Chapter books with female protagonists minus stereotypes
August 25, 2023 7:08 AM Subscribe
I'm looking for kids book se.ries for my 6 year old son, who is going to read me out of house and home. I would like to make sure he's exposed to books with both male and female protagonists. However, when I look at books series that feature girls, they're often awash in stereotypes about glitter and clothes and fairies or whatever. Please recommend some series featuring girls or female characters that are not just stereotype cliches in book form.
I want my son to learn the empathize with girls just as he would with boys. But I don't want him to think that girls just care about shoes and glitter and fairies. I also cringe a little at the "three protagonists and one is a girl" model because it's never the other way (three protagonists and one is a boy) and this just screams weird tokenism to me where the girl's job in the story is to be a girl so nobody can say there are no strong/independent girls in the book.
I'm thinking of maybe the Thea Stilton books? I got him some Geronimo Stilton before I realized Thea exists, so we'll see after he's done Desmond Cole if he likes them. If he does are the Thea Stilton going to be the same idea but with a girl or will she be all into glitter and shoes for some reason.
I would prefer books that are a little longer, but still not too physically dense (i.e. big font, a fair number of illustrations). He seems to find the big font/lots of pictures more engaging (I suspect that it's just less intimidating), but then he's ploughing through them so fast that it's costing me an arm and a leg (yes, the library...but he's kind of insistent on reading them in order, which is not easy with the library). So anyway, anything long enough that he can read fewer books per day but formatted so it won't intimidate him would be great.
Here are a list of book series he has enjoyed or is enjoying.
Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol
Eerie Elementary
Questioneers
Zoey and Sassafras
Frank Einstein
Toys Go Out trilogy
Ballpark Mysteries
Rebekah Girl Detective (I don't think these exist as books, which is too bad because they are short and probably the perfect format for him to read, but they're just audio books. (in fact, all the series by this author: Mouse's Secret Club, Jack's Big Secret, RJ Boy Detective)
I want my son to learn the empathize with girls just as he would with boys. But I don't want him to think that girls just care about shoes and glitter and fairies. I also cringe a little at the "three protagonists and one is a girl" model because it's never the other way (three protagonists and one is a boy) and this just screams weird tokenism to me where the girl's job in the story is to be a girl so nobody can say there are no strong/independent girls in the book.
I'm thinking of maybe the Thea Stilton books? I got him some Geronimo Stilton before I realized Thea exists, so we'll see after he's done Desmond Cole if he likes them. If he does are the Thea Stilton going to be the same idea but with a girl or will she be all into glitter and shoes for some reason.
I would prefer books that are a little longer, but still not too physically dense (i.e. big font, a fair number of illustrations). He seems to find the big font/lots of pictures more engaging (I suspect that it's just less intimidating), but then he's ploughing through them so fast that it's costing me an arm and a leg (yes, the library...but he's kind of insistent on reading them in order, which is not easy with the library). So anyway, anything long enough that he can read fewer books per day but formatted so it won't intimidate him would be great.
Here are a list of book series he has enjoyed or is enjoying.
Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol
Eerie Elementary
Questioneers
Zoey and Sassafras
Frank Einstein
Toys Go Out trilogy
Ballpark Mysteries
Rebekah Girl Detective (I don't think these exist as books, which is too bad because they are short and probably the perfect format for him to read, but they're just audio books. (in fact, all the series by this author: Mouse's Secret Club, Jack's Big Secret, RJ Boy Detective)
Best answer: Pip Bartlett's Guide to Magical Creatures! My 6yo loves them. Pip is not at all about glitter and fairies etc, though her cousin is really into musicals. She does pick up a male friend as a sidekick, but he's cool, and she's a great non-stereotypically-'girly' protagonist overall. Also it's fun bc it's technically magical realism, and has generally modern sensibilities, unlike a lot of (still good) older stuff.
posted by SaltySalticid at 7:25 AM on August 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by SaltySalticid at 7:25 AM on August 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Older, so they're a little dated, but the Ramona books by Beverly Cleary are classics for a reason, and very funny.
The Clementine books by Sara Pennypacker are, I think, the heir to Ramona's "funny, touching, realistic books about a young girl" niche - Clementine is a little chaos gremlin with ADHD and very relatable.
The Jasmine Toguchi series by Debbie Michiko Florence is great - the heroine is Japanese-American and the author conveys a lot of cultural information with a light touch.
