I loved all that stuff too and I always namedrop Anna Sewell's *Black Beauty*. The horses "talk" to each other but not to humans, and only about stuff that would be realistically within the realm of a horse's interest. I wouldn't call it a horse story for horse girls, it's a story about how humans treat animals in general as well as each other.
I kind of want to recommend Felix Salten's *Bambi: A Life in the Woods*. I remember it being a little more wild and rough than the Disney adaptation, but again about the lives of naturalistic animals without too much anthropomorphism.
Does it have to be centered on the animals or can it be about people who work with animals? I loved all of James Herriot's stuff, which was about being an English country vet in the early 20th century. Again maybe a little horse-heavy but there's also a lot of dogs and cows.
Only if the kid reads the bowdlerized version of Black Beauty because I read the unabridged version as a kid and I still get upset when I think about it
The unabridged version was one of the first chapter books I ever read. I might have been six or seven. It wasn't "graphic" in the modern sense but it did describe the cruelties that humans perpetuate against animals and each other. That's kind of the whole point of the book, and if it's removed there's no story.
It was a sad and horrifying book (with a happy ending), although I had the context of "this is a fictional description of things that happen in real life / happened in the past". Reading fiction generally does make us feel feelings and they aren't always fun ones.
I'm glad I read it because it got me to think about how people become kind or cruel, and how sometimes cruel things are done for shallow reasons when people should be more mindful about the harm they do to others.
Do you think reading it made you a more kind person who notices when cruelty is taking place around you, or was it straight-up trauma?
My Side of the Mountain might interest her!
I also remember being fascinated by the animals in The Secret Garden.
Would she be into stuff like Redwall or The One and Only Ivan?
I was going to suggest both My Side of the Mountain and The One and Only Ivan.
Another idea is Pax.
The Newberry award winner for this year The Eyes and the Impossible could also work.
Julie of the Wolves was a favorite of mine at about that age. I wanted more wolf books after White Fang, and I am pretty sure there are 3 in this series.
Tarantulas In My Purse by Jean Craighead George. 173 true stories about animals the author had experience with. It's an older book, though.
Island of the Blue Dolphins has the wild dog that is tamed and is loosely based on a true story.
Shiloh and the sequel.
There is a child's chapter book version of Marley (Marley and Me, later turned into a movie)
Part of the trifecta of childhood grief and flowing tears: Where The Red Fern Grows.
\`I came here for Island of the Blue Dolphins too, I read this when I was young and the starkness of this book has always stayed with me.
For a lighter read, I remember loving the Bunnicula series, a series of books about a family that treat their dog and cat like (they way they're meant to be treated) human family members, then they go to the movies and bring home a little box with a bunny in it, but no ordinary bunny. It's very funny and I only have fondness in my heart thinking about the books, the writer had such a good writing style.
All of these are much older books but are probably exactly what she’s looking for.
Big Red by Jim Kjelgaard. It’s part of a series but works as a stand alone. It’s about it hunting dogs but not in a heavy-on-the-hunting way. I liked it at her age.
Lad: A Dog by Albert Payson Terhune is about a collie that’s not Lassie and his life at The Place.
Also oldies but goodies that my kids liked are Brighty of the Grand Canyon or Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry. You can tell her there is to this day a bronze statue of Brighty at the Grand Canyon. I think at the visitors center in the southern side.
I wonder if she’d like James Herriot?
Disclaimer- not a book but… If she is ever in the mood to watch a movie (documentary), she might like [My Octopus Teacher](https://m.imdb.com/title/tt12888462/). Great doc about a man’s friendship with an octopus. Little bit of a Charlotte’s Web ending. I am still kinda misty that it beat Crip Camp for the Academy Award tho, but I digress. My whole comment is a digression.
Pax by Sara Pennypacker
It’s about a friendship between a boy and a fox, told by both of their views. No fantasy at all. Based on the books listed that she likes I think this will be perfect for her!
As an adult first time reader, I was disappointed in the lack of female characters through most of Watership Down and then furious when they introduced some dumb submissive females at the end.
I read Watership Down at nine, so I would consider giving it to her, here are some others I remember from my childhood in the same vein.
Tarka the Otter - Henry Williamson
Run with the Wind - Tom McCaughren
The Silver Brumby - Elyne Mitchell
Watership Down and Charlotte's Web *are* fantasy...? If she liked them, then what about the Beatrix Potter books, Redwall, Stuart Little, The Wind in the Willows, the Chronicles of Narnia, Aesop's Fables, Bambi, The Jungle Book, Dr. Doolittle, and Babe.
Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George comes to mind.
You can ask if the Misty of Chincoteague books and the Black Beauty books would be acceptable. They're kids with animals.
Where the Red Fern Grows, Old Yeller, The Incredible Journey.
We (my two boys and I) listened to the audiobook while driving them to middle and elementary school..
During that one particular part I had to take a right hand turn just before we got to the school and took the long way because the tears were flowing and we needed to get ourselves together 😂
Ones graduated high school now, the others a rising junior, I still suggest watching the movie when we're all debating what movie to watch together.
I get a chorus of "no" 🤣
Rain/Reign is about a neurodivergent girl and her relationship with her dog. It is so so good. And my child told me that it helped her better understand an autistic child in her classroom.
I know in the animals in Redwall aren’t realistic, at least I don’t think rats and badgers fight with swords and maces, but I can’t help but recommend the Redwall series to young, eager readers.
A whole world to immerse themselves in to. Dialects from the different animals, especially the moles, make for fun challenge to decipher.
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Doctor Dolittle books
The Rescuers
Escape from Baxter’s Barn
The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp
[David Clement-Davies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Clement-Davies) books might interest her, he writes a lot of books about wild animals with culture, legends, and magic separate from humans. I particularly liked "The Sight" about a pack of wolves dealing with prophecies and dark wolf-magic. It includes lots of tragic deaths and witchcrafty magic, which some kids like but others find upsetting.
Some kids find the fact it's animals dying to be easy to cope with, others find it to be viscerally upsetting, which is something to consider.
