International Women’s Day ~ Strong Female Characters in YA Literature

Hello, everyone! I know that International Women’s Day was two days ago, so I’m late for this, but I saw Ritz @ Living, Loving and Reading do a post like this and I thought I would do my own version. So today, I have a list of strong female characters in YA literature.

Alanna of Trebond ~ The Song of the Lioness

Alanna is such a great character! She’s strong and she isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes in. She’s ambitious and doesn’t let people get in the way of what she wants to accomplish.

“Alan, you seem to think we won’t like you unless you do things just like everyone else. Have you ever thought we might like you because you’re different?”

Tamora Pierce, Alanna: The First Adventure

Lady Katsa of the Middluns ~ The Graceling Realm

Katsa is a strong, brave, independent young woman. She hates being restrained and has a quick temper. But she’s also kind and I think a lot of characters in the books judge her by her Grace.

“How absurd it was that in all seven kingdoms, the weakest and most vulnerable of people – girls, women – went unarmed and were taught nothing of fighting, while the strong were trained to the highest reaches of their skill.”

Kristin Cashore, Graceling

Hermione Granger ~ Harry Potter

I just had to add Hermione in here. She’s an intelligent, brave, and loyal friend who will stand up for what she believes in. Even if that means getting in trouble.

“Actually I’m highly logical which allows me to look past extraneous detail and perceive clearly that which others overlook.”

J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows

Anne Shirley ~ Anne of Green Gables

Anne is so stubborn, and fun, and creative! And forgetful sometimes too. I love her imagination and how she creates all these fantasies for herself.

“Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It’s splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.”

L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Green Gables #1)

Annabeth Chase ~ Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Another classic character in YA books: Annabeth! She’s brave, smart, and very witty. She can be stubborn and determined, but she’s always loyal to her friends and will stay be their side.

” ‘I’ve been waiting a long time for a quest, Seaweed Brain,’ she said. ‘Athena is no fan of Posiden, but if you’re going to save the world, I’m the best person to keep you from messing up.’ “

Rick Riordan, The Lightning Thief

Samantha Young ~ Under a Painted Sky

I couldn’t find any art for her (or for the next two) so there’s no picture. Anyways, Samantha is an incredibly brave person. She risks her life being out on the Oregon Trail, pretending to be a boy. With all she went through, she still stayed strong through it all.

“We carry around the light of our loved ones who have passed. It is they who light the path for us.”

Stacey Lee, Under a Painted Sky

Harper ~ A Curse So Dark and Lonely

Harper is a fierce and determined woman. She doesn’t let her cerebral palsy define her and she keeps going no matter what. She’s kind to, and wants to help people, even if it means being a little cunning and ambitious too do that.

“They believe her limp is the result of a war injury, but Harper is quick to correct them. ‘I was born this way,’ she’ll snap, ‘and I’m going to die this way, so teach me to work around it.’ They love her for it.”

Brigid Kemmerer, A Curse So Dark and Lonely (Cursebreakers #1)

Mercy Wong ~ Outrun the Moon

Mercy is a strong and cunning young woman. She’s determined and courageous, and doesn’t back down, even in the hardest times.

“You expect certain things to always be there, like the bakery on the corner, or the boy you grew up with. But when the very ground can eat you alive without warning, what’s to say the ocean won’t dry up? Or the stars won’t suddenly shut off? Nothing is forever.”

Stacey Lee, Outrun the Moon

Do you like these characters? Any who I should have added?
Chat with me in the comments below!