She-Geeks discussion

I am looking for recommendations for books and comics for a 10-year-old girl. She just devoured The Hunger Games books in a few weeks. Not being a mom, I don't know what is age appropriate and wasn't sure that the Hunger Games trilogy could be read by her age group. I'd love to get her stories for Christmas to encourage her to keep reading and introduce her to the world of sci-fi and fantasy with stories that include a strong female heroine. I took her to Baltimore Comic-Con this year and bought her a few kids' comics from a local artist and writer. She really enjoyed it, but I'm at a loss at what is a good, popular YA or Middle Grade comic or book that might interest her.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Ashley wrote: "Two fantastic resources: amightygirl.com and The Amelia Bloomer Project book lists http://ameliabloomer.wordpress.com/20...

Both are dedicated specifically to providing book recommend..."

Thank you so much! I had no idea this site existed. I'll be checking it out tonight.

The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making by Catherynne M. Valente. My 11yr old niece just read this recently (as did I) and thinks its brilliant. If you're interested in introducing her to comics then try Princeless. A Princess who sick of waiting to be rescued decides to rescue herself and her sisters from their towers. A great intro to the comic world for young girls.

Hmmmm... That's a tough age. Maybe consider Ichiro (it does deal with the legacy of Hiroshima but if she read The Hunger Games nuclear warfare shouldn't phase her), Gargoyles, Amethyst (I think it'd be fine but my boyfriend thinks it's not age-appropriate, so maybe check it out yourself), the graphic novel adaptations of A Wrinkle in Time or Artemis Fowl perhaps (I've not read them), Tintin maybe if you want to go old school (my boyfriend read these when he was 4, but it does have some 30s politics and stereotypes so perhaps read it first or provide context), potentially March. To be continued as I try to brainstorm more...

As for books, I highly recommend A Wrinkle In Time, The Naming by Alison Croggon (a bit dense for her age, but no more so than any other epic fantasy), the Tortall Books by Tamora Pierce (be advised some of them have sexual content but I read them in the 3rd-9th grade and they are marketed to YA readers. Maybe stick to just the first Alanna book to be safe though.), The Golden Compass.

My cousin is 10 and a Hunger Games fan and she loves Divergent and City of Ember or City of Amber (I forget which; they both exist). I also recommend Young Warriors edited by Tamora Pierce (a bunch of speculative fiction short stories strong and varied protagonists and some culturally diverse fantasy), A Bone From a Dry Sea is science fiction emphasis on the science with two female leads, maybe A Great and Terrible Beauty (this is geared at older but is pretty tame next to The Hunger Games), or Witch Child by Celia Rees.

Also The Giver. It has a male lead but it's very Hunger Gamesy and a perennial classic.

Thank you so much! I really appreciate all of you taking the time to give me direction. It looks like I have enough ideas to buy her gifts for years to come. :)

You rock!

My three favorite strong female characters to them leads are

My three favorite strong female characters (two of them leads) are:

Candidia Maria Smith-Foster, of David R Palmer's "Emergence".
Stormy Llewellyn of Dean Koontz's "Odd Thomas"
Paksenarrion of Elizabeth Moon's "Deed of Paksenarrion"

Though on second thought, "Odd Thomas" is possibly too scary for a 10-year-old. You have to decide.

Kimberly wrote: "Though on second thought, "Odd Thomas" is possibly too scary for a 10-year-old. You have to decide."

Thank you for these wonderful suggestions! Maybe I'll see how she does with the other books on your list and work her up to Odd Thomas. ;)

My kids really enjoyed Smile and Drama by Raina Telegemeier. You may recognize her art work from the graphic version of The Babysitter's Club.

We also really enjoyed Jane Yolen's Foiled Series.

If she's read Hunger games (which had a lot of adult themes of torture, physical and sexual violence, prejudice and nationalism) then The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon would be just right.

sweetPixiesmile wrote: "My kids really enjoyed Smile and Drama by Raina Telegemeier. You may recognize her art work from the graphic version of The Babysitter's Club.

We also really enjoyed Jane Yolen's Foiled Series.

I..."

Thank you! I'll definitely check these books out. :)

Animorphs is a bit old, but always good.

Try the classics, which are generally free as Kindle downloads.

Laini Taylor is a fantastic author. Her Fairies of Dreamdark books ( Faeries of Dreamdark: Blackbringer and Dreamdark: Silksinger ) are amazing. I came upon them by accident and I loved them, though they must be geared for late middle school. Taylor's female characters are great. She also has an older, YA trilogy (starting with Daughter of Smoke & Bone and Days of Blood & Starlight ). I can't say enough good things about her work.

Cinda Williams Chima is great at characterization, and her Princess Raisa in the Demon King series is a wonderful heroine.

Heather wrote: "Animorphs is a bit old, but always good.

Try the classics, which are generally free as Kindle downloads."

Thank you! That's a great idea!

Jim wrote: "Laini Taylor is a fantastic author. Her Fairies of Dreamdark books (Faeries of Dreamdark: Blackbringer and Dreamdark: Silksinger) are amazing. I came up..."

Thank you very much, Jim, for your suggestions. These books do sound amazing. I will definitely add them to the list. I can't believe the variety of stories that everyone in this loop has suggested. I really appreciate it. I had no idea many of these books existed. I can't wait to give these books to my friend's daughter for Christmas. I'll definitely be cool Aunt Jen after this. ;)

ANIMORPHS! Yes to that. Although be warned the ending is beyond rage-inducing, but that's 50+ books away anyway, so not a pressing concern. Rachel, Cassie, and Toby are all kickass ladies in their own way.

Shannon wrote: "ANIMORPHS! Yes to that. Although be warned the ending is beyond rage-inducing, but that's 50+ books away anyway, so not a pressing concern. Rachel, Cassie, and Toby are all kickass ladies in their ..."

Just looked up these books and put the first one on the list for her. These books were after my time but the stories look really unique and fun. Thank you!

They were a 90s childhood staple thr went from

They were a 90s childhood staple that began as a light-hearted kid's sci-fi and slowly turned (64ish books in all) into a much bleaker Military Sci-Fi/Ender's Game type thing. Each book is told from the perspective of one of the 6 main characters, so the protagonists have a diverse array of backgrounds, outlooks, and opinions (allowing the reader to think critically about morality, war, and leadership even in this seemingly non-literary series). Rachel (one of two main female characters) remains one of my most beloved fictional characters to this day.

Sorry about that first comment. I accidentally hit done.

Shannon wrote: "Sorry about that first comment. I accidentally hit done."

LOL You can use the edit link.

I don't think I can on the mobile version.

I bought several books recommended on this thread for my little "she-geek in training." I put the rest on my wish list for her birthday. I can't thank all of you enough for taking the time to give me these great suggestions. She's had a rough start in her young life with her father passing away a few years ago and then being diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, so I really wanted her to have something positive to focus on and stories that can inspire her.

Thank you, again!

If you'd like some more suggestions, try the His Dark Materials trilogy by Phillip Pullman, and of course The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.

So You Want to be a Wizard and the rest of that series by Diane Duane are also wonderful, they have some true laugh out loud moments in them, but have some realism to them also.

Has she read Harry Potter? 11 would be the most wonderful age to start her on those if she hasn't!!!

His Dark Materials

The Chronicles of Narnia

So You Want to Be a Wizard

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone