These strong female characters will be your tween's new BFFs

The best kind of reading list for your young ‘kitabi keeda’

At age nine, I was convinced I was Mowgli—the red langot-wearing protagonist of The Jungle Book stories. I even named my dogs, both gentle giants with immense patience, Bagheera and Baloo, as a nod to the book’s beloved characters. After some time, the Hardy Boys entered my life, but I never felt the same connection with Frank and Joe. Then, one day, my mother handed me a copy of a Nancy Drew novel, and I found a new role model. The bright, intelligent amateur detective was the female character I needed at that age. I saw myself in her, slightly defiant, thinking for herself, and, of course, smart enough to be solving crimes. To my nine-year-old brain it meant everything to be able to connect with a character that deeply. And it matters.

Urvashi Bhatia, a Delhi-based psychologist and counsellor, says that the media we consume in our formative years tends to inform the ideas we have of our capabilities. “A young boy reading a story about a boy astronaut feels that he too can do that. Girls, for a long time, were told tales of princes coming to save them from distress. Seeing female characters in different situations, facing different challenges and showcasing a wide skillset shows young readers the abilities they too can develop, instead of waiting for someone else to come rescue them,” she says.

What kind of literary role models do we want for our pre-teens at an age when they’re anxious, uncertain, hormonal and questioning their place in the world? We want books about courageous and determined girls who can overcome adversity, or embrace change. We want inspiration, but not in a way that’s unrealistic or delusional. Luckily, for readers in this transitional ‘middle grade’ stage, between the ages of 9 and 12, there are now a slew of writers creating strong and diverse female characters, fully developed with flaws and strengths. In this land beyond ‘happily-ever-after’, even setbacks and failures are welcome.

So, whether you’re looking to spark conversations about resilience and compassion, or the power of self-discovery, or just indulge your inner tween, these genre-spanning books can help. Profound wisdom lies within these familiar and fantastical worlds, where young leading ladies take centre stage.

Strong female characters in books for pre-teens that you’ll also love

Roll with It by Jamie Sumner

Twelve-year-old Ellie is a middle schooler with cerebral palsy who navigates the world in a wheelchair and dreams of becoming a renowned baker. When she moves to Oklahoma, USA, with her mother to care for her ailing grandfather, Ellie struggles to fit in at school. However, her friendship with Coralee and Bert opens up new possibilities.

Ellie’s candid voice and the universal desire for acceptance makes her story relatable to all readers. Kids with disabilities may find her frustrations cathartic, while readers of all backgrounds will resonate with her journey to find belonging in a new place.

Savi and the Memory Keeper by Bijal Vachharajani

Savitri, who’d rather be known as Savi, finds herself uprooted to Shajarpur with her family following the sudden loss of her father. Faced with the daunting task of adapting to a new environment, she grapples with feelings of discontentment and loneliness at her unfamiliar school. In a bid to find solace and maintain a connection with her late father, Savi begins caring for his cherished plants. However, her efforts yield an unexpected discovery — the ability to communicate with plant life, including the school’s majestic ficus tree that offers glimpses into both the past and future.

Vachharajani’s layered narrative effortlessly combines themes like navigating the complex terrain of grief, the need for urgent climate action, and the joy of forging meaningful teenage friendships, making it a rewarding read for tweens and adults alike.

Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk

Our protagonist in this book is another Ellie, but she lives a very different life. The novel is set during the Great Depression, when Ellie and her family’s lives are upturned by the ongoing financial crisis. They’re forced to move to rural Maine, USA, where Ellie and her siblings, Samuel and Esther, do their best to adapt to this new and unfamiliar life.

Each family member deals with these life changes on their own, sometimes in complicated ways. When her father meets with a tragic accident and falls into a coma, Ellie feels responsible, and sets off into the mountainside forests in search of a healer called ‘the hag’. Full of moxie, Ellie embarks on a heartfelt adventure that celebrates hard-won compassion, determination and strength.

Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga

This poetic novel follows the journey of 12-year-old Jude from Syria, who is compelled to leave her cherished home and family behind amidst the escalating conflict in her country. After resettling in Cincinnati, USA, with her mother, Jude faces the daunting task of adjusting to a new life, school and identity as a Middle Eastern girl in America. The story delicately captures Jude’s journey of self-discovery and search for belonging in an unfamiliar, and often hostile, environment.

Young readers can explore the complexities of identity and cultural adaptation through Jude’s unique perspective, in addition to more universal themes of family, friendship and the yearning for acceptance. A poignant exploration of the immigrant experience, the novel approaches fraught realities, like war and racial discrimination, with empathy and understanding.

