I immersed myself into books as a child; instead of making friends with humans I made my friends in the pages of novels. The friends I did have growing up were mostly boys. To even this out my favorite books were about fierce women. The following is a list of seven literary female characters that served as my friends and role models.

1. Madeline

The little red headed brave French child. This was my first favorite book, my mom would read it to me every night and when the movie came out I would watch it over and over. I had a Madeline doll that had the scar and all. I loved everything about Madeline: her demeanor, her small stature, I liked the fact that she was different from her classmates and still very loved.

2. Amelia Bedelia

This was the first book I read by myself. I enjoyed reading about Amelia’s quirks and the way she saw the world. Amelia took everything 100% literal. As a seven-year-old, I found it hilarious when Amelia starting hitting the road with a stick because she was told “to hit the road.” I liked the fact that in every book Amelia’s quirks would almost fire her but then her employers would realize that Amelia’s quirks brought mote to their life than without her. Amelia’s honesty was beautiful and my favorite part was during a Christmas book when Amelia was asked to put a star on the top of the Christmas tree. Amelia put a mirror on top of the tree because she believes everyone is a star.

3. Matilda

What young child doesn’t want superpowers? When I first read Matilda I was struggling in school and I enjoyed the thought of using brain power to get rid of my troubles. Matilda was brought up in an abusive household, one that never showed her love. Yet Matilda had so much love to give the world and she did. I liked her relationship with Miss Honey, it warmed my heart to read about a little girl mending an adult’s heart.

4. Francie Nolan

I was 14 when I opened up Tree Grow in Brooklyn. As I read about Francie Nolan’s life adventures I realized we were very similar people. Though we are born about a century apart, Francie looks at this world the same I do. She even lies exactly like I do! We get very excited about the world and the events that happen around us that we tend to exaggerate details. I gasped when a teacher told Francie to “tell the truth, write the story.” As a senior in high school I wrote my college essay about Francie because he had a love of learning a thirst of knowledge that matched my own. Tree Grows in Brooklyn is also the only book I can open up to any page and just read.

5. Hermione Granger and Luna Lovegood

This list wouldn’t be complete without JK Rowling's creations. Rowling is a genius who gave me so many realistic female characters to aspire to be. My two favorites are Hermione and Luna. Hermione lives her life in books and learning, Luna lives in her imagination and strange beliefs. Hermione is hardworking and bright, she lives in the library and has read most of the books inside it. Hermione puts her friend’s safety over her own and chooses loyalty to a promise she made to Harry Potter over loyalty to a romance. Luna doesn’t live in this world, as her mind roams elsewhere. But like Hermione she is fiercely loyal to those she considers her friends. Harry Potter needed both of these women in his life. Hermione has saved his life countless of times and is Harrys older sister, someone who has high expectations of Harry and loves him fully. Luna is more of Harry’s little sister, she sees through the masks Harry puts up and can even recognize him when he took poly-juice potion based on the way Harry stares. Hermione helped Harry live safely in this world, Luna helped Harry believe in another world, one where Sirius and his parents live.

6. Mulan

My FAVORITE Disney princess. Mulan isn’t technically a Disney princess, but we’re going to overlook that here. There is so much beauty and amazing metaphor in the movie Mulan. The beginning, where Mulan is looking in a mirror wondering when the world will finally see her as she sees herself is heart wrenching. The song “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” has a wonderful irony that I relate with. Mulan is trying so hard to be the person that will make her Dad and country proud. Mulan went into the army confused about who she was but as she spent time trying to prove to the world that she was enough she found herself. Mulan taught me that you have to be true to yourself even if it goes against the acceptance of your family and society because they will catch on.

7. Jo March

I was well into my Tomboy phase when I read Little Women so naturally I related to Jo. Jo couldn’t sit still, she talked before thinking and she had a hot temper. But Jo gave me hope, because the book chronicled her growing up and she grew into her quirks as they became her greatest strengths. Through her sister's death, Jo showed me how to keep living even when your heart is breaking, because living is the only thing you really can do. Jo like the other characters had so much love to give her world so it made perfect sense to read that she opened her home to children who had nowhere else to go.