Looking over some of my favorite books that I read over and over from when I was growing up, I realized they all had one thing in common: Strong, independent, kick-ass female protagonists. I know reading these books helped shaped me into who I am today, as I wanted to emulate the characteristics found in these girls. I highly recommend all of these books to everyone, but especially if you have any young girls that you know.
1) Catherine, Called Birdy - Karen Cushman
If I ever HAD to pick a favorite book (which, let's be real, is really impossible), then I just might say it's this one. I read this book so much that I had to go buy another copy because the first fell apart.
The story is about Catherine, nickname Birdy, who is 14 years old, living in England in 1290 AD. Her father is determined to marry her off, but through hilarious shennanigens, she sends each would-be suitor packing. But then the nastiest--and richest--suitor comes along, and it will take everything Catherine has to get rid of him. This book is told journal style, which gives us a look into daily life in a typical manor and village in Medieval England. We get little details, such as how many fleas she killed that day, the saint's days, and her musings on life, religion, and love.
I loved this book as a child (and teen and adult) because Catherine is a strong, independent girl with big dreams. She has limitations thrust upon her, due to her higher born status, and the fact that she is a woman, but she doesn't let any of that stop her from getting what she wants. I like that she found ways to work within, and sometimes around, her limitations, which shows me that even when things don't go our way, we don't have to sit around and wait for the outcome. Rather we can go out and get it ourselves.
2) Mara, Daughter of the Nile - Eloise Jarvis McGraw
Mara is a slave in Egypt. She is one day acquired by a new master with a dangerous proposition: To spy inside the royal palace. Once there, however, she is recruited by the opposing side to spy for them. Mara decides to be a double spy and see where the chips fall, in order to secure the best outcome for herself. What she didn't count on was Sheftu, a handsome Egyptian nobleman who also works as a spy within the palace. Mara is a smart, spunky girl, who takes the cards she's been dealt in life and makes the best of them.
One of the main reasons I love this book is because it's set in Ancient Egypt (specifically the 18th Dynasty during the reign of Hapshetsut and Thutmose III), which is my field of study. My mother loved this book and gave to me one day to read. I instantly fell in love with it as well and have read it many times since. Along with a thrilling and suspenseful spy plot, it's a story about love and loyalty, and brings to life beautiful ancient Egypt.
3) Dealing with Dragons - Patricia C. Wrede
This is Book 1 in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles.
Cimorene is a princess, but not a good one, in the traditional sense. She'd much rather study magic and sword-fighting than proper etiquette. She decides to set out on her own adventure, and comes to the cave of the dragon Kazul. She voluntarily becomes Kazul's princess and spends her time cleaning the treasure room, learning magic, sending away knights who try to rescue her, and baking a fabulous cherries jubilee. When she uncovers a plot against the King of the Dragons, she has to use her wit and new friends to save the day.
I loved this book because it takes all the damsel in distress and princess tropes and tosses them out the window. Cimorene is smart, sarcastic, and down to earth. When a jinn determined to kill her asks how she wishes to die, she smoothly responds "Old age". She is strong and independent and didn't wait for a man to come save her, she made her own path in life and created her own happily-ever-after.
1) Catherine, Called Birdy - Karen Cushman
If I ever HAD to pick a favorite book (which, let's be real, is really impossible), then I just might say it's this one. I read this book so much that I had to go buy another copy because the first fell apart.
The story is about Catherine, nickname Birdy, who is 14 years old, living in England in 1290 AD. Her father is determined to marry her off, but through hilarious shennanigens, she sends each would-be suitor packing. But then the nastiest--and richest--suitor comes along, and it will take everything Catherine has to get rid of him. This book is told journal style, which gives us a look into daily life in a typical manor and village in Medieval England. We get little details, such as how many fleas she killed that day, the saint's days, and her musings on life, religion, and love.
I loved this book as a child (and teen and adult) because Catherine is a strong, independent girl with big dreams. She has limitations thrust upon her, due to her higher born status, and the fact that she is a woman, but she doesn't let any of that stop her from getting what she wants. I like that she found ways to work within, and sometimes around, her limitations, which shows me that even when things don't go our way, we don't have to sit around and wait for the outcome. Rather we can go out and get it ourselves.
2) Mara, Daughter of the Nile - Eloise Jarvis McGraw
Mara is a slave in Egypt. She is one day acquired by a new master with a dangerous proposition: To spy inside the royal palace. Once there, however, she is recruited by the opposing side to spy for them. Mara decides to be a double spy and see where the chips fall, in order to secure the best outcome for herself. What she didn't count on was Sheftu, a handsome Egyptian nobleman who also works as a spy within the palace. Mara is a smart, spunky girl, who takes the cards she's been dealt in life and makes the best of them.
One of the main reasons I love this book is because it's set in Ancient Egypt (specifically the 18th Dynasty during the reign of Hapshetsut and Thutmose III), which is my field of study. My mother loved this book and gave to me one day to read. I instantly fell in love with it as well and have read it many times since. Along with a thrilling and suspenseful spy plot, it's a story about love and loyalty, and brings to life beautiful ancient Egypt.
3) Dealing with Dragons - Patricia C. Wrede
This is Book 1 in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles.
Cimorene is a princess, but not a good one, in the traditional sense. She'd much rather study magic and sword-fighting than proper etiquette. She decides to set out on her own adventure, and comes to the cave of the dragon Kazul. She voluntarily becomes Kazul's princess and spends her time cleaning the treasure room, learning magic, sending away knights who try to rescue her, and baking a fabulous cherries jubilee. When she uncovers a plot against the King of the Dragons, she has to use her wit and new friends to save the day.
I loved this book because it takes all the damsel in distress and princess tropes and tosses them out the window. Cimorene is smart, sarcastic, and down to earth. When a jinn determined to kill her asks how she wishes to die, she smoothly responds "Old age". She is strong and independent and didn't wait for a man to come save her, she made her own path in life and created her own happily-ever-after.
Ditto on the kick-ass female protagonists! I'll have to read the first two. Some of my favorites are Anne Shirley from the Anne of Green gables series, Jo March from little women and, Laura Ingalls Wilder from little house on the prairie.
ReplyDeleteDitto on the kick-ass female protagonists! I'll have to read the first two. Some of my favorites are Anne Shirley from the Anne of Green gables series, Jo March from little women and, Laura Ingalls Wilder from little house on the prairie.
ReplyDelete