Fun reading for kids

I am not sure if this should go here but as a step-parent I want to pass on the love of reading to my stepkids.

The youngest will be 8 and doesn't really read to much on her own - Any suggestions on good kid friendly books for her to start reading?

The older one will be 12 in November and is starting secondary school in September and I don't think she has ever picked up a book - I think babysitters club but are there UK friendly young adult books?

Any ideas would be great
thanks

My favourite topic! (Young adult and children's books).
Okay, for the little one:
Is she into ''chapter books'' yet? If she is, or if she would love to read something 'with' you, the Cornelia Funke books are wonderful. They can seem long, but the stories are lovely. Also, anything by Roald Dahl if she hasn't run into them yet. Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book is absolutely superb, and the audio version is breathtaking (and worth suggesting to your older girl as well). Depending on what she likes, the classic Nancy Drew's and the old stand by of the Black Stallion series might be a hit, or maybe something like Lemony Snickett, always a good time.

The older girl:
Sarah Singleton's ''Poison Garden'' series is great. Plus, very high interest, so it doesn't tax the stamina of a new reader.  What sorts of other interests does she have? If she likes animals, Brian Jacques' Redwall series might be nice (bonus, lots and lots of books in that series), if she likes more real-world type stuff, Laurie Halse Anderson's "'Speak'' is one of those once in a lifetime books (although it is about a high school girl who does go through some trauma, she comes out fine, but the trauma is there.  It is also hilarious.) Alice Hoffman's ''Color'' series (aquamarie, jade, indigo) are also great, plus short, which can help someone pick up a book. Avi's books could be great for both girls, depending on which ones you pick up. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants series is great.
Scott Westfeld is fantastic. 
I could do this forever, but if you check out my reviews on Bookgeeks (http://www.bookgeeks.co.uk/author/jennie/) you'll see more YA ones (mixed in with some adult ones). Plus, if you let me know a little bit more about the girls, I can get even more specific!
(The are always the classic Judy Blumes, plus the ''Diary of a Wimpy Kid'' and ''Bones'' series of graphic novels.) I will stop now, if only to let you roll your eyes at my excess of enthusiasm!

I would recommend Terry Pratchett's The Wee Free Men series.  The main character is 12 (i think), but I'd say it would be ok for an 8 year old.  The 12 year old would have to like witches and magical stuff, and not all 12 year olds do. (granted, I read them as an adult and loved them and sent them to my 11 year old neice who also loved them and will be sending them to the 6 year old soon)

I think babysitters club but are there UK friendly young adult books?

I would say that Babysitter's Club is UK-friendly... or at least it was in the early-mid '90s . I was born and raised in the UK and I loved the books as a tween/teen - I owned almost 80 of them! There are tons of them available on the UK Amazon site (a search for 'Babysitter's Club' produced over 1,000 results under Children's Books).

Other than Babysitter's Club, when I was that age (well, 12-15), I was reading things like Point Horror, Point Crime and Point Romance books. I also remember reading some Morris Gleitzman and The Pinballs by Betsy Byars in Year 7 (age 11-12), which were pretty good. Oh, I also liked Anne Fine books too (she wrote Madame Doubtfire, Goggle-Eyes and Flour Babies), but I think they're aimed at slightly younger children (age 9-12).

I loved the Redwall Series by Brian Jacques. I read them between the age of 8 and 11 (well, the ones that had been published by then anyway, since this was back in 1991-1994), although they're actually recommended for age 10+.

There's also, of course, the Harry Potter books too - if she's at all interested in them.

Ok the little one is like a tom boy - loves skateboarding and riding her bike...plays with play doh not big into girly things...

Only reads basic basic basic books for bed and DH usually reads them but has her read a page or two...Need simple

I did order her Captian Underwear the first book for her birthday (aug 26)

The older one is girly...she has read Williw Wonka and Chocolate Factory but honestly she is typical pretween...

The mom doesnt read even though she works in school so I want some to ease them into it...

The older one I have her watching Doogie howser and she loves it! She seems to think American stuff is cool lol
I also got them to watch Lucas
;-)

Yay Captain Underpants! Lot's of fun. The older girl might like Gaiman's Coraline. Plus, it was turned into a movie.  I would suggest Speak again, it can really appeal to girls (and boys) who want to read about "real" stuff.  plus, the Kate Brian "Private" books. A bit racy, but easy and appealing reads.
Maybe Encyclopaedia Brown for the little one? Short with mystery interest. The Great Hamster Massacre is AWESOME. And funny. And a sequel.

Thanks Jennie, pengi and ksand24...I can pass these on to my mom to buy as small gifts for birthdays - as grandma's (step or not) buy sensible things in my family lol

Nancy Drew
Sarah Plain and Tall (there are 3 books in the series)
Diary of Anne Frank (for  12 year old)
Holes
Encyclopedia Brown
Choose your own adventure books
Little House on the Prairie
Narnia
Little Women
Charlotte's Webb
Secret Garden
Ramona
Boxcar children
Because of Winn-Dixie
Harriet the Spy
Harry Potter
American Girl Books


When my sister and I were that age, out  parents would read a page  out loud to us, then we had to read a page out loud. It was great one  on  one time, we could practice reading out loud, and it would get us interested in the  books.

Some families I worked for as a nanny had  a policy where the children had to read for an hour to earn 30 mins of TV/video game time.

We also got to go to the bookstore and pick out our own books as rewards (good grades, good  behavior, before road trips, etc).

Right now my son who is 7 and my daughter who is 5 are both really into the Horrid Henry books. 

I really liked the Cam Jansen series as a kid.  It's the whole young girl detective thing and she has a photographic memory, but I think it's a bit easier than Nancy Drew, if I recall.  Needless to say it's been a while!

I really liked Goosebumps as well, which was a series of spooky chapter books.  I had about a billion of those.

Maybe Sweet Valley High for the older one?  I remember my friends older sisters reading those and I thought they were so cool.  They might be a bit dated now though...