Fantasies/Science fiction with young female leads?

[specious_reasons]

My daughter is at the age where she's enjoying longer chapter books, and typically the books we read to her at night are novel length.

She really enjoys the Charlie Bone series, but I'd like to find some things that feature young girls as the protagonist, rather than boys.

Any suggestions?

[ImaginalDisc]

My daughter is at the age where she's enjoying longer chapter books, and typically the books we read to her at night are novel length.

She really enjoys the Charlie Bone series, but I'd like to find some things that feature young girls as the protagonist, rather than boys.

Any suggestions?


Anne of Green Gables. The Wizard of Oz. I think there's three long Anne books, and Frank L. Baum wrote about 14 Oz books, and then his son and other writers wrote more.

Err, not that Anne of Green Gables is sci-fi or Fantasy. The Honor Harrington series is and many books by Lois McCaster Bujold revolve around a female protagonist. "Barrayar" and a few of the other early books revolve around a Ship Captain and researcher, and the other books all revolve around her son.

[Nettles]

Podkayne of Mars and The Menace from Earth by Robert Heinlein.

Pretty much anything by Elizabeth Scarborough, Diana Paxson and Marion Zimmer Bradley.

Jack of Kinrowan, Yarrow (and many other books) by Charles deLint.

The Rissa Kerguelen Saga by F.M. Busby (starting with Young Rissa).

[zakur]

Anne McCaffrey's Harper Hall series (Dragonsong, Dragonsinger, Dragondrums).

[brodski]

Philip pullman's "his dark materials".

[Piscivore]

Coraline, Neil Gaiman.

[JamesDillon]

Many of the protagonists in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series are female, but those books might be a bit long for children who are just getting into novels.

[brodski]

Coraline, Neil Gaiman. Good call.

[specious_reasons]

Anne of Green Gables. The Wizard of Oz. I think there's three long Anne books, and Frank L. Baum wrote about 14 Oz books, and then his son and other writers wrote more.

Err, not that Anne of Green Gables is sci-fi or Fantasy. The Honor Harrington series is and many books by Lois McCaster Bujold revolve around a female protagonist. "Barrayar" and a few of the other early books revolve around a Ship Captain and researcher, and the other books all revolve around her son.

I suggested sci-fi or fantasy because that does seem to be a genre she enjoys. Other suggestions are also welcome, thanks. We've read Wizard of Oz - twice, I think. I should probably look into more in that series.

I cut my teeth on Heinlein's juvelines, but I don't have any that star a female protagonist - Thanks Nettles.

[Aurelian]

If she's a tween or older - Garth Nix's Sabriel, Lirael and Abhorsen are good.

I'll second Philip Pullman - the actual titles are The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife and, and ....

Harry Potter has a Hermoine character that is decently strong, though she's not the primary character, meaning girls aren't ignored - and this may be a better series if your reader is 10 or younger.

The Redwall series is engaging, Brian Jaques is the author. It's also cartoons and such, BUT there are enough books in the series to keep a young bookworm busy for a summer...

[ImaginalDisc]

I suggested sci-fi or fantasy because that does seem to be a genre she enjoys. Other suggestions are also welcome, thanks. We've read Wizard of Oz - twice, I think. I should probably look into more in that series.

I cut my teeth on Heinlein's juvelines, but I don't have any that star a female protagonist - Thanks Nettles.

The protagonist of the second book is male, but thereafter the protagonists is always female.

[zakur]

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea novels (Tombs of Atuan, etc.)
Isobelle Carmody's Obernewtyn Chronicles (Obernewtyn, Farseekers, Ashling)
Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry (Sequel to the award-winning The Giver)
Jennifer Armstrong's Fire-Us trilogy (The Kindling, etc.)
The Blue Sword and The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley.

These, as well as the McCaffrey series I recommended above, are consider "Young Adult" fiction, suitable for ages 10+.

[Jabberwock]

"Inkheart" and "Inkspell" by Cornelia Funke
The second is more tradional fantasy, but both are excellent. The central story is about a man who has the ability to read people out of stories. An evil character read out of a book chases the man and his daughter through the first book (which takes place mostly in our world). In the second, the daughter goes into the story to rescue a friend. Great books, easily on a par with the Pullman trilogy (which is also excellent). I can't recommend them high enough! Warning though, the second book ends on a cliffhanger.

"The City of Ember" and "The People of Sparks' by Jeanne Duprau
An underground city built as a shelter from nuclear war starts to decay and a girl and her friend try to find a way to save it. There is a prequel called "The Prophet of Yonwood," but I found it kind of anticlimactic.

"Blossom Culp and the Sleep of Death" by Richard Peck
One of a series of books about a psychic girl in 1914 Indiana. It's more Indiana Jones than Eowyn. This one has her "meeting" an ancient Egyptian queen and helping her getting her tomb back. They're light, fluffy, and fun!

"Airborn" by Keith Oppel
In this universe, airships are the primary method of air travel. A young cabin boy meets a young heiress on a transatlantic trip who is determined to prove that her father discovered a creature that exists only in the sky. Although it's told from the boy's point of view, the girl, Kate, is a very strong character (even more so in "Skybreaker," the sequel). It has very large "Treasure Island" feel to it.

[Piscivore]

I'll second Philip Pullman - the actual titles are The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife and, and ...

"The Amber Spyglass." Good series.

My daughter read "The City of Ember" and "The People of Sparks" and reported positively on both. Right now she is reading a series about cats and another about owls, both heavily influenced by "Watership Down", I believe.

Madeline L'engle has her Time Quartet, of course, but she wrote many other related books a bit more down to earth as well.

[Forty-Two]

Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry (Sequel to the award-winning The Giver)
Wait, wait, wait....She wrote a sequel to The Giver?! That's some of the best news I've heard all day!

[Forty-Two]

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede. Each book is told from a slightly different point of view. Two of them are from the perspective of specific female characters, but all of the books feature intelligent, strong, and individualistic women. Heck, the King of the Dragons is female.

[tkingdoll]

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones


Seconded, plus the sequel Castle In the Air.

In fact, anything by Diana Wynne Jones. Fire and Hemlock has a very strong female lead character who has to rescue her man at the last hour. It's a very striking book.

[Beleth]

Diane Duane's Young Wizards series might fit the bill well.

Plus, anything based on the works of Joss Whedon will have a strong young female character in it somewhere.

