What age is appropriate for these children's books

IMV, Paul Gallico's books are beautifully written and depending on the maturity of the reader suitable for 9-11 year olds. The Snow Goose deals with aspects of the war, in particular the retreat from Dunkirk. I wouldn't have any problem letting any child, related to me, reading his books, War Horse is also very good but also rather sad.

I agree Baggs
It also depends on the reading and understanding ability of the child.Some may enjoy it at aged 9 others not until at least 11.

Also, reading is about more than just the stories. It's good for kids to experience different writing styles. It helps their own compositional skills and improves their vocabulary.

some parents don't want children to read books of yesteryear as some have attitudes or ideas that would be frowned upon now

Yes. But how will kids know certain ideas are frowned upon, or why they are frowned upon, if they aren't exposed to them?

Perhaps re-read the Paul Gallico books yourself so you'll know what, if anything, needs discussing. Literary criticism and appreciation are important and useful skills to master.

Enid Blyton was of her time. My dd was an avid reader and enjoyed all her books. Times change and she is ( rightly) now much less popular.
Dd also read all the traditional stories by Grimm and Anderson but my gd now 11 has read few of these fairytales.
Modern books are good but the language is much simpler than those written so long ago.

I picked up Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfield the other day and reading it now. I loved her books as a child and its a charming story. But I don't know if today's 9 year olds would take to it. My DD has said she doesn't want all the Noddy books we kept - not suitable today!

But grandma EB was the reason I became a reader She held my attention and wrote exciting stories then then I couldn’t wait to go to bed to read a few chapters I don’t knock her it’s just interesting how something spoken so common place then ( I ll give you a slap when we get home ) is really shocking to our ears now

I think I was about 11 when I read The Snow Goose, but I always read books that were intended for younger or older children.

Goodness, how limited children’s reading is going to be if they don’t read books of ‘yesteryear’! That’s how they learn that things change. Though I agree that Enid Blyton was particularly limited in her outlook.

I loved those books when I was a child. I think I must have been about eight years old but I am not sure. I don't think any of them have anything in them that would be considered unsuitable today.

I have never read Paul Gallico either, but why don’t you re- read them and see what you think or have a chat with your local children’s librarian
I remember clearly being brought up on Enid Blyton and reading avidly all her books throughout my childhood so when my grandkids were little I was quite excited to dig some of my old EB books out to read some bedtime stories
Well I found I was completely changing half the words I was almost rewriting the the books …ll We had mum in the kitchen smoking a cigarette, she gave teddy a sharp slap when he was naughty and by the time we got to the names for golly I gave up completely
So beware

have you checked with her parents first.
i don't know those books, but some parents don't want children to read books of yesteryear as some have attitudes or ideas that would be frowned upon now.