Other possibilities: Lola Levine series by Monica Brown, Dyamonde Daniel series by Nikki Grimes, Judy Moody, Junie B. Jones.
posted by Jeanne at 7:26 AM on August 25, 2023 [5 favorites]
The Clementine books by Sara Pennypacker are, I think, the heir to Ramona's "funny, touching, realistic books about a young girl" niche - Clementine is a little chaos gremlin with ADHD and very relatable.
The Jasmine Toguchi series by Debbie Michiko Florence is great - the heroine is Japanese-American and the author conveys a lot of cultural information with a light touch.
Other possibilities: Lola Levine series by Monica Brown, Dyamonde Daniel series by Nikki Grimes, Judy Moody, Junie B. Jones.
posted by Jeanne at 7:26 AM on August 25, 2023 [5 favorites]
Response by poster: Right...definitely should have added that since it's so popular. FInished magic treehouse as audio books a while back and he loved them and listened to some many times, but doesn't really seem interested in reading them himself in book form.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:27 AM on August 25, 2023
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:27 AM on August 25, 2023
Best answer: I can recommend the following authors who’ve written a lot of kid’s books: Ursula Vernon, Janet Yolen, Tara Lazar and seconding Beverly Cleary.
posted by toastyk at 7:28 AM on August 25, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by toastyk at 7:28 AM on August 25, 2023 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Seconding Jeanne, my son discovered and loved Junie B. Jones for years. Another delightful (and woefully short) series is the Wayside School books by Louis Sachar. The books feature classroom members throughout, so it is pretty evenly balanced between girls and boys. The humor relies far more on the absurd than on tired gender stereotypes, and are really enjoyable if you like that kind of humor.
posted by dreamphone at 7:37 AM on August 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by dreamphone at 7:37 AM on August 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: My son loved the Anna Hibiscus series, about a girl and her family in Africa.
posted by alicat at 7:41 AM on August 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by alicat at 7:41 AM on August 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Katie Woo is pretty good, Katie is the protagonist and has friends who are girls and boys.
Ivy and Bean also went over okay at my house.
I deplore the Junie B. Jones books myself (her speech patterns are SO BAD! and also not how any kids I know talk, what is this cutesy bullshit) but my kid has read all of them, and the school uses them (she had a Junie B. Jones graduation from kindergarten) and I have reluctantly read them with her. They at least don't do gender too terribly badly.
This summer, my kid re-read Matilda, read The Witches for the first time, and also The BFG. Roald Dahl was an awful mess of a human but he really understood the depth of nastiness and mischief that kids find delightful.
posted by Lawn Beaver at 7:41 AM on August 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
Ivy and Bean also went over okay at my house.
I deplore the Junie B. Jones books myself (her speech patterns are SO BAD! and also not how any kids I know talk, what is this cutesy bullshit) but my kid has read all of them, and the school uses them (she had a Junie B. Jones graduation from kindergarten) and I have reluctantly read them with her. They at least don't do gender too terribly badly.
This summer, my kid re-read Matilda, read The Witches for the first time, and also The BFG. Roald Dahl was an awful mess of a human but he really understood the depth of nastiness and mischief that kids find delightful.
posted by Lawn Beaver at 7:41 AM on August 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Ivy and Bean (the netflix shows are GREAT for after he reads the books)
Princess in Black (subverts the princesses and sparkles values)
(probably stating the obvious but) Series of Unfortunate Events?
Also I'm a feminist grownup woman and fairies and clothes and glitter are...great too? As long as you're exposing him to a variety of different types of girls and girl stories, these should be included so he doesn't internalize that these things are girly and therefor bad?
posted by Sweetchrysanthemum at 7:52 AM on August 25, 2023 [6 favorites]
Princess in Black (subverts the princesses and sparkles values)
(probably stating the obvious but) Series of Unfortunate Events?
Also I'm a feminist grownup woman and fairies and clothes and glitter are...great too? As long as you're exposing him to a variety of different types of girls and girl stories, these should be included so he doesn't internalize that these things are girly and therefor bad?
posted by Sweetchrysanthemum at 7:52 AM on August 25, 2023 [6 favorites]
Another one:
At age 6 my voracious reader LOVED the American Girl historical novel book series. They are not just accompaniments to expensive dolls, they have great characters and are fantastic if your kid likes learning about history. Try Kirsten, Felicity, Josefina, Ada, Kit, Samantha.