[Morrigan]

I just finished reading The Deed of Paksenarrion (trilogy: Sheepfarmer's Daughter, Divided Allegiance and Oath of Gold, I think - I have the 3-in-1 book) by Elizabeth Moon. It's fairly typical fantasy, the story of a female soldier who struggles to become a great warrior and paladin against evil, blah blah. I didn't like it much because it's too simplistic for my tastes, but I suspect I would have liked it as a teenager. I'm assuming your daughter is fairly young (teen?), so it would likely fit her tastes more than mine as an adult.

Again depending on her age (those are perfect for a teenager, I greatly enjoyed them then and still do, when taking them as they are): I would also suggest some Forgotten Realms novels by Elaine Cunningham. The "Song & Swords" series featuring the female half-elven warrior Arilyn (Elfshadow, Elfsong, Silver Shadows, Thornhold and The Dream Spheres) are surprisingly good reads for the Wizards of the Coast-type fiction - probably because Cunningham actually knows how to write, and she is very good at characterisation and clever plots. Also, "Starlight and Shadows", featuring a dark elf called Liriel (Daughter of the Drow, Tangled Webs and Windwalker) also have a strong female lead. :)

Many of the protagonists in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series are female, but those books might be a bit long for children who are just getting into novels.
And they are usually PMSing constantly, and do not set a good example of female characters at all, since they are so out of touch. And a million of other reasons why anyone should avoid Jordan. :D

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea novels (Tombs of Atuan, etc.)
Miyazaki fan, I take it? :)

[Beanbag]

The Faraway Lurs, by Behn.

Beanbag

[Jess]

Wait, wait, wait....She wrote a sequel to The Giver?! That's some of the best news I've heard all day!

There are two sequels, actually. The first book is, as already stated, Gathering Blue. The book that follows is called Messenger. Neither are anywhere near as good as The Giver, though. :) Not that this didn't prevent me from obtaining signed copies when Lowry was doing a signing a while back...

Anyway, on the Oz books--all the Baum books are collected (though, admittedly, lacking something without the pictures) in a single volume these days. I think Borders must publish it. A second volume of Baum's work came out not long after. I recall Sky Island and the Sea Fairies being enjoyable. I always enjoyed Trot and Button Bright as a kid. :)

Then there's The Silver Crown by Robert O'Brien, who also wrote Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH.

I'll have to sort through my old books later... A lot of the good ones have already been mentioned.

[TragicMonkey]

Anyway, on the Oz books--all the Baum books are collected (though, admittedly, lacking something without the pictures) in a single volume these days. I think Borders must publish it. A second volume of Baum's work came out not long after. I recall Sky Island and the Sea Fairies being enjoyable. I always enjoyed Trot and Button Bright as a kid.

I have seen one-volume collections with the original illustrations, or at least, some of them. The illustrations are actually excellent examples of art nouveau. I've seen them mentioned in art history texts before.

Baum's "Queen Zixi of Ix" is my favorite.

[Scott Haley]

_Equal Rites_, _The Wee Free Men_ and its sequel _A Hat Full of Sky_ by Terry Pratchett.

[Meri]

_Equal Rites_, _The Wee Free Men_ and its sequel _A Hat Full of Sky_ by Terry Pratchett.

And the third Tiffany Aching book Wintersmith is coming out this fall, I think. Hooray for Discworld! Also, another Philip Pullman book, shorter and at an easier level (i think) than the his dark materials book is "The Firework Maker's daughter". It's a nice, fable-y short novel with a young female lead.

[Kopji]

My early teen likes a series called "Midnighters" by Scott Westerfeld.
The first book is called "The Secret Hour". Set in a little town in Oklahoma where time stands still for an hour at midnight except for five teenagers. The books have a creepy aspect that kids tend to like. The heroine of book 1 is a 'new midnighter' - an ordinary teenage girl Jessica who must discover why all the monsters that exist in the other 'midnight dimension' are suddenly interested in killing her.

[Aristides]

Running With the Demon by Terry Brooks. It has two follow-ups, but the characters have aged in them. In the one mentioned, the female lead is fourteen, I believe. Great urban fantasy.

[slabsides]

Scanning down, I hope I didn't miss mention of one of my childhood favorites: 'Mistress Mashams' Repose', by T. H. White (the author of 'The Sword in the Stone/Once and Future King.)
'Masham's' protagonist is a 12-year old girl living with her beastly governess on a huge derelict estate. The girl discovers a colony of Lilliputians living on the estate. The governess and a nasty guardian try to cheat the girl of her inheritance, but with the help of the little folks....
This one is good for girls....AND boys. I remember the librarian who recommended it to me at age 10 or so, and how put out she was when I initially scorned the book because it was about a GIRL. Had to apologize to her after I'd read it! A WONDERFUL book, which not only entertained, but helped free me of budding pre-teen male chauvinism. My own daughter and two sons also loved it. It's a great 'read-aloud' book. Some references to English culture might need explaining.

[C.J.]

Well, there are several books with female protoganists I like. I don't know how old your daughter is, though, so some of these may be a bit advanced.

Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett. Good, strong female character(s) in this one.

Arrows of the Queen, Arrow's Flight, and Arrow's Fall by Mercedes Lackey. The first three books written in her series of Valdemar novels, the protagonist is an adolescent girl. The first book is the easiest read (and probably the best of the three), but be warned that the second has the protoganist engaging in consensual sex and the third has the protoganist being sexually assaulted. In neither of the books is the depiction graphic, but you should be aware.

Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov has a good adolescent female protoganist, but I'm not sure if this is necessarily the best choice. To really get the full effect of the book, you need to read the first two, and Asimov's writing can be a little dry.

I'll ponder some more....

[bluess]

Books with female leads/strong female characters

Historical Fantasy
A Traveller in Time - Allison Uttley

Just Plain Good
The Secret Garden and A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Linnets and Valerians by Elizabeth Goudge
The Midwife's Apprentice and Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
Charlotte's Web by EB White (hey, she may be a spider, but Charlotte RULES!)
And for a collection of fairy and folk tales from around the world featuring female leads, Fearless Girls, Wise Women, and Beloved Sisters: Heroines in Folktales from Around the World (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393320464/sr=1-1/qid=1146594380/ref=sr_1_1/102-5951382-9982519?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=books) by Kathleen Ragan and Jane Yolen

Edited to add, My books to read list has just become enormous, thanks everyone for the recommendations!