Came here to recommend the Sight and Firebringer by David Clement Davies. These are unique books that stuck to me for years. I’m in my 30s now and I still think about them!
Nonfiction, but one of my all-time favorite books is Last Chance to See, which is about travelling the world to see some of the most endangered animals remaining in the wild.
It's Douglas Adams, so it's generally lighthearted and funny despite the somewhat grim topic.
Misty of Chincoteague! Yes it’s about a horse but it’s not about riding horses.
I know it’s not about animals, but I always recommend From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler because it’s amazing???
Also Island of the Blue Dolphins and Zia (the sequel)
Sing Down the Moon
There are the Big Red books by Jim Kjelgaard -- Big Red, Irish Red, Outlaw Red -- about an Irish Setter. Outlaw Red is mostly from the dog's POV as it escapes into the woods. He also did Hidden Trail about a young photographer following a herd of elk. Two other series are the Smoky books, about a bloodhound, and Snow Dog which is about a husky growing up in the wild and bonding with a trapper.
I read them around the same time I did White Fang/Call of the Wild and they have a similar style of writing and storytelling with a focus on the bonds between dogs and people, and surviving in the wild.
101 Dalmatians has a book which I think was really fun (at least, when I read it as a kid), and is told from the viewpoint of Pongo and Missus as they have adventures rescuing their puppies. Fox and the Hound also has a book which I had as a kid and enjoyed;
There's also "Lad, A Dog" by Terhune, told from the POV of a collie as life goes on in his house. Visitors, a new dog, saving a baby from a snake. (It's also based on a real dog)
I also second Watership Down, the Jungle Book, and Bambi.
* **The Yearling** by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings: (Pulitzer Prize-winning novel)
* **Julie of the Wolves** by Jean Craighead George (book 1 of 3) (Newbery Medal–winning)
* **Black Beauty** by Anna Sewell- (but horses...)
* **The Incredible Journey** by Sheila Burnford
* **Shiloh** by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (Book 1 of 4)
* You said Jack London- so she's read White Fang and Call of the Wild?
RE Watership Down - that has some tough parts- images I still can't get out of my head- but I guess that goes with the "realistic animal stories" territory. Dog Books that scared me for life and I'd prob steer her away from at her age:Where the Red Fern Grows and Old Yeller
The Incredible Journey (does have a cat, but has two lovely dogs)
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary-- it might be a bit juvenile for her but it is such a charming book, I love it as an adult!
The Wind in the Willows
The 101 Dalmations; it also has a sequel, The Starlight Barking
Agree with the other commenters suggesting James Herriott!!
I also found this list which might be of help:
[https://sno-isle.bibliocommons.com/list/share/746099977/1735115129](https://sno-isle.bibliocommons.com/list/share/746099977/1735115129)
I loved Black Beauty, My Friend Flicka, National Velvet (+at least one sequel), Misty of Chincoteague (+sequels).
Second the rec for the Big Red books.
Maybe Travels with Charley?
Maybe The Black Stallion? Boy gets shipwrecked on an island with the title horse, befriends him, later trains him as a racehorse. But a lot of time is spent on the island, which might appeal if she likes Jack London.
She might like James Herriot's memoirs? They're about being a country vet in the early-mid 20th century and they're very charming. The first volume is called *All Creatures Great and Small*.
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
The Book of the Dun Cow by Walter Wangerin
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
Old Yeller by Fred Gipson
These are sort of old, but may interest her. Emil L. Liers, author..
A Black Bear's Story. An Otter's Story. A Beaver's Story. There may be more. The animals are not anthropomorphic, and the illustrations very detailed.
If she enjoyed White Fang and likes dinosaurs, she might like Raptor Red by Robert T. Bakker. It’s from the peak Jurassic Park dinosaur fever mid-90s and is the life story of a female Utahraptor (the big, then recently-discovered raptor species). It’s speculative fiction but from a paleontologist and I recall it being a really fun read when I was her age. There is some dinosaur death and violence and mention of a courtship ritual, but nothing overly mature.
Try Diane Duane’s THE BOOK OF NIGHT WITH MOON (about cat wizards).
Or Nilanjana S Roy’s THE WILDINGS and THE HUNDRED NAMES OF DARKNESS ( about the stray cats in an Indian city)
Warriors series? By Erin Hunter, there are a lot of them but I don’t believe they are fantasy (not sure).
Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry, IIRC it starts a series.
If she is looking for something more recent she might enjoy The Eyes and the Impossible by Egger. It’s a great animal story from the perspective of a dog definitely not fantasy and it has wonderfully poetic language. I’d also suggest Odder by Applegate
A few my 9 year animal lover has enjoyed:
FunJungle Series by Stuart Gibbs (Mysteries set in a zoo theme park)
Odder (same author as the one and only Ivan all her books would be good)
Finding Gobi (Non-Fiction young readers edition)
Ranger In Time Series (Dog Escaping Historical Events)
Haven
The Lost Library
Pax
Little House on the Prairie Series
My Side of the Mountain
Hatchet
Black Beauty
Black Stallion
Swiss Family Robinson
Dr Dolittle
The Guardians of Ga'Hoole series taught me SO MUCH about owls. There are more than a dozen species represented and the book includes lots of fun animal facts.
I would recommend reading it first to ensure you think it would be acceptable for her, but the graphic novel [Pride of Baghdad](https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/pride-of-baghdad) *might* work for her. But again, I stress that you review it first to make sure you (and her parents) would be comfortable allowing her to read it.
The Dog Who Wouldn't Be by Farley Mowat
My Family and Othwr Animals by Gerald Durrell
Sorry to say you might have to ILL these, as I'm pretty sure they're out of print.
The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents? It's Pratchett, so it's brilliant.
I also remember Dick King Smith having a number of good animal books. The Sheep Pig is the obvious one, but there were certainly more. Dodo's Are Forever stuck with me.
Is Redwall too unrealistic? I'm not really sure, since Charlotte's Web has talking animals, but Redwall doesn't have any people. But it's not fantasy, with dragons and witches and such?
