21,467,385 Attendees at the Jan 21, 2017 Women’s March Across the USA!! (An Alternate Fact) Don’t They Need Something to Read? Strong Women in YA Literature (and children’s).

​Two weeks ago I offered a reading list for Betsy DeVos, on the following Saturday women took to the streets of the United States and throughout the world in amazing numbers. I guess I can say that I sparked the national event, but that would probably be a slight exaggeration. Instead, I will just report the most current count—through alternate facts—which is now about 21,467,385. I am astonished by the number of women who marched for a variety reason. It was heartwarming and inspirational. Thank you.

At the same time, I couldn’t help but think that Ms. DeVos needed another list of YA books that would introduce her to some powerful female characters, many of whom had experiences that she would find foreign. The benefit of such a list goes beyond just helping Ms. DeVos; it is a list that could be posted and offered to our students. Those who marched might also  be interested in a list of common texts that they could discuss as they emulate Alice Paul or Elizabeth Cady Stanton. This list came to mind quickly. So many books asked to be jotted down, that I limited the list to books that were not in a series. We can do a post about series book on another day. Enjoy. Oh, and keep passing these lists on until Ms. DeVos has plenty YA titles to read.

Brief descriptions follow: 

​My children loved Harriet the Spy. I am not sure how many copies we went through. I even knew a few women at college, who cherished the book so much they brought it with them to college. Louise Fitzhugh left us too early.  If you don’t know it, it might be the book for the top of your list.

One of the great gifts of college is the opportunity to meet great, creative people. I was fortunate enough to share a couple of classes with Ann Cannon. Many Salt Lake City residents have been entertained by her witty writing for years. I have been reading her for years. Cal Cameron by Day, Spider-Man by Night. My pick from among her books for this list is Charlotte’s Rose. This book tells the story of Charlotte who travels with her father across the ocean from Wales to Boston, then by train to Iowa and then the remaining distance to the Salt Lake Valley by handcart. You will find a strong American heroine here.

​Hopefully, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret needs no introduction. Nevertheless, it might. Perhaps, just enough time has passed that teachers and librarians should be introducing this book by Judy Blume and the rest of her collection to a new generation. 

Kathyrn Erskine’s Mockingbird is a book that stays with me. While Caitlin’s Asperger’s condition makes it hard for her to empathize with others, she grows and improve upon her communication skills. I hope to die having developed the insight and kindness that Caitlin has mastered. 

We bought our first house in the suburbs Salt Lake City as one of many in a large grouping of homes that qualified 235 loans. The area was full of new teachers, police, fireman, carpenters, and host of others trying to make it on pay that would have most us qualifying for free and reduced lunch for our children. One of the great gifts was that we moved next to the Nguyen family. Our oldest children grew up with their oldest grandchildren that lived in this wonderful multigenerational home. They work together to support each other and we attended the weddings of their youngest daughters. I mourned with the family when Mr. Nguyen died. We had many silent conversations as we smiled through the chain link fence that we both paid for as we tried to encourage our grass from brown to green.
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Inside Out and Back Again, by Thanhha Lai warmed my heart. It caused me to think fondly of my time with this wonderful family. They tolerated our loud dog and generously provided 4th of July fireworks for the entire street. It was an American place that I loved. I am glad they we embraced our neighbors and that they embraced us.

Leila Sales’s great novel, This Song will Save Your Life traces a girl’s life from despair to joy. The story confronts a young girl without hope who moves forward as she finds a passion for music. If you are wondering how music and YA literature can work together, this book is a great option.

Once again, Sharon Flake creates a tour de force with Unstoppable Octobia May. In this period novel, set in the 1950s Octobia May sets out to solve a mystery. Is the man boarding upstairs a vampire?   

Many of us read A Wrinkle in Time and found our first introduction to fantasy and we were on our way. I don’t think that we should forget that the protagonist, Meg, is a strong female who takes on this journey. If you were part of a generation that missed this wonderful novel because you were engaged with other great books, then give Madeleine L’Engle’s novel a test drive. 

Laurie Halse Anderson has been a sparkling light in the world of Young Adult literature sense the publication of her first novel, Speak. Given its impact, it is hard to belief it wasn’t a starred review when Kirkus reviewed the book. Starred or not, it is safe to say that few books have had a more positive influence in the lives of young readers than Speak.

I have been watching Padma Venkatraman’s career has a young adult novelist since I moved to academia. Her novels offer a view to worlds that are quite a departure for most of her readers. She creates strong female characters that challenge most readers’ stereotypical notions of girls in foreign countries. In A Time to Dance Veda learns to dance and regains confidence and grace after she loses her leg in an accident. This verse novel creates a beautiful, inspirational story worth your time and attention.  

There is absolutely no denying the impact of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. It has been inspiring both teachers and students for years. While the arrival of the Go Set a Watchman as altered how many view Atticus Finch, it will have very little impact on how readers will respond to Scout and quest for understanding and empathy. If you are a reader and have not yet discovered this novel, perhaps, just because a teacher assigned it, it is time to remedy the situation.

Sapphire’s Push is novel that is at times rambling and a bit unfocused in pure character development. At the same time, it would be mistake to discount the power of the story that shows Clareece Precious Jones raising from abuse and neglect. 

The novel Luna is clearly the story of Liam’s journey to become Luna. At the same time, I have always felt that much of the power of novel rest in Regan’s strength. Regan loves of Luna is a great example of patience and understanding. Julie Anne Peters has delivered a novel that enlightens an important identity issue.

It is hard to image a student getting through the American education system without an introduction to The Diary of Anne Frank. It seems important into day’s political climate to remind people that they are rarely taught the whole story. Her family tried several times to immigrate to the United States with no successful. Nevertheless, Anne story has placed her as one of the most beloved female character in literature.  

Shannon Hale’s novel, The Goose Girl channels a Grimm’s fairy tale and reminds us how many strong girls exist in fairy tales. For many young readers, some version of a fairy tale is their first introduction to strong female heroines. I think this is especially true in the original versions.

The Great Gilly Hopkins offers readers a character full of spunk and adventure. For nearly forty years, Katherine Patterson’s Gilly has provided readers with a survivor worth getting excited about.

​Elizabeth George Speare’s The Witch of Blackbird Pond is one of the finest children’s historical novels. Kit Tyler’s journey reminds us that perhaps the mixing of cultures in American has never been simple. While we seem to find empathy for fictional characters and situations, can we generate it for actual real situations and people?

Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block reminds one of the most avant-garde books ever written for adolescents. The characters and their lives are unconventional and forces us to reconsider traditional notions of adolescence. The characters demonstrate a sense of freedom and responsibility that often gives readers hope and often drives adults nuts.

 Firebird by Misty Copeland is a beautiful book. Christopher Myers illustrated the wonderful book. In her first book for children, this soloist with the American Ballet theater tells an inspirational story of hope and vision to another potential dancer. Young girls need books that offer windows that show possibilities and mirrors show them people that look like them can achieve those possibilities. 

The Book Thief, while not specifically written for adolescents, has certainly been adopted by this age group. It is frequently taught and adds another book to the list of holocaust novels. When Death narrates a novel, it is hard to forget its specter hovers over the story. This book reminds us of the power of a story and how and individual can make a difference in the face of danger and immoral actions.  

I hope you enjoy the books. Remember to take one with you on your next march. They are great for conversation and might even run it to Betsy DeVos who needs to add to her library.