Starfish by Lisa Fipps

‘Ellie’ seems to be a popular choice when it comes to naming strong pre-teen protagonists. This Ellie, the third on our list, endures years of bullying about her weight, and adopts ‘Fat Girl Rules’ (like not eating in public) to avoid attention. Yet, she discovers solace in the water, where she feels weightless and liberated.

Supported by her father, her therapist, and her new neighbour Catalina, Ellie embarks on a journey to challenge societal norms and embrace her authentic self. The novel delivers a moving and empowering narrative that will resonate with young readers, while tackling challenging themes like body shaming and bullying.

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

Meet Miss Moses ‘Mo’ LoBeau, an 11-year-old with a story as wild as the hurricanes that hit her small town. She is raised by ‘The Colonel’ and Miss Lana in Tupelo Landing, North Carolina, after they find her washed up on the shore after a storm. Now, Mo’s life revolves around helping her adoptive parents run their café, and searching for clues about her elusive ‘Upstream Mother’.

But when a murder rocks the sleepy town, Mo and her trusty sidekick, Dale Earnhardt Johnson III, embark on a thrilling quest to uncover the truth. With its colourful characters and winning blend of humour and mystery, this novel is sure to enchant readers of all ages.

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

Kelly transports readers to the summer of 1899 in Texas, USA, where we meet Calpurnia Virginia Tate, affectionately known as ‘Callie’. The 11-year-old is intrigued by the wonders of nature and science, and her naturalist grandfather, with whom she shares a special bond, supports her explorations. But she is also subject to the societal limitations placed on young girls at the turn of the 20th century.

While other girls her age are learning to sew and bake, Callie is relentless in her pursuit of scientific knowledge. She carefully navigates the complexities of adolescence, gendered expectations, and the importance of following one’s passion in this tenderly woven narrative.

Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani

Our protagonist, Priyanka Das (or Pri), embarks on a wild adventure in this beautifully illustrated graphic novel. As an Indian-American teenage girl, she has little to no information about her homeland, and her mother’s lips are sealed.

The novel follows Pri’s journey as she grapples with unanswered questions about her mother’s past, her Indian roots and the mystery surrounding her absent father. When Pri discovers a magical pashmina shawl hidden in a suitcase, she is transported to a vibrant and colourful version of India that sparks her curiosity to trace her family history. With empathetic insights on the feeling of living in-between worlds and cultures, Pashmina provides a sensitive account of cultural exploration, family secrets, and the power of imagination.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

Join 13-year-old Meg Murry, her younger brother Charles, and their friend Calvin O’Keefe on an extraordinary odyssey through the cosmos to rescue the Murrys’ father. As they voyage through space and time, this science fantasy novel explores the eternal struggle between good and evil, and weaves together scientific inquiry with spiritual themes.

Along the way, the characters mature into adolescence as they face conflicts that challenge their understanding of the universe. The beloved novel has won multiple screen adaptations and continues to enchant young readers with its exploration of cosmic mysteries and the transformative power of love and bravery.

Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed

Amal lives in a small village in Pakistan. When she unknowingly insults the corrupt and egotistical landlord of their village, a member of the oppressive Khan family, the12-year-old is forced into indentured servitude to pay off her family’s debt.

Despite her dire circumstances, Amal’s spirit is undaunted, and she holds onto her dream of becoming a teacher. The more she learns about the Khans’ nefarious activities, the more her resolve strengthens to stand up for herself, question societal norms, and fight against injustice and oppression. Readers get an early insight into grown-up themes of social hierarchies, gender injustice, and the power of education and knowledge.

The Island at the End of Everything by Kiran Millwood

Young Amihan (Ami) lives on the secluded island of Culion along with her mother, who is afflicted with leprosy. When the government mandates the island’s quarantine, Ami and other unaffected children are forcibly evacuated, and she is forced to leave her beloved mother behind.

Determined to reunite with her, Ami embarks on a daring journey filled with challenges and unexpected discoveries, ultimately leading her back to the island. Love, loss, separation and friendship are all themes that young readers will explore in this gentle novel about hope and perseverance.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Well, this timeless classic resonates with readers of all ages. We follow the lives of the March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—as they navigate the bumpy ride from adolescence to adulthood, exploring sisterhood, love, ambition and independence. Young readers have a range of well-rounded characters that they can connect with, as each sister possesses her own distinct personality: responsible Meg, independent and writerly Jo, gentle and selfless Beth, and artistic and vivacious Amy.

As they support and inspire each other through their joys, sorrows, triumphs and setbacks, they form an unbreakable bond that carries them through life’s challenges. Little Women is a widely-loved coming-of-age story that reflects societal expectations placed on women during the 19th century (and beyond).