20 Books For Kids With Empowering Female Characters

Updated on 3/26/2018 at 5:20 PM

Being a reader as a child means growing up surrounded by different worlds, adventures, and characters, all of which have potential to be greatly influential. Whether your child is preschool aged or wading their way through their teenage years, having books with empowering characters that can serve as role models throughout their young lives is so important — especially when those characters are strong females.

Read through for 20 books featuring empowering female characters that you should get onto your child's bookshelf.

For Little Kids:

My Name Is Not Isabella: Just How Big Can a Little Girl Dream? by Jennifer Fosberry ($17)

Isabella wades through self-identity before ultimately deciding that she's best the way she is, embodying many characteristics of the women she looks up to.

Not All Princesses Dress in Pink by Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple ($18)

Whether your child loves pink or not, they'll love reading about all of the things they can do (even if they want to wear a tiara while doing it!).

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans ($18)

Madeline is a fearless little lady whose story will be one that inspires your child to be adventurous.

Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell ($17)

Molly gets bullied on the first day of school for being short and clumsy, having big teeth, and a voice that sounds like a bullfrog — but she doesn't mind those things, and knows just how to handle the bullies.

Grace For President by Kelly DiPucchio ($17)

Young Grace's question, "Where are the girls?" in reference to photos of past presidents inspires her to pursue a political career to inspire other girls.

Eloise: A Book For Precocious Grown-Ups by Kay Thompson ($19)

Eloise can tell you anything you want to know about the Plaza Hotel, and her confidence and spunk will inspire your children to be whoever they want to be.

The Watcher: Jane Goodall's Life With the Chimps by Jeanette Winter ($18)

This charming tale of Jane Goodall's life proves that dedicating your life to science and animals is just one of many ways to be incredible.

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi ($8)

Unhei is worried about her new classmates pronouncing her name, so she keeps her Korean heritage and the meaning behind her name a secret — until her new friends find out and encourage her to be herself proudly.

For Big Kids:

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli ($10)

Stargirl is shunned by her entire high school for being an individual, and instead of being "normal," she celebrates nonconformity in the most beautiful way.

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren ($6)

Pippi Longstocking is not your ordinary kiddo, but her high-spirited hijinks will inspire your little one to want to be spunky and carefree just like Pippi.

Matilda by Roald Dahl ($8)

Always with her nose in a book, Matilda is a sharp young girl and a fierce friend who isn't afraid to stand up for what she believes is right.

Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling ($50, originally $87)

Throughout Harry Potter's incredible journey, he is surrounded by so many strong women — Hermione, Ginny, Luna, Professor McGonagall, Tonks, and Mrs. Weasely, to name a few — who contribute to his successes and victories in huge ways.

Bridge to Terabithia by Katheirne Paterson ($7)

Leslie doesn't look or act like any girls Jess knows, and when she runs faster than all of the boys, he realizes that instead of being humiliated, he should be inspired by her.

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia ($6)

Eleven-year-old Delphine was like a mother to her two younger sisters, Vonetta and Fern, since their mother left them for a new life, and when they get a chance to visit their mom, they discover a lot about who they are and who they want to be.

For Teenagers:

Divergent by Veronica Roth ($13)

When Tris Prior is dangerously pursued for being different than everyone else, she proves that being different isn't what's plaguing their society, it's that everyone is trying to be the same.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green ($13)

Despite battling terminal cancer, Hazel remains optimistic enough to know that even the small things we do in life mean something enormous to someone.

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon ($19)

When Maddy, a girl who is literally allergic to the world, decides to take her biggest risk in befriending the new neighbor, Olly, she realizes that some risks are worth taking.

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak ($13)

Liesel Meminger is a foster child in Nazi Germany, but somehow manages to fearlessly turn her bleak situation into the hope her community desperately needs.

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper ($9)

Melody cannot speak or or walk, but has a brilliant mind and brave spirit — she refuses to accept being defined by cerebral palsy.

The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins ($17, originally $39)

Katniss Everdeen may be just a teenager, but her bravery and heart inspire an entire nation to rebel against the unfair conditions they have been facing for years from the well-off population in the Capitol.