Sugar and spice, and everything nice

Yesterday was International Women's Day, what better reason is there to look at some of our favourite female book characters and the reasons we love them?

Matilda, Matilda

Roald Dahl wrote several lovable female characters, from Sophie in The BFG to Grandmamma in The Witches, but perhaps his most beloved is Matilda (she even has her own stage show). Matilda suffers at home where she doesn't fit in, and at school at the hands of her horrible school principal Mrs Trunchbull.



Matilda escapes into the world of books and as she expands her mind, she develops telekinetic powers! Suddenly the future does not look so bleak for this girl. (Matilda features on the Kumon Recommended Reading List and Kumon study extracts from the texts in level FII when looking at unravelling text.)

Scout Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird

Scout's journey of discovery in this novel sees her asking many questions, as our beloved tomboy struggles with what it means to be a lady. She is too bright for school, too strong for a girl, too scruffy for Aunt Alexandra and too outspoken for Miss Caroline. What we readers love about Scout though is her innocent honesty (and the image of her dressed as a ham) as she faces some tough issues; she makes us all proud in the end.

Hermione Granger, Harry Potter

Studious Hermione may appear to be a bit of a know-it-all at the beginning of the Harry Potter series, but by the end she is strong, independent, and her knowledge rescues Harry and Ron from a number of sticky situations. Calm in a crisis and steadfast in her loyalty, we can't help but wonder where the boys would be without her.

Jane Eyre, Jane Eyre

Although unassuming in appearance, Charlotte Bronte's character is intelligent, honest and holds seemingly boundless strength as she copes with innumerable hardships throughout her life. As she searches to find freedom and a sense of belonging, her self-worth and integrity remain unwavering.

Katniss Everdeen, The Hunger Games

Katniss may face some of the typical hardships of a teenage girl, struggling with the attention of teenage boys, but she also steps up when the going gets tough and fights for her family and the injustice of the world she lives in. It's hard not to admire her resourcefulness and the bonds she forms under the hardest of circumstances.