telophase: (Default)
telophase ([personal profile] telophase) wrote2011-11-18 11:12 am
  • Add Memory
  • Share This Entry

help with awesomeness

This year, my workplace is again doing the Alliance for Children thing where they give us tags, each listing info about a particular child's wants, and we buy Christmas gifts for that kid. These kids have usually been removed from their families, often with only the clothes on their backs. (Each kid's tags are also given to several different workplaces, so these won't be the only gifts they get).

Last year, I picked out two teenage gamer girls. This year, I've got a ten-year-old girl whose pseudonym (AFC keeps them from being identified) is Raven. Raven likes "fantasy books, Harry Potter, anime books, Hello Kitty."

So: what suggestions do you have for awesome gifts for her? (preferably from retailers with local outlets, like Barnes and Noble, so I can enclose a receipt for exchanges in case she's already read it/doesn't like it/etc.)
Flat | Top-Level Comments Only
jumpuphigh: Dreamsheep in front of bookshelf with text "Books make everything better" (Booksheep)

[personal profile] jumpuphigh 2011-11-18 06:28 pm (UTC)(link)
I just finished Patricia C. Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles which would be appropriate for a 10-year-old.

The first book in the series, Dealing with Dragons has a female protagonist, Cimorene, who is a princess who isn't "proper". She doesn't want to learn the proper princessly studies. She wants to learn fencing and Latin and how to make Cherry Jubilee. Each time her parents find out and stop the lessons, she moves on to something else which is equally improper. Eventually, she runs away to live with a dragon.

All four books are good and the main problem I have with Wrede, her inability to write a female protagonist without marrying her off at some point, is mitigated some by showing really healthy, quirky, loving, accepting relationships.
tehkittykat: utena is no prince charming (sailor; my ninja skills rock)

[personal profile] tehkittykat 2011-11-18 09:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Sailor Moon and Codename: Sailor V should be at your local Barnes and Noble. Both series are out through volume 2. Considering it's THE classic magical girl story (since Sailor V is like a loose prequel/happening at the same time as early Sailor Moon) it should hit those requirements of cute, fantasy, and anime pretty well. Kodansha DID rate them 13+, though most of the more mature stuff will be happening in future volumes given that the anime followed the manga decently well.
lady_ganesh: A Clue card featuring Miss Scarlett. (cheongsam (Saiyuki))

[personal profile] lady_ganesh 2011-11-19 12:19 am (UTC)(link)
If you have a local Claire's they have a TON of Hello Kitty stuff. You could even put a B & N gift card in one of the little purses -- the great thing about being ten is that a gift card for ten bucks can actually get you some books, lol. Kiddo recommends Zoobles if you want to pick up a toy.

I got kiddo some chopsticks in a case for Christmas last year and that was a big hit.

Deltora Quest (the books, which were adapted into an anime) is probably a good bet. Those Warriors books with the fighting cats are popular at that age, but I kind of hate them (the characterization is very flat). But, popular, fantasy, FIGHTING CATS. Sisters Grimm books are good. Kiddo recommends the My Sister the Vampire series too. The Babymouse comics are funny and cute, and done by a brother-sister team here in the US.
sophisted: (Default)

[personal profile] sophisted 2011-11-19 01:56 am (UTC)(link)
His Dark Materials. An excellent trilogy for a burgeoning young fantasy lover.
sophisted: (Default)

[personal profile] sophisted 2011-11-19 01:59 am (UTC)(link)
It might actually be too old for her age group. I have a hard time judging because I never really read books for my age level back then.

[identity profile] vom-marlowe.livejournal.com 2011-11-18 05:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Sears has a selection of jammies, robes, and etc with Hello Kitty on them in the women's section. They looked nice and were affordable and well-made.

I know quite a few young girls who really enjoyed the Percy Jackson series. They shouldn't be too hard to find and really fun.

[identity profile] rachelmanija.livejournal.com 2011-11-18 06:16 pm (UTC)(link)
I'll make several suggestions of fantasy books that I think are at an average 10-year-old's reading level, and have girl protagonists and happy endings. And are popular, so should be easy to find at a B&N.

Tamora Pierce's "Circle of Magic" series. First book: Sandry's Book. There are sequels, but it doesn't end on a cliffhanger.

Nnedi Okorafor's Zahrah the Windseeker.

I second Percy Jackson.

What about the first volumes of a couple assorted manga? If she likes Hello Kitty, she probably is into "cute." Maybe Fruits Basket and anything else adorable and appealing.


chomiji: A young girl, wearing a backward baseball cap, enjoys a classic book (Books - sk8r grrl)

[personal profile] chomiji 2011-11-18 06:31 pm (UTC)(link)

Wonder if she's already read any Diana Wynne Jones? Howl's Moving Castle comes to mind for that age.

ext_6284: Estara Swanberg, made by Thao (Default)

[identity profile] estara.livejournal.com 2011-11-18 09:08 pm (UTC)(link)
If you still can find all the manga in this series - it was a Del Rey one - I would think this manga would be perfect for her:
http://www.goodreads.com/series/69318-sugar-sugar-rune

[identity profile] rayechu.livejournal.com 2011-11-19 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
The Sailor Moon manga just got rereleased! I'm always nervous about manga as a christmas gift though since it can be such an expensive hobby. I think The Last Unicorn book is rereleased as well. I feel like at that age I read all of the dead dog stories so those aren't really yay christmas to me. What about Narnia or Wrinkle in time? The Giver? Oh TA Barron's The Ancient One!

As for little things check the target dollar section. They had a ton of hello kitty/sanrio stuff the last time I was there.
Flat | Top-Level Comments Only