[specious_reasons]

My daughter is only 7, but typically, we've been reading her books that are for slightly older children. So, generally, she's reading smaller chapter books on her own, but we read her things targetted for 9-12 year olds.

That's the target range I'm going for right now.

Thanks for all of the suggestions! Keep them coming!

[Curnir]

I just finished reading The Deed of Paksenarrion (trilogy: Sheepfarmer's Daughter, Divided Allegiance and Oath of Gold, I think - I have the 3-in-1 book) by Elizabeth Moon. It's fairly typical fantasy, the story of a female soldier who struggles to become a great warrior and paladin against evil, blah blah. I didn't like it much because it's too simplistic for my tastes, but I suspect I would have liked it as a teenager. I'm assuming your daughter is fairly young (teen?), so it would likely fit her tastes more than mine as an adult.
Yeah. One can tell that Moon is a former Marine. I liked the military details but the story and world were too.... simple for the lack of a better word.

Again depending on her age (those are perfect for a teenager, I greatly enjoyed them then and still do, when taking them as they are): I would also suggest some Forgotten Realms novels by Elaine Cunningham. The "Song & Swords" series featuring the female half-elven warrior Arilyn (Elfshadow, Elfsong, Silver Shadows, Thornhold and The Dream Spheres) are surprisingly good reads for the Wizards of the Coast-type fiction - probably because Cunningham actually knows how to write, and she is very good at characterisation and clever plots. Also, "Starlight and Shadows", featuring a dark elf called Liriel (Daughter of the Drow, Tangled Webs and Windwalker) also have a strong female lead. :)

I like your taste in fantasy. Arilyn moonblade and Liriel are scrumdidelicious.

And they are usually PMSing constantly, and do not set a good example of female characters at all, since they are so out of touch. And a million of other reasons why anyone should avoid Jordan. :D

Well... I am a Jordanite... So I say:
Don't read Jordan unless you want to be addicted, the same goes for J K Rowling and George R R Martin.
Speaking of GRRM, the song of ice and fire has a couple of very interesting female protagonists. Not really for the younger crowd though.

[NobbyNobbs]

Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass


The Chronicles of Narnia.



The Little House on the Prairie books aren't bad either.

ETA for spelling.

[jj]

\Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett. Good, strong female character(s) in this one.


Well, SOCKS! That's all I can say to that. :)


Arrows of the Queen, Arrow's Flight, and Arrow's Fall by Mercedes Lackey. The first three books written in her series of Valdemar novels, the protagonist is an adolescent girl. The first book is the easiest read (and probably the best of the three), but be warned that the second has the protoganist engaging in consensual sex and the third has the protoganist being sexually assaulted. In neither of the books is the depiction graphic, but you should be aware.


These books are very good, but you do have to bear in mind exactly what the quoted article says. Basically, they are about somebody who grows up to be in a very powerful, dangerous position. The person starts as a rather downtrodden woman in a primitive society, too.

For teens or adults I'd be fine with it.


Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov has a good adolescent female protoganist, but I'm not sure if this is necessarily the best choice. To really get the full effect of the book, you need to read the first two, and Asimov's writing can be a little dry.

I'll ponder some more....

Don't forget Susan Calvin, and the robot psychologist stuff from Asimov, which certainly has a very, well, VERY strong female character. :) Not young, though.

I'd add that the various "So you want to be a Wizard" books have strong young female characters. There is lots of "evil" to go around. It's a different sort of high fantasy.

[C.J.]

Well, SOCKS! That's all I can say to that. :)
Hah! Made my day with that....

[Curnir]

While we're talking about Pterry.

His books with Susan (not there is a strong female protagonist), Equal rites and his young witch books ('wee free men' and 'a hat full of sky')

Of these books I would recommend 'Equal Rites' the other books can be seen as a bit scary for a child.

[bluess]

Oh - really good historical fantasy by Caroline Pope - The Perilous Gard.

And don't ignore Louisa May Alcott. Lots of strong female leads when being strong and independent was not particularly valued.

[specious_reasons]

Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass

The Chronicles of Narnia.

The Little House on the Prairie books aren't bad either.


We've read Alice in Wonderland, and Through the Looking Glass, but it's absurdity didn't impress her as much as it did when I was a child. I blame Spongebob Squarepants. Otherwise, that's the kind of things I'm looking for.

I have the whole set of Chronicles. We saw the movie, but it was a bit rough for her, and re-reading it before the movie made me think better of reading her the whole series. The stories degrade in quality pretty quickly, and the subtle digs at all things non-Christian did tick me off a bit. Plus, even though Lucy's a fairly strong character, Susan goes to Hell at the end...

[bluess]

Yes, but she's wearing nylons and really nice lipstick.

[bluess]

The Lloyd Alexander series The Black Cauldron has some strong female characters, but the hero is undoubtedly a boy.

The Forgotten Daughter is also good, about a slave in ancient Rome.

[TragicMonkey]

The Lloyd Alexander series The Black Cauldron has some strong female characters, but the hero is undoubtedly a boy.

What do you mean, undoubtedly? You didn't find Taran a little girly? Not even a little?

I'm just kidding. It was clearly Gwydion who was gay as Christmas.

[Kotatsu]

While we're talking about Pterry.

His books with Susan (not there is a strong female protagonist), Equal rites and his young witch books ('wee free men' and 'a hat full of sky')

Of these books I would recommend 'Equal Rites' the other books can be seen as a bit scary for a child.

Doesn't "Strata" feature a female protagonist, or do I confuse it with "Dark side of the Sun"?

Also: Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series has a female lead, but it's more of an adults' book, I guess, as it often sort of presupposes that you've read all other books in the world to get the jokes. Still, it can very well be read by someone who's never even smelled any "classics" as there are a lot of humourous stuff in there for everyone. But liking books is a plus, yeah.

Many of the Moomin books by Tove Jansson could also fit. While they don't exclusively feature a female protagonist, many of the characters are connected to a gender only by convenience. They are also great, great fun and should be read by anyone.

Lastly, if I'm not entirely wrong, there is a female protagonist in Sheri S Tepper's "Grass".

Uargh, looking through my bookshelves in order to find more books made me realise how few and far between they actually are (at least in my shelves). A real eye-opener.

EDIT:
Oh, noticing my own avatar, I'd also recommend, of course, the Nausicaä graphic novels if that is something she'd want to try. Nausicaä is an incredibly strong-minded and in many ways perfect young woman.

