(how to rid the world of ingrained and internalized misogyny)
Do you want to raise strong, smart, ambitious and independent girls? Do you want to be the kind of person who makes a difference in the world? READ. Read about women! Read from the Feminist Fiction Starter Guide.
As the oldest child of a typical Mormon family, growing up in Colorado, I never grew up with the word feminist. Then in college at BYU I heard the word thrown around as an almost ‘dirty’ word. It wasn’t until years later in graduate program at BYU that I came to understand feminist to mean someone who shares a common goal: to define, establish and achieve equal political economic, personal and social rights for women. And then I realized I AM a feminist. A staunch one at that. I had been raised to be a strong, independent woman who would think and act for herself, defending human rights for all and wanting others to have the same realization- feminism is a good thing.
So what shaped me all those years leading up to this epiphany? READING. Reading wonderful fiction that had female protagonists who got real stuff done. They overcame hard things, helped others who were down, they learned about boys, dating and heartbreak, they grew into their bodies over those awkward teenage years, and they conquered and achieved.
THE RED TENT by Anita Diamant- This book gave me a love for the old testament. I like the female perspective on a story that I had read and heard only from the biblical (male) perspective. In a wonderful blend of historical and fiction Diamant gives a voice to Dinah, the one and only daughter in the famous 12 tribes of Israel family.
ANNE OF GREEN GABLES LM Montgomery- Anne is one of those headstrong fiery characters (plus she has great red hair!) who lives life to the fullest. She never lets social convention or the ‘norms’ dictate her behavior. She is smart and pursues her education so intently that she competes for top of the class with the boys. She won’t let boys bully her and she is a loyal and devoted friend.
MISTS OF AVALON by Marion Zimmer Bradley- This is the King Arthur story told from the powerful and passionate women in his life. Morganne is the sister that gets a bad rap, or is forgotten in other king arthur stories, but here- she reigns as the best Camelot has to offer. The complex web of women at this time is told with their plots for power, love and magical/mystical influences.
ELLA ENCHANTED by Gale Carson Levine- I am definitely the kind of person who doesn’t like being told what to do, so I felt for Ella as she was cursed with the gift of obedience. Because of her goodness and perseverance she is able to overcome the spell and finds true love (the ideal!).
THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett- I have always had a soft spot in my heart for those suffering from civil rights injustices. I could really connect to the various women’s stories and I wanted redemption and recourse for those wrongs against black women in the south. I think young girls need to recognize the issue of race in America and how to not be narrow minded or discriminate.
THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins- I love how Katniss is the protector of her family. I am also the oldest child and I would like to imagine I could begin a war all because I wanted to protect my little sister from a brutal death game. Katniss is bold and yet flawed and we get to see her grow, overcome obstacles, and accept the harder facts of life. She made me want to be a strong fighter but also someone who lived life passionately.
ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS by Scott O'Dell- This is a survival story at it’s heart, making Karana a real inspiration to girls. She was left behind by her tribe on their island and is forced to build shelter, find food, make weapons and fight her enemies, alone. This is a coming of age story giving insight to another culture and teaching some practical survival skills.
LITTLE WOMEN by Louisa May Alcott- There is such a range of women in this book that a young reader can learn from. Jo is my personal favorite, but there are so many life choices that each March sister faces that teach girls about growing up. You can be like Amy and aspire to have many wealthy beaus, or you could be like Meg and marry a good honest man, or you can be like Jo and seek a career and teaching job. This classic is a reflection on American life during the time of the Civil War and helps readers see options for the way they approach the world and relationships.
Others that I haven’t personally read but come highly recommended in this category:
- Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
- Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
- Buddha in the Attic by Julia Otsuka
- The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
- Harriet the Spy Louise Fitshugh
- Are you there God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
- Uglies by Scott Westfeld
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- Walk two Moons by Sharon Creech
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