When I was growing up, "feminist" was not a word I really heard. But, looking back at what I wanted to read, I realize that feminist books were what I craved. It all started with C. S. Lewis’s The Last Battle. That book begins (caution: spoilers) with the Pevensie clan en route to attend a “Wasn’t Narnia Awesome!” reunion. It turns out that they all die in a train crash and go back to Aslan’s country, save their sister Susan, who is “no longer a friend of Narnia,” seemingly due to her interest in makeup and nylons and maybe sex?

To this day I am still angry about poor Susan. 

Thus I began to seek stories where girls fare better. Here, in ascending order of reader age range, are five of my favorite feminist narratives (where nobody suffers the traumatic loss of their entire family and maybe gets kicked out of heaven for their femininity).

5. The Baby-Sitters Club by Ann M. Martin

These books were so my jam since they debuted. Founder Kristy, who is “bossy,” is an icon. Sister saw a market need and formed a business plan to meet that need. She drew in other girls and led a team out of disparate personalities. She watched the market grow and change and she adapted. Around this core tale of nurture’s monetization, the girls also dealt with all sorts of issues with grace and aplomb. 

4. Lumberjanes by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Brooklyn A. Allen, and Noelle Stevenson

Though any organization is not above critique, I think the Girl Scouts are damn feminist. In this series, girls go to a scout-like camp to learn typical woodland skills with the occasional supernatural survival plan thrown in. All the characters contribute in their own way, and they are stronger together for it. Narratives where girls come together for the greater good rock my world.

3. The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

Oh sure. Little girls are oft rumored to be made of sugar and spice and everything nice. Princesses could be these rosy-cheeked chicks who lie sleeping until some prophesied dude comes along and kisses them without their consent. But then the girls wake up and have the possibility of staying woke. The Princess Diaries shows unlikely shero Mia realizing that her awkward-nerd-girl motif could also rise to a seat of political power. Princesses rule kingdoms. Princesses get stuff done. Long live princesses. 

2. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
This book is a departure from the winsome series above. But little feminists must grow up. This book is a great place to go. With all that she has going on, main character Xiomara could reasonably be forgiven for giving up, but instead she chooses to become a warrior of words. So often society says that good girls should sit still and keep their mouths closed. This book is a hymn to the great girls, those who raise their voices above the din of expectation and adversity.

1. We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Though not a work of fiction, this book stands as a go-to primer for teen readers on why intersectional feminism makes everyone stronger. It is as concise as it is powerful—every word is knit together expertly to speak directly to the heart of the reader. It’s smart, funny, and empowering.

Hopefully, someday someone will write a whole book that tells Susan’s story. I imagine she lived to become a lion herself. But in the interim, the above stories brought me solace and hope, and continue to inspire me. Perhaps they could inspire you, too. 

Dear Rachel Maddow by Adrienne Kisner

Brynn Haper's life has one steadying force—Rachel Maddow.

She watches her daily, and after writing to Rachel for a school project—and actually getting a response—Brynn starts drafting e-mails to Rachel but never sending them. Brynn tells Rachel about breaking up with her first serious girlfriend, about her brother Nick's death, about her passive mother and even worse stepfather, about how she's stuck in remedial courses at school and is considering dropping out.

Then Brynn is confronted with a moral dilemma. One student representative will be allowed to have a voice among the administration in the selection of a new school superintendent. Brynn's archnemesis, Adam, and ex-girlfriend, Sarah, believe only Honors students are worthy of the selection committee seat. Brynn feels all students deserve a voice. When she runs for the position, the knives are out. So she begins to ask herself: What Would Rachel Maddow Do?

Start reading now.