Books About Female Role Models · 274 titles considered

The Best Female Role Models Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about female role models? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

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The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Female Role Models

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 7–12 · 1988

Matilda

By Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake (Illustrator)

A young girl discovers she has telekinetic powers and uses them to defend herself against her cruel parents and the evil headmistress of her school.

FCBG Children’s Book Award (1989)Odyssey Honor (2014)

240 pages· 40,056 words· Est. 5.5 hour read

7.0/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 1,144,634 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Matilda is a brilliant young girl misunderstood by her neglectful parents. At school, she encounters the fearsome Miss Trunchbull, a headmistress who despises children. When Matilda discovers she possesses extraordinary abilities, she sees a chance to stand up against the oppressive Trunchbull. Can Matilda outsmart the tyrant and bring justice to her school? With courage and wit, she might just change everything.

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$1699

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12

The Secret Garden

By Frances Hodgson Burnett

A lonely girl discovers a hidden garden with a mysterious key.

352 pages· 80,729 words· Est. 11 hour read

6.4/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,194,235 ratings

Bookroo Collection Edition: Hardcover

Summary: Mary Lennox, orphaned and alone in her uncle's dreary mansion, discovers a key to a forbidden garden. As she unlocks its secrets, she steps into a magical world that changes everything. What mysteries lie within, and how will they alter her life forever?

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$958

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1997

Ella Enchanted

By Gail Carson Levine · Book #1 in the Ella Enchanted series

A cursed girl must obey every command. Can she break free?

Newbery Honor (1998)

304 pages· 53,087 words· Est. 7.5 hour read

5.9/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 427,008 ratings

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Paperback

Summary: Ella of Frell is cursed with obedience, forced to follow any command, no matter how dangerous. Determined to reclaim her freedom, she embarks on a daring quest through a world of ogres, giants, and wicked stepsisters. As she navigates this treacherous path, Ella must outwit those who would exploit her curse and discover her true self. Will she find a way to break the spell and live on her own terms, or will the curse dictate her fate forever? Dive into this enchanting tale of courage and resilience.

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$674

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2017

Dragons and Marshmallows

By Asia Citro, Marion Lindsay (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Zoey and Sassafras series

A young girl discovers a magical world of creatures in her backyard and learns to care for them with the help of her scientist mother

96 pages· 8,263 words· Est. 1 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 5,468 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Zoey and her cat, Sassafras, discover a secret: magical animals need their help. When a baby dragon falls ill, Zoey must use her science skills to save it. Can she solve the mystery before it's too late? Each adventure brings a new creature and challenge, blending magic with scientific inquiry. Join Zoey as she experiments, investigates, and journals her way through enchanting mysteries, all while learning about the wonders of science. Will her curiosity and determination be enough to help her magical friends?

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 2015

Harriet the Invincible (Graphic Novel)

By Ursula Vernon · Hamster Princess series

A princess must find a prince to break a sleeping curse cast on her family.

256 pages· 16,096 words· Est. 3 hour read

5.3/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 4,364 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Harriet Hamsterbone isn't your average princess. Cursed to fall asleep on her twelfth birthday, she revels in her invincibility, embarking on daring adventures with her riding quail, Mumfrey. But as her birthday looms, the curse takes an unforeseen turn, forcing Harriet to confront a new reality. Can she find a way to break the spell, or will her adventurous spirit be her undoing? Dive into a world where princesses defy expectations and curses lead to unexpected journeys.

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$958

Chapter Book · Ages 11–15

The Diary of a Young Girl

By Anne Frank, Susan Massotty (Translator)

A young girl hides from Nazis, documenting her life in a secret attic, revealing courage and humanity's frailty.

400 pages· 100,270 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 4,309,129 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Mass Market Paperbound

Summary: In Nazi-occupied Holland, thirteen-year-old Anne Frank hides with her family in a secret attic. Her diary captures the tension, fear, and fleeting moments of joy during their two-year confinement. As Anne navigates adolescence amidst the constant threat of discovery, her words reveal a profound resilience and a poignant glimpse into her inner world. This uncut edition unveils her complex relationship with her mother and her emerging self-awareness, offering a deeper understanding of her indomitable spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Graphic Nov.

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$958

Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 2013

The Secret of Whale Island

By Thea Stilton · Book #1 in the Thea Stilton Graphic Novel series

A killer whale disrupts college life, threatening peace during whale migration.

56 pages· 5,314 words· Est. 1 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 916 ratings

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Hardcover

Summary: At Ratford College, the Thea Sisters, five aspiring journalists, face an unexpected challenge as a killer whale threatens the annual whale migration. Amidst classes and friendships, can they uncover the truth and restore peace to Whale Island? Dive into a thrilling adventure where the stakes are high, and the mystery deepens with every wave.

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$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2018

Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters

By Andrea Beaty, David Roberts (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the The Questioneers series

A young inventor helps her friend participate in an art contest despite her physical limitations

144 pages· 7,816 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,651 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Hardcover

Summary: Rosie Revere faces her toughest challenge yet when her Aunt Rose and the Raucous Riveters need her engineering skills. Tasked with creating a device for a mural competition, Rosie struggles with repeated failures. As hope dwindles, classmates Iggy Peck and Ada Twist join the quest, sparking creativity and teamwork. Can Rosie overcome setbacks and rediscover the true meaning of home with the Riveters? Dive into this adventure of perseverance and friendship, where science and heart collide.

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$958

Chapter Book · Ages 10–12 · 1990

Dealing with Dragons

By Patricia C. Wrede · Book #1 in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles series

A rebellious princess seeks adventure with a powerful dragon, facing magical dangers and unexpected allies.

208 pages· 50,352 words· Est. 5.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 95,129 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Princess Cimorene defies royal expectations by fleeing to live with Kazul, a formidable dragon. Her quest for excitement leads her into a whirlwind of magical encounters, including a witch, a jinn, and a talking bird with deadly intentions. As she navigates these challenges, Cimorene must outwit oily wizards and a mysterious stone prince. Will her thirst for adventure bring triumph or peril? Discover a world where a princess's courage defies tradition and danger lurks at every turn.

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$958

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2011

Tuesdays at the Castle

By Jessica Day George · Tuesdays at the Castle series

A castle changes, a kingdom in peril, a princess must save it.

256 pages· 50,090 words· Est. 7 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 23,849 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Princess Celie loves Tuesdays when Castle Glower magically transforms, adding new rooms and secrets. But when her parents, the king and queen, vanish after an ambush, Celie must use her unique knowledge of the castle's shifting halls to protect her home and rescue her family. Can she navigate the castle's mysteries and save the kingdom before it's too late?

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