations in this Eric Carle’s book are beautiful and your daughter will get a kick out of seeing just how hungry that caterpillar is. She’ll like hearing you read this to her and as she grows into an independent reader, she’ll love tackling it herself.
Grace for President, ages 5 to 9
If you want your daughter to dream about changing the world, let her see it’s possible through her role models. The main character in this book by Kelly DiPucchio becomes determined to be the first female president of the United States. But first, she has to build her political career at her school.
Magic Tree House #1: Dinosaurs Before Dark, ages 6 to 8
This book series by Mary Pope Osborne focuses on the time-traveling adventures of brother-sister duo, Jack and Annie. Your daughter will learn about history as she reads these enormously popular books. And, even better, she’ll never run out of reading material because there are approximately one billion books in this series – or at least it seems that way to parents who forget what number of book their daughter is on.
Matilda, ages 8 to 10
This book by Roald Dahl is everything a book for girls should be. It has humor, heart, a plucky heroine who has special abilities, a hopeless situation to overcome and a great teacher who’s a wonderful role model. Your girl won’t be able to put this one down.
A Little Princess, ages 9 to 14
This Frances Hodgson Burnett book has inspired girls for generations. While girls will weep for the main character’s loss early on in the book, they’ll be in awe of her resilience and the bravery and kindness she shows in the face of adversity.
Dork Diaries 1: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life, ages 9 to 12
Let’s face it. Every kid at some point feels like a dork, whether they truly are or not. Your daughter will be able to relate to this book by Rachel Renee Russell because it covers all the daily dramas she’ll encounter in school.
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, ages 11 and older
You know how you’d rather slam your hand in a car door repeatedly than discuss puberty with your daughter? This Judy Blume book helps your daughter understand it better than your clumsy, rehearsed speeches will. You’re welcome.
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, 11 and older
This book was written a long time ago, but it still covers themes that are valid and important today. The horrors of war, the feeling that your family doesn’t understand you, the power of hope, and the giddiness you feel around your school crush will resonate with your daughter.
The Hunger Games, 11 to 14
The main character of this book, Katniss, makes a great role model for girls. She’s strong and a survivor. Your daughter will encounter some weighty issues like starvation and death while reading this, but like any good book, it’ll make her feel and think.
The Fault in Our Stars, 13 to 18
The Romeo and Juliet romance of this modern-day love story will have your teenage girl reading non-stop and probably shedding a few tears along the way. Give this John Green book to her along with a box of Kleenex. She’s going to need it.
To Kill a Mockingbird, age 13 and up
This classic by Harper Lee has stood the test of time because it has themes that have never gone away. Racism is at the core of this book, and it does have scenes that make it too intense for younger readers. After reading this book, your daughter may have a better grasp upon the importance of tolerance, equality and justice.
Shannon Serpette is a mother of two and an award-winning journalist and freelancer who lives in Illinois. When she’s not spending time with her children, she is often pursuing her favorite hobbies – running, metal detecting and kayaking. She can be reached at writerslifeforme@gmail.com.
