This month is National Women’s Month, so we are honoring and recognizing our favorite YA Heroines.
These novels are not just awesome to read on their own, but would be a great addition to your curriculum!
Legendborn: We are big fans of everything Arthurian Lit, so there is no surprise that this one made our list. Written by newcomer Tracy Deonn, this story follows 16-year-old Bree as she navigates a new world of discovery, finding her own power, and overcoming the grief in her life. And, yes, there is some romance! *swoon* There are plot twists, tear-jerker moments, and definitely a message of empowerment.
How to teach this? You could definitely teach the Hero’s Journey, pair with classic King Arthur pieces and compare and contrast, and, of course, this novel is rich with symbolism, foreshadowing, theme, characterization, world-building, and so much more!
PLUS!!! We will be putting out a Full Novel Unit for this novel soon!
“A King Arthur reimagining that adds seats to the roundtable, inviting new readers to find themselves within its lore, Tracy Deonn’s Legendborn braids southern folk traditions and Black Girl Magic into a searing modern tale of grief, power, and self-discovery.”
— Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of The Belles
Furia: This book first came on our radar because of none other than Reese Witherspoon and her book club. Written by Yamile (sha-MEE-lay) Saied Méndez, this novel follows Camila, an Argentinian teenager and her dreams of playing professional soccer. Set amidst a patriarchal society that does not value girls as superstars in their own right, Camila strives to break down the barriers set in place by her family and society. This novel teaches girls that their dreams are just as valuable, and that is BEAUTIFUL!
How to teach this? This novel would fit right into a coming-of-age unit! You can compare and contrast cultural and societal expectations for women between what is featured in the novel and our own culture/society, trace the development of equality and suffrage in the book and in the real world, and, of course, analyzing all the necessary literary devices.
PLUS!!! We will be putting out a Full Novel Unit for this novel soon!
"Weaving rich cultural specifics and electric energy into her prose, Méndez crafts a dynamic, feminist narrative that commands attention from the very first line. At its core, this novel is a full-hearted love letter to Argentina and “incorrigible girls” everywhere, emboldening readers to stand up for themselves and chase the dreams they hold dear."
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder: This New York Times Bestseller by Holly Jackson follows senior student Pippa on her quest to find the truth behind a brutal murder in her hometown. In discovering and unraveling secrets, she forms a bond with an unlikely ally and must fight, not only to bring the details of the tragedy to light but to save herself from those that want the truth hidden. This book has twists and turns, heart, and a brilliantly smart girl defying all the odds!
How to teach this? This novel would fit right into a crime or mystery unit. It would pair well with the podcast Serial and the documentary Making a Murderer. Also, this novel is awesome for analysis, foreshadowing, symbolism, and so much more!
PLUS!!! This novel will be a movie or TV series soon!
“A taut, compulsively readable, elegantly plotted thriller.”—The Guardian
The Grace Year: Written by Kim Ligget, this novel follows Tierney James as she understands what it means to be a woman in a society that is threatened and fearful of a woman’s power, and how the bonds between women, sisters, and friends, mothers and daughters should be celebrated, not feared or threatened. At 16 years old, at the cusp of womanhood when their power is the most potent, girls are banished to the woods to release their magic in order to fit into society and be ready for marriage. Here, girls must fight against elements, poachers, and each other. This book is a beautiful blend of The Handmaid’s Tale, Lord of the Flies, and The Hunger Games! It is definitely one that was not easy to put down.
How to teach this? This novel would be a great addition to a dystopian unit! It can be paired with the classic Lord of the Flies, can be used to draw parallels between the fictional world presented in the book and the reality of our world, and an analysis via the Feminist Lens. Definitely recommended for age 16+.
PLUS!!! This novel will be a movie or TV series soon!
"Liggett's immersive storytelling effortlessly weaves horror elements with a harrowing and surprising survival story. Profound moments lie in small details, and readers' hearts will race and break right along with the brave, capable Tierney's. The biggest changes often begin with the smallest rebellions, and the emotional conclusion will resonate. Chilling, poignant, haunting, and unfortunately, all too timely."
— Kirkus (Starred Review)