[bluess]

What do you mean, undoubtedly? You didn't find Taran a little girly? Not even a little?

I'm just kidding. It was clearly Gwydion who was gay as Christmas.

That's what I get for posting on the run. Well earned derision.:blush:

Hey, look Taran was a leedle too close to Gurgli, if you get my meaning. All that travelling around together in lonely places.

[Meffy]

I recommend the "Catwings" series by Ursula K. LeGuin. A mother cat and her unusual kittens are the ensemble cast. Different cats get to take the lead through the series, some of each gender IIRC. Intelligently written as you'd expect from LeGuin.

The volumes are: Catwings, Jane on Her Own, Catwings Return, Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings. Don't be put off by their non-humanness. They're at least as engaging, as memorable as any human characters I can think of. And they show the mind of one of science fiction's most literary voices from an angle few have viewed. =^_^=

Near as I can tell LeGuin has never written a bad book.

[edit] Adults can be forgiven for reading these. Or Redwall or Potter.

[editedit] Then again, these are short books. Compared to Redwall and Potter especially! For all that they're still pretty good reads.

[specious_reasons]

Since we're almost done with the latest Charlie Bone book, and there's not another in the series yet, I bought, A Wrinkle in Time,
So You Want to Be a Wizard, and Podkayne of Mars.

I figure that will give her (and me) something to read for the next few weeks.

[epepke]

Please don't go crazy about this.

When I was a kid, my parents didn't care that To Kill a Mockingbird was the first book I ever wore out from re-reading, or that I identified with Scout. And they didn't care that I identified with Barney on Mission Impossible either.

Nowadays, I get the impression that the People's Political Correctness Center would probably have attached electrodes to my penis, and I would have been subjected to lectures about Appropriate Role Models.

So your daughter likes some books with a male lead. Big deal.

[Morrigan]

Yeah. One can tell that Moon is a former Marine. I liked the military details but the story and world were too.... simple for the lack of a better word.
Couldn't agree more.


I like your taste in fantasy. Arilyn moonblade and Liriel are scrumdidelicious.

;) Thanks. Didn't I say the same to you, before you admitted being a Jordanite, and then I withdrew my comment? Haha, or was it someone else?
But anyway, Cunningham's talent is totally wasted in the Forgotten Realms. She's so above the rest it hurts.
My favourite is her depiction of Elaith Craulnober though... he's simply the best.


Speaking of GRRM, the song of ice and fire has a couple of very interesting female protagonists. Not really for the younger crowd though.
Indeed, which is why I omitted them. However, speaking of George R.R. Martin - I'd also recommend Windhaven, co-written by him and Lisa Thuttle. Features a strong female protagonist, and it's a very enjoyable and beautiful story. The setting is fairly original too. I recommend it to the OP.

[Curnir]

;) Thanks. Didn't I say the same to you, before you admitted being a Jordanite, and then I withdrew my comment? Haha, or was it someone else?
The very same...
But anyway, Cunningham's talent is totally wasted in the Forgotten Realms. She's so above the rest it hurts.
My favourite is her depiction of Elaith Craulnober though... he's simply the best.


Yeah he is so... smooth. Danilo is pretty nice to tbh. wonder what would have happened if Liriel met Elaith instead of Danilo during her visit to waterdeep...
Oh my am I geeking out or what?

[Strider1974]

David and Leigh Eddings' - The Belgariad and The Malloreon series

While the main protagonist is male this series has some very strong female leads - ie Ce'Nedra and Polgara.

I also 2nd kakur suggestion
Anne McCaffrey's Harper Hall series (Dragonsong, Dragonsinger, Dragondrums).

[specious_reasons]

Please don't go crazy about this.

When I was a kid, my parents didn't care that To Kill a Mockingbird was the first book I ever wore out from re-reading, or that I identified with Scout. And they didn't care that I identified with Barney on Mission Impossible either.

Nowadays, I get the impression that the People's Political Correctness Center would probably have attached electrodes to my penis, and I would have been subjected to lectures about Appropriate Role Models.

So your daughter likes some books with a male lead. Big deal.

It's not a big deal, but I was motivated because I think she'll like hearing stories with girls as the lead character, and frankly, I didn't know all that many.

It's not like I'm going to stop her from choosing stories she likes. On the contrary, I'd like her to expand her reading choices. That's what it's about.

[IsaacKoi]

[QUOTE=Nettles;1610904]Podkayne of Mars and The Menace from Earth by Robert Heinlein.

Plus quite a few of Heinlein's short stories. (A few of his other books aimed at an older audience also had strong main characters that were female).

Isaac Asimov's stories tender to be written without the gender of the characters being a major feature and I seem to recall that he deliberately wrote one of his short stories in a manner which only revealed the sex of the main character at one point by the use of one word.

[Aurelian]

Now that we know the age range - you may want to try A Series of Unfortunate Events, it's a group of three siblings - oldest sister, brother, and baby - VERY entertaining.

Pullman's Firework-Maker's Daughter is good.

"From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" is good for that age as well.

"Misty of Chincoteague" by Marguerite Henry - if she likes horses, they are in all of her books.

I'll second "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" I believe NIMH stands for National Institute of Mental Health...though it's a Disney-friendly tale.

[Morrigan]

The very same...

Yeah he is so... smooth. Danilo is pretty nice to tbh. wonder what would have happened if Liriel met Elaith instead of Danilo during her visit to waterdeep...
Oh my am I geeking out or what?
Yes you are. But I forgive you. ;)

[Underemployed]

Set her up with a WoW account and a female character and let her do the rest. This will also save on college fees later in life.

Steer clear of the Heinlein books with female leads, unless you are comfortable with your daughter becoming a nymphomaniacal adventuress.

Nausicaa! Inspired choice. Some of the scenes do have some graphic violence, but she is surely the ideal herione. Also includes Princess Kushana.

If you're going to include graphic novels, there are many, many child-friendly books out there from Japan and elsewhere with strong, wholesome (and not-so-wholesome) female leads.

[tomgv15]

Brave Little Toaster Thomas M Disch An all appliance cast - with Disney dvds to boot.

[tomgv15]

Steer clear of the Heinlein books with female leads, unless you are comfortable with your daughter becoming a nymphomaniacal adventuress.

Heinlein's Have Spacesuit - Will Travel - features the spunky Pee Wee. Available as an audio book.

