Middle-grade books with female main characters
Recently a colleague asked for recommendations of books with female protagonists for his 8- and 10-year-old sons. There are so many great options, but here is the list I came up with for him.
Matilda by Roald Dahl, 1988
Matilda is an incredibly smart girl with terrible parents. At first she is quiet and deferential, but when she discovers that she has telekinetic powers, she learns to stand up for herself and create a found family that supports her.
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin, 1978
One of my all-time favorites. When a mysterious rich hermit dies, the residents of a nearby apartment building, led by ornery, overlooked Turtle, are recruited to solve his murder. Super fun to try to solve along with the characters.
Runaway Princess (and sequel Runaway Dragon) by Kate Coombs, 2006
A princess, who wants nothing to do with being a damsel in distress or remaining locked in a tower, competes in the contest to win her own hand in marriage.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly, 2009
Calpurnia is a budding scientist who finds kinship with her like-minded grandfather in this book set at the turn of the 20th century.
The Tuesdays at the Castle series by Jessica Day George, started in 2011
Princess Celie and her family live in a castle that magically changes, and only Celie can keep track of all the new and strange additions.
Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse, 2020
This modern retelling of Navajo mythology and legends is part of the fantastic Rick Riordan Presents imprint. Nizhoni must defeat a series of monsters to save her family.
The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson, 2018
A compelling mystery with an emphasis on the power and importance of friendships.
Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier, 2016
If you haven’t read all the Raina Telgemeier graphic novels, start now. Her autobiographical stories are great, but also check out this work of fiction. Ghosts is about the relationship between two sisters, one with a medical condition, and about the spirits that are discovered with a move to a new town.
Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke, 2011
Zita kicks butt in space. Need I say more?
Bonus suggestion: The American Girl books, especially those about their historical series of dolls/characters, are well written and compelling. Got a kid who can’t stop quoting Hamilton songs? Try introducing them to other parts of American history through these books.