At a time when misogyny is increasingly visible in online spaces, social media and popular culture, books have an important role to play. Stories give young people a chance to explore identity, courage, equality and resilience — and empowering female characters can help challenge the stereotypes that still shape how girls and boys see themselves and each other.

Here are ten unforgettable female characters from children’s and young people’s books who show that strength comes in many different forms.

1. Hermione Granger – Harry Potter
   Intelligent, determined and unafraid to speak her mind, Hermione shows that knowledge is power. She challenges her friends — and the world around her — rather than simply accepting the status quo.
2. Matilda – Matilda
   Roald Dahl’s Matilda proves that being young and small does not mean being powerless. Her curiosity, intelligence and sense of justice enable her to stand up to adults who abuse their authority.
3. Katniss Everdeen – The Hunger Games
   Katniss is courageous, resourceful and fiercely protective of others. Her strength isn't about being invulnerable; it comes from compassion, determination and a willingness to challenge injustice.
4. Lyra Belacqua – His Dark Materials
   Lyra is adventurous, curious and independent-minded. She demonstrates the importance of questioning authority and thinking for yourself.
5. Anne Shirley – Anne of Green Gables
   Anne's imagination, ambition and outspoken nature make her a wonderful reminder that girls don't have to make themselves smaller to fit expectations.
6. Meg Murry – A Wrinkle in Time
   Meg is imperfect, emotional and sometimes insecure — and that's precisely what makes her powerful. Her journey shows that vulnerability and love can coexist with extraordinary courage.
7. Pippi Longstocking – Pippi Longstocking
   Pippi refuses to conform. Independent, unconventional and wonderfully confident, she challenges traditional ideas about how girls should behave.
8. Jo March – Little Women
   Jo dreams of becoming a writer at a time when women's choices were severely restricted. Her ambition and determination continue to resonate with young readers.
9. Sade Solaja – The Other Side of Truth
   In this 9 -12 fiction book by Beverley Naidoo, Sade - whose father is an outspoken journalist criticising the regime - is trafficked out of Nigeria to the UK with her younger brother. Alone in London, Sade has to be brave, resilient and strong as she navigates the asylum-seeking system.
10. Princess Pearl – Zog
    Not content to fit the stereotype of 'damson in distress', instead of sitting around waiting to be rescued from dragons by knights, Princess Pearl decides to train as a flying doctor enlisting Zog as her mode of transport.

These characters matter because representation matters. Young people need to encounter girls and women who are clever, adventurous, flawed, compassionate, ambitious and brave — and boys need to see those qualities celebrated in female characters too.

Books alone cannot solve misogyny. But they can help young readers imagine a different kind of world: one where girls are heard, boys can reject harmful stereotypes, and strength is measured not by dominance but by courage, empathy and integrity.

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