Female empowerment is a topic that needs more discussion. We have heard many female voices in our society. But to get to the root of the problems women face, we have to start with how women are perceived in books.
Here are three books that focus on a female character empowerment.
The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis
Mindy McGinnis’s book The Female of the Species brings up a heavy topic that needs attention: sexual harassment.
Alex Craft is a force to be reckoned with. Ever since her older sister Anna died, the impulses of violence that she’s hidden have now come out. Alex has always been a loner, so she takes advantage of the shadows. She is only an observer in her small hometown. Alex isn’t your stereotypical girl. The way she views the world is logical. Beauty and finding a relationship isn’t a priority. Her strength exceeds any teenage boy.
Jack Fischer is the star athlete who’s reputation makes him a school favorite. He plays the part well of a man who’s going places after high school. He can get any girl he wants. The desire to leave his small town is as strong as his carnal urges. But guilt clouds his mind. Seeing Anna’s death haunts him. Jack can’t help but watch Alex. She is intriguing and he sees her. For once in his life he actually sees a girl for more than her body.
Peekay is the “preacher’s kid”. She has a reputation of being inexperienced and innocent. Yet she drinks and thinks about her ex boyfriend. When she has an opportunity to meet Alex, a friendship is made. Peekay learns about confidence and reflects on herself as a female individual. Peekay soon realizes that having a boyfriend does not define your worth.
Then one night Peekay is harassed. She almost became a victim. Until Alex. Alex’s true nature is exposed. With that instance all three of their worlds crash down.
Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero
IMAGE VIA GOODREADS
Gabi, A Girl in Pieces is about Gabriela Hernandez. Gabriela is a Mexican American girl, who’s life is defined by keeping her legs closed and marrying a decent man. Her mother’s idea of a perfect girl is someone who doesn’t talk back, stays at home to cook and clean forever, and be thin. But Gabriela wants to go to college and enjoy eating guilt free. However, feeling insecure about her body, meth head dad, and how she was raised; causes her to feel worthless. Written in a journalistic style, Gabriela tries to navigate her senior year through her words of poetry. She talks about her dreams of college, her pregnant friend Cindy, and Sebastian coming out. Using her poetry validates her as a young Latina woman with a heart, curves, and a craving for tacos.
How We Roll by Natasha Friend
Fourteen year old Quinn has alopecia. The summer before eighth grade started, she wanted it to end. Losing all her hair made her a target. She was now Mr. Clean, the alien, dome, a dwarf-like appearance.
Freshman year of high school became a blessing. With her family moving cross country to Gull’s Head Massachusetts. No one will no she has alopecia, an autoimmune disorder that hinders her confidence. With a wig full of hair, she’ll finally fit in.
Quinn wants to blend in. She finds herself befriending three popular girls. Soon everything is how she imagined. Until she meets a boy in a wheelchair, whose suffered more than she had. A friendship sparks between them. How We Roll shows the reader that embracing the truth is beautiful.
If you enjoyed this article wait until you read 5 Finest Poems of Sarah Kay: A Beacon of Female Empowerment here!