Tohru Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I needs some recommendations for STRONG female characters. We have the character traits gentle, kind, generous, and caring covered - really am looking for some books in which the female character is strong (emotionally/mentally), firmly stands her ground, and knows her mind. Actually, a male character that is strong and good would work too. Preferably elementary level, nothing scary, morally objectionable, or violent. Maybe nothing like that exists? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LMD Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Check out the booklist at A Mighty Girl http://www.amightygirl.com/books?age_range_filter=4 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Ronia, the robbers daughter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahW Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Pippi Longstocking. She's the strongest girl in the world! She also speaks her mind, though some people find her too sassy. The Secret Garden might fit the bill. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Sophie - she's very determined and gets into scrapes, but she knows her own mind: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophie_(book_series) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Anne! Caddie Woodlawn 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 (edited) Ronja Robber's Daughter Pippi Longstocking Edited January 12, 2017 by regentrude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalmia Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Journey to River Sea by Eva Ibbotson The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kebo Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Ella Enchanted -- Ella finds a way to break the curse of obedience 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 A Girl and Five Brave Horses, which the movie Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken is based on. We love the movie. I personally haven't read the book, but my dd has. It's an autobiography. I don't know what the reading level is though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clementine Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Anne of Green Gables 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
................... Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 (edited) Anne of Green Gables ! Also Diary of Anne Frank. She's doesn't so much speak her mind but she is tough and resilient Most of the american Girl series have brave strong girls like you describe Edited January 12, 2017 by Calming Tea 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wathe Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Nim's Island. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tohru Posted January 12, 2017 Author Share Posted January 12, 2017 Yeah, forgot to mention No Sassiness. It's annoying and untrue that a girl can only be strong of character if she is sassy and/or defiant. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tohru Posted January 12, 2017 Author Share Posted January 12, 2017 Ella Enchanted -- Ella finds a way to break the curse of obedience Yes! Anything more like Ella. She's strong, good, and beautiful. She doesn't have to give up being being pretty and sweet just to be strong. Most books about strong girls are girls that aren't "girly" - they've traded being lovely for being strong. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Most books about strong girls are girls that aren't "girly" - they've traded being lovely for being strong. Ah. Okay. Not Sophie then - she's my kind of girl. Not girly. But I don't see loveliness as an overriding goal. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah4boys Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Dealing with Dragons series. Fantasy, but she is very firmly strong, not sassy. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haanz Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Turtle in Paradise The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic Red: The True Story of Red Riding Hood 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeaganS Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 (edited) The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Hmm, maybe it doesn't fit your qualifications? It's been a while since I read it. Edited January 12, 2017 by Meagan S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. Tharp Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Definitely Caddie Woodlawn. The School for Good and Evil--all three books in the trilogy revolve around the issues you mention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanaqui Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 (edited) Well, I don't know what, precisely, you mean by "morally objectionable", but I'll give it a shot. Certainly I don't think anybody here would deliberately suggest books they themselves considered to be objectionable. (Come to think of it, I'm not sure what you mean by "strong" or "sweet" either. If you think Ella Enchanted is a "sweet" girl, we're clearly not using those terms the same way. And aren't all girls girly by definition?) When My Name Was Keoko The Breadwinner The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate Becoming Naomi Leon Kiki Strike Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry One Crazy Summer (does deal with some older-elementary or middle school themes) The Jumbies When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit (takes place during the early 1930s, but mostly in France) Letters From Rifka Bo at Ballard Creek Dash Gaby, Lost and Found (does deal with some more grown-up themes) How Mirka Got Her Sword Seaglass Summer The Truth About Twinkie Pie Where the Mountain Meets the Moon Akata Witch (we're finally getting a sequel!) President of the Whole Fifth Grade The Grand Plan to Fix Everything Un Lun Dun Zahrah the Windseeker A Pickpocket's Tale So You Want to Be a Wizard Skating Shoes El Deafo The Birchbark House The War That Saved My Life Mars Evacuees The Mighty Miss Malone Breadcrumbs Runemarks A Face Like Glass Out of Many Waters Rapunzel's Revenge Rory's Promise Dragon's Milk A Jar of Dreams Amulet Princess Academy Home is With Our Family (this is a historical event that doesn't get enough attention, even here in NYC.) Bayou Magic Catherine, Called Birdy Princeless Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer (this is not the best for a readaloud, but it's so cute, every family must own a copy) The Midwife's Apprentice The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond The Thing About Luck A Tangle of Knots Celeste's Harlem Renaissance Zita the Spacegirl The Hope Chest Full Cicada Moon Bread and Roses, Too The Junction of Sunshine and Lucky The Moorchild Inside Out and Back Again A Long Walk to Water It Ain't So Awful, Falafel Ms. Marvel Red Scarf Girl I didn't list any picture books, but I can do so if you want. I could have listed more realistic fiction, especially more contemporary realistic, but I wasn't sure how many of them would count as "strong", exactly. I can add a secondary list later if you'd like those books as well. Edited January 12, 2017 by Tanaqui 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanaqui Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Definitely Caddie Woodlawn. Caddie Woodlawn is seriously problematic due to its heavy reliance on racist imagery and language. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
