Need help with suggestions for books with positive female role models

[lomalinda66]

Hello - I posted this in Childhood Years and have had zero response and a handful of views so hopefully someone here can help me. I live in Rome and my daughters go to a British international school here. My 6 1/2 year old is already at a reading level where she has just finished off the 4th Harry Potter book on top of all the other books she has read since her reading skills took off. (FYI - I was hesitant to let her read the 4th HP because of content, but she was virtually chomping at the bit to continue although I have put my foot down about 5 and 6.)

My dilemma is this: I would like to offer her books to read with positive female role models, but at a level that is still challenging for her. She's just really over the picture book level and finds them fun to look at on occasion, but thrives on her chapter books. Is there a series or individual books any of you would recommend? What about Nancy Drew? I guess that's a bit dated and to be honest I never really read them myself, I was more of a Trixie Belden fan, but I was also a pre-teen when I read them. Anyway, I'm really at a loss as to something that is challenging, but still age appropriate. I would greatly appreciate all suggestions. Thanks very much! Linda

[Thalia the Muse]

Oh, there's tons! I'm guessing by positive role model, you mean strong female characters, probably who also behave ethically? Laura in the Little House series, Sara Crewe in A Little Princess, Pippi Longstocking, Caddie Woodlawn, The Wolves of Willoughby Chase and its sequels, Understood Betsy.

[Twocoolboys]

I would go for Nancy Drew, dated or not. My almost 8 year old has read some of the older Hardy Boys and they are dated, but they are still good. The thing with the Hardy's is that they are clever and solve their mysteries by their wits, not a lot of violence. I'm sure Nancy Drew is the same way. And, there are some modern Hardy's, though I don't think they are as good, but my son likes them. There may be modern Nancy Drews too.

What about the Laura Ingalls Wilder books? They are not as advanced reading as Harry Potter, but they are still great stories. I loved them when I was a kid. Anne of Green Gables is another great series. The Secret Garden is fantastic.

And, Beverly Clearly and Judy Blume have some great chapter books. Then, there is E.B. White, the author of Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little. Those are great books. Though, I guess Stuart Little doesn't have a strong female role model, but Charlotte's Web does, though she is a spider.

[Thalia the Muse]

The Miss Bianca books are fun, too, although I don't know that Miss Bianca is a GREAT role model -- she's kind of vain, although brave and smart and good-hearted.

[beanma]

check out www.chinaberry.com . they have great write-ups of the books they carry and it's all great stuff.

[mamachandi]

I am also interested in getting some good older girls series for my dd besides what have been mentioned. I love barefootbooks but they don't really have a "series". I do love chinaberry as well!

[Thalia the Muse]

For newer books, my daughter LOVED "The Doll People" and "The Meanest Doll in the World." They're novels about dollhouse dolls that come to life; the antique china doll is bored and lonely until her owner's little sister gets a plastic dollhouse and she makes friends with little-girl doll from that one. They aren't great literature but very age-appropriate -- the illustrations are clever and lively, and I like it that they don't portray either the delicate antique china dolls or the cheap plastic new dolls as better than the other.

[carriebft]

http://www.alisoncroggon.com/fantasy/

The books in the Pellinor series have been great so far, IMO. If she is reading Harry Potter, she can probably read these as well.

[lomalinda66]

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. I've only had time to take a brief look at the Chinaberry site, but it looks great.

[Ducks]

I remember loving the "What Katie Did" books...

http://www.amazon.com/What-Katy-Did-...6671671&sr=1-1

Also, the British author Enid Blyton wrote many books about girls - the Mallory Towers series, and St. Clares series were favorites of mine. I'm not sure if they're still available though.

[serendipidy]

At our house, DD #2 just began embracing the American Girl series - she especially loves Addy (civil war era African-American girl), Kaya (native amer) and Kit (great depression).

[UUMom]

I always like an opportunity to plug, "Keep The Lights Burning, Abbie".

[NoHiddenFees]

Harriet the Spy
Ronia the Robber's Daughter (Astrid Lindgren)
The Moffats series and many others by Eleanor Estes
Tatterhood and Other Tales and The Maid of the North Ed. by Phelps
Maroo of the Winter Caves by Turnbull
Julie series by George
Matilda by Dahl (revenge fantasy, not everyone's cup of tea, but we love it)
The 7 Professors of the Far North and The Flight of the Silver Turtle by Fardell
Escape from Castle Cant and sequel
not quite what you're looking for, but Sylvia Waugh's Mennyms series is first rate
the girls get right into things in the Swallows and Amazons series by Ransome
Wolves of Willoughby Chase and sequels by Joan Aiken
True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
Caddie Woodlawn by Brink

Crap... baby's up. Will post more next week when I get back from vacation if this thread's still around.

[lauren]

Island of the Blue Dolphins by O'Dell
2nd the vote for Pippi Longstocking
2nd the vote for Nancy Drew series

[Teacher Lady]

Island of the Blue Dolphin is great! Anne of Green Gables series and the Little House on the Prairie books are fabulous! I read them repeatedly throughout primary grades! Ella Enchanted is a good one. Not a female main character, but an all around FABULOUS book is The Phantom Tollbooth. A Little Princess and The Secret Garden have strong girls in them. Once she is older, I love the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series(could be a great mama/daughter book club).

[LeftField]

Has anyone mentioned "A Wrinkle in Time" and the other related books in that series? The kids in those books are parented by a really interesting scientist Mom. And then the main character (the daughter), Meg Murray is a *very* strong and thoughtful character.

[Teacher Lady]

Originally Posted by LeftField

Has anyone mentioned "A Wrinkle in Time" and the other related books in that series? The kids in those books are parented by a really interesting scientist Mom. And then the main character (the daughter), Meg Murray is a *very* strong and thoughtful character.

Those books are amazing! Madeline E'Lengle (sp?)