[The_Serpent]

The time of the dark by Barbara Hambly. Very enjoyable series I felt, female protagonist.. begins with a wizard at the breakfast table. =):

[Morrigan]

I second the Nausicaä manga recommendation. And get the movie, too.

[antihippy]

Apologies if I mention any books that have already been mentioned. This thread is far too long for me to have read it all before i take part.

But first, why a strong female lead?

Why is that important? Surely she should just read good books? I read well outside my age group when I were a lad; and I was reading books with male and female leads. It just doesn't seem all that relevant to me.

[specious_reasons]

But first, why a strong female lead?


Post #49. In summary: because I think she'll like it.



I was really disappointed with the way Podkayne of Mars ended. Heinlein doesn't always go for the "Hollywood" ending, and that's fine, but his other juveniles had a clear resolution to the story, and this one's going to be hard to explain to my daughter.

That'll teach me to read them before I start reading them to her.

[Kerberos]

And they are usually PMSing constantly, and do not set a good example of female characters at all, since they are so out of touch. And a million of other reasons why anyone should avoid Jordan. :D

How about a Song of Ice and Fire then. Good strong female characters and the girl needs to be taught about the realities of life. :evil:











(note: this book is not suitible for small children)

[Morrigan]

Dude, the A Song of Ice and Fire novels are my favourite books ever.

[Nova Land]

As usual I'm coming in late so a lot of books I would have suggested have already been listed. But there are still a few I can add.

In the field of popular entertainment, James Schmidt's science fiction novels often feature strong female leads. I especially recommend his Telzey novels and stories.

In the field of classic literature, I would recommend:

1. Little Lulu (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1593072708/102-4078373-1665739?v=glance&n=283155). These are well-written, funny, and skeptic-friendly. They are also remarkably affordable. Dark Horse has been issuing volumes on a bi-monthly basis which contain 200 to 240 pages each for $10. (There is a good story on dowsing in one of the volumes -- My Dinner With Lulu, I think -- which I have been meaning to write a post on for about a year now.)

2. Supergirl. The original stories from the late '50s and early '60s are available in archive volumes (a little expensive, but worth suggesting to your public library) and are good reading for younger girls. Back issues of Peter David's more recent series (also excellent, although more suitable for readers old enough to enjoy Buffy) are available (generally cheaply) in back issue bins at comic book stores. And there is a new Supergirl series which started recently.

3. Wonder Woman. Again, archive volumes are available for older stories (from the 1940s) and back issues are available for more recent issues. There are also trade paperbacks available which collect story arcs -- half a dozen or so issues -- in one volume. The current series was recently cancelled, in order to restart the book anew this summer, so that could be a good starting point for new readers.

One should also consider foreign literature. There are a number of Japanese manga which feature female leads, and these are readily available at many large US bookstore chains. I'm not as familiar with what's good among these as I am with US literature, but KittyNH and her younger kitten could probably recommend some good series.

[Oleron]

I'm reading "The Last Witchfinder" by James Morrow. It is about the clash of science/reason and superstition, set in the 17th Century but offering a slightly 'alternative' history.

It might be a bit adult for a child but the heroine of the story is an 11 year old girl who seeks the help of Isaac Newton to save the life of her aunt who is accused of witchcraft. It's a thumping good read (although I'm only halfway through at the moment - it might end badly!) and presents some good skeptical viewpoints into the bargain.

[specious_reasons]

How about a Song of Ice and Fire then. Good strong female characters and the girl needs to be taught about the realities of life. :evil:


That's is evil! Those books will have my daughter cringing in the fetal position, afraid to leave the house.

[Kerberos]

That's is evil! Those books will have my daughter cringing in the fetal position, afraid to leave the house.
But on the bright side she won't be badgering you to read her stories anymore. :p

[Kerberos]

Dude, the A Song of Ice and Fire novels are my favourite books ever.
They're some of my favorites as well, but I know of grown people who stoped reading them because they were to brutal.

[Morrigan]

Were they 12, or just pansies? :P

[ZirconBlue]

That's is evil! Those books will have my daughter cringing in the fetal position, afraid to leave the house.

Or they'll turn her from a Sansa into an Arya. :degrin:

Talk about your strong young female leads!

[antihippy]

Did you lot really find "song of ice and fire" that ... brutal? I wasn't that impressed with the books. They are alright, and I've enjoyed reading them all, but they are not exactly the most groundbreaking fantasy I've read.

They are probably ok for a teen - unless teens have suddenly become less ... hardy.

[Morrigan]

Did you lot really find "song of ice and fire" that ... brutal? I wasn't that impressed with the books. They are alright, and I've enjoyed reading them all, but they are not exactly the most groundbreaking fantasy I've read.

They are probably ok for a teen - unless teens have suddenly become less ... hardy.
Nani? What better fantasy have you read, then? I'm genuinely curious.

[Curnir]

Or they'll turn her from a Sansa into an Arya. :degrin:

Talk about your strong young female leads!

Yes. But a little to strong. Still she is the coolest female protagonist I've read about...ever.

[Nova Land]

Still she is the coolest female protagonist I've read about...ever.
Cooler than Lee in Fallen Angel? Cooler than Katchoo in Strangers In Paradise? That's hard to believe. I'll have to look up this book and read it myself next chance I get.

[Curnir]

Cooler than Lee in Fallen Angel? Cooler than Katchoo in Strangers In Paradise? That's hard to believe. I'll have to look up this book and read it myself next chance I get.

Well given the fact that I havn't read neither Fallen Angel nor Strangers in Paradise, I stand by my previous statement. Believe it or not :)

However I now feel an urge to read both 'Fallen Angel' and 'Strangers in Paradise'.

Author(s)?

[Indolent Wretch]

My daughter is at the age where she's enjoying longer chapter books, and typically the books we read to her at night are novel length.

She really enjoys the Charlie Bone series, but I'd like to find some things that feature young girls as the protagonist, rather than boys.

Any suggestions?

The Belgariad series by David Eddings has a young boy as the male lead but many many strong female characters including a sorcerous Aunt, several strong willed Queens, a liberated dancing girl, a strong willed cousin and a wayward spoilt young girl who becomes much more mature, determined and sympathetic as the book continues.

They have some violence and death but nothing over the top, they don't contain anything overly sexual and they don't have any bad language.

[ZirconBlue]

Cooler than Lee in Fallen Angel? Cooler than Katchoo in Strangers In Paradise? That's hard to believe. I'll have to look up this book and read it myself next chance I get.