historically accurate Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 (edited) Two I haven't seen mentioned: An Ordinary Princess Tuesdays in the Castle Not realistic (it's a mouse, not a human): but the Rescuers series has Miss Bianca as one of the main characters. ETA: Remembered one more. Riding Freedom I'm in a Mother Daughter Book Club monthly, and we tend to read books with strong female characters. You could probably google "mother daughter book club books" and find several. Edited January 12, 2017 by beckyjo 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lllll Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 (edited) nm Edited January 19, 2017 by .qp_ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurelia Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Emily of New Moon Coraline The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate Un Lun Dun A Little Princess If you are open to movies, a lot of the Miyazaki films have strong girls. Kiki's Delivery Service, My Neighbor Totoro, and Nausicaa and the Valley of the Wind are good to start. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Tick Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Yes! Anything more like Ella. She's strong, good, and beautiful. She doesn't have to give up being being pretty and sweet just to be strong. Most books about strong girls are girls that aren't "girly" - they've traded being lovely for being strong. Well, I've enjoyed everything by Gail Carson Levine, so if you like Ella you should check out her other books. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoo Keeper Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Madeline Takes Command A Little Princess and The Secret Garden The Ordinary Princess The Paper Bag Princess Where the Mountain Meets the Moon Daughter of the Mountains (even my boys liked this one!) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulieA97 Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 I really like Shannon Hale. Princess Academy is excellent and not what you think by the title. I believe its also a Newberry Honor book. Miri, the main character lives in a very poor mountain village. The prince has to choose someone from their village to marry-the reasons why are complicated. Miri and other girls her age are sent to Princess Academy where they learn to read (no one in the village knows) and then learn things like Philosophy, Economics, Persuasion and Debate. They use their new knowledge to turn things around for their village. Miri is focused on learning, not how to get the Prince to fall in love with her. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather R Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 The Theodosia books are great if you don't object to Egyptian mythology. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0159LKQI0?ref=series_rw_dp_labf And also the Flavia de Luce series. I :001_wub: Flavia!!! https://www.amazon.com/gp/bookseries/B00CJDHQQW 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourisenough Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 (edited) Hattie Big Sky and its sequel Hattie Ever After Edited January 13, 2017 by fourisenough 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trilliumlady Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Following..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 His Majesty, Queen Hatsheput My dd read that book OVER and OVER in elementary. It's probably a 4th or 5th grade reading level, dunno. And of course any of your queens will do. My dd has a thing about the queens of England. Some of the books your dd would grow into but might be ready for soon. You could watch movies or documentaries. Also, just a totally different direction, but anything starring Katherine Hepburn will likely be that way, as that's how she portrayed her characters. Well some were kind of dingy and silly, hehe. But a lot of them were strong and having to grapple with the *consequences* of themselves. Pat and Mike, Woman of the Year, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrissiK Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 "the True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle" by Avi. Awesome book. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisabees Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Wee Free Men (Tiffany Aching series) Golden Compass Mandy by Julie Edwards Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bwdiaz Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 I know this is an old thread but I'm surprised to see no one posted Understood Betsy. (Maybe I missed seeing it here.) There's a girl who grows to trust in her own strength. OP, what did you eventually pick? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Land of elyon Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
................... Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Not a book but - MOANA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrissiK Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 I thought of another one.... Kit, from The Witch of Blackbird Pond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Island of the Blue Dolphins. Julie of the Wolves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Caddie Woodlawn is seriously problematic due to its heavy reliance on racist imagery and language. I don't know - I think that's a rather odd blog post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrixieB Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 (edited) Dh suggested Ramona Quimby. ETA: Dd suggested Swallows and Amazons. Edited February 24, 2017 by TrixieB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanaqui Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 How so, Bluegoat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Smith Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Dealing with Dragons series. Fantasy, but she is very firmly strong, not sassy. I was coming here to say that one. A young princess who left home to go live with dragons. She dealt with bad dragons, evil wizards, ignorant knights. it is an all time favourite book here ( and the first in a 4 book series. ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 How so, Bluegoat? Well, as far down as I managed to read, it seemed like a lot of impressions, thoughts, and supposition. I don't think it was all untrue or anything like that - but it isn't at all what I would look for if I wanted some solid information for the basis of the stories. Right at the beginning, there are some pretty off-base musings about the origin of the term "savages." It's an interesting and perhaps difficult book in the sense that it is fiction but based on what is supposed to be history. So some elements, and in particular cultural elements, might be misremembered, misunderstood, or even just made up. Or, they might be accurate retellings but the people may have had a poor understanding themselves. I don't have much sympathy for the view that a book like that should portray everyone as having modern progressive values and language, or even just all the good people should have them. It's bad writing to try and be didactic in that way, and IMO it's a kind of white-washing that isn't appropriate. It really seemed like a shallow discussion of how to handle those sorts of questions. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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