Subject: Young Adult Books With Happy Endings
Posted by: Sandpiper18
Date: Mar 02 24
Hi all in the community,
For a friend, I'm looking for recommendations for Young Adult books for a sensitive kid who, right now, can't handle violence, gut-wrenching tragedy, death of animals, etc. This kid loves to read, but they and their mom (and I) have had trouble finding books they can handle.
Old Yeller is out. They were not able to handle Charlotte's Web. The Hunger Games and probably other dystopian stuff is out.
Their mom said they loved Caddie Woodlawn and a sci-fi/fantasy book called The Forgotten Door by Alexander Key. They also enjoyed some of the Encyclopedia Brown books but began to find them formulaic. The kid has mostly outgrown the Winnie-the-Pooh books. Another favorite was a collection of children's stories by Isaac Bashevis Singer. The family is Jewish, and the kid finds stories that have an element of faith in them comforting. Despite the violence that occurs in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the kid loves it, apparently since everything turns out OK in the end. Historical novels might be OK. This child also enjoys non-fiction and poetry. They did not like the first Harry Potter book at all so did not try the rest. They enjoyed The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
The kid is in fifth grade after having skipped a grade. They seem to read at about an 8th grade level or higher.
Any recommendations would be helpful. This kid has a disability, so please be kind. We know the kid will need to eventually learn how to deal with tragic events when reading. One step at a time.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and consider making recommendations!
-- Sandpiper
Posted by: Sandpiper18
Date: Mar 02 24
Hi all in the community,
For a friend, I'm looking for recommendations for Young Adult books for a sensitive kid who, right now, can't handle violence, gut-wrenching tragedy, death of animals, etc. This kid loves to read, but they and their mom (and I) have had trouble finding books they can handle.
Old Yeller is out. They were not able to handle Charlotte's Web. The Hunger Games and probably other dystopian stuff is out.
Their mom said they loved Caddie Woodlawn and a sci-fi/fantasy book called The Forgotten Door by Alexander Key. They also enjoyed some of the Encyclopedia Brown books but began to find them formulaic. The kid has mostly outgrown the Winnie-the-Pooh books. Another favorite was a collection of children's stories by Isaac Bashevis Singer. The family is Jewish, and the kid finds stories that have an element of faith in them comforting. Despite the violence that occurs in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the kid loves it, apparently since everything turns out OK in the end. Historical novels might be OK. This child also enjoys non-fiction and poetry. They did not like the first Harry Potter book at all so did not try the rest. They enjoyed The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
The kid is in fifth grade after having skipped a grade. They seem to read at about an 8th grade level or higher.
Any recommendations would be helpful. This kid has a disability, so please be kind. We know the kid will need to eventually learn how to deal with tragic events when reading. One step at a time.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and consider making recommendations!
