Happy International Women’s Day! Discover our favourite females in fiction
To celebrate and inspire your reading this International Women’s Day, we asked some of our colleagues at Scholastic to tell us their favourite females from children’s books. Happy reading!
The Agency for Scandal by Laura Wood
One of my favourite women in fiction is Izzy Stanhope from The Agency for Scandal by Laura Wood. Izzy works for a secret all-female investigative agency, righting wrongs at the end of the nineteenth century. I love her quiet power: she is a heroine who doesn’t shout about the injustices around her, but instead works quietly and bravely to dismantle the systems of power oppressing the women she works to protect. Izzy is smart, kind and cunning – a brilliant character in this exciting and empowering YA novel.
– Hannah
Luna Wolf: Animal Wizard by Alesha Dixon
A female character that I love is Luna from Luna Wolf: Animal Wizard by Alesha Dixon. She is incredibly brave and selfless when it comes to protecting the ‘super pets’ (animals with magical powers) at her local rescue centre from an evil villain, and to see her grow in confidence throughout the book is incredibly inspiring!
– Michelle
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
One of my favourite female characters is Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. She is a strong and intelligent woman who refuses to conform to societal pressures and traditional gender norms, proving that women are just as capable as men. I love how witty and funny she is, as well as the constant love and support she has for the women closest to her.
– Alice
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
One of my favourite female characters of all time has got to be Katniss Everdeen. From the very beginning of the trilogy, she shows such intense bravery – from sacrificing herself for her sister to doing whatever it takes to survive the deadly Hunger Games. She is fiercely loyal and protective of those she loves and her determination and resilience is definitely something to be admired.
– Holly
A Game of Life or Death by Triona Campbell
I loved the character of Asha in Triona Campbell’s A Game of Life or Death. She’s fiercely determined, loving and loyal, committed to finding out what happened to her sister and holding someone accountable. She doesn’t shy away from danger and is also incredibly smart and hardworking, despite having a really tough time throughout the story. I think Asha is a truly strong female lead to celebrate this International Women’s Day.
– Eleanor
Emma by Jane Austen
I love Emma as a character as she’s incredibly relatable, especially as someone always getting themselves into silly situations by meddling too much! She is kind and witty and it is a lot of fun watching her blunder her way through high society! I especially love the dynamic between her and Mr Knightley, we all need a relationship which challenges us to be better!
– Tasha