There have been at least two recos for Pratchett and/or Discworld, and I have to third it. I read my first Pratchett around the same time I was reading HhGtG, just barely in high school, and didn’t know about the rest of his work. Years later I got into it and devoured all forty three or however many books.

I’d suggest Pratchett. Perhaps the witches series - or the Death series.

And in a slightly similar vein, T. Kingfisher’s Nettle and Bone.

What should I read next is a good resource for this. Personally I would suggest Pratchett. You can jump in anywhere with his books.

Others have mentioned Terry Pratchett, but I’d like to add his Tiffany Aching books were written specifically for a younger audience. So, they would be a great place to start.

My daughter is a little younger but has been enjoying The Kicks book series. If your daughter is into soccer/football she might like them too. They are written by Alex Morgan.

Books by Tamora Pierce would fit into her other book interest perfectly. All her Tortall books feature a strong heroine.

Maybe a bit left field, but I’d suggest something by the Brontë sisters (Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre) or Jane Austen. Never too early to start on the classics and those should be reasonably approachable.

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, definitely age appropriate, and in a similar thematic range.

Douglas Adams’ Dirk Gently books.

I absolutely ate up Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys books when I was that age. And there’s about a zillion of them. Bookmobile FTW.

@snaptastic

As plenty of others have said, Terry Pratchett for sure. The Tiffany Aching books were written for younger readers but are not at all “childish”. You could start anywhere but I would suggest The Wee Free Men first.

I really enjoyed the Artemis Fowl books at that age

Edit: Also, assuming the anti-religion aspect isn’t a deal breaker The Golden Compass/His Dark Materials series is a great read

Almost anything by Charlie N Holmberg would probably be good. The Paper Magician and the Whimbrel House series are both excellent

As others have suggested, the Discworld series for sure. Also, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. I read it when I was 10 and fell absolutely in love with it.

The Cytoverse series by Brandon Sanderson, starting with Skyward. Age appropriate, female protagonist, sci-fi.

Also, I see someone else in this thread recommended Blood Meridian, and I feel like I should say that’s not a good recommendation for that age group. It’s a good book, and Cormac McCarthy is a great writer, don’t get me wrong, but it is also bleak, super violent, and dense.

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson is good, probably on the more grisly side for a tween (probably in the same vein as Hunger Games?). Elantris (also by Sanderson) is a great read too.

Blood Meridian is a pretty good one if she likes adventures and historical drama with a teen protagonist

My Side of the Mountain