We're getting ready to close out National Women's History month, and I couldn't let March pass without sharing some of my favorite badass characters. It was super challenging to put together a short list, and I know there are a bunch missing because...well, we all know there are more than eight books with rad women in them. Which eight characters would you include on your list?
1. Camellia Beauregard - The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton
Camellia is a Belle, favored by her kingdom. When she discovers the darker side to Orleans, she has the choice to go along with things and remain in a privileged position or rebel against the only world she has ever known. I guess you could call her...a Rebel Belle. (I'll see myself out.)
2. Laia of Serra and Helene Aquilla - An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
I could keep going, honestly, there are lots of great women to choose from in this series! Laia is a scholar, enslaved by the leader of the Martials, and Helene is in training to become a Mask, part of the elite Martial military force. So much happens in this quartet that it's hard to sum up, especially without spoiling anything, so just...read it, y'all. Read it!
3. Tierney James - The Grace Year by Kim Liggett
This book has been pretty thoroughly reviewed on here, both by me and in a guest review of my sister's, so if we haven't convinced you to read it yet, I'm not sure what you're waiting for. Tierney isn't the only courageous woman featured in The Grace Year, either - read and cheer the rebellion on!
4. Starr Carter - The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
After witnessing the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend, Starr has a choice - she can stay quiet, which is what both the cops involved and a powerful local gang leader want her to do, or she can use her voice to try and get justice for Khalil. If you've somehow missed hearing about this phenomenal book, I reviewed it a few years back...you should read it. (The book, not my review. Although you can read that too, if you really want to.)
5. Layla Amin - Internment by Samira Ahmed
In a version of the present day United States that doesn't feel terribly impossible, Layla and her family are taken to an internment camp for Muslim Americans. Not willing to duck her head to avoid the violence and watch in silence as more and more of her fellow internees disappear from the camp after clashes with guards, Layla and her friends form a resistance to fight back.
6. Mila - Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee
This one is a little bit of a departure from the types of books I've included so far, but I wanted to specifically include it because sometimes standing up for yourself can be one of the hardest things to do, especially when you're as young as Mila and a lot of the voices around you are telling you that you're making a big deal out of nothing. Mila recognizes that the way boys at school have been treating her is wrong, though, and doesn't let anyone talk her out of speaking up about it. (Also, let us never forget that Barbara Dee commented on my review of this book, and I about died.)
7. Elizabeth Bennett - Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Honestly, having grown up incredibly Mormon, I can empathize with Elizabeth and the immense pressure she is under to find a man, get married, and pop some babies out. Make haste, lady! What else are you going to do with your life?! When you grow up being taught that marriage + motherhood is all you're cut out for, it can be tough to push back against that, but Elizabeth does...twice, no less. Go Lizzie, go!
8. Emoni Santiago - With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo
Emoni is a senior in high school, and she spends most of her time raising a toddler and struggling to scrape together enough money to help support her little family. Her plate is stuffed pretty full, but when her school adds a culinary arts class, she can't pass up the opportunity to learn more about cooking and working in a real restaurant. Can Emoni find a way to balance the needs of her family with her desire to become a professional chef?
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