I have two young girls in my extended family, ages 8 and 10. I have been gifting / recommending them movies, TV shows, and so on that is as free of current year as possible. The older one has shown interest in reading manga, which I know nothing about, so I am turning to you fine gentlemen in hopes of getting some quality reading for her.
Some points to consider is that it should be something that is translated to local, which is probably the more popular stuff. She has also shown interest in horror movies and such, so some scary / spooky / supernatural elements I guess are fine. Bonus points for having good father figures, I found that to have a good effect on girls.
Not sure if anything else is of import, so, if you have any recommendations, fire away!
Thanks!
Since this is a request for manga specifically, I will go ahead and vouch for Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind as being a good work.
Already gave / recommended them anything Ghibli, I think except for Mononoke Hime, that looked like it should wait a few years.