Looking back on my childhood, I read a lot. From "The Magic Treehouse" to "Junie. B. Jones" in my early years, to "Harry Potter," "Alanna of Trebond" series, and many many more later on, my childhood and young adolescence was filled with interesting stories that sparked my young imagination and lead me off on an adventure. Of course, throughout high school and college, it is hard to find the time to read for fun. Many books I liked no longer interested me anymore. However, there are many books that I recommend for young, adventurous girls and young women (or anyone) to read. Here are some of the books I read as a young girl, that helped shape me to who I am today.
1. "The Song of the Lioness" series by Tamora Pierce
This awesome series follows the adventures of the feisty and rebellious Alanna of Trebond as she defies the social norms to become a knight of the realm of Tortall, rather than become a lady to be married off. During her adventures, she defies social norms and surprises many in the story with her secrecy and skill in becoming a knight. For me, the series, though of course a fantasy, shaped my thoughts of how girls and women can do anything they set their mind to. It is a testament that all young, adventurous and feisty girls should read, to help shape their views that they can do anything they put their mind to. Filled with humor, medieval battles and the courage of a young girl, I followed this book series quickly and, even now at 19, I read it over and over again.
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2. "Boston Jane" series by Jennifer L. Holm
Another awesome series that depicts the feistiness and grit of a young girl, Jane Peck, who travels from Philadelphia to the Oregon Coast to follow the man of her dreams. My fourth grade teacher read this to our class. Along with the actual history and people it was based on, Peck gives us a view of life in the 1800's as she trudges along a new life among the Chinook Native Americans and the rugged and tough settlers. Like "The Song of the Lioness" series, "Boston Jane" brought me endless enjoyment and messages of my own abilities and grit to survive. Filled with humor, love, and sadness, this series also follows (somewhat accurately) the hardships both the settlers and Native Americans faced during these times.
3. "The Shack" by W. P. Young
I am not a religious person, however, this book contains many religious messages that I loved. Set in the plot of a father's deepest nightmare, the murder of his own daughter, he finds himself on a mission to finding faith again. The book showed me that the do's and don'ts that are often found in the Bible are not what the religion nor the book is about; it's about the relationship with God, or whatever Being or Force one believes in. While it sounds like a terrible story, like some other Christian novels (do this, not that, etc, etc.) "The Shack" is one about the journey. It is spiritually moving, allowing one to further question their relationship with God and their own beliefs. If you are looking for a spiritual journey, or to investigate a new perspective on Christianity and God, "The Shack" is a book that I encourage anyone to read.
4. "Harry Potter" series by J.K Rowling
I don't think I need to say anything about these. They're awesome and everyone should read them, regardless of whether one likes fantasy or not.
5. "The Hobbit" & "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien
I have only recently read "The Hobbit" and am currently reading "LOTR," however, Tolkien's imagination and stories of Middle Earth are beyond extraordinary. "The Hobbit", a good, quick and fun read, follows the story of Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit who decides to go out on an adventure, much to the chagrin of the other Hobbits. A prequel to LOTR, "The Hobbit" is a story of a hobbit's courage and the friendship he earns along the way. "The Lord of the Rings," being darker and longer, requires much more focus. However, Tolkien's characters and plots create the most vivid fantasy story of all time, like fireworks in your brain. Definitely a must-read.
6. "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein
Told through the eyes of a dog, Enzo, the story follows the journey of a race car driver, Denny, and also chronicles basic human behavior. Enzo, relying on race car driving terms, realizes life isn't about going super fast like Denny believes, but rather about love, family, humor and loyalty. It's a light and beautiful story, and Enzo tells of the beauty and sadness of being a human and how a man's best friend is indeed his dog. This book left me in tears, as I only began to imagine how my own dog might view me and made me appreciate my dogs more.
7. "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak
Told by Death himself, this story follows the life of young girl Leisel, a young German girl and her generousness and love of books. This book provides an insight to the Holocaust through the story of several young children, and how a young child's generousness and love of words may save others' lives in times of deep darkness and sadness. While it is a long read, it is a beautiful story of friendship, love and hope, that even Death cannot deny.
8. "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman
Though a series, the original book follows a young girl's journey with music and survival. Following a tragic car accident in which she loses her parents and brother, the story follows her inner struggle to survive while in the hospital. Recapturing moments of her life - the love and support of her parents and brother, the new love of her boyfriend, and her intense passion for classical music, the story leads us through our own struggle to figure out what we're fighting for, what we really care about and what drives us. Though a tragically sad story, it is a story of hope and of a young girl's courage to fight for her life.
9. "Sold" by Patricia McCormick
"Sold" follows the story of a young girl from India, who is tragically sold into sex slavery. The story opens the eyes of readers as it follows her struggles in her new home as a sex slave and how, even today, it is still a reality for many young girls and women around the world. It is a story about her grit and hope to stay alive and get out of the situation she was forced into. The book, while hard to read due to the plot, covers a topic that is vital to know about.
10. "Peter & The Starcatchers" by Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson
Following the plot line of "Peter Pan" (sort of - not really), the series follows orphan Peter and his gang of buddies as they are sold into slavery and then come upon wondrous stardust. Facing their fears, they help Molly fight off the Others for the chest of the stardust, to restore peace in the world.
These are but a few books that shaped my young childhood and adolescence. These books conjured the most brilliant fantasies and images in my mind and gave me wonderful entertainment for hours. I recommend them for all - with discretion, as some topics are not for the faint of heart, nor for the very young mind.