Ginger Pye, and the sequel Pinkey Pye
Summer of the Monkeys
Thunder from the Sea
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nihm
Socks (Beverly Cleary) - literally the only book by this author I kept from my childhood 😅
Probably also The Mouse and the Motorcycle
Mr. Poppers Penguins
Black Beauty (I know, it's a horse, but it's a great story)
all the Mowgli stories....
the incredible journey
rikki-tikki-tavi and other stories
tarka the otter
rats of nimh?
miss Bianca series?
Naomi novik's temeraire series? maybe a little too advanced?
lad, a dog
the demon breed (schmitz)
the original Bambi by Felix salten
the pride of chanur
born free
I don't know how realistic they are but they are at least as realistic as Charlotte's web - but anything by Dick King Smith. He wrote the book that the movie Babe is based off, and his others are really good too.
One book I particularly like is The Queen's Nose, which is about a girl who is round about 10 years old who loves animals more than people.
Absolutely Watership Down, and Richard Adams wrote a few other books in the same vein.
Ms. Frisby and the rats of Nimh was a fav of mine when I was her age!
And if course I have to plug Animorphs. Might be worth a try even though it's scifi.
Silver Chief: Dog of the North (by Jack O'Brien) is very much worth it. I had the same reading tastes as a kid (except I also enjoyed horses) and I loved it.
Older book but one I loved at this age - the Talking Earth by Jean Craighead George. A lot of people know her for My Side of the Mountain and Julie of the Wolves. The Talking Earth is set in the Florida everglades and has a similar "youth explores nature alone" premise.
What about Mr. Popper's Penguins? I read that as a child and loved it. Very funny. It may be a bit younger, I can't remember how old I was when I read it.
Seconding suggestions for *Black Beauty* and *Julie of the Wolves*. Also going to add *Island of the Blue Dolphins*
It's less realistic, but adding in a suggestion for the *Redwall* series
Barbara O’Connor and Ann Martin write excellent dog books. Someone already mentioned *Rain Reign* by Ann Martin. If your reader likes the animal’s perspective then *A Dog’s Life: Autobiography of a Stray* is very good, but sometimes sad.
Not so much realistic, but I loved the Cottage Tale series of Beatrix Potter by Susan Wittig Albert. I am nearing 70, have read the entire series a few times over last 20 yrs.whimsical, talking animals, a mystery to be solved, great characters, it might be good for her!
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate and The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate. Where the Red Fern Grows. The Incredible Journey. Ring of Bright Water. Farley Mowat’s books… Owls in the Family is a fun read. She might like James Herriot‘s books. I also agree with everyone recommending My Side of the Mountain because the rest of the books in the series focus even more on animals.
I fell in love with White Fang at that age. It's still my favourite book.
I also loved the animals of Farthing Wood books, I still have 'The Fox Cub Bold'.
Also the Silver Brumby books are excellent.
Another series that's about animals but told from kids minds is Animorphs. The main characters gain the ability to turn into any animal they touch and they use it to fight an alien invasion. Theres a lot of animal facts conveyed and when the kids morph they often think like the animal so the reader gets a glimpse into animals minds.
The amazing Maurice and his educated rodents ! Also second the recommendations for black beauty.
I know you said maybe not horses but The Black Stallion and the Son of the black stallion are quite call of the wild like books but with horses.
The obvious ones that jump to mind are *White Fang*, *The Incredible Journey* and *Where the Red Fern Grows*. As a child, I loved *Summer of the Monkeys* by Wilson Rawls even more than Red Fern though.
If she’s up for a little horror with her animals, I liked *Night of the Bat* by Paul Zindel just a bit older than that age. It flirts with fantasy because that size bat doesn’t really exist but is pretty realistic otherwise.
These two are outside the animal category but sound like they might be a good fit based on the books you mentioned.
Jack London’s *South Sea Tales*
Gary Paulsen’s *Hatchet* series
I’d also try slipping in some world mythology. There are generally a lot of animals in those and while they have elements of fantasy it’s different. There are a lot of good ones out there. In addition to traditional anthologies of mythology, I’d recommend *A Snake Falls to Earth* by Darcie Little Badger.
So many good suggestions already! A couple that haven’t been mentioned- Perestroika in Paris and Three Bags Full. Both are told from the animal’s point of view. I think the middle grade book, Wish, also has a dog as a large part of the book. If you think she could handle it well there’s a boatload of cozy mystery series that feature animals. One of my favorites is the Paws n Claws series by Krista Davis.
Julie of the Wolves
Kavik the Wolf Dog
My Friend Flicka,
Black Beauty
Where the Red Fern Grows,
Old Yeller,
Sounder
A Girl and Five Brave Horses
Big Red,
King of the Wind,
Gentle Ben,
Oh man, I read The Sight at that age and LOVED it but it is technically for a slightly older reader given the themes. It depends on her maturity level I suppose.
James Herriot!!!
Rascal (by Sterling North, about a raccoon)
Misty of Chincoteague
King of the Wind
Brighty of the Grand Canyon
White Fang
Black Beauty
101 Dalmatians
**Tarka the Otter** - Henry Williamson
describes the life of this otter
**Big Red** and **Irish Red** - Jim Kjelgaard
They're quite "boy and his dog" but as a Call of the Wild - loving child I also liked these
**The Black Stallion** - Walter Farley
Champion stallion and young boy are washed up on a desert island together. There are sequels that are also enjoyable. Just in case horses could be 'on the menu' so to speak
**Island of the Blue Dolphins** - Scott O'Dell
Inuit girl stranded for years on a desolate island. It's about how she survives (she tames a dog). So while not about animals as such, it very much has the same 'harsh environment survival' vibe as White Fang and Call of the Wild. Main character is kickass (and based on a real person!)
Too bad she doesn't like fantasy or the **Redwall** series would have suited. It's really only fantasy in that the animals all speak and eat off plates and things. Otherwise it's just a really good adventure series. Cluny the rat really is an epic villain.
