I suggest a real machine, too. Modest 'bells & whistles' until you know if she'll keep up the interest in sewing. Then maybe an upgrade for her 16th birthday. (That's when I got my first real machine. I learned on my mom's ancient 1945 White. )
I also suggest making simple stuffed animals and things like that at first. The least amount of frustrations = a happy new sew-ist. 4-H is a good suggestion, too. (I too learned sewing with my local 4-H club and still have a few ribbons from the county fair to proof it! hahaha!)
Good luck!!!
DOnna MC