what age child for the asterix books? Any other ideas for 12 yr old.

elsien

My niece is 12, very ungirly, and is only into books and sport. She doesn't generally want "things" and says no if you offer to buy her anything.
It's her 12th birthday next week. I don't know what books she's read and don't want to get a gift token unless all else fails. They're off to Italy soon - I can't find a suitable guidebook for someone her age, but I used to love Asterix, and wondered if that might interest her?
Any other suggestions greatfully received - even her mum hasn't got a clue!

nickyc_2

can't recommend anything specific (all the children I know are younger) but it may be worth checking out The Book People. They do cheap books & you can search by age. Maybe a book on sport?

http://www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/catalog_10001_10051_100

Think you can go through quidco as well.

elsien

I've been rummaging on Amazon and found some books by Caroline Lawrence - fiction set in ancient Rome. Some are saying 9-12, and others are rated young adult. Has anyone come across these and are they ok for a 12 year old who's an advanced reader?

benood

Lord of the Rings? but might be a bit boyish. Harry Potter?

elsien

She's read the obvious ones like Harry Potter. I was hoping to find something that she could relate to her holiday, which is why I was looking at the ancient Rome stuff.

frivolous_fay

Asterix would be a good one I was reading them at about that age. (And I've always read like mad)

mrcow

Asterix is good. I still read it now at age 35

At age 12, I was completely into Agatha Christie murder novels - I have no idea if I was a strange kid, but I know that my best mate also read them at that age. I even got one book in French, just for fun.

I was also into ghost stories etc. and stuff like Ripley's "Believe it or not"

mrcow

How good is she at reading? And how mature is she?

Steven Saylor's "Roma" series is set in the era that you want and is very popular. Whether or not it would be suitable.....you'd need to go into Waterstones and have a look.

frivolous_fay

I also liked the Stainless Steel Rat books (sci fi)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stainless-Steel-Rat-Harry-Harrison/dp/1857984986
Only a penny + postage

and was dipping into Douglas Adams

What on earth's wrong with me? PRATCHETT!

ka7e

My daughter loved the Stravaganza series of books by Mary Hoffman at that age. They are set in an alternate universe Italy and Venice and have made her fall in love with the real versions!

http://www.stravaganza.co.uk/ is the companion website.

City of Masks is the first title in the series http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=city+of+masks&btnG=Search+Products&hl=en&show=dd

floss2

Asterix would be good for her - you need to be a little bit grown-up to understand some of the humour & names.

Has she read "The Hobbit"? Or any Alan Garner ("The Owl Service" or "Wierdstone of Brisinghamen").......although I have to admit that at 12 I was reading Jennings, Biggles and Colditz books - all "borrowed" from my big brothers!