10+ Best Feminist Books for 10-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)
Are you on the lookout for empowering reads for young minds? Dive into our curated selection of feminist books for 10-year-olds, perfect for nurturing equality, strength, and inspiration from a tender age. Whether you're a parent, educator, or a young reader yourself, you'll find these picks not only enlightening but also incredibly engaging. Keep reading to discover the amazing feminist books we've gathered just for you!
Table of Contents
Fun Feminist Books for 10-Year-Olds
- Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
- Illustrator: Lauren Child
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Adventure
- Synopsis: The adventures of Pippi Longstocking, an eccentric, super-strong, and fiercely independent young girl who lives alone with her horse and her monkey.
- Why we recommend this book: Pippi's unapologetic strength and confidence make her a great role model for young readers, showing them the power of independence and self-belief.
- Perfect for: Kids who love stories of adventure and those who appreciate characters who challenge societal norms.
- Matilda by Roald Dahl
- Illustrator: Quentin Blake
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Children's Fiction
- Synopsis: This story follows Matilda, a brilliant and sensitive child unappreciated by her crude family. She develops telekinetic powers, which she uses to overcome bullies, including her school's tyrannical principal.
- Why we recommend this book: It celebrates intelligence and creativity, and Matilda's journey to stand up for herself serves as an inspiration to challenge unfair authority.
- Perfect for: Young readers who feel misunderstood and those who revel in stories of justice and personal empowerment.
- The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch
- Illustrator: Michael Martchenko
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Fairy Tale
- Synopsis: Princess Elizabeth outsmarts a dragon to save her prince, only to realize she’s better off without him after he ungratefully criticizes her appearance.
- Why we recommend this book: It flips the traditional princess narrative, promoting independence and self-respect over conforming to expectations.
- Perfect for: Children who enjoy fairy tales with a twist and lessons on self-worth and resilience.
- Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo
- Genre(s): Non-fiction, Biography
- Synopsis: A collection of bedtime stories about the lives of extraordinary women from the past and the present, designed to inspire young girls to dream big.
- Why we recommend this book: Each story showcases the achievements of women in various fields, emphasizing that girls can aspire to be anything they choose.
- Perfect for: Young readers interested in real-life heroes and anyone looking for empowering female role models.
- Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke
- Genre(s): Graphic Novel, Science Fiction
- Synopsis: Zita finds herself a stranger on a distant planet after she pushes a button that transports her and her best friend. She becomes a spacegirl hero as she tries to rescue her friend.
- Why we recommend this book: It’s an exciting space adventure that highlights bravery, leadership, and friendship.
- Perfect for: Fans of science fiction and graphic novels, and kids who dream of adventures in outer space.
Educational Feminist Books for 10-Year-Olds
- A Smart Girl's Guide: Knowing What to Say: Finding the Words to Fit Any Situation by Patti Kelley Criswell
- Illustrator: Angela Martini
- Genre(s): Non-fiction, Self-help
- Synopsis: This book offers advice on how to handle tough situations with friends, family, and classmates, including speaking up, speaking out, and keeping cool.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Communication skills, self-expression, conflict resolution
- Why we recommend this book: It empowers young girls to find their voice and express themselves confidently in various situations.
- Perfect for: Girls who are developing their social skills and learning how to navigate interpersonal relationships.
- Interstellar Cinderella by Deborah Underwood
- Illustrator: Meg Hunt
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Science Fiction, Fairy Tale
- Synopsis: Cinderella loves fixing spaceships, and when the Prince's ship has mechanical trouble, she might be the only one who can fix it.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, mechanical knowledge, breaking gender stereotypes
- Why we recommend this book: It reimagines a classic fairy tale with a tech-savvy heroine who uses her engineering skills to save the day.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy science fiction and stories that challenge traditional gender roles.
- Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty
- Illustrator: David Roberts
- Genre(s): Picture Book, STEM
- Synopsis: Rosie is a shy child who dreams of becoming a great engineer. One day, she builds a machine to help her great-great-aunt Rose (Rosie the Riveter) fulfill a lifelong dream.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, perseverance, engineering principles
- Why we recommend this book: It teaches resilience and the importance of learning from failure, wrapped in a charming story of a young girl’s ambition.
- Perfect for: Aspiring young engineers and inventors, and any child who needs encouragement to pursue their dreams.
- The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
- Genre(s): Picture Book, STEM
- Synopsis: A young girl and her best friend, a dog, decide to make the most magnificent thing, but the task isn't as easy as it looks.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, problem-solving, dealing with frustration
- Why we recommend this book: It's a wonderful tale about the rewards of perseverance and creativity, showing that it's okay to struggle when trying to create something new.
- Perfect for: Creative kids who might be grappling with the frustrations of bringing their ideas to life.
- Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio
- Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Politics
- Synopsis: When Grace learns that there has never been a female president, she decides to be the first. She starts by running in her school's mock election.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of the electoral process, leadership skills, civic education
- Why we recommend this book: It introduces political concepts in an accessible way and encourages girls to aspire to leadership roles.
- Perfect for: Young leaders and any child interested in politics and governance.
Challenging Feminist Books for 10-Year-Olds
- The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
- Genre(s): Historical Fiction
- Synopsis: In 1899 Texas, Calpurnia Tate is a curious 11-year-old girl who struggles with the societal expectations placed on her as a young lady. Her close relationship with her scientifically inclined grandfather helps her discover her true passion for natural science.
- Why this book is challenging: The narrative incorporates complex scientific concepts and historical context that require advanced comprehension skills.
- Why we recommend this book: It highlights the importance of questioning and challenging gender roles and promotes the pursuit of science, regardless of gender.
- Perfect for: Young readers interested in science and history, and those questioning traditional gender roles.
- The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis
- Genre(s): Realistic Fiction
- Synopsis: This novel follows 11-year-old Parvana living under Taliban rule in Afghanistan. When her father is unjustly arrested, Parvana disguises herself as a boy to support her family, risking her life in the process.
- Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex themes of oppression, resilience, and survival under extreme conditions.
- Why we recommend this book: It provides a powerful perspective on the struggles against gender oppression and the resilience of the human spirit.
- Perfect for: Readers looking for a realistic, eye-opening story about resilience and courage in the face of adversity.
- Coraline by Neil Gaiman
- Illustrator: Dave McKean
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Horror
- Synopsis: Coraline Jones discovers a parallel universe where everyone has buttons instead of eyes. When her "Other Mother" tries to keep her forever, Coraline must use all her wits and courage to return to her own family and life.
- Why this book is challenging: The dark and complex themes paired with a suspenseful plot make this a more advanced read.
- Why we recommend this book: It celebrates bravery, cleverness, and the importance of questioning reality. Coraline is a strong, resourceful character who doesn’t conform to expectations.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy spooky stories and strong female protagonists.
- The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
- Genre(s): Fantasy
- Synopsis: In this fantasy novel, a young girl named Luna is accidentally enmagicked as a baby and raised by a witch. As she grows, her magic becomes both a danger and a promise to the people she loves.
- Why this book is challenging: It features intricate world-building and complex themes involving power, truth, and sacrifice.
- Why we recommend this book: It’s a beautifully written tale that explores the power of love and the strength found in self-discovery.
- Perfect for: Fans of magical stories and young readers interested in strong, complex characters and rich narratives.
- The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
- Illustrator: Carson Ellis
- Genre(s): Adventure, Mystery
- Synopsis: Four gifted children are recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict to go on a secret mission to infiltrate a mysterious institution. They must work together to solve a series of puzzles and stop a global disaster.
- Why this book is challenging: The book features complex puzzles and moral dilemmas that require critical thinking and advanced comprehension skills.
- Why we recommend this book: It promotes teamwork, intelligence, and ethical decision-making, all wrapped up in an exciting and intellectually challenging adventure.
- Perfect for: Young readers who love puzzles, mysteries, and stories about teamwork and adventure.
Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit
Hey there! If you're looking to introduce a 10-year-old to feminist books, it's a fantastic way to open up discussions about equality, resilience, and empowerment. To make the most out of their reading experience, here are some engaging exercises that can help develop good reading habits while exploring these powerful themes.
- Create a Story Map
- What it is: Draw or write out the main events of the story on a timeline or map.
- How it helps: Helps visualize the story structure and understand the progression of events.
- Tips: Use different colors or symbols to mark significant events or turning points in the story.
- Character Role Play
- What it is: Act out scenes from the book or imagine new scenarios for the characters.
- How it helps: Encourages deeper understanding of characters' motivations and emotions.
- Tips: Try to think about how the characters would react in different situations, not just those in the book.
- Discussion Circle
- What it is: Organize a small group to discuss themes, characters, and events in the book.
- How it helps: Enhances comprehension and allows exploration of different perspectives.
- Tips: Prepare questions beforehand to guide the discussion and ensure everyone gets a chance to speak.
- Book Review Blog
- What it is: Write a short review of the book and post it on a personal blog or a shared classroom blog.
- How it helps: Helps with summarizing and expressing opinions clearly.
- Tips: Include both what you liked and didn’t like about the book, and explain why.
- Quote Collection
- What it is: Keep a list of inspiring quotes or important dialogue from the book.
- How it helps: Aids in remembering key points and themes of the book.
- Tips: Decorate a notebook or digital document to make collecting quotes more enjoyable.
These exercises aren't just homework; they're fun ways to dive deeper into the books and really get those critical thinking juices flowing. Plus, they're great for bonding over books with friends or family. Give them a try and watch as these young readers grow not only in their reading skills but in their understanding of the world around them. Happy reading!