Middle Grade Books for Girls with Strong Female Leads

As the mother of three amazing girls, I’m always on the lookout for middle grade books for girls with fantastic female characters. My kids connect well with characters that show a strength of character, bravery, kindness, and a spirit of adventure.

Girls want to be the hero of the story, and why not? They have a sense of adventure and incredible stories to tell. More and more, I’m seeing amazing girls in middle grade literature and it makes my heart sing with happiness.

This reading list features some of our favorite middle grade books for girls.

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Middle Grade Books for Girls with Fantastic Female Characters

The Rose Legacy by Jessica Day George

When Anthea goes to live with a long-lost uncle in exile, she’s horrified to learn that he secretly breeds illegal animals called horses. Even more concerning is her ability to sense the horses’ thoughts.

Anthea is a strong young woman of character. It takes a while for her to open up to new ideas because she’s desperately loyal to her country. Over the course of the book, she learns that reality can differ greatly from what you’ve been taught. I love Anthea because she’s stubborn, willful, and smart. When she gets something in her head, she’ll do whatever it takes to achieve it. I love her problem-solving skills and the way she comes to care about both her homeland and the ranch she grows to adore.

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Breakout by Kate Messner

Nora and Lizzie are looking forward to summer break while Elidee is adjusting to life in a small town after moving in just two weeks before school lets out. When two inmates break out of the maximum-security prison in town, everyone fears life might never be the same.

These three fantastic female characters go through a frightening and stressful time, but they manage to make friendships, collect information, and work together to find a solution to their problems.

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Thunder Girls: Freya and the Magic Jewel by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

From the author duo that brought us the Goddess Girls series (and many other cherished books) comes a new series featuring Norse mythology. Freya and the Magic Jewel is the first book in the series full of magic, adventure, and friendship.

When Freya and her brother get invited to attend Asgaard Academy, she’s more than a bit reluctant to go. With encouragement from her brother, she heads off on a new adventure where she finds trouble, adventure, and herself.

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Captain Superlative by J.S. Puller

These two girls are worthy of the title “fantastic female characters”. Janey has always been invisible until Captain Superlative (a girl dressed in a swimsuit, tights, and mask) takes notice of her. Captain Superlative takes notice of everyone. She holds doors for people, hands out study guides, and treats everyone with kindness. Most importantly, she shows Janey and everyone else what it really means to be a superhero.

This is a heartfelt book for middle grade readers that explores themes of bullying, kindness, friendship, and the idea that one person can make a difference.

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Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi

When Aru lights a cursed lamp in the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture that her mother runs, she unknowingly releases an ancient demon called The Sleeper who will wake the God of Destruction. Together with a surly and sarcastic pigeon, Aru goes in search of five reincarnated Pandava brothers (Aru is one of them) so she can stop The Sleeper before the entire world is destroyed.

Draped in Hindu legends, breathtaking action, and laugh-out-loud humor, this novel is perfect for Percy Jackson fans and kids that love adventure and mythology. Aru proves to be an entertaining and witty protagonist that is gloriously imperfect. When looking for middle grade books for girls, make sure you have this one on your list!

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Goddess Girls: Medea the Enchantress by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

Speaking of mythology, I adored this latest installment in the Goddess Girls series. Medea convinces her father to let her attend Mount Olympus Academy, but an accident lands her and her frenemy in the middle of Jason’s quest for the golden fleece. Legends, friendship, and love potions collide to create a fun adventure just right for middle grade girls.

One of the things I loved about this book is the way Medea handles her friendship with Glouce. It’s a toxic friendship and Medea has to learn to be strong and stand up for herself. As weird as it sounds, I loved the message that some friendships need to be abandoned in order to move forward and heal.

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The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency series by Jordan Stratford

When it comes to middle grade books for girls, this is a fantastic series. I read these books to my eight-year-old. While we enjoyed the mysteries, the characters are what really made the stories shine. Ada and Mary are both adventurous, capable, and smart. Armed with just their wits and their determination, they take on scoundrels all over London. With clues to collect and a mystery to solve, these short chapter books deliver a solid mystery adventure in 200 pages.

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What are your favorite middle grade books for girls? Any fantastic female characters I should know about?