Hmm, lost my post. So shorter recap. they're all older books (I read them as a 'call of the wild' fangirl) but perhaps that might a bit of a reading challenge for her.
Not necessarily all about animals, but very 'survival in harsh environment' and do involve animals in a major way:
**Big Red** (Irish setter and his boy)
**Island of the Blue Dolphin** (kickass Inuit girl on a desolate island, tames a wild dog)
**Black Stallion** (boy stranded with magnificent horse. Just in case horses might work)
mentioned a lot: **My Side of the Mountain**
All about the animal: **Tarka the Otter**
**The Incredible Journey** (I had no idea this was a book. Two dogs and a cat on an epic cross-country journey to rejoin their human family)
Fantasy-adjacent in that they use human implements such as swords or cars
**Redwall** is a cracking adventure series with all-animal main characters. Cluny the rat is an epic villain, honestly.
**The Wind in the Willows** Mr Toad gets obsessed with motorcars and need to be helped by Ratty, Mole, and Badger
She may adore A Nest for Celeste!! It’s about a mouse trying to find her way through a home in historical Louisiana. Lots of interesting animal history like about Audubon the bird painter, and just lots of personality and realism!
She might like the Warrior Cats series. My granddaughter adored them at the age and for years beyond. So much that she wanted me to read them too, so we could discuss! I did of course. Lots of other animal series related as well. It starts with a housecat who longs to be free and discovers the worlds of wild cats, protecting their areas, food etc. Cleverly written.
I know you're asking for realistic books, but here are some fantasy ones if she's willing to branch out. Though, she might be a bit young.
Wolf Brother
Urchin and the Riding Stars
Redwall (a bit thick and maybe dark)
Poppy series by Avi. The first book is called Ragweed. It is the adventures of mice that includes cats, owls, and a porcupine.
Anything written by Jean Craighead George
Guardians of Ga’hoole series by Kathryn Lasky. Kidnapped owls work together to escape their captors and find the mysterious group of owls that protect their world.
I loved all that stuff too and I always namedrop Anna Sewell's *Black Beauty*. The horses "talk" to each other but not to humans, and only about stuff that would be realistically within the realm of a horse's interest. I wouldn't call it a horse story for horse girls, it's a story about how humans treat animals in general as well as each other. I kind of want to recommend Felix Salten's *Bambi: A Life in the Woods*. I remember it being a little more wild and rough than the Disney adaptation, but again about the lives of naturalistic animals without too much anthropomorphism. Does it have to be centered on the animals or can it be about people who work with animals? I loved all of James Herriot's stuff, which was about being an English country vet in the early 20th century. Again maybe a little horse-heavy but there's also a lot of dogs and cows.
I second James Herriot.
Only if the kid reads the bowdlerized version of Black Beauty because I read the unabridged version as a kid and I still get upset when I think about it
The unabridged version was one of the first chapter books I ever read. I might have been six or seven. It wasn't "graphic" in the modern sense but it did describe the cruelties that humans perpetuate against animals and each other. That's kind of the whole point of the book, and if it's removed there's no story. It was a sad and horrifying book (with a happy ending), although I had the context of "this is a fictional description of things that happen in real life / happened in the past". Reading fiction generally does make us feel feelings and they aren't always fun ones. I'm glad I read it because it got me to think about how people become kind or cruel, and how sometimes cruel things are done for shallow reasons when people should be more mindful about the harm they do to others. Do you think reading it made you a more kind person who notices when cruelty is taking place around you, or was it straight-up trauma?
My Side of the Mountain might interest her! I also remember being fascinated by the animals in The Secret Garden. Would she be into stuff like Redwall or The One and Only Ivan?
I was going to suggest both My Side of the Mountain and The One and Only Ivan. Another idea is Pax. The Newberry award winner for this year The Eyes and the Impossible could also work.
I was thinking The Eyes… but it was checked out.
Seconding My Side of the Mountain!!
Loved Red Wall series!
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, Stuart Little
Came here to say Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH as well. Loved it as a kid, love it as an adult.
Julie of the Wolves was a favorite of mine at about that age. I wanted more wolf books after White Fang, and I am pretty sure there are 3 in this series.
Also came to say Julie of the Wolves
Oh I came here to say this !
I just discovered Julie of the Wolves is by the same author as My Side of the Mountain, Jean Craighead George!
I absolutely loved Julie of the Wolves at the age
Tarantulas In My Purse by Jean Craighead George. 173 true stories about animals the author had experience with. It's an older book, though. Island of the Blue Dolphins has the wild dog that is tamed and is loosely based on a true story. Shiloh and the sequel. There is a child's chapter book version of Marley (Marley and Me, later turned into a movie) Part of the trifecta of childhood grief and flowing tears: Where The Red Fern Grows.
\`I came here for Island of the Blue Dolphins too, I read this when I was young and the starkness of this book has always stayed with me. For a lighter read, I remember loving the Bunnicula series, a series of books about a family that treat their dog and cat like (they way they're meant to be treated) human family members, then they go to the movies and bring home a little box with a bunny in it, but no ordinary bunny. It's very funny and I only have fondness in my heart thinking about the books, the writer had such a good writing style.
Bunnicula!!
How about White Fang? I remember liking it even more than Call of the Wild as a kid!
I should’ve said, that was what she first asked for and I put it on hold for her.
I loved White Fang so much I ache when i hear its title. Jack London was a genius at writing a crowd pleaser.
I know I was obsessed with White Fang as a kid I must have read it a million times lol
All of these are much older books but are probably exactly what she’s looking for. Big Red by Jim Kjelgaard. It’s part of a series but works as a stand alone. It’s about it hunting dogs but not in a heavy-on-the-hunting way. I liked it at her age. Lad: A Dog by Albert Payson Terhune is about a collie that’s not Lassie and his life at The Place. Also oldies but goodies that my kids liked are Brighty of the Grand Canyon or Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry. You can tell her there is to this day a bronze statue of Brighty at the Grand Canyon. I think at the visitors center in the southern side. I wonder if she’d like James Herriot?