And:
Age 6 might be on the young side for The Babysitters Club graphic novels but I'm pretty sure my kid and her friends read and enjoyed them before the suggested age of 8 - 12.
posted by ojocaliente at 8:09 AM on August 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
At age 6 my voracious reader LOVED the American Girl historical novel book series. They are not just accompaniments to expensive dolls, they have great characters and are fantastic if your kid likes learning about history. Try Kirsten, Felicity, Josefina, Ada, Kit, Samantha.
And:
Age 6 might be on the young side for The Babysitters Club graphic novels but I'm pretty sure my kid and her friends read and enjoyed them before the suggested age of 8 - 12.
posted by ojocaliente at 8:09 AM on August 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Ivy and Bean
Princess in Black
Hamster Princess
Dory Fantasmagory
Don't forget to ask your friendly neighborhood librarian as well.
posted by pyro979 at 8:09 AM on August 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
Princess in Black
Hamster Princess
Dory Fantasmagory
Don't forget to ask your friendly neighborhood librarian as well.
posted by pyro979 at 8:09 AM on August 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Enola Holmes. Ann of Green Gables. The Sisters Grimm link.
posted by amanda at 8:21 AM on August 25, 2023
posted by amanda at 8:21 AM on August 25, 2023
Best answer: There are a couple of Squirrel Girl chapter books for middle grade readers.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 8:25 AM on August 25, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by RonButNotStupid at 8:25 AM on August 25, 2023 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Ursula Vernon's Hamster Princess series might be something he'd enjoy.
posted by MadMadam at 8:39 AM on August 25, 2023
posted by MadMadam at 8:39 AM on August 25, 2023
Best answer: nthing Ivy and Bean, Anna Hibiscus, and Hamster Princess!
Also, if you have a decent public library or bookstore nearby, it is always a good idea to ask for recommendations from a professional - they will know what is amazing and brand new. :)
posted by tangosnail at 8:43 AM on August 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
Also, if you have a decent public library or bookstore nearby, it is always a good idea to ask for recommendations from a professional - they will know what is amazing and brand new. :)
posted by tangosnail at 8:43 AM on August 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Enid Blyton's school stories are very female-focused! I think The Naughtiest Girl in the School is suitable for younger kids.
posted by low_horrible_immoral at 8:43 AM on August 25, 2023
posted by low_horrible_immoral at 8:43 AM on August 25, 2023
Best answer: Franny K. Stein books are fun, and she's definitely far from typical girl stereotypes.
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:02 AM on August 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:02 AM on August 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
Graphic novels recommendations:
Anything by Raina Telgemeier.
Babysitters Club series.
Witches in Brooklyn series.
posted by icy_latte at 9:05 AM on August 25, 2023
Anything by Raina Telgemeier.
Babysitters Club series.
Witches in Brooklyn series.
posted by icy_latte at 9:05 AM on August 25, 2023
Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons series.
posted by bricoleur at 9:23 AM on August 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by bricoleur at 9:23 AM on August 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: If he’s six, I assume he isn’t free-reading yet. What lexile/book band is he on?
We had an adapted version of Mulan (the Chinese story not the Disney story). The Worst Witch series, Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf, and Secret Seven were popular but I read them to him not vice versa. The Izzy the Inventor series is probably pitched about right. Leonora Bolt is probably a little too old.
The Oxford Owls banded reading books are actually fine once you get onto the higher levels. Once you get past Orange level the stories are half-decent, and the Gold and White bands are essentially short chapter books. They are short, so we just get a load out of the library and read one over a night or two.
posted by tinkletown at 9:46 AM on August 25, 2023
We had an adapted version of Mulan (the Chinese story not the Disney story). The Worst Witch series, Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf, and Secret Seven were popular but I read them to him not vice versa. The Izzy the Inventor series is probably pitched about right. Leonora Bolt is probably a little too old.