I'm not familiar with Fallen Angel, but if Arya lives to be as old as Katchoo (at the beginning of SiP), she will be very kickass indeed.

[Morrigan]

Arya destroys all. Valar Morghulis!

"Is there gold in the village? Is there silver? Gems? Is there food? Where is Lord Beric? Where did he go? How many men were with him? How many knights? How many bowmen? How many, how many, how many, how many, how many, how many? Is there gold in the village?"

[Curnir]

Arya destroys all. Valar Morghulis!

"Is there gold in the village? Is there silver? Gems? Is there food? Where is Lord Beric? Where did he go? How many men were with him? How many knights? How many bowmen? How many, how many, how many, how many, how many, how many? Is there gold in the village?"

Yeah.

- Dareon the singer was killed and his body dumped in the canals.
- And who killed him?

[Nova Land]

Well given the fact that I havn't read neither Fallen Angel nor Strangers in Paradise, I stand by my previous statement. Believe it or not :)

However I now feel an urge to read both 'Fallen Angel' and 'Strangers in Paradise'.

Author(s)?
Strangers In Paradise is by Terry Moore. I fell in love with Katchoo about 15 years ago when she shot her alarm clock, and have remained in love with her since.

The official SIP web site is StrangersInParadise.com (http://www.strangersinparadise.com/sipindex.html). Information about the numerous books in the series can be found at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1892597004/102-1530325-9622554?v=glance&n=283155). The series is collected in a number of different editions, both softcover and hardcover, but I suggest trying the "pocket book" collections. These have slightly smaller pages, but give you a lot of material for a very reasonable price. Oh -- and, if at all possible, start with the first book and read them in order.

(There's an article on SIP at wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strangers_In_Paradise), but it contains spoilers on a number of important plot developments so caution is advised.)

Fallen Angel is by Peter David, a prolific writer of fantasy and science fiction novels. (He's had a couple of NYT best-sellers, notably his Star Trek novel Imzadi, is the creator of the Star Trek: New Frontier series, and has a trilogy about Sir Apropos of Nothing which I highly recommend to readers with warped tastes and a dark sense of humor.)

There's one book collection available of the first Fallen Angel series -- information can be found at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/140120225X/102-1530325-9622554?v=glance&n=283155). There's an article on the series available at wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallen_Angel_%28comics%29), and an interview with Peter David about the series here (http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/features/109676989895936.htm)

The first run of this series (from DC) is very good, but the current run (from IDW) is even better -- and breathtakingly gorgeous as well. I am notoriously cheap, and this is an expensive series ($4 cover price) but I still recommend it wholeheartedly.

Peter David has a blog, NotePAD (http://peterdavid.net/), and there's an entry about Fallen Angel on May 19 ("Fallen Angel Out This Week") which discusses the current issue. Here are a few of the comments posted by readers, which may give you a better idea if you'd be interested in the series:

"If the Catholics got upset over "DaVinci Code" they would have a field day with this."

----

"I like the title and anxiously await each new issue. I remember PAD said he ran this storyline by a Rabbi who told him it (IIRC) that it had the distinction of never having been tried before.

The inherent problem with writing a story that purports to describe God's motivation is that any such description is filtered through a human sensibility. How can we describe an all-powerful omnipotent being when, by virtue of our humanity, we are not all-powerful and omnipotent. We must anthropomorphize God. But that automatically defines something other than God. God is all-powerful so he isn't bound by a reluctance to admit he "failed his final exam." He doesn't get tired and want to die, humans do. To put limits on God is to describe something other than God."

----

"I recently loaned a friend, who’s a Jesuit brother, the trade paperback of the first six issues of the DC run of Fallen Angel, ... brought him up to speed about the IDW series, and told him about Lee’s statement about God’s plan. I was curious what he, as someone in the religious life, thought of that interpretation...

In discussing the issue, we realized God, as depicted in Fallen Angel is in a bit of a “Catch-22” situation. One might wonder why God doesn’t make a very public appearance, say, “stop bugging me and start living your own lives, you stupid humans!” and storm off to wherever. Well, if God were to do so, it would confirm that God exists; and I’ve no doubt that the number of prayers and praises would explode. Poor God wouldn’t get a moment’s peace. Mike Wallace pounding on His door with a 60 Minutes news crew and..."

[aerosolben]

The Lloyd Alexander series The Black Cauldron has some strong female characters, but the hero is undoubtedly a boy.
Try Alexander's "The Wizard in the Tree" for a strong young female protagonist, or his series about Vesper Holly (titled "The ______ Adventure") for another (somewhat older) female lead.

[Childlike Empress]

We've read Alice in Wonderland, and Through the Looking Glass, but it's absurdity didn't impress her as much as it did when I was a child. I blame Spongebob Squarepants. Otherwise, that's the kind of things I'm looking for.
Momo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momo) by Michael Ende is a wonderful book.

[Chaos]

Momo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momo) by Michael Ende is a wonderful book.

Seconded emphatically.

From your name, I suppose you´re a big Michael Ende fan? ;)

[Pardalis]

Momo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momo) by Michael Ende is a wonderful book.

Wikipedia, Empress?

[Childlike Empress]

From your name, I suppose you´re a big Michael Ende fan? ;)
Yes i am. :) I think he was a genius.

@specious_reasons: Check Astrid Lindgren. She has written some great books with girls as protagonists (f.e. "Pippi Longstocking" and "Ronia, the robber's daughter").

[Chaos]

Yes i am. :) I think he was a genius.

@specious_reasons: Check Astrid Lindgren. She has written some great books with girls as protagonists (f.e. "Pippi Longstocking" and "Ronia, the robber's daughter").

I was *this* close to recommending "Ronia the robber´s daughter" as one of Michael Ende´s great works.:blush:

Damn it, I am getting old... :boggled:

But Astrid Lindgren was also great. I admit I didn´t read the Pippi Longstockings books, but I *loved* the movies as a kid. I read lots of her other books, though (boy, I hope I get these right... :blush: ), like "Michel of Lönneberga".

Anyway, I´m not too sure Pippi Longstockings could actually count as Fantasy. But that doesn´t matter - it´s just too good to ignore.

[Childlike Empress]

Anyway, I´m not too sure Pippi Longstockings could actually count as Fantasy.
She elevates horses! :eek: ;)

[Nova Land]

Eric Shanower did a wonderful series of Oz books -- The Enchanted Apples of Oz, The Secret Island of Oz, The Ice King of Oz, The Forgotten Forest of Oz, and The Blue Witch of Oz -- published between 1986 and 1992. These are beautiful examples of drawn literature (also known as "graphic novels" or "over-priced comic books").