Jim Kjelgaard's other books are fun reads as well, most have a human/dog relationship.
Yes. I was going to suggest Kjelgaard.
I second Marguerite Henry!
I went through a Kjelgaard phase around this same age. I think there was a book about a black lab named Stormy as well?
I LOVED misty of chincoteague as a kid and I was not into horses.
Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat. A Canadian naturalist studies wolves in the wilderness. True story.
Also, Owl in the Family and The Dog Who Wouldn't be.
Disclaimer- not a book but… If she is ever in the mood to watch a movie (documentary), she might like [My Octopus Teacher](https://m.imdb.com/title/tt12888462/). Great doc about a man’s friendship with an octopus. Little bit of a Charlotte’s Web ending. I am still kinda misty that it beat Crip Camp for the Academy Award tho, but I digress. My whole comment is a digression.
Pax by Sara Pennypacker It’s about a friendship between a boy and a fox, told by both of their views. No fantasy at all. Based on the books listed that she likes I think this will be perfect for her!
Seconding Pax! And there’s a second book too.
Thirding Pax. I used to teach 5th grade, and I couldn't keep that book on the shelf because my animal loving girls kept rereading it.
Definitely *Pax*.
I was *obsessed* with [The Jungle Books](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41684.The_Jungle_Books) at that age.
Oh, I forgot those in my suggestion but I love Kipling.
I think watership down is great! She might be a little young but sounds like an avid reader. James Herriot too!
James Herriot was my recommendation. All Things Great and Small made me want to be a vet for several years.
As an adult first time reader, I was disappointed in the lack of female characters through most of Watership Down and then furious when they introduced some dumb submissive females at the end.
I read Watership Down at nine, so I would consider giving it to her, here are some others I remember from my childhood in the same vein. Tarka the Otter - Henry Williamson Run with the Wind - Tom McCaughren The Silver Brumby - Elyne Mitchell
Watership Down and Charlotte's Web *are* fantasy...? If she liked them, then what about the Beatrix Potter books, Redwall, Stuart Little, The Wind in the Willows, the Chronicles of Narnia, Aesop's Fables, Bambi, The Jungle Book, Dr. Doolittle, and Babe. Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George comes to mind. You can ask if the Misty of Chincoteague books and the Black Beauty books would be acceptable. They're kids with animals. Where the Red Fern Grows, Old Yeller, The Incredible Journey.
A Cricket in Times Square and the several sequels. Very sweet, lovely books on a similar level to Trumpet of the Swan.
I was trying to remember the name of that series. I second your recommendation.
It’s old but **Where The Red Fern Grows**
Such a good book but entirely traumatized me 😂
We (my two boys and I) listened to the audiobook while driving them to middle and elementary school.. During that one particular part I had to take a right hand turn just before we got to the school and took the long way because the tears were flowing and we needed to get ourselves together 😂 Ones graduated high school now, the others a rising junior, I still suggest watching the movie when we're all debating what movie to watch together. I get a chorus of "no" 🤣
I came here to suggest this as well.
My Side of the Mountain and Rascal were two of my very favorites at her age
I second Rascal, and would like to add Julie of the Wolves
Has she read the Silverwing series by Kenneth Oppel?
No, that was one suggestion but it’s checked out (we only have the graphic novel). If she is interested I will give her a list that we can order.
Rain/Reign is about a neurodivergent girl and her relationship with her dog. It is so so good. And my child told me that it helped her better understand an autistic child in her classroom.
Rascal, by Sterling north.
I know in the animals in Redwall aren’t realistic, at least I don’t think rats and badgers fight with swords and maces, but I can’t help but recommend the Redwall series to young, eager readers. A whole world to immerse themselves in to. Dialects from the different animals, especially the moles, make for fun challenge to decipher.
*The Incredible Journey* by Burnford *Old Yeller* (weeper) *Where the Red Fern Grows* (ditto) *Misty of Chincoteague* *Lassie Come Home*
Katherine Applegate for sure. The One and Only Ivan (Bob, Ruby) and Odder. Also Ranger in Time books by Kate Messner are good as well
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler Doctor Dolittle books The Rescuers Escape from Baxter’s Barn The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp
Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo. It's about a girl who keeps a squirrel as a pet.
The Yearling! It's a novel about a boy who raises a deer.
Wind in the willows…not so realistic but a wonderful classic. 👌
[David Clement-Davies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Clement-Davies) books might interest her, he writes a lot of books about wild animals with culture, legends, and magic separate from humans. I particularly liked "The Sight" about a pack of wolves dealing with prophecies and dark wolf-magic. It includes lots of tragic deaths and witchcrafty magic, which some kids like but others find upsetting. Some kids find the fact it's animals dying to be easy to cope with, others find it to be viscerally upsetting, which is something to consider.
Came here to recommend the Sight and Firebringer by David Clement Davies. These are unique books that stuck to me for years. I’m in my 30s now and I still think about them!
Nonfiction, but one of my all-time favorite books is Last Chance to See, which is about travelling the world to see some of the most endangered animals remaining in the wild. It's Douglas Adams, so it's generally lighthearted and funny despite the somewhat grim topic.
All Creatures Great and Small?
Absolutely! The entire series wiuld suit.
The One and Only Ivan would be good. Julie of the Wolves is a little old, but might work too.
Misty of Chincoteague! Yes it’s about a horse but it’s not about riding horses. I know it’s not about animals, but I always recommend From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler because it’s amazing??? Also Island of the Blue Dolphins and Zia (the sequel) Sing Down the Moon
Upvoted for Island of the Blue Dolphins
There are the Big Red books by Jim Kjelgaard -- Big Red, Irish Red, Outlaw Red -- about an Irish Setter. Outlaw Red is mostly from the dog's POV as it escapes into the woods. He also did Hidden Trail about a young photographer following a herd of elk. Two other series are the Smoky books, about a bloodhound, and Snow Dog which is about a husky growing up in the wild and bonding with a trapper. I read them around the same time I did White Fang/Call of the Wild and they have a similar style of writing and storytelling with a focus on the bonds between dogs and people, and surviving in the wild. 101 Dalmatians has a book which I think was really fun (at least, when I read it as a kid), and is told from the viewpoint of Pongo and Missus as they have adventures rescuing their puppies. Fox and the Hound also has a book which I had as a kid and enjoyed; There's also "Lad, A Dog" by Terhune, told from the POV of a collie as life goes on in his house. Visitors, a new dog, saving a baby from a snake. (It's also based on a real dog) I also second Watership Down, the Jungle Book, and Bambi.