The Oxford Owls banded reading books are actually fine once you get onto the higher levels. Once you get past Orange level the stories are half-decent, and the Gold and White bands are essentially short chapter books. They are short, so we just get a load out of the library and read one over a night or two.
posted by tinkletown at 9:46 AM on August 25, 2023
Amari and the Night Brothers would be great for this. I've only read the first one so far, but it's like if Men in Black met Harry Potter, with a female protagonist.
posted by timestep at 9:52 AM on August 25, 2023
posted by timestep at 9:52 AM on August 25, 2023
Best answer: How Mirka Got Her Sword by Barry Deutsch. There are other mirka stories as well. Mirka lives half her life in an orthodox Jewish town and the other half in a rich fantasy world and the boundaries are blurred.
posted by Vatnesine at 9:59 AM on August 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Vatnesine at 9:59 AM on August 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
The Pages and Co series has a great female protagonist and is pretty fun, to boot. The books might be a little older-age than you're looking for, but I read them with my daughter when she was 6 or 7 and she loved them.
posted by uncleozzy at 10:14 AM on August 25, 2023
posted by uncleozzy at 10:14 AM on August 25, 2023
Best answer: No pictures, but Dealing With Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede is a classic (and hilarious) fairy tale send up. Main characters include a princess who is bad at being a princess and wants to do magic and cook, her friend who is a classic girly princess who's nonetheless a hero and a great friend, a female dragon who becomes King of the Dragons, and an excellent and intelligent witch.
posted by theweasel at 10:21 AM on August 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by theweasel at 10:21 AM on August 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
To read to him, or for him to read? Because a kid that age can probably not read the absolutely lovely "Penderwick Sisters" series by himself, but he's a great age for enjoying the stories.
The four sisters are very different from each other and really show a range of girls. There's Rosalind, who's caring and inwardly strong. Skye, who is moody, funny, and into science. Jane, who's a dreamer and a writer. And little Batty, who wears butterfly wings and loves her giant dog "Hound".
There's a pretty important token boy in this series, Jeffrey, but he is in no way the savior. There are messages about having integrity, and there's acceptance of different personalities and blended families. It's the type of book that feels warm and safe, while touching on some serious topics. And much of it is hilarious.
The first three books (Penderwicks, Penderwicks at Gardam Street, Penderwicks at Point Mouette) will be great for your son's age. The fourth one (Penderwicks in Spring) is lovely, but extremely sad if you've ever loved and lost a dog. And the last book (Penderwicks at Last) is a bit different from the others because it's told from the perspective of Lydia, the younger half-sister of the four original girls. Still great, though.
If it's for him to read himself: All books by Hilary McKay are very good, and the "Exiles" series, as well as the books about "Porridge Hall" would be good for a young kid. The Exiles is, coincidentally, another series about four sisters. Ruth, who loves animals. Naomi, very practical. Rachel, loves food and people. Phoebe, who's basically a spy and won't budge for anyone. In this one, a neighbor boy plays a minor role.
posted by toucan at 11:21 AM on August 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
The four sisters are very different from each other and really show a range of girls. There's Rosalind, who's caring and inwardly strong. Skye, who is moody, funny, and into science. Jane, who's a dreamer and a writer. And little Batty, who wears butterfly wings and loves her giant dog "Hound".
There's a pretty important token boy in this series, Jeffrey, but he is in no way the savior. There are messages about having integrity, and there's acceptance of different personalities and blended families. It's the type of book that feels warm and safe, while touching on some serious topics. And much of it is hilarious.
The first three books (Penderwicks, Penderwicks at Gardam Street, Penderwicks at Point Mouette) will be great for your son's age. The fourth one (Penderwicks in Spring) is lovely, but extremely sad if you've ever loved and lost a dog. And the last book (Penderwicks at Last) is a bit different from the others because it's told from the perspective of Lydia, the younger half-sister of the four original girls. Still great, though.
If it's for him to read himself: All books by Hilary McKay are very good, and the "Exiles" series, as well as the books about "Porridge Hall" would be good for a young kid. The Exiles is, coincidentally, another series about four sisters. Ruth, who loves animals. Naomi, very practical. Rachel, loves food and people. Phoebe, who's basically a spy and won't budge for anyone. In this one, a neighbor boy plays a minor role.
posted by toucan at 11:21 AM on August 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
My favorite book as a child
Ronja, the Robber's Daughter.
posted by M. at 11:33 AM on August 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
Ronja, the Robber's Daughter.
posted by M. at 11:33 AM on August 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks, all. Keep'em coming. I'm updating my Amazon wishlist. The ones that are probably too old for him I haven't best-answered but I have wishlisted for later (though I'm sure as time passes I will be less and less the one picking out the books.
