Because I do a lot of reading, my next door neighbor asked me to suggest some books for her middle school aged daughter (7th or 8th grade). I didn't have very many suggestions for her tastes and was wondering if you have any? the conversation went something like this:
Me: What kind of book recommendations would you like?
Daughter: I don't really know.
Me: Have you read The Hunger Games?
Neighbor: Isn't that about kids killing each other?
Me: Yes, but the violence feels more videogamey and many kids around the same age read The Hunger Games.
Neighbor: [Daughter name] is has insomnia and I don't want her to read anything too violent for fear of making it worse.
Daughter: Most of the books I've liked tend to be realistic. For example, the last book I read was about the main character's problems dealing with her boss. The boss was a jerk but she figured the situation out by the end of the book.
Me: I don't have a lot of experience with realistic books less violent than The Hunger Games, so I don't have any recommendations for you. I'll see if I can find any recommendations. I think it helps to do your own research and find books that you like. Don't get discouraged if the typical 'frequently recommended' books aren't your type of thing. You will find things you like.
I know that the Daughter watches some anime, including My Hero Academia. Neighbor is bi so books with LGBTQ themes could be a good fit. Daughter is also into drawing and doing art.
by eraseranon