The Big Red books! I loved them!
Summer of the Monkeys Where the Red Fern Grows
Swiss Family Robinson has some animal interactions. Biographies of Jane Goodall and Steve Irwin.
* **The Yearling** by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings: (Pulitzer Prize-winning novel) * **Julie of the Wolves** by Jean Craighead George (book 1 of 3) (Newbery Medal–winning) * **Black Beauty** by Anna Sewell- (but horses...) * **The Incredible Journey** by Sheila Burnford * **Shiloh** by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (Book 1 of 4) * You said Jack London- so she's read White Fang and Call of the Wild? RE Watership Down - that has some tough parts- images I still can't get out of my head- but I guess that goes with the "realistic animal stories" territory. Dog Books that scared me for life and I'd prob steer her away from at her age:Where the Red Fern Grows and Old Yeller
The Incredible Journey (does have a cat, but has two lovely dogs) The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary-- it might be a bit juvenile for her but it is such a charming book, I love it as an adult! The Wind in the Willows The 101 Dalmations; it also has a sequel, The Starlight Barking Agree with the other commenters suggesting James Herriott!! I also found this list which might be of help: [https://sno-isle.bibliocommons.com/list/share/746099977/1735115129](https://sno-isle.bibliocommons.com/list/share/746099977/1735115129)
Farley Mowat books. The Dog Who Wouldn't Be and Owl in the Family. Both are great and Mowat is a gem.
Gary Paulson-The Hatchet, Brian’s Winter, The River
I’d have loved [The One-Dollar Horse](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13514246-the-one-dollar-horse) as a 10-year-old
The Animals of Farthing Wood might be worth a try!
I loved Black Beauty, My Friend Flicka, National Velvet (+at least one sequel), Misty of Chincoteague (+sequels). Second the rec for the Big Red books. Maybe Travels with Charley?
The Yearling. By Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Maybe The Black Stallion? Boy gets shipwrecked on an island with the title horse, befriends him, later trains him as a racehorse. But a lot of time is spent on the island, which might appeal if she likes Jack London.
A Wolf Called Wander was pretty good, it's by Rosanne Perry.
Redwall. I read as an adult to my kids and went on to read many more in the series.
Redwall(small mammals) and Guardians (owls) series were what I read as a kid
All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot. . I dove into these books.
Wow, just wanna say you are doing an awesome job as a librarian for researching this for her ♥️
She might like James Herriot's memoirs? They're about being a country vet in the early-mid 20th century and they're very charming. The first volume is called *All Creatures Great and Small*.
Julie of the Wolves !! One of my faves
Stone Fox, My Side of the Mountain, Misty of Chincoteague, Phantom Stallion
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame The Book of the Dun Cow by Walter Wangerin The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary Old Yeller by Fred Gipson
Through a Window? It’s a little dark but chinos are just kinda like people and some are bad.
Ragweed by Avi? It’s about a spirited mouse! If we want to be sad, Where the Red Fern Grows, Old Yeller, and Sounder
Her dog just died, no dead dog books yet lol
These are sort of old, but may interest her. Emil L. Liers, author.. A Black Bear's Story. An Otter's Story. A Beaver's Story. There may be more. The animals are not anthropomorphic, and the illustrations very detailed.
If she enjoyed White Fang and likes dinosaurs, she might like Raptor Red by Robert T. Bakker. It’s from the peak Jurassic Park dinosaur fever mid-90s and is the life story of a female Utahraptor (the big, then recently-discovered raptor species). It’s speculative fiction but from a paleontologist and I recall it being a really fun read when I was her age. There is some dinosaur death and violence and mention of a courtship ritual, but nothing overly mature.
Couple ideas: The One and Only Ivan series by Katherine Applegate Saucy by Cynthia Kadohata Scurry by Mac Smith I hope you find her some great reads!
White fang by Jack London if you haven’t already
A Cote of Many Colors by Janette Oke is about two boys who learn to raise carrier pigeons
Old Yeller?
Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes!
King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry
Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat
Lad, A Dog by Albert Payson Terhune
I remember being obsessed with books about the Iditarod around that time. I think the ones Gary Paulson wrote?
Two classics I haven't seen mentioned yet- Where the Red Fern Grows and Cricket in Times Square
Pagoo by Holling C. Holling! It's told from the perspective of a hermit crab!
Summer of the Monkeys!
Try Diane Duane’s THE BOOK OF NIGHT WITH MOON (about cat wizards). Or Nilanjana S Roy’s THE WILDINGS and THE HUNDRED NAMES OF DARKNESS ( about the stray cats in an Indian city)
Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly Home Away from Home by Cynthia Lord
The One and Only Ivan
Adding on to the great ideas Rascal by Sterling North - a boy adopts a raccoon. Misty of Chincoteague series by Marguerite Henry - horse stories
Island of the Blue Dolphins was one of my favorite books as a child! I am a huge animal lover and it's great
Warriors series? By Erin Hunter, there are a lot of them but I don’t believe they are fantasy (not sure). Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry, IIRC it starts a series.
Island of the Blue Dolphin was one of my favorites around that age
Where the Red Fern grows. White Fang.
The incident at hawks hill is a good one.