If he’s six, I assume he isn’t free-reading yet. What lexile/book band is he on?
He is reading by himself, almost as fast as I can buy them. All the series above are within his reading abilities except The Wild Robot books. He can read newspaper and magazine articles from adult magazines (mostly about baseball/blue jays/MLB), but I know that adult news articles tend to actually be pretty simple and since he's reading primarily on one topic there, the vocabulary is limited/known.
I had to google Lexile band. I don't know what lexile level he is at...from Googling some of his books I would guess 600s? I feel like the primary limiting factors right now for what he reads are that he doesn't LIKE to read wall-of-text-on-every-page books (I think he's intimidated by them. He definitely CAN read them. Like he reads the ballpark mysteries, which are wall-of-text) and interest/knowledge/subject (he likes books about subjects familiar/interesting to 6 year olds). That's not to say there's no upper limit on his reading ability. Obviously he could not read older kid novels, just that I think he would hit those other limits before he had any problems with the actual reading.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 11:34 AM on August 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
If he’s six, I assume he isn’t free-reading yet. What lexile/book band is he on?
He is reading by himself, almost as fast as I can buy them. All the series above are within his reading abilities except The Wild Robot books. He can read newspaper and magazine articles from adult magazines (mostly about baseball/blue jays/MLB), but I know that adult news articles tend to actually be pretty simple and since he's reading primarily on one topic there, the vocabulary is limited/known.
I had to google Lexile band. I don't know what lexile level he is at...from Googling some of his books I would guess 600s? I feel like the primary limiting factors right now for what he reads are that he doesn't LIKE to read wall-of-text-on-every-page books (I think he's intimidated by them. He definitely CAN read them. Like he reads the ballpark mysteries, which are wall-of-text) and interest/knowledge/subject (he likes books about subjects familiar/interesting to 6 year olds). That's not to say there's no upper limit on his reading ability. Obviously he could not read older kid novels, just that I think he would hit those other limits before he had any problems with the actual reading.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 11:34 AM on August 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Ok, having googled a little more my estimate of 600s is likely wrong? When I look up books in the 600s they're older kid books that are probably beyond his ability. But I would say he can read just about anything that he would likely want to read.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 11:45 AM on August 25, 2023
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 11:45 AM on August 25, 2023
Sanity & Tallulah by Molly Brooks
Nthing Hamster Princess (which ---- given the name and the glitter on the cover I was reluctant to read, but it's Ursula Vernon, one of the best fantasy authors around) and it's AMAZING - it's about Harriet, a hamster cursed to prick her finger on a spinning wheel and die when she's 16, so she figures until then she's INVINCIBLE and sets out cliff diving and Giant Quail riding and largely solving problems and mysteries of other fairy tales on her Battle Quail, Mumfrey.
Kondo & Kezumi series by David Goodner
Hilda series by Luke Pearson
Shirley and Jamillah Save Their Summer by Gillian Goerz
The Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell
Audrey L and Audrey W Best Friends-ish by Carter Higgins
Olga and the SMelly thing from nowehere by Elise Gravel
Aster and the Accidental Magic by Thom Pico and Karensac
posted by Geameade at 11:55 AM on August 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
Nthing Hamster Princess (which ---- given the name and the glitter on the cover I was reluctant to read, but it's Ursula Vernon, one of the best fantasy authors around) and it's AMAZING - it's about Harriet, a hamster cursed to prick her finger on a spinning wheel and die when she's 16, so she figures until then she's INVINCIBLE and sets out cliff diving and Giant Quail riding and largely solving problems and mysteries of other fairy tales on her Battle Quail, Mumfrey.
Kondo & Kezumi series by David Goodner
Hilda series by Luke Pearson
Shirley and Jamillah Save Their Summer by Gillian Goerz
The Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell
Audrey L and Audrey W Best Friends-ish by Carter Higgins
Olga and the SMelly thing from nowehere by Elise Gravel
Aster and the Accidental Magic by Thom Pico and Karensac
posted by Geameade at 11:55 AM on August 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
The Ordinary Princess
Pippi Longstocking
The Secret Garden
Ella Enchanted
Blueberry Girl
posted by Saucy Possum at 1:12 PM on August 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
Pippi Longstocking
The Secret Garden
Ella Enchanted
Blueberry Girl
posted by Saucy Possum at 1:12 PM on August 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
My slightly older boy is really liking the Hatmakers series by Tamzin Merchant. I read the first one, it was delightful! The main character is a girl, there’s magic and adventure, everything you need.
