I was in this same position in January. My 13 year old daughter had a steel string acoustic and wanted an electric. She liked the look of the Gibsons. My friend a guitar teacher says the Epiphones are almost more reliable then the more expensive real ones (which he says are often trouble?) The really cheap ones looked a bit cheap to my eyes though but the ones for circa £350 look really nice. Anyway he has a Squire Strat from when he was 13/14 which along side all his expensive guitars he still rates as great & still holds its own.
Due to the style my daughter plays (and as everyone has had one) I bought a Squire Telecaster new fro circa £160.00. Basically the same guitar Leo Fender designed and made back in the 50s. And a little Orange amp as per Black Sabbath albeit on a smaller scale!
Good luck with your search. You wont go far wrong with any of the above really I think.
buddsy