They have been out of print until recently, but a collected edition of all 5 novels was recently published. The cover price is $40, but it is available at a considerable discount at Amazon.com (www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1933239611?v=glance), and likely other places as well.

I bought and enjoyed these when they were first published, and recommend them highly for people of any age.

[Curnir]

She elevates horses! :eek: ;)

I'm not sure about the Fantasy lable for Pippi, more like non-reality fiction. (even as a kid I found her annoying)

Ronja Rövardotter, yeah, that's fantasy. And good for a lil girl to read. And the movie is good too.
Mio min Mio, Fantasy.
Bröderna Lejonhjärta, Fantasy... too bad about the grizzly suicide pact at the end though.
All the stories with small people, Fantasy.
Karlsson på taket (that dude with a propeller stuck too his back), silly silly silly, I will not have things getting silly.

As childrens books go, they are great, let the lil ones cut their teeth on these stories, and as they grow older push them into heavier stuff (ie other authors) with plotlines and logic that actually works.

But as fantasy books go, not that good.

[specious_reasons]

But Astrid Lindgren was also great. I admit I didn´t read the Pippi Longstockings books, but I *loved* the movies as a kid. I read lots of her other books, though (boy, I hope I get these right... :blush: ), like "Michel of Lönneberga".

Anyway, I´m not too sure Pippi Longstockings could actually count as Fantasy. But that doesn´t matter - it´s just too good to ignore.

Those were guidelines. I'd never refuse the suggestion of a good book. :)

[Chaos]

She elevates horses! :eek: ;)

She HAS to be this strong, just in order to not collapse under the weight of that insanely long full name of hers :D

Ronja Rövardotter, yeah, that's fantasy. And good for a lil girl to read. And the movie is good too.
Mio min Mio, Fantasy.
Bröderna Lejonhjärta, Fantasy... too bad about the grizzly suicide pact at the end though.
All the stories with small people, Fantasy.
Karlsson på taket (that dude with a propeller stuck too his back), silly silly silly, I will not have things getting silly.


For the benefit of our non-Scandinavian readers (:) ), these titles translate as (assuming they *have* been translated to English?),

Ronja Robber´s Daughter
Mio my Mio
The Brothers Lionheart
Karlsson on the Roof

[Curnir]

She HAS to be this strong, just in order to not collapse under the weight of that insanely long full name of hers :D

For the benefit of our non-Scandinavian readers (:) ), these titles translate as (assuming they *have* been translated to English?),

Ronja Robber´s Daughter
Mio my Mio
The Brothers Lionheart
Karlsson on the Roof

Seems about right. Except for 'Mio, my son'.

A short story I forgot to mention is 'My beloved sister' I loved that story when I was a kid. Then ending is a bit sad though.

[Chaos]

Seems about right. Except for 'Mio, my son'.

A short story I forgot to mention is 'My beloved sister' I loved that story when I was a kid. Then ending is a bit sad though.

Well, it is "Mio mein Mio" in German, which translates as "Mio my Mio".

[Curnir]

Well, it is "Mio mein Mio" in German, which translates as "Mio my Mio".

Aye, but the engländer seems to have changed it somewhat (at least according to amazon) :D

[Worm]

Anne McCaffrey's Harper Hall series (Dragonsong, Dragonsinger, Dragondrums).

Absolutely.

By a bizarre twist of 'not-reading-the-inside-cover'-ness , 'Dragonsinger' was the first of the Pern novles thsat I read, and I was pretty confused by some of the detail for a while, but the whole series is one of my favourites, but the Song-Singer-Drums sequence (along with The White Dragon in my opinion) is one of the best sequences in the whole series.

Anne McCaffrey wrote many books with strong female lead characters - the 'Crystal Singer' books for instance.

Robert Heinlein did some strong females, but that might be going a bit far :)

Pterry's 'Equal Rites' is a good one - young female lead.

Possibly also Raymond Feist's 'Empire' series - Daughter of The Empire, Servant of The Empire, Mistress of the Empire - I love them, and they are completely female led.

[gumboot]

Okay I have some suggestions that are probably better for once the young lass grows up a bit... :)

But since we're on the topic they may be books others are interested in...absolutely stunning fantasy/celtic mythology hybrid with great lead female character and just generally great setting:

The Bitterbynd by Cecilia Dart-Thornton (Australian writer):
The Ill-made Mute
The Lady Of Sorrows
The Battle of Evernight

And some excellent historical fantasy by Juliet Marillier (a New Zealander :D), also with strong female characters:

The Seven Waters Trilogy:
-Daughter of the Forest
-Son of the Shadows
-Child of the Prophecy

Saga Of The Light Isles:
-Wolfskin
-Foxmask

Bridei Chronicles:
-The Dark Mirror
-Blade Of Fortriu

*I haven't read all her books, so not my fault if some are lame... :)

In addition, Robin Hobb's books have excellent female characters, especially the Liveship Traders Trilogy:
-Ship of Magic
-The Mad Ship
-Ship of Destiny

Got to chip in as well, George RR Martin's books quickly rocketted to the top of my favourites list - his setting/style is fairly similar to mine. Growing impatient waiting for his latest to come out in MassMarket Paperback here...

-Andrew

[Mark A. Siefert]

I too was going to suggest the Honor Harrington novels by David Weber, until you mentioned that your daughter was only 7. Those are best left when she's old enough to understand hard science, politics, history, and other "adult" themes.

However, the protagonist is a very strong female (literally as well as figuratively since she was born on a planet with 1.3 times Earth's gravity) who rises from obscurity to become a starship captain, then, in later books, an admiral. Great stuff, if you don't mind being occasionally bogged down with occasional military sci-fi technobabble or the byzantine politics of the settings universe.

[aries]

HI :)

As a Dane I would suggest the Danish author, Lene Kaaberbøl's books.

Especially, the entire series which dealsii.e. is about the Shamers, who is people who has the ability to look at people, and then tell if they're lying. (there is nothing supernatural in the explanation as to why she is able to do this, the young female main person in the series: It is, in fact, described that sje just needs to look people in the eye, and observe people's bodily language to figure this out). The first book is called: the shamer's daughter.

Then there is the books about Katriona (sorry, I have forgotten what they're called) who want to be a horse(wo)man for the empire...and it doesn't turn out that great...

