Thank Heaven, For Little Girls!

    Little girls who love to read.  Sometimes the process starts by simply carrying books around when they're small. As they begin to read on their own, or even before, there are several series that can be really enjoyable.  

 

Junie B. Jones  -- I have to admit that I have not read these.  However, the daughter of dear friends was quite enamored of these books around age 7.    These books are written by Barbara Parks and published by Random House. She has adventures in school and with her family.  Part of the books are set in first grade, which makes it fun for those in first or second grade.  The books are fairly short chapter books and can usually be found in the book aisle at Wal-Mart.   For more information on the books:  Junie B. Jones

The Little House books -- Now these I read voraciously.  This series by Laura Ingalls Wilder I probably started around age seven or eight  -- but I was weird.  The interest is there at about that age, if not always the ability to read all of it.  (That's where parents reading to children comes in handy.)  The first book  Little House in the Big Woods  is set in Wisconsin in 1871, and begins when Laura is four and is told from her perspective.  The original books are in the following order:

There are also two diaries by Laura --  On the Way Home and  West from Home.    The series has also been expanded in the last decade to include stories about Caroline (Ma) as a girl, and Rose (Laura's daughter)  growing up.   There are also additional books based on Caroline's mother -- Charlotte and her girlhood in Boston and Charlotte's mother  Martha who live in Scotland.   All of the books are fun, but I recommend starting with the originals.   Most of the sites connected with the original books actually have markers, so if you are a family that travels, be prepared.   

Little House Site

 

Anne Books -- These books by L.M. Montgomery are for a slightly older girl -- eleven or twelve, but that depends on the girl.   These are set on Prince Edward Island in Canada.  Anne is an orphan who is raised by her aunt and uncle.  She has red hair which often causes her to be teased at school.  She has good friends and lots of adventures and an active imagination.  Her true love may or may not be Gilbert Blythe, but matters of the heart are always interesting.  The series takes her through college, courting, marriage and raising children of her own.   Some of these books are actually available on-line from the Gutenberg project.      Anne Site            Project Gutenberg & Anne books on-line

Anne of Green Gables 1908
Anne of Avonlea 1909
Anne of the Island 1914
Anne of Windy Poplars 1936
Anne's House of Dreams 1917
Anne of Ingleside 1939
Rainbow Valley 1919
Rilla of Ingleside 1921
 

Nancy Drew Books   -- These were my favorites.  In fact, I still collect these wonderful books.