Early Chapter Books With Fierce Female Characters
by Dena McMurdie
As a mom of two daughters, I’m always on the hunt for books featuring strong female characters. But finding early chapter books with bold leading ladies can be surprisingly difficult.
After much searching (and some trial and error), I’ve found several books that inspire and engage my girls. The next time you’re looking for a good book for a great girl in your life, give one of these a try.
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Princess Pulverizer Series
Available from:This early chapter book series has eight fun-filled books about a princess who wants to become a knight. To achieve her dreams, she has to complete a Quest of Kindness. With the assistance of a dragon and a knight in training, she roams the kingdom, rescuing people and mythological creatures from danger. She fearlessly defeats evil wizards, pirates, witches, and many other villains with humor and heart.
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Dory Fantasmagory Series
Available from:My kids love this series! All three of them devoured the hilarious Dory Fantasmagory books and loved every page. Dory is a little girl with a wild imagination and a talent for trouble. Her vibrant personality and wacky adventures will have growing readers in stitches.
RELATED: Buzzworthy Chapter Book Series for 6- to 8-Year-Olds
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Timekeepers Series
Available from:The Timekeepers are a group of kids with time-traveling watches. The watches transport them to different historical periods where they work to stop a Time Pirate from altering the past. Each book presents a new adventure, from finding the Wright brothers’ lost airplane propeller to ending disputes in Ancient Greece.
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The Haunted Library Series
Available from:A girl and a ghost team up to solve mysteries in this early chapter book series for kids. Claire lives above the town library with her parents. When she meets Kaz, the resident ghost, the two become fast friends and form a detective agency. Together, they solve slightly spooky mysteries around their town.
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Junie B. Jones Series
Available from:Junie B. Jones has been a reader favorite for generations, and it’s not hard to see why. Junie B. is a spunky girl with loads of personality that practically bounces off the page. At the same time, young readers can easily see themselves in Junie B. as she navigates her first few years of elementary school.
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King & Kayla Series
Available from:Kids ages 7-9 love reading about this dog and girl duo! King and Kayla solve mysteries in their neighborhood, like finding lost cats, locating missing library books, and uncovering the culprit behind spilled trash. They tackle each challenge with humor and heart.
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The BFG
Available from:Even after being snatched from her bed by a giant, Sophie remains upbeat. She befriends her kidnapper and together they work to stop the vicious, child-eating giants. Sophie is quick-witted, brave, and an excellent diplomat. She will do whatever it takes to save the lives of innocent people everywhere.
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The Treasure Troop Series
Available from:This exciting adventure series is like The Westing Game for the younger set. When Marley’s elderly treasure-hunting neighbor passes away, he leaves behind a mysterious puzzle. Marley and her friends must solve each clue to find the treasure and experience the adventure of a lifetime.
RELATED: Little Detectives: Mystery Books for 6- to 8-Year-Olds
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Secret Spy Society Series
Available from:Three best friends stumble across a secret spy society that includes history’s greatest female spies. Before long, the girls are donning their detective hats and learning the fine art of sleuthing. Young readers looking for a thrilling and action-packed adventure will find it here.
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Dragon Storm Series
Available from:My 8-year-old loves fantasy, especially if it has dragons. This early chapter book series features several fierce female characters (and some male characters) that bond with dragons and train to become heroes. Fans of action-packed fantasy stories like Dragon Masters and The Kingdom of Wrenly series will love these books!
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Astronaut Girl Series
Available from:Blast off on an out-of-this-world escapade with this fast-paced early chapter book series featuring a science-loving girl and her friends. This energetic crew will get lost in space, orbit the sun, dodge asteroids, and travel to Mars. Growing readers interested in outer space, science, and friendship stories will love this series!
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Mermaids Rock Series
Available from:Adventure, environmentalism, and girl power combine in this series from the author of the Star Friends series. This series is about a scientist’s daughter, Marina, who works with mermaids to rescue missing animals and solve deep-sea mysteries. Young readers who feel a connection to nature will love reading this series.
RELATED: Enchanting Mermaid Books for Kids
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Star Friends Series
Available from:Friendship, magic, adorable animals, and a high-interest story in just over 150 pages make this series an excellent choice for newly independent readers. When Mia and her friends meet the Star Animals, they learn that they have unique magical abilities. Soon, the girls get pulled into a mission to defeat the dark magic causing trouble in their town. The girls will have to work together and trust their new animal friends to succeed.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2024.