For my boys, ages 7 & 9, I have a Brother HS 2000, which is actually fabulous for $200. Only caveat is that the needle is off- center when I starts, so they have to remember to set the right stitch for straight stitching with the patchwork foot. I bought a Kenmore Mini Ultra for $50 from Sears on the advice of others, but haven't tried it yet. I also let them use a featherweight. On the vertical bobbin machines, I load the bobbin for them to avoid problems. So far, no thread nests or hurt fingers, and these are wild and crazy BOYS, so I think a girl that age ought to be fine.