AIBU to want a spy/action/adventure book with female/girl leads for my daughter to enjoy?

[staveleymum]

My DS (9) has been reading Alex Ryder, Young Bond, Johnny Maxwell as well as Roald Dahl, David Walliams etc. These are all great books and I am sure that when it's time for my DS (6) to start on books some of these will appeal to her too. However, I've been looking around and trying to find books with strong female lead characters is rather thin on the ground in comparison to 'boys books' (FYI I dont advocate that there are books for boys or girls - just books) - but I would love for my daughter to have the choice to read books with strong girl characters that can also save the world!

We are on Worst Witch and have Naughty Little Sister for now but other than fairies, princesses, animal themed books I am struggling to find anything in the 7-9 age group that are more adventure based. I am going to try and find some Nancy Drew (I read those as a girl) but can anyone recommend any alternatives?

I'm seconding the Emily Eyefinger series. It's the right type of fiction and right age group.

My DD loved the Gallagher girls series by Ally Carter - but they are aimed at a teenage audience, so probably worth remembering for the future. We both love the Anne of Green Gables books and there are the Chalet School books too - although some of the attitudes are dated, theyre still a good read

The Chasing Danger books by Sara Grant are murder mysteries (but appropriate for middle-grade readers) that feature two kick-ass girls -- they are funny as well as exciting and set in exotic locations (first is in the Maldives, second is at an ice hotel!)

I'll add more soon.

Also, Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke -- it's a graphic novel book series than my ten-year-old DS absolutely LOVED (he read them when he was about eight). Those books are actually what got him excited about reading.

I work in this field (can't say what as too outing!) so will try and add more titles as I think of them. Only want to post the best ones though.

Hello again, OP.

Just found this site which should help too: www.amightygirl.com/books?age_range_filter=4

Joan Aiken !

Skulduggery Pleasant! There is some cartoon violence - only you can know if your dd would be okay with that - but Valkyrie is an awesome character. And unusually she's not the only badass female character in the series either. There are some very good storylines for girls in particular - like what would be more likely to happen if a vampire/obsessive boy became fixated with you.

I second JapaneseTea -- Joan Aiken is great!

Also, sorry about mentioning the A Mighty Girl website when about ten people already had! Have now read whole thread so up to speed.

My dd is 10 and has read the Darcie Lock series by Julia Golding. Very, very readable, strong female child lead. Happy reading ☺

DD is loving The Unlikely Adventures of Mabel Jones by Will MAbbitt www.penguin.co.uk/puffin/books/270178/the-unlikely-adventures-of-mabel-jones/

Katniss Everdeen- The Hunger Games
Tris Prior- Divergent
Hazel Grace Lancaster- The Fault In Our Stars
Margo Roth Spiegelman- Paper Towns
Artemis- Goddess Girl
Spencer Hastings- Pretty Little Liars

I think she would be too young for most of these books though.

This is a great thread!
I second many already mentioned but want to add
Fantasy/adventure;
Jessica Day George - the castle on Tuesdays series & dragonskin slippers
Lucinda Hare Dragon whisperer series
Lari Don - First aid for faries series

The conquest trilogy by John Connnolly and Jennifer Ridyard. Strong female characters, great writing and a really good story. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Also, Louise Lawrence, Children of the Dust. Most of the storytellers are female, and the one that isn't concentrates on the female characters. The Warriors of Taan is also excellent but not on kindle sadly.

Bankwadger, I loved Little House on the Prairie books so much! Recently started reading Little House in the Big Woods to DD ( 7) and was shocked at how old fashioned it seems now. The first chapter was all about getting the food stored for winter, and there is a lot about butchering the hog! She wouldn't listen to any more after that! But she has enjoyed Pippi Longstocking and Clarice Bean. Must look out for Ruby Redfort. I'm surprised to hear Nancy Drew still doing the rounds!

There's a graphic novel superhero who is a muslim student. can't remember the name of it tho

A vote for Nancy Drew from me too. And Buffy!

What about the famous five? I adored the books at that age and I seem to remember George being just as tough and adventurous as the boys?

Great suggestions!!

there are a few books about a young girl 'Secret Agent/ Detective' who calls herself Sesame Seade by Clementine Beauvais which DD enjoyed.

My daughter adored the Jane Blonde series. I think there are 5 books in total, they are suitable for around age 8 I think. Girl spy, aided by her grandmother and a kickass cat. A bit Alex Ryder light.
But why wait till you find them in charity shops, go to your local library, the best selection of FREE books for children and knowledgable staff. (I'm assuming that local authority cuts haven't closed your library)

Just ordered three Pippi Longstocking books from Amazon off the back of this thread for DD aged 8 :)

Well used versions off one of the Amazon sellers, never done it like that before so fingers crossed it's ok.

Harriet the Spy, Jane Bond and Pippi Longstocking are all strong female characters.

Jane Blonde not Bond.

There's a new book out soon by Ade Edmondson, Tilly & the Time Machine. Looks quite good.

I have a DS but always encourage stories with female leads.

The Philip Pullman dark materials trilogy has a strong female lead character called Lyra. It might be a little bit advanced for your kids right now though.