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SALT LAKE CITY — The books in our childhood have a powerful influence on the kind of person we grow up to be.
In a powerful essay on the impact of childhood reads, titled “When Books Could Change Your Life,” Tim Krieder wrote, “Books for children and young people are unashamedly prescriptive: They're written, at least in part, to teach us what the world is like, how people are, and how we should behave.”
Krieder also wrote, “When we're children, all the books we read are handed down to us, like the Ten Commandments, by grownups, who seem like, and sort of are, a different order of being from ourselves. They're the gods of childhood, bigger and older and more experienced; they know more than we do, imparting what wisdom to us they think we can bear, empowered to tell us what to do.”
My mom handed me almost all of the books that changed my life and shaped me as a person. Those books and their enduring characters are on this list. Now I hand them to my own daughters and keep watch for other books that might provide them with that magical, enlightening moment of connecting to something inside the soul while reading the words in a book.
As there are many, many good characters for girls to read, it was hard to narrow this list down, but here are my top picks.
Characters for little girls (0-8)
1. Princess Elizabeth, “The Paper Bag Princess” by Robert Munsch and illustrated by Michael Martchenko
Princess Elizabeth is a champion of girl power. When tragedy strikes, she does what needs to be done and does it with style, even though she’s wearing only a paper bag. She is clever, a little feisty and smart — smart enough to know when the guy she thought she liked is actually “a bum.” A good lesson for all girls.
2. Freckleface Strawberry, “Freckleface Strawberry” by Julianne Moore and illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Freckleface Strawberry has freckles — a lot of freckles. She tries to scrub them off, cover them up, but they just won’t go away. But that’s OK. She learns that those brown speckles make her special, and even make her cool. Freckleface learns to be comfortable in her own skin, a lesson every girl needs.
3. Fancy Nancy, “Fancy Nancy” series by Jane O’Connor and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser
No one is as fancy as Nancy. Everything from her bed to her socks to her sandwiches are elegant and sparkly. Nancy teaches every little girl to love being a girl and that being fancy is just too much fun to pass up.
Characters for young girls (8-13)
1. Matilda Wormwood, “Matilda” by Roald Dahl
I love everything about Matilda. She is quiet, observant and small, but she reaches far beyond her petite size with her intelligence, love of books and clear understanding of what’s right. She projects confidence, power and makes us all believe in the magic of our minds.
2. Sara Crewe, “A Little Princess” by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Odd little Sara Crewe. Her story is a shining example of finding the good in any situation and having the will and faith to endure. In Sara’s world, “every girl is a princess,” but not a simpering, spoiled brat; instead, a solid, smart and kind person.
3. Anne Shirley, “Anne of Green Gables Series” by L.M. Montgomery
Anne with an "e" is one of the most endearing characters in literature. Anne may be spunky, awkward and talkative, but everyone falls in love with her passion and fire. Anne isn’t afraid to stand up for herself or say what she thinks, and no one’s heart is as giving and pure as hers.
Characters for girls in their early teens (13-16)
1. Leslie Burke, “Bridge to Terabithia” by Katherine Paterson
I read this book multiple times as a young girl. Leslie is a free spirit. She can outrun the boys, wears whatever she wants and is the queen of imagination. Leslie exudes vigor, life and all things exciting. Leslie is amazing.
2. Stargirl, “Stargirl” by Jerry Spinelli
Stargirl is another incredible free spirit. In the early teen years it’s hard to feel comfortable with who you are. Characters like Stargirl and Leslie Burke show girls that it’s a glorious thing to be who you really are and to ignore the status quo.
3. Meg Murry, “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle
Meg doesn’t fit in at school, gets into fights and wears glasses. She feels like an outcast, like she can’t do anything right, but deep down Meg is a hero. In Madeleine L’Engle’s classic series, girls see the triumph of the underdog, the beauty of using our potential and how each person has important strengths.
Characters for older teens (16-21)
1. Kit Tyler, “The Witch of Blackbird Pond” by Elizabeth George Speare
Kit travels from her beautiful home in Barbados to the cold shores of America in Puritan times. Kit’s strength and strong opinions shock her new community, but she never strays from what is right. With innovation and a pure heart, Kit finds a way to befriend someone no one else will and adapt to the bleak situation presented to her.
2. Liesel Meminger, “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak
Liesel endures the most awful of circumstances, but comes through tough and strong. Many girl characters have a mother figure to help guide them through troubles, but Liesel has a foster father. Their relationship is a stunning example of the importance of a father to a girl.
3. Jane Eyre, “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte
Every girl should get to know Jane Eyre. Jane possesses a quiet strength and knows her own heart. She never deviates from what she believes in and is willing to work hard. Jane may not be traditionally pretty, but her spirit is gorgeous. Jane is a champion of the downtrodden and a queen of enduring the bad to get the good.
What other fictional characters would you add to the list? There are so many! Come share on my Facebook page.
Don’t worry — I’m not leaving the boys out. Next time: Fictional characters every BOY should know.
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About the Author: Teri Harman
Teri Harman, author and book enthusiast, writes a biweekly column for ksl.com and also contributes book-related segments to Studio 5. Her debut novel, "Blood Moon," comes out June 22, 2013. Find her online at teriharman.com.*