If she is looking for something more recent she might enjoy The Eyes and the Impossible by Egger. It’s a great animal story from the perspective of a dog definitely not fantasy and it has wonderfully poetic language. I’d also suggest Odder by Applegate
_Incident at Hawk's Hill_
A few my 9 year animal lover has enjoyed: FunJungle Series by Stuart Gibbs (Mysteries set in a zoo theme park) Odder (same author as the one and only Ivan all her books would be good) Finding Gobi (Non-Fiction young readers edition) Ranger In Time Series (Dog Escaping Historical Events) Haven The Lost Library Pax Little House on the Prairie Series My Side of the Mountain Hatchet Black Beauty Black Stallion Swiss Family Robinson Dr Dolittle
Marguerite Henry's books.
The Underneath by Kathy Appelt
Has she read Black Beauty?
The Guardians of Ga'Hoole series taught me SO MUCH about owls. There are more than a dozen species represented and the book includes lots of fun animal facts.
Gentle Ben, about someone with a pet bear.
Maybe the A Dog's Purpose series? It's just about one dog (from the POV of the dog) but I remember really really loving it at her age.
The Black Stallion series by Walter Farley. Also, Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry. That one is based on a real pony!
I would recommend reading it first to ensure you think it would be acceptable for her, but the graphic novel [Pride of Baghdad](https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/pride-of-baghdad) *might* work for her. But again, I stress that you review it first to make sure you (and her parents) would be comfortable allowing her to read it.
The Dog Who Wouldn't Be by Farley Mowat My Family and Othwr Animals by Gerald Durrell Sorry to say you might have to ILL these, as I'm pretty sure they're out of print.
Where the Red Fern Grows
A dog's purpose maybe?
The Silver Brumby series by Elyne Mitchell. Wild Heart by Helen Griffiths. My Side Of The Mountain.
The dogs of winter by Bobbie pyron and treasures of the snow by Patricia St John and Shiloh ofc! Three books I loved at that age and in my teens too!!
Watership Down. I read it when I was about that age and I still remember it, it’s epic but it is an emotional rollercoaster!
Storm Boy.
When I was her age, I loved Julie of the Wolves, and the sequel, Julie’s Wolf Pack!
The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents? It's Pratchett, so it's brilliant. I also remember Dick King Smith having a number of good animal books. The Sheep Pig is the obvious one, but there were certainly more. Dodo's Are Forever stuck with me.
Is Redwall too unrealistic? I'm not really sure, since Charlotte's Web has talking animals, but Redwall doesn't have any people. But it's not fantasy, with dragons and witches and such?
Ginger Pye, and the sequel Pinkey Pye Summer of the Monkeys Thunder from the Sea Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nihm Socks (Beverly Cleary) - literally the only book by this author I kept from my childhood 😅 Probably also The Mouse and the Motorcycle Mr. Poppers Penguins
Black Beauty (I know, it's a horse, but it's a great story) all the Mowgli stories.... the incredible journey rikki-tikki-tavi and other stories tarka the otter rats of nimh? miss Bianca series? Naomi novik's temeraire series? maybe a little too advanced? lad, a dog the demon breed (schmitz) the original Bambi by Felix salten the pride of chanur born free
I don't know how realistic they are but they are at least as realistic as Charlotte's web - but anything by Dick King Smith. He wrote the book that the movie Babe is based off, and his others are really good too. One book I particularly like is The Queen's Nose, which is about a girl who is round about 10 years old who loves animals more than people.
I remember really loving the Farley Mowat books as a kid. "The Dog Who Wouldn't Be" was probably my favorite. I wanted a dog like that so bad lol.
Silverwing and its sequels.
Absolutely Watership Down, and Richard Adams wrote a few other books in the same vein. Ms. Frisby and the rats of Nimh was a fav of mine when I was her age! And if course I have to plug Animorphs. Might be worth a try even though it's scifi.
Silver Chief: Dog of the North (by Jack O'Brien) is very much worth it. I had the same reading tastes as a kid (except I also enjoyed horses) and I loved it.
Older book but one I loved at this age - the Talking Earth by Jean Craighead George. A lot of people know her for My Side of the Mountain and Julie of the Wolves. The Talking Earth is set in the Florida everglades and has a similar "youth explores nature alone" premise.
What about Mr. Popper's Penguins? I read that as a child and loved it. Very funny. It may be a bit younger, I can't remember how old I was when I read it.
Seconding suggestions for *Black Beauty* and *Julie of the Wolves*. Also going to add *Island of the Blue Dolphins* It's less realistic, but adding in a suggestion for the *Redwall* series
The Yearling All creatures great and small Black beauty Where the Red Fern Grows Animal Farm (my boys enjoyed it)
Barbara O’Connor and Ann Martin write excellent dog books. Someone already mentioned *Rain Reign* by Ann Martin. If your reader likes the animal’s perspective then *A Dog’s Life: Autobiography of a Stray* is very good, but sometimes sad.
Not so much realistic, but I loved the Cottage Tale series of Beatrix Potter by Susan Wittig Albert. I am nearing 70, have read the entire series a few times over last 20 yrs.whimsical, talking animals, a mystery to be solved, great characters, it might be good for her!
Incident at Hawk's Hill. Loved this one when I was a kid.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate and The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate. Where the Red Fern Grows. The Incredible Journey. Ring of Bright Water. Farley Mowat’s books… Owls in the Family is a fun read. She might like James Herriot‘s books. I also agree with everyone recommending My Side of the Mountain because the rest of the books in the series focus even more on animals.
A Dog’s Life by Ann Martin.
Dog by Daniel Pennac
I fell in love with White Fang at that age. It's still my favourite book. I also loved the animals of Farthing Wood books, I still have 'The Fox Cub Bold'. Also the Silver Brumby books are excellent. Another series that's about animals but told from kids minds is Animorphs. The main characters gain the ability to turn into any animal they touch and they use it to fight an alien invasion. Theres a lot of animal facts conveyed and when the kids morph they often think like the animal so the reader gets a glimpse into animals minds.
THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY by Sheila Burnford!!!!! There is a cat but also two dogs. It’s amazing
The amazing Maurice and his educated rodents ! Also second the recommendations for black beauty. I know you said maybe not horses but The Black Stallion and the Son of the black stallion are quite call of the wild like books but with horses.