-- Sandpiper
14 replies. On page 1 of 1 pages. 1
Dagny1 
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Hi, Sandpiper! That's a conundrum. I too loved Caddie Woodlawn and that sort of made me think of the Little House on the Prairie books but they might be too young. Being a mystery reader, my first thoughts were Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. I think they might be great for elementary school children but if the kid is reading at 8th grade level, they might not work. Maybe The Black Stallion Books? Reply #1. Mar 02 24, 10:26 AM |
Kip1Usa
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I too thought of the Hardy Boy/Nancy Drew books. My 10-year-old granddaughter started reading Nancy Drew books, so I read a few too (it's been 60 or so years since I last read them) and found them still entertaining. For history and biographies, try the Landmark series of books. Reply #2. Mar 02 24, 10:37 AM |
| Dagny1
|
Thought of another old series - Mildred Wirt's Penny Parker one. Like Kip, it's been over sixty years since I was reading those types of books. I looked at some current authors who specialize in Young Adult books to see if I could spot any more modern books. Maureen Johnson is a possibility. 13 Little Blue Envelopes was interesting and its sequel, The Last Little Blue Envelope, was cute. She's written a couple of short series but I haven't read any of them. There are quite a few books not marketed as YA, but suitable if they're reading at the 8th grade level. It would depend on their interests. If they're interested in the space program, Mars and such one of the absolute best books I've read in recent years is The Martian by Andy Weir. I don't recall that it was too heavy on the science part (if it was, I glossed over those parts). Mainly it's about an astronaut that gets marooned on Mars due to equipment failure, his struggle to survive and the ground team's struggle to figure out a way to get him back to earth safely. I really loved that book. There are other books which aren't marketed for young adults but one which would be suitable if they like animals. Eileen Brady writes some Kate Turner books which I enjoy very much, great characters (even if they are grown ups, lol) and some humor. I don't recall for certain but since both the author and her character are veterinarians, I doubt there is much in the way of animal deaths, violence, etc. Reply #3. Mar 02 24, 12:59 PM |
postcards2go
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How about the 'Goosebumps' books by R.L. Stine? My daughter loved them, as a pre-teen/early teen. Eerie, and spooky, but no death, and very little, if any, violence. They also can be ghoulishly humorous. Reply #4. Mar 02 24, 1:26 PM |
Sandpiper18
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Thank you so much, @Dagny, @Kip1USA, and @Postie for your suggestions! We'll definitely look into them all! @Dagny, I think I'll also look into The Martian for myself! :-) Reply #5. Mar 02 24, 3:19 PM |
| Dagny1
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Good, Sandpiper. I hope you enjoy it. Then you can estimate if they will like it or not. It was so suspenseful. The writing style was easy for me to read and I could hardly put it down. Reply #6. Mar 02 24, 4:19 PM |
rahul0
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If they like CS Lewis I would say Lord of the Rings, I read it when I was in middle school and enjoyed it. Happy ending + elements of faith as well Reply #7. Mar 02 24, 4:30 PM |
MariaVerde
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How about the All of a Kind Family books by Sydney Taylor? Set in the 1910s, it’s about a family of girls (who get a little brother in the last chapter of the first book) on the Lower East Side. I loved them when I was a kid and took them out of the library last year as a comfort read. Reply #8. Mar 02 24, 4:44 PM |
pennie1478
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What about Cornelia Funke "Inkheart" books? What about Lemony Snicket (they can also get formulaic)? What about Melissa de la Cruz and the Descendants books? Reply #9. Mar 02 24, 5:18 PM |
| Dagny1
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Yes, rahu! How could I have forgotten about Lord of the Rings - probably because I didn't 'discover' them until I was in my 30s. And don't forget to start with The Hobbit. Reply #10. Mar 02 24, 5:36 PM |
LadyNym
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"The Lord of the Rings" is probably my favourite book of all time. However, if the child in question is sensitive to issues like tragedy and death of animals, I would be very hesitant to recommend it. There are some sections that are positively scary (like the Weathertop episode, or the encounter with Shelob), and Frodo's plight is likely to upset a sensitive soul. On the other hand, "The Hobbit" could be a good choice, in spite of some sad happenings towards the end. Reply #11. Mar 03 24, 6:46 AM |
| Dagny1
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Good point, Lady Nym. I was rethinking it myself last night and remembering how even I (in my 30s) was scared by the encounter with Shelob. Lots of war in parts also. Reply #12. Mar 03 24, 6:56 AM |
japh
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When I was young I enjoyed reading the Don Camillo books. The books were about the ideological battles between the priest, Don Camillo, and the communist mayor, Peppone, of a village in Italy. They contain no violence. Some of the books are available on eBay. Reply #13. Mar 03 24, 10:10 AM |
| Sandpiper18
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Thank you all so much for the additional suggestions!! I've forwarded all the info to the mom. @MariaVerde: "Comfort read" is a good way to put it in terms of what this kid is looking for in fiction. @japh: I've never heard of the Don Camillo books. They look very interesting. Reply #14. Mar 03 24, 7:49 PM |
14 replies. On page 1 of 1 pages. 1
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