Children's book recs sought! Queer Narrative Fictional Client Revealed!

[rachelmanija]

I need recommendations for books which are likely to appeal to an 11-year-old who likes sf, fantasy, and the Alex Rider series, AND to a 10-year-old who likes mysteries and Lemony Snicket. To clarify: a single book must appeal to BOTH kids.

On a completely different topic, I double-checked with my Queer Narrative professor, and got an okay to do a fictional therapy session with a queer character from a historical work. He said to just insert myself-as-therapist into their historical context. I am leaning toward one of the heroines in Sarah Waters' Fingersmith. Lots of issues regarding social narratives, personal "stories," "problem-saturated narratives," queerness, and "madness" there! (I could also counsel them as a couple, but we haven't yet gotten into couple's counseling so I don't feel on firm ground with that.)

Comments

[skygiants]

I second the person over at DW who said Joan Aiken! The Dido books are great for adventure, sense of the fantastic, and a totally bizarre sense of humor.

Other recs:

Philip Reeve's Larklight: A Rousing Tale of Dauntless Pluck in the Farthest Reaches of Outer Space, middle-grade steampunk with a tone exactly like what it sounds from the title (and with bonus adorable illustrations similar to what you get in the Series of Unfortunate Events)

Laurence Yep's City of Fire, a fantasy AU of the 1930's featuring an everything-and-the-kitchen-sink approach to mythology and plotting, including tiny griffins, Kushite Amazons, and a dragon assassin disguised as a Pinkerton agent