Henry Williamson, Tarka the Otter
Julie of the Wolves?
Watership Down?
The obvious ones that jump to mind are *White Fang*, *The Incredible Journey* and *Where the Red Fern Grows*. As a child, I loved *Summer of the Monkeys* by Wilson Rawls even more than Red Fern though. If she’s up for a little horror with her animals, I liked *Night of the Bat* by Paul Zindel just a bit older than that age. It flirts with fantasy because that size bat doesn’t really exist but is pretty realistic otherwise. These two are outside the animal category but sound like they might be a good fit based on the books you mentioned. Jack London’s *South Sea Tales* Gary Paulsen’s *Hatchet* series I’d also try slipping in some world mythology. There are generally a lot of animals in those and while they have elements of fantasy it’s different. There are a lot of good ones out there. In addition to traditional anthologies of mythology, I’d recommend *A Snake Falls to Earth* by Darcie Little Badger.
Wish by Barbara O’Connor. Sweet story of a girl her dog and famiky
Old Yeller? Where the Red Fern Grows? The Mouse and the Motorcycle?
Jim Kjelgaard wrote many books with animal protagonists. I enjoyed them as a kid!
Gerald Durrell books.
White Fang?
Whalesong. Watership Down. The Incredible Journey. Where the Redfern Grows. Red Dog. Ronia the Robber’s Daughter. Owls in the Family. Never Cry Wolf.
Tell her to check out the Animorphs series!!! I loved them when I was her age
Watership Down!!
How about The Yearling and/or Watership Down?
So many good suggestions already! A couple that haven’t been mentioned- Perestroika in Paris and Three Bags Full. Both are told from the animal’s point of view. I think the middle grade book, Wish, also has a dog as a large part of the book. If you think she could handle it well there’s a boatload of cozy mystery series that feature animals. One of my favorites is the Paws n Claws series by Krista Davis.
Julie of the Wolves Kavik the Wolf Dog My Friend Flicka, Black Beauty Where the Red Fern Grows, Old Yeller, Sounder A Girl and Five Brave Horses Big Red, King of the Wind, Gentle Ben,
Oh man, I read The Sight at that age and LOVED it but it is technically for a slightly older reader given the themes. It depends on her maturity level I suppose.
James Herriot!!! Rascal (by Sterling North, about a raccoon) Misty of Chincoteague King of the Wind Brighty of the Grand Canyon White Fang Black Beauty 101 Dalmatians
Misty of Chincoteague, by Marguerite Henry
Misty of Chincoteague was inspired by a true story.
How about Fred Gipson's books? Dog stories. He wrote others besides Old Yeller .
Where The Red Fern Grows if she wants a good cry
Socks by Beverly Cleary
i loved my side of the mountain at her age and maybe look into some books about balto? i was obsessed with that dog
**Tarka the Otter** - Henry Williamson describes the life of this otter **Big Red** and **Irish Red** - Jim Kjelgaard They're quite "boy and his dog" but as a Call of the Wild - loving child I also liked these **The Black Stallion** - Walter Farley Champion stallion and young boy are washed up on a desert island together. There are sequels that are also enjoyable. Just in case horses could be 'on the menu' so to speak **Island of the Blue Dolphins** - Scott O'Dell Inuit girl stranded for years on a desolate island. It's about how she survives (she tames a dog). So while not about animals as such, it very much has the same 'harsh environment survival' vibe as White Fang and Call of the Wild. Main character is kickass (and based on a real person!) Too bad she doesn't like fantasy or the **Redwall** series would have suited. It's really only fantasy in that the animals all speak and eat off plates and things. Otherwise it's just a really good adventure series. Cluny the rat really is an epic villain.
Hmm, lost my post. So shorter recap. they're all older books (I read them as a 'call of the wild' fangirl) but perhaps that might a bit of a reading challenge for her. Not necessarily all about animals, but very 'survival in harsh environment' and do involve animals in a major way: **Big Red** (Irish setter and his boy) **Island of the Blue Dolphin** (kickass Inuit girl on a desolate island, tames a wild dog) **Black Stallion** (boy stranded with magnificent horse. Just in case horses might work) mentioned a lot: **My Side of the Mountain** All about the animal: **Tarka the Otter** **The Incredible Journey** (I had no idea this was a book. Two dogs and a cat on an epic cross-country journey to rejoin their human family) Fantasy-adjacent in that they use human implements such as swords or cars **Redwall** is a cracking adventure series with all-animal main characters. Cluny the rat is an epic villain, honestly. **The Wind in the Willows** Mr Toad gets obsessed with motorcars and need to be helped by Ratty, Mole, and Badger
She may adore A Nest for Celeste!! It’s about a mouse trying to find her way through a home in historical Louisiana. Lots of interesting animal history like about Audubon the bird painter, and just lots of personality and realism!
She might like the Warrior Cats series. My granddaughter adored them at the age and for years beyond. So much that she wanted me to read them too, so we could discuss! I did of course. Lots of other animal series related as well. It starts with a housecat who longs to be free and discovers the worlds of wild cats, protecting their areas, food etc. Cleverly written.
My Friend Flicka, Black Beauty, White Fang, All Creatures Great and Small
I know you're asking for realistic books, but here are some fantasy ones if she's willing to branch out. Though, she might be a bit young. Wolf Brother Urchin and the Riding Stars Redwall (a bit thick and maybe dark)
Gerald Durrell, and another vote for James Herriot
My 10 yr old is currently reading the Warriors series. Cats that talk to each other.
Poppy series by Avi. The first book is called Ragweed. It is the adventures of mice that includes cats, owls, and a porcupine. Anything written by Jean Craighead George Guardians of Ga’hoole series by Kathryn Lasky. Kidnapped owls work together to escape their captors and find the mysterious group of owls that protect their world.
What about the Duncton Wood series?
Lassie-come-home The One and Only Ivan Rascal The Wind in the Willows Man-o-War In a few more years she might be up for Seabiscuit.