Being a (now retired) English teacher herself, she, Lene Kaaberbøl, has a great understanding of what tingles and attracts young girls' minds i.e. what is needed to get them reading books.

Another great Danish fantasy author is Josefine Ottesen. I don't know if any of her books are translated into English as off yet, but you could try asking
in your local bookstore or at local library.

And then of course, there is always the Great Dame of all sci fi novels and such:
Ursula K. Le Guin...

[aries]

Seeing how somebody suggested Astrid Lindgreen's books, I will say
*yes!*

These books (all of them) are very good.

If she likes to read about the old days, maybe she would enjoy *alla vi barn från bulderbyn* (all of us children from buldervillage). This story is about a
group of children growing up on a little island in the 1920's.

Maria Gripe's (another swedish author) children's books should also be a hit.
*the white stone* is the only one I can think of for the moment.

Of course, if she wants to see strong heroines, try the Mulan (Disney) movies.

The Moomins are good as well :) . There just nice creatures living peacefully in their valley...

Also, although I haven't read them --- the barthomolew saga (bartolomæus sagaen på dansk) seems very interesting and exciting.

[Curnir]

Seeing how somebody suggested Astrid Lindgreen's books, I will say
*yes!*

These books (all of them) are very good.

Some are, and some aren't
Pippi should be strangled.
Karlsson on the roof should meet with a nice SAM
And the suicide pact at the end of 'the Lionheart Brother' was a bit disturbing.(good book though, even though there were a lot of things that didn't make sense)

'My beloved sister' good story.
'Mio min Mio' good story


If she likes to read about the old days, maybe she would enjoy *alla vi barn från bulderbyn* (all of us children from buldervillage). This story is about a
group of children growing up on a little island in the 1920's.
.
Alla vi barn i Bullerbyn. Was that on an island? Like 'Vi på saltkråkan'?

anyway: good book, but not Sci-fi fantasy.

[fuelair]

Akiko (10 year old& space adventures of weirdness) books by Mark Criley. The first of the series is: http://www.amazon.com/Akiko-Planet-Smoo-Mark-Crilley/dp/0440416485/sr=1-2/qid=1169335405/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/102-6782184-1969734?ie=UTF8&s=books

Both comics and chapter books.

[NobbyNobbs]

I was going to mention Anne McCaffrey, but I see someone beat me to it.

I don't know if it's out in book or graphic novel form, but recently I've been hooked on the "Avatar" series on Nickelodeon. Good female lead there.


Also, within the last couple years James Patterson wrote a couple pre-teen/teen books about kids who are winged mutants. I'm blanking out on the name, but I think "Midnight" but in the title. One of them is subtitled "School's Out". Can anyone help? *Very* strong female lead there. And a fun ride.

[fuelair]

I was going to mention Anne McCaffrey, but I see someone beat me to it.

I don't know if it's out in book or graphic novel form, but recently I've been hooked on the "Avatar" series on Nickelodeon. Good female lead there.


Also, within the last couple years James Patterson wrote a couple pre-teen/teen books about kids who are winged mutants. I'm blanking out on the name, but I think "Midnight" but in the title. One of them is subtitled "School's Out". Can anyone help? *Very* strong female lead there. And a fun ride.
http://www.amazon.com/Maximum-Ride-Schools-Out-Forever/dp/0316155594/sr=1-1/qid=1169349380/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-6782184-1969734?ie=UTF8&s=books
for the Pattersons. Maximum Ride:School's Out Forever and Angel Experiment.

[huw-l]

Nicholas Fisk wrote a lot of great Sci-Fi for kids. Quite a lot of his stories have strong female characters.

I was always partial to his short-story collections.

[Elizabeth I]

It may be hard to find, because I think it's out of print, but it's worth prowling the used-book stores for The Witches of Karres by James Schmitz. The world's BEST example of a space opera, in my opinion.

He has some other books with a young teen female protagonist, the "Telzey" series, but they're not as good. Too "Hardy Boys."

But, speaking of the Hardy boys, don't forget Nancy Drew.

And you might want to check out The Deed of Paksenarrion before you read it with your daughter. It had a torture scene that bothered me, and I'm way past a kid. And unless you are REALLY into long descriptions of battles, it really drags in places.

[Bele]

I will strongly second (and third):
The City of Ember and The People of Sparks-- both fun, interesting, and a strong female lead.

I also LOVE the Pullman trilogy, but I'd think it's best for children 9 and above- it's pretty heavy at times.

Gathering Blue and The Messenger are both good. Nowhere near The Giver, as mentioned, but still good.

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH is another one of those that is a wonderful read at any age.

I posted though, to strongly recommend The Series of Unfortunate Events. Amazing female character- brilliant and thoughtful who outwits evil adults throughout. They are dark and not pleasant, but incredibly fun to read and wonderfully written.

Another suggestion is the Chasing Vermeer- it's more mystery then sci-fi, but a lot of fun. Not only does it have a strong female lead, but she's not pretty nor popular, but incredibly capable and happy.

On that line- Matilda and Harriet the Spy are also a lot of fun and great for slightly younger readers, especially those starting to deal with bullying and social interactions.

Of course the best for that are the Judy Blume books- Blubber, Otherwise known as Sheila the Great, etc.

[Orangutan]

_Equal Rites_, _The Wee Free Men_ and its sequel _A Hat Full of Sky_ by Terry Pratchett.

Yep, also Wyrd Sisters and others by Pratchett. (Also even in the books where the main protagonist is male his female characters are often strong willed and sound headed. Im thinking of the woman in the AnchMorpork guard, I can't think of her name right now. Agustia or something.)

[Curnir]

Yep, also Wyrd Sisters and others by Pratchett. (Also even in the books where the main protagonist is male his female characters are often strong willed and sound headed. Im thinking of the woman in the AnchMorpork guard, I can't think of her name right now. Agustia or something.)

Angua.

a favourite bit from Jingo:

She sighed again. She was familiar with the syndrome. They said they wanted a soulmate and helpmeet but sooner or later the list would include a skin like silk and a chest fit for a herd of cows.
--

And one must not forget Susan, now there is a strong no nonsense grrrl.

The Truth.
Going Postal.
Monstrous Regiment.

also contain strong females.

[fuelair]

Not exactly SF/F but..... http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/102-6782184-1969734?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=From+the+Mixed+up+files+of&Go.x=13&Go.y=10