Something I've become aware of within the last year or so is how many books have female characters pitted against one another. Aren't there any books for young people that show great, positive friendships in which there isn't bickering or rivalry? Yes, I know that this type of rivalry is real for many of our young girls in every day life. Mean girls are a real problem, but where are the books that show it doesn't have to be that way? Where are the books that show an alternative to the cliques?
I am a firm believer that books can change your life. They can change your outlook and the way you interact with the real world around you.
So I've been paying attention and here are a few that I've read over the past few years that I think do a great job. I've divided it up into middle grade books and YA books if you're looking for certain readers in your life.
Middle Grade Books
Peppi doesn't always make the best choices, but she's going to make it right. There's definitely conflict within this book, but Peppi has found some solid friends who give her great advice. And she helps out one of her friends when she really needs it. There are cliques, but they are not focused around cool girls.
Check out my review
here.
How could I have a post on female friendships without The Baby-Sitters Club? The reason it made this list of books I've read in the past two years is because Raina Telgemeier has come out with the graphic novel versions of Ann M. Martin's stories. And if you can get a kid interested in the graphic novels, that might lead to the rest of the series by Ann M. Martin.
Check out my review
here.
Raymie meets three new friends the summer she decides to run for a beauty pageant. You'd think that three very different girls, all entering the same contest would end up in some not so great relationships, but these girls rally together to help one another.
Check out my review
here.
I chose this because it's a positive sister relationship. Even though Catrina is sometimes annoyed by her little sister, Maya, she cares deeply for her. They bond a lot throughout this books as well.
Check out my review
here.
This book will be for your older middle grade reader. 6th, 7th, 8th grade. It deals with the topic of sexting, in a more "innocent" way if that's possible (the pictures in question are of a girl in her underwear and no more than that). It does have a trio of girls entering middle school and they are each finding themselves drifting in different directions, but still manage to maintain their solid friendship. They also support one another in making positive choices, but are supportive when their friend makes a mistake and don't turn their back on her.
Check out my review
here.
YA Books
Although Cath's relationship with her sister, Wren, is strained, and her mother is out of the picture, there are great examples of positive female relationships. Her roommate, Raegan is the best. At first you think it's going to be terrible, but Reagan is mature and understanding and doesn't really get sucked into the drama--so she doesn't allow Cath to sink into it with her. Her relationship with Wren is where most of the drama comes from, but there are many reasons and it stems more from the fact that they're family and are struggling with some real issues than this being a mean girl situation.
This one is a romance, though. So it's not all about the friendships. But positive all around. There are also some issues I had with Raegan and Cath judging other girls they see. It's not a perfect book or a perfect representation of positive female relationships, but I did think they Rainbow Rowell gave Cath some positivity in her life to equal out the negative situations.
This story takes place in an asylum (well two really). Some of the women kept in the asylum were only there because their families put them there so they didn't have to deal with them. That was accepted during the time period because women were not valued. But in the second asylum (the good one), Grace finds solid friendships with two other women who have been committed, a nurse, and the sister of a doctor. Although this book isn't about friendships--it's very much about women's rights and the treatment of individuals with mental illness (all entwined with a murder mystery, of course)--these relationships are solid foundations for Grace.
Check out my review
here.
Amanda is new. She had to leave her old life behind when someone found out that she is transgender. Now she's living with her father, who doesn't quite accept her as she is now. She finds some solid friendships within this book--and some not so solid. But the friends she make stand by her, even when her worst nightmares come true and everyone finds out the truth.
This might a bit out of range, but I really love Vivian and Harp. Vivian and her best friend Harp set out across the country in the wake of a "Rapture" that supposedly happened. But Vivian is sure that she can find her parents because something just doesn't seem right to her. Harp isn't so sure and is surly, drinks a lot, and isn't always the most dependable when it comes to making choices. She is, though, always there. With Harp on her side, I know she'll be okay. Just as I know Harp will be okay because she has Vivian.
Check out my review
here.
What about you? Any good examples of strong, positive female friendships within MG or YA books?
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