11 Lessons We've Learned From Young Heroines in Literature

Lewis Carroll's titular character Alice from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass is a curious 7-1/2-year-old who is trying her best to be proper and mature, but longs for some excitement in her life. We can all relate to that restlessness she feels, and you can't help but feel for her when she's trying so hard to make sense of the senseless world she finds herself in. Aren't we all?

Quoted: "It's no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then."

Nancy Drew is a 16-year-old amateur sleuth when the Nancy Drew books began in the '30s, and in later versions she's 18. But right from the get-go of the young detective's first appearance — in The Secret of the Old Clock — we're in awe of her talent for solving mysteries, athletic abilities, and extensive knowledge in everything from psychology and painting to French and cooking.

Quoted: "Romance and detective work won't mix tonight!"

The narrator of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird is Jean Louise "Scout" Finch as an adult, who begins the story as a 6-year-old. We admire Scout for her scholarly abilities, tough tomboy attitude, ability to speak her mind, and especially her kindness for the downtrodden.

Quoted: "I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks."

The protagonist of The Hunger Games trilogy is 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who must fight other adolescents to the death in a "game" that takes place in a future version of North America. Katniss is a strong survivor, who spent most of her young life taking care of her mother and little sister after her father died in a mining accident. When her little sister is chosen for the games, Katniss willingly takes her place and proves she has true character and the skills necessary for the challenge.

Quoted: "I am not pretty. I am not beautiful. I am as radiant as the sun."

There are a lot of fierce fighters in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, but perhaps none are as likable and unexpected as 9-year-old Arya Stark, who isn't afraid to stand up for her family and herself, even if that means shedding blood. Arya is a tomboy who's more interested in sword fighting than learning wifely duties, and we commend her for her courage to be who she is.

Quoted:
"A little Lady shouldn't play with swords."
"I wasn't playing. And I don't want to be a Lady."

At just 12 years old, Lyra Belacqua is the heroine of Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass and the rest of the His Dark Materials trilogy. Lyra is extremely sharp and adventurous, and she uses her abilities to fulfill a prophecy and save the ones she loves.

Quoted: "You cannot change what you are, only what you do."

Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables follows 11-year-old Anne Shirley, who despite having a rough early life as an orphan is sweet, hardworking, enthusiastic about life, and imaginative. She's definitely one of our favorite redheaded female protagonists!

Quoted: "I can't cheer up — I don't want to cheer up. It's nicer to be miserable!"

There are four Pevensie children in C. S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the first book in The Chronicles of Narnia series. But it's the youngest, 8-year-old Lucy, who really captures our hearts and ends up being the strongest and kindest character. Lucy, nicknamed "Queen Lucy the Valiant," is the most faithful of her siblings, having never stopped believing in Narnia and being the closest to Aslan. We love her courage, sweet demeanor, and that she doesn't give up even when she's ignored because of her status in the family.

Quoted: "I think — I don't know — but I think I could be brave enough."