Fiona's Book List: 13 Girl-Positive Winter Reads
Winter break: one of my favorite times of the year. It's an opportunity to wear footsie pajamas and snuggle all day long, the city looks magical and glistening with snow (for the five minutes before it turns yellow), and hot cocoa and eggnog flow plentifully. By far, one of the best parts of the holiday vacation is all the free time. I've always been an avid reader, but my busy school schedule leaves me little time to read for pleasure.During winter break, I hole up in my house for two weeks with as many new books as I can get my hands on. I've compiled a list of some of my favorite books with Real Girl protagonists for everyone from the experienced bookworm to the novice reader.You Forgot Your Skirt, Amelia Bloomer! By Shana Corey(Ages 5-8)This corky, illustrated children's book chronicles the life of the woman who popularized pants (or bloomers). It's funny, inspiring, and surprising! Island of the Blue Dolphins, By Scott O'Dell(Ages 9-12)A classic and one of my all time favorites, Island of the Blue Dolphins tells the heroic story of a girl who survives alone on an island for several years. A great pick for girls who are interested in the wilderness, but surprisingly relatable for any preteen!Manifesta: Young Women, Feminism, and the Future, By Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy RichardsWant a no-nonsense guide to feminism? Here it is. Manifesta is packed full of information, stories, and evidence the two authors use to define their version of feminism. Read my full review here.Thirty Ways of Looking at Hillary, Edited by Susan MorrisonThis compilation of thirty short essays about Hillary Clinton was written during the 2008 race for the Democratic nomination. It provides unique insight on what turns voters on and off to Hillary, as well as why she's had so many hairstyles, what her hobbies might be, and whether Bill washes her underpants. Read my full review here.Rumors of Our Progress Have Been Greatly Exaggerated, By Congresswoman Carolyn B. MaloneyThrough her own story as a female representative, the stories of other working women in America, and statistics and evidence supporting her point, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney exposes the inequalities of our country and lays out the steps for fixing them. Read my full review here.Sula, By Toni MorrisonThis rich novel beautifully weaves a story of two girlhood friends who grow up to lead very different lives. The novel's protagonist, Sula, is unique, vibrant, and dangerously independent.Girls of Riyadh, By Rajaa AlsaneaThis novel tells the story of four young women in Saudi Arabia discovering their opinions about the society they live in. The book is a quick, entertaining read that sheds light on a culture many Americans know little about. Read my full review here.Riding Freedom, By Pam Munoz Ryan(Ages 9-12)An incredible fictionalized account of the first woman to vote in the state of California. Riding Freedom follow the protagonist as she attempts to achieve her dream of working with horses by masquerading as a boy.The History of Love, By Nicole KraussJumping back and forth from Europe to Latin America to Brighton Beach, this novels weaves together the lives of an eccentric cast of characters, including the curious determined, fourteen-year-old Alma Singer who is trying to cope with her father's death.Walk Two Moons, By Sharon Creech(Ages 12-15)A heart-wrenching, beautifully crafted novel, Walk Two Moons tells the story of a thirteen-year-old girl who travels across the country trying to uncover her mother's story. Sharon Creech has also written other great girl-strong books, such as Chasing Redbird.Journey to the River Sea, By Eva Ibbotson(Ages 10-18)The protagonist of this novel is a determined English orphan, named Maia, who travels along the Amazon River in 1910. Rich with history, this book is one of my favorites, because it transports the reader into a totally different time.The River Between Us, By Richard Peck(Ages 13-18)This historical novel set during the Civil War tells the story of two young women from very different backgrounds coping with war in Illinois.Pippi Longstocking, By Astrid Lindgren(Ages 9-12)This Swedish classic tells the humorous tale of eccentric Pippi Longstocking and the shenanigans she gets into. Pippi is wacky, weird, and lovable.Two books I recently got and am looking forward to reading are:When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present, By Gail CollinsThe House of the Spirits, By Isabelle AllendeFiona Lowenstein is a high school junior, weekly guest blogger and Girls Leadership Institute alumna. Read more of her work here.