This list is from the November 19, 2007 Pigeon Post, Strong Girls.
Below is a sampler of titles where the female protagonist displays self-reliance, confidence, strength and good humor to overcome circumstances or to achieve something which they value. Critically, these books are 1) great stories that just happen to have a female protagonist and 2) don't preach. While they might have some particular resonance with girls and serve as role-models as they address day-to-day issues, I think you will find that virtually all of these books are thoroughly enjoyed by boys as well, though they might not readily admit it.
Are there others which you might recommend? Please use the comments section to nominate additional titles.
This book list is divided into three sections:
(1) Picture Books
(2) Books for Independent Readers
(3) Books for Young Adults
The list begins below with Picture Books, but you can use one of the following links to skip directly to either of the other two sections.
Go to books for Independent Readers
Go to books for Young Adults
Picture Books
Queen Esther Saves Her People by Rita Gelman (Out of Print)
Independent Reader
Young Adult
Below is a sampler of titles where the female protagonist displays self-reliance, confidence, strength and good humor to overcome circumstances or to achieve something which they value. Critically, these books are 1) great stories that just happen to have a female protagonist and 2) don't preach. While they might have some particular resonance with girls and serve as role-models as they address day-to-day issues, I think you will find that virtually all of these books are thoroughly enjoyed by boys as well, though they might not readily admit it.
Are there others which you might recommend? Please use the comments section to nominate additional titles.
This book list is divided into three sections:
(1) Picture Books
(2) Books for Independent Readers
(3) Books for Young Adults
The list begins below with Picture Books, but you can use one of the following links to skip directly to either of the other two sections.
Go to books for Independent Readers
Go to books for Young Adults
Picture Books
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Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman and illustrated by Caroline Binch Suggested |
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Brave Margaret by Robert D. San Souci and illustrated by Sally Wern Comport Suggested |
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Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes by Du Bose Heyward and illustrated by Marjorie Flack Highly Recommended |
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Heroines: Great Women Through the Ages by Rebecca Hazell and illustrated by Rebecca Hazell Suggested |
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Joan of Arc by Josephine Poole and illustrated by Angela Barrett Suggested |
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Kate Shelley Bound for Legend by Robert D. San Souci and illustrated by Max Ginsburg Recommended |
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The Little Ships; The Heroic Rescue at Dunkirk in World War II by Lousie Borden and illustrated by Michael Foreman Highly Recommended |
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Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney Recommended |
Queen Esther Saves Her People by Rita Gelman (Out of Print)
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Sacagawea by Flora Warren Seymour Suggested |
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Susanna of the Alamo by John Julius Jakes and illustrated by Paul Bacon Recommended |
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The Ballad of the Pirate Queens by Jane Yolen and illustrated by David Shannon Highly Recommended |
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The Bus Ride by William Miller and illustrated by John Ward Recommended |
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The Gardener by Sarah Stewart and illustrated by David Small Recommended |
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The Library by Sarah Stewart and illustrated by David Small Highly Recommended |
Independent Reader
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A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle Highly Recommended |
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Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll and illustrated by John Tenniel Highly Recommended |
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American Girl series by various authors Recommended |
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Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery and illustrated by Jody Lee Recommended |
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Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild and illustrated by Diane Goode Recommended |
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Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich Recommended |
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Boston Jane by Jennifer L. Holm Suggested |
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Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman Recommended |
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Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman Suggested |
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Daddy Long-Legs by Jean Webster Suggested |
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Helen Keller by Katharine E. Wilkie and illustrated by Robert Doremus Suggested |
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Ida Early Comes Over the Mountain by Robert Burch Recommended |
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Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell Recommended |
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Joan of Arc by Angela Bull Suggested |
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Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder and illustrated by Garth Williams Highly Recommended |
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Little Women by Louisa May Alcott and illustrated by Louis Jambour Highly Recommended |
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Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers and illustrated by Mary Shepard Highly Recommended |
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Not One Damsel in Distress by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Susan Guevara Highly Recommended |
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Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren and illustrated by Michael Chesworth Highly Recommended |
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The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett and illustrated by Tasha Tudor Highly Recommended |
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To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Highly Recommended |
Young Adult
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A Bone from a Dry Sea by Peter Dickinson Suggested |
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Founding Mothers by Cokie Roberts Recommended |
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The Warrior Queens by Antonia Fraser Suggested |
ADDITIONAL TITLES FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Picture Books
A Brave Little Princess by Beatrice Masini
Independent Reader
Young Adult
Picture Books
A Brave Little Princess by Beatrice Masini
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One Grain of Rice by Demi Suggested |
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A New Coat for Anna by Harriet Ziefert |
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An Uncommon Traveller: Mary Kingsley in Africa by Don Brown Suggested |
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Beautiful Warrior by Emily Arnold McCully Suggested |
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Big Momma Makes the World by Phyllis Root and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury |
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Birdie's Lighthouse by Deborah Hopkinson and illustrated by Kimberly Bulcken Root |
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Brave Irene by William Steig Suggested |
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Cut from the Same Cloth by Robert D. San Souci and illustrated by J. Brian Pinkney Suggested |
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Fa Mulan: The Story of a Woman Warrior by Robert D. San Souci and illustrated by Jean Tseng Suggested |
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Fin M'Coul by Tomie dePaola Suggested |
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Flossie and the Fox by Pat McKissack and illustrated by Rachel Isadora Suggested |
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Imogene's Antlers by David Small |
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Kate and the Beanstalk by Mary Pope Osborne and illustrated by Giselle Potter Suggested |
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Mirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully Suggested |
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Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell and illustrated by David Catrow Suggested |
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Seven Brave Women by Betsy Gould Hearne and illustrated by Bethanne Andersen Suggested |
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The Emperor and the Kite by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Ed Young Suggested |
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The Talking Eggs by Robert D. San Souci and illustrated by Jerry Oinkney Suggested |
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The Well at the End of the World by Robert D. San Souci and illustrated by Rebecca Walsh Suggested |
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There Was a Bold Lady Who Wanted a Star by Charise Mericle Harper |
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Wilma Unlimited by Kathleen Krull |
Independent Reader
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A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett and illustrated by Tasha Tudor Recommended |
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America's Champion Swimmer by David A. Adler and illustrated by Terry Widener Suggested |
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Bull's-Eye by Sue Macy Suggested |
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Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds by David A. Adler and illustrated by Susanna Natti Suggested |
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Cleopatra by Diane Stanley |
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Eleanor Roosevelt by Russell Freedman Suggested |
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Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine Suggested |
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Lives of Extraordinary Women by Kathleen Krull and illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt Suggested |
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Nobody Owns the Sky by Reeve Lindbergh and illustrated by Pamela Paparone |
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Remember the Ladies by Cheryl Harness |
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Rosa Parks: My Story by Rosa Parks |
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Stop the Train by Geraldine McCaughrean Recommended |
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Ten Queens by Milton Meltzer and illustrated by Bethanne Andersen |
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The Serpent Slayer and Other Stories of Strong Women by Katrin Tchana and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman Suggested |
Young Adult
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Mama's Bank Account by Kathryn Forbes Highly Recommended |
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To the Heart of the Nile by Pat Shipman Highly Recommended |
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