Strong Female Characters in Books
If you think "girl books" are just about princesses, romance, gossipy schoolgirls, and vampires, think again. There are plenty of great books featuring strong female main characters in compelling stories that are sure to appeal to boys as well as girls. Don't assume that a girl's name in a book's title or a picture of a girl on the cover means the book is for girls only. It's what's inside that counts. And that may be a story with edgy action, a tantalizing plot, and male characters to root for ... or against.
We've selected a dozen books with universal appeal for kids of different ages and tastes, from adventure and fantasy to sci-fi and historical fiction to family and school dramas. Check 'em out!
- Kid genius gets revenge on stupid, mean adults.By Roald Dahl
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Strange, surreal tale sure to creep kids out.By Neil Gaiman -
Great young sleuth helps kids be true to themselves.By Louise Fitzhugh -
Exciting enchanted forest adventure to save baby brother.
By Colin Meloy -
Thick but rich fantasy great for book-loving tweens.
By Cornelia Funke -
Brilliant tale of girl's enchanted-woods search for friend.
By Anne Ursu -
Depression-era story teaches history, meaning of family.By Jennifer Holm -
A violent fantasy, with elements of mystery.
By Philip Pullman -
Beautiful classic filled with magic and realism.By Frances Hodgson Burnett -
Cold War kids use magic to save world in brilliant novel.
By Maile Meloy -
Exciting, provocative tale of lethal reality show.
By Suzanne Collins -
Powerful testament to humanity in Nazi Germany.
By Markus Zusak
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