compelling, complex stories with girls?

[Skim]

Having recently been blessed by a good fairy here at mdc, we have a bit of $ to buy a good book for dd! Hooray! Now help me spend it!

I'm looking for your suggestions of compelling, complex stories (novels or sort story collections) with girls in the central role. Old is OK, but I would prefer stories that don't reinforce stereotypes of indigenous peoples.

I have done a long search here on the board, but have not found any recommendations that meet my criteria. We have one two collections of folk tales from around the world that feature girls and women; more along those lines would be OK too.

[zinemama]

What age are you thinking she'd be when reading these? (I see she's pretty young now and am assuming you're looking to store up for when she's older?)

[nicole lisa]

I haven't read this, but after doing a search I'm thinking of picking it up for DS

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/031...lance&n=283155

[nicole lisa]

oooh...just searching amazon.com I came across this list which may be helpful - it is certainly giving me book ideas for this house, lol!


List entitled 'Books to raise a strong girl by"
http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/lis...Fencoding=UTF8

[Skim]

Originally Posted by zinemama

What age are you thinking she'd be when reading these? (I see she's pretty young now and am assuming you're looking to store up for when she's older?)

Well, it would be OK if it had short chapters; she's really into other short chapter books. But maybe 5-10 yo. would be realistic.

I haven't checked that amazon list yet...

[~member~]

Two Old Women - by Velma Wallis, that is the best book ever!
It's about two elderly women who grew up together, but never were close...maybe even didn't like each other, end up helping each other survive and find their camp. It's set in the Alaskan tundra/wilderness. Awesome descriptions, and an amazing story about how two old women really can be strong!
Oh, and they use their brains to figure things out. It's not like they just got lucky, they work really hard to survive. I am not sure the author gives their ages, but they are very old and their camp expected them to die soon.
Okay, I'll quit telling the story...it is so worth the read though!

[Anuska]

Ada Blackjack by Jennifer Nivan, courageous true story of an Eskimo women in 1922 is a great.

Also Follow the River by James Alexander Thom. Based on a true story of women taken prisoner by Indians and how she found her way back to a 1750's Virginia settlement. Its stunningly well written, all of Thom's books are.

I'd suggest these books read by 12 or older. The realities in them both can be a bit brutal for younger readers.

[Anuska]

Boonies Mama, I've had Two old women on hold at the library for several weeks. Can't wait until it comes!

[Skim]

Originally Posted by nicole lisa

I haven't read this, but after doing a search I'm thinking of picking it up for DS

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/031...lance&n=283155

Oh, that's pretty good. We got that as a gift for dd1.

[Regis]

I personally know two authors who are strong (and crunchy) women - Susan M. Gaines and Jean Hegland, and who feature strong women in their works. I'd recommend anything by either of them!

Susan's "Carbon Dreams" features a woman scientist who is concerned with global warming. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/088...lance&n=283155

Jean's "Into the Forest" is a coming-of-age story of two sisters, set in the near future when modern society breaks down. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/055...lance&n=283155

[philomom]

My dd has a whole set of books called Girls to the Rescue. They helped tremendously in pointing out that girls CAN do strong and daring things when necessary.

[PancakeGoddess]

Anything by Suzanne Fisher Staples would be wonderful - I think it would meet all your criteria. Under the Persimmon Tree was amazing. These wouldn't be for the under 8-9 crowd, though. Definitely older girls.

[AEZMama]

One of my favorite books as a little girl that I read over and over again was Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell about an Aleutian girl who's family has to move from their island but she is left behind, with nothing. I loved the mental visuals it created for me, and the knowledge that girls could be strong and do whatever they wanted.

[zinemama]

Oh yeah, Into the Forest is a wonderful read. But definitely for the YA-adult crowd, not a 5-10yo.

My 5yo really loves "Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie" the true story of a Maine lighthouse keeper's daughter who keeps the lights burning during a week-long storm while her father is on the mainland and her mother is sick. It's a wonderful story with lovely illustrations and is perfect for the 5-10 age range.

[DarkHorseMama]

I like "The Ordinary Princess" by M.M. Kaye.

[cathe]

"The Penderwicks" - This is a new book that has won some awards - it has several very strong female characters (4 sisters). It reminded me a bit of a modern Little Women - but not as serious. Very well done and enjoyable.