Click here to read her blog post. It's pretty awesome.
This article got me thinking about the princesses that we see in books. Which ones are strong, and which ones aren't? Here are a few strong, smart princesses that a girl can look up to:
Picture Books:
The Princess Knight by Cornelia FunkePrincess Violetta is taught to be a mighty knight just like her brothers. But when she turns 16 her father holds a tournament with her hand in marriage as a prize. Will this independent princess stand for it? Not a chance!
A Brave Little Princess by Beatrice Masini
Teased for being so small, a princess goes on to save the day not once but three times.
The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch
In this fractured fairy tale the princess forgoes proper decorum and goes off to rescue the handsome prince from the fire-breathing dragon. She's feisty and smart and demands equal treatment.
Don't Kiss the Frog: Princess Stories with Attitude by Fiona Waters
The title says it all. These princesses are somewhat sassier, spunkier, and more independant than their classic fairy tale counterparts.
Chapter Books:
Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne CollinsOK, so the title character in this book (and subsequent series) isn't a princess. He's not even a girl. But you can't deny that the fiery Luxa, an important secondary character, is kind of awesome. As she is being groomed for the throne she continually makes sacrifices and takes risks to help her people. She's flawed and she isn't always right, but she's got spunk and passion and she knows how to use a sword. I would also argue that she grows and changes more than any other character in the series.
Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix
After the events of the classic "Cinderella," the title princess becomes embroiled in the political games of the royal house. Soon she begins to realize that maybe she doesn't really want to marry the prince after all.
The Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
When it it prophesied that the girl who will marry the prince will come from an impoverished mountain village, a Princess Academy is set up to teach the village girls everything they need to know about royal living. In the end the girls realize that they can use these skills to make their village safer and more prosperous.
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
"Cinderella" is a favorite fairy tale to parody, and this Newbery Honor book proves why. Levine's version of the title character is cursed with obedience and is determine to protect herself and the people she loves from being manipulated. She's smart and has to use her wit to get out of a few sticky situations.
Teen Reads:
The Princess Diaries by Meg CabotThe series that made Meg Cabot famous! Mia thinks that she's pretty average, until she learns that her father is actually the prince of a small country. It's modern teen drama given the royal treatment.
Nobody's Princess by Esther Friesner
This novel tells the story of Helen of Sparta, better known in mythology as Helen of Troy, the woman who started the Trojan War. Friesner's Helen isn't just a beauty though. She knows that if she's going to get by in the world she needs to have more than just a pretty face - she needs to know how to make people listen to her. She needs to be smart and strong, and she needs to learn to use a sword.
Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
Cimorene is sick of having to behave like a proper princess, so she decides to run off and become the housekeeper for a dragon. Here she has the chance to learn some magic and fights back against trouble-making wizards. But can she keep the princes who keep trying to rescue her away?
No comments:
Post a Comment