I’m looking for some books to read aloud to my 9 and 12 year old girls. The youngest likes to read but my oldest hates it. I was a big reader as a kid and I feel like maybe if I do the work of reading for her I can get her into it but even if not, I would like to share meaningful stories with them both.

I’m thinking of starting with A Tree Grows in Brooklyn… what else would you recommend? I’m open to anything but I think “coming of age”, relatable stories will capture their attention most. They’re not much into fantasy. I love a good tear jerker but when we read Charlotte’s Web, my oldest was hysterical (a couple years back) and that was just at chapter 2.

I remember A Prayer for Owen Meany seriously affecting me in high school but I realized today that it’s more religious than I remembered and I can’t recall if there is anything too mature.

Also thinking about reading The Giver - that’s about as dark or sad as I would want to go at their age I think.

Would love your recommendations.