Strong girl character books for dd

[Picklesandbeans]

Looking for book recommendations for dd 8. Shes a great readed and like famous five etc but the more she reads of Anne preparing the meals and washing the dishes whilst julian bravely leads the way the more stereotypical gender roles are being in her head. I need to counterbalance please! A strong girl character needed!

[Maggiesgirl]

Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell
Books by Ross MacKenzie are really good too.

[MargaretThursday]

Joan Aiken books are great.

But you did realise that George is a girl too? And also Anne does enjoy doing homemaking and traditionally girl activities, but actually she's very brave-she's scared, but almost always does it anyway, which is far braver.
For their era, George was a very progressive character, and Anne is happy doing what she likes doing, she's not being pushed into it because it's expected.

You could use them for a chat about how brave Anne is as how expectations of gender roles have changed.

[caprimoon]

The girl of ink and stars, murder most unladylike series

[DebbieHarrysCheekbones]

Nancy Drew

[RosesAndHellebores]

Anne of Green Gables is often overlooked and beautifully written.

[TeenPlusCat]

Swallows and Amazons has girls in varying roles, though 90 years old now.

[Stompythedinosaur]

Lightning Girl
Ronia the Robber's Daughter
Rainbow Grey
Amelia Fang
Daisy and the trouble with...
The House With Chicken Legs
Pippi Longstockings

[FinallyHere]

I see that someone has already mentioned

https://www.amightygirl.com/books

[ThreeFeetTall]

I think would be interesting to balance out with stories featuring boys doing the 'homemaking' type jobs of girls in old books. After all someone still needs to make the sandwiches. Do these books exist??

[AiryFairy1]

The Wolf Wilder also Katherine Rundell.
Another vote for the Tiffany books - although the last 2 might be a bit old for 8 yo. The first one, The Wee Free Men is when she’s 9.

[cloudjumper]

Ronia the Robber's Daughter by Astrid Lindgren
The Secret Garden

[negomi90]

Any of the Tamora Pierce books. She's got Tortal ones (Alanna) and also the circle of magic set (which has 3 girls and 1 boy as main characters). I'd say circle of magic is better for younger ones as Alanna has some slightly odd naked moments (though a brilliant 1st period scene).

[PermanentTemporary]

Another vote for Joan Aiken. I didn't really think about her as an author 'for girls' but her female characters are as broad a range as you could wish for.

One of my favourite books as a kid was Felicia the Critic by Ellen Conford.

[Picklesandbeans]

Thanks so much everyone!yes we talked about Anne and George. But the one we're reading-caravanning- George helps with dish washing etc whilst the boys check the map and plan the route dd is quite girly in traditional sense but would choose checking the map over the dishes any day! I do realise I'm projecting onto my dd but I just want a balance.

[PickledLily]

The Pages and Co series. Story about a girl who goes 'book wandering' through various books in her grandparents bookshop and has all sorts of adventures. DD and I were gripped!

[ChiefClerkDrumknott]

Another vote for the Tiffany Aching series. If she’s willing, perhaps you could read some of the Discworld Witches series together once they’re done as it will give some context to the Tiffany books. Although this isn’t essential, I’d recommend them too because they’re brilliant. I started reading them when I was 11 and Pratchett has some amazing female characters all throughout his novels. GNU PTerry (had to be done! )

[Notmydaughteryoubitch]

Sorry not read the whole thread but in case someone else hasn't recommended already the Wizard of Once series, one of the main characters is a warrior princess with an eye patch. Written by Cressida Cowell who wrote how to train your dragon. My 6 year old DD loves it.

[Flockameanie]

Just asked my bookworm 8-yr old and she suggests:

Pages & co
Mallory Towers
Worst Witch

[BowerOfBramble]

The His Dark Materials books for when she’s a bit older but I think she could have a crack at Northern Lights the first one soon. He has another series set in Victorian England which begins with The Ruby in the Smoke I think - loved that.

Theresa Tomlinson is a bit overlooked now but she’s a fabulous author of books about realistic girls in the past. Some sad content too but I LOVED these. Try The Rope Carrier or The Forestwife.

[Flockameanie]

Also Ed Clarke’s books have strong female characters. Although the dragon ones (The Secret of the Dragon) have slightly older themes. Rowan Oakwing is the other series.

[ElenaCouch]

When I was her age I loved Jacqueline Wilson, and the Illustrated Mum always stood out. It definitely felt extremely grown up when I was small. I'm not sure if it's dated well etc, but I'm throwing it out there in case. Some books strike a chord and that can never be a bad thing.

[Clawdy]

The Kitty books by Bel Mooney are fun, but may be a bit young for her.

[JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon]

@halloweenie13

The Judy Moody books I thought were great when I was that age (between 7 and 12) also C.S Lewis Books especially the Magicians Nephew and the lion the witch and the wardrobe, the first few harry potters (Hermione is a fab character as well and mrs Weasley), I wouldn't touch the Jacqueline Wilson books they scarred me as a child and left me scared to sleep because I thought I would die! Try Cathy Cassidy one's instead they have an intro to mature themes without being traumatising or wholly inappropriate for young girls.

CS Lewis really isn't great in his treatment of female characters. I love the books and would recommend them but poor Susan ☹️

[MrsLargeEmbodied]

love pippi longstocking

[JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon]

The Jinny series by Patricia Leitch, are great. Jinny is a wonderful heroine, and the boys are very much side kicks and supporting characters. She absolutely wouldn't make sandwiches for the boys!

There is also a "wise woman" who is a pivotal character in several of the books.