posted by ohio at 1:22 PM on August 25, 2023
posted by ohio at 1:22 PM on August 25, 2023
My kiddo likes exploring books about girls from different cultural backgrounds. Some recent favorites-
Juana and Lucas (Colombian)
Yasmin (Pakistani American)
Forest Friends (Japanese)
posted by inevitability at 1:50 PM on August 25, 2023
Juana and Lucas (Colombian)
Yasmin (Pakistani American)
Forest Friends (Japanese)
posted by inevitability at 1:50 PM on August 25, 2023
More graphic novel recommendations - these are all series:
Five Worlds
Zita the Spacegirl
The Nameless City
Hilo/Gina series
These are all faves of my non-binary kiddo. They’re smart sci fi or adventure series, have gender-mixed teams of friends who are grappling with big issues (often trying to save the world in some way), and have wonderfully strong, central, personality-full female characters.
posted by marlys at 6:59 AM on August 26, 2023
Five Worlds
Zita the Spacegirl
The Nameless City
Hilo/Gina series
These are all faves of my non-binary kiddo. They’re smart sci fi or adventure series, have gender-mixed teams of friends who are grappling with big issues (often trying to save the world in some way), and have wonderfully strong, central, personality-full female characters.
posted by marlys at 6:59 AM on August 26, 2023
The Lionboy trilogy by Corder is another good read.
posted by childofTethys at 7:28 AM on August 26, 2023
posted by childofTethys at 7:28 AM on August 26, 2023
Older, but Edward Eager did a great "Magic" series, starting with Half Magic. Half Magic protagonists are three girls and a boy. In Half Magic, "A dull summer is improved when Katharine, Mark, Jane and Martha find a magical coin-like talisman. The catch is that it grants half of any wish made by its bearer—a wish to be on a desert island sends them to the Sahara desert, and their mother ends up halfway home when she wishes to return home during a dull visit to her relatives. That "half magic" is a challenge, sometimes comical, until the children learn to double their wishes."
posted by gudrun at 10:30 AM on August 26, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by gudrun at 10:30 AM on August 26, 2023 [2 favorites]
Paula Daniziger's Amber and Matthew books
The Oz books...Baum's mil Matilda Gage was a founding suffragette and he was very fond of her.
posted by brujita at 4:21 PM on August 26, 2023
The Oz books...Baum's mil Matilda Gage was a founding suffragette and he was very fond of her.
posted by brujita at 4:21 PM on August 26, 2023
The four Cody books by Tricia Springstubb were a hit with my younger child around the same time as the Ivy and Bean books. The first one is Cody and the Fountain of Happiness.
posted by ElizaMain at 12:03 PM on August 27, 2023
posted by ElizaMain at 12:03 PM on August 27, 2023
There's a series you might not have heard of called Little House on the Prairie, by Laura Ingalls Wilder. There was a TV show based on it in the '80s. It's dated and problematic in a lot of ways, but it has great depictions of interesting girl characters. You could always use it as a jumping off point to talk about colonialism?
(I don't know if they would count as chapter books, but my mom was reading them to me when I was about 5 or 6 and I was reading them to myself at age 7 or 8.)
Half Magic is great; and there's another one about a knight's castle or something. Patricia Wrede's dragon series is also really good.
Tamora Pierce's Alanna series is probably still a bit too old (I was obsessed at ages 10 or 11), but she has a series called Circle of Magic that is for younger readers.
posted by jb at 9:36 PM on September 6, 2023
(I don't know if they would count as chapter books, but my mom was reading them to me when I was about 5 or 6 and I was reading them to myself at age 7 or 8.)
Half Magic is great; and there's another one about a knight's castle or something. Patricia Wrede's dragon series is also really good.
Tamora Pierce's Alanna series is probably still a bit too old (I was obsessed at ages 10 or 11), but she has a series called Circle of Magic that is for younger readers.
posted by jb at 9:36 PM on September 6, 2023
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(There are two series of Magic Treehouse, which are easier (Magic Treehouse) and more challenging (Merlin) chapter books )
posted by ojocaliente at 7:23 AM on August 25, 2023 [9 favorites]