Books with female leads contain some of the most intriguing characters who tell compelling stories that can inspire. The way someone might define ‘strong’ can vary greatly from literal physical to emotional or intellectual strength. Regardless of what your definition of strength might be, these books are sure to leave you in awe.
Here are 5 books you can read this International Day of the Girl Child:
1. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Marie-Laure is a blind girl trying to survive the aerial bombings in France during WW2. Her father, who is the curator of the Museum of Natural history in Paris, whisks the girl out of the city along with other secrets from the museum. The story is filled with the terror, panic, and survival of the blind girl who will not submit despite her condition. The incredible storyline is sure to trump any judgments about the male perspective of a blind girl.
2. I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
A memoir by Malala Yousafzai- the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, I Am Malala is an incredible story about her journey from a remote valley in Pakistan. At the age of 15, Malala is shot in the head by the Taliban for fighting for her right to education. After a miraculous recovery, Malala finds her way out of the lands terrorized by the Taliban to become one of the most well-known activists for women’s education. The book chronicles her early life, an assassination attempt, and her escape.
3. Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom by Catherine Clinton
Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom is the story of a remarkable woman who made her mark on American history. Tubman, who was once a conductor on the Underground Railroad, became one of the most important figures in history by leading slaves to the north. This biography by Catherine Clinton describes in incredible accuracy the events during her time and sheds light on her personality as a strong and complex woman who cannot be categorized under one label.
4. Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
A classic that has inspired millions around the world for decades, the Island of the Blue Dolphins is a story based on the real-life story of a Nicoleño Indian girl. When on her way on a rescue ship, the 12-year-old Karana jumps off the ship to look for her lost brother on an uninhabited island off the coast of California. She spends the next 18 years living in solitude and fending off against the same pack of wolves that killed her brother on the island. The story involves an incredible account of courage, self-reliance, and wit that allows the girl to survive on the island.
5. Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
The protagonist Esperanza lives with her family comfortably on a ranch in Mexico. Esperanza has never known adversity in her life and is forced to flee with her mother after a tragedy to a Mexican farmworkers camp in California. The girl who is unprepared for the hardships her new life is about to bring even makes it through the great depression to rise above her unfortunate situation.
At Donatekart, we’re constantly striving to curate the most relevant and engaging content just for you. If you loved reading this, then women leaders in the Indian startup ecosystem will grab your attention too.
