I was at my desk collecting writing assignments when Hannah, one of my sixth graders, walked over. “Mrs. Blok,” she said, “when are we going to read a book that has a girl as the main character?”

So far we had read The Phantom Tollbooth and King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table—both books I’d inherited when I took the sixth-grade English and history position. My heart sank when I heard her question because I had to face it: I had neglected to choose any new books featuring a female protagonist.

Books give us a wonderful opportunity both to see ourselves better and to enter into another’s world. I had given Hannah and the other girls opportunities to enter other worlds, but I had not given them an opportunity to see themselves. I had also taken away the boys’ opportunity to enter into another’s world—the world lived in by over half their classmates.

Hannah’s question has stayed with me, and now I often read middle-grade fiction with her in mind. I wanted to help my students connect with themselves and with others, to develop empathy and the ability to imagine what it’s like in someone else’s shoes. As Hannah pointed out, this would require broader reading. Her question led me to some fantastic novels with female main characters that have the potential to help her and her classmates relate to one another with more bravery and kindness.

Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina

Merci Suarez is a sixth grader who lives with her Cuban-American family in Florida. Her immediate and extended family live in three small side-by-side houses they call Las Casitas. Merci’s sixth grade year unfolds at a private school she attends on scholarship where she endures bullying because of her family’s lack of wealth. She also learns to deal with disappointment, family responsibility, and her grandpa’s illness. Merci encounters these challenges with a big heart and fierce loyalty to and appreciation for her family. Her story is a page turner! Plus, this book was just awarded the Newbery Medal, so you know it’s good.

The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani

This book features a girl named Nisha who has a Muslim mother and a Hindu father, though her mother has passed away. Her story takes place during the 1947 partition of India and the creation of Pakistan, which forced hundreds of thousands of Hindus to leave the new Pakistan for India and hundreds of thousands of Muslims to leave India for the new Pakistan. Nisha, too, has to leave Pakistan because her father is Hindu. Because Nisha’s mother is gone, many people don’t know that Nisha’s mother was Muslim. But for Nisha, this creates a lot of confusion. She wrestles with her identity and has a hard time understanding why her country is being torn apart. Overnight Nisha becomes a refugee, loses everything she knows and loves, and must find a way to reconcile her identity and regain her voice. This novel is a truly touching story about a compassionate and courageous girl who sees beyond the boundaries that others try to draw. This book was also named a Newbery Honor book this year.

Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk

Twelve-year-old Annabelle is a white girl who lives in a small town called Wolf Hollow—a place she thinks of as safe, until Betty moves in, that is. As Annabelle is ensnared in Betty’s web of lies and cruelty, Annabelle has to find the courage to say what she knows is true and to protect the innocent—even if it might have big consequences. This is an amazing, difficult, beautiful book. It reminded me of To Kill a Mockingbird because it addressed similar themes: injustice, bullying, gossip, and moral choices. And in a similar way, the story is piercing. This was also a Newbery Honor book in 2017.

The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe

This book tells the fascinating, true story of a Jewish girl who risks her life to care for the eight precious books that the prisoners of Auschwitz have managed to sneak past the guards. The character and story of Dita is based on the real life of Dita Kraus, who was imprisoned at Auschwitz as a young teenager. She demonstrates courage, hope, compassion, and resiliency in the face of terrible evil. There is nothing too graphic in this book, and I think parents and teachers of upper–middle grades will find it suitable.

Patina by Jason Reynolds

This is the second book in Jason Reynolds’s Track series. Patina is a young black girl who is recruited to a track team for talented student-athletes. The team is filled with students from diverse backgrounds and Patty learns to navigate these new relationships, challenges fitting in at her new school, and worries about her birth mother’s diabetes. In this book Patty learns about cooperation, appreciating difference, and, most importantly, her need for other people. Plus, she runs lots of great races.

Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson

This is a graphic novel about a white girl named Astrid. When her best friend, Nicole, grows out of their friendship, Astrid is left to discover who she is without Nicole. Originally dejected, Astrid begins to flourish when she discovers roller derby. Astrid learns about working hard, even when you’re not good at something. She also discovers her own ability to heal from the loss of friendship, to enjoy new things, and even to make new friends.

These books offer students stories of female protagonists, with wide-ranging backgrounds, motivations, and challenges. Each girl has her own strengths and weaknesses, and each experiences the world in her own way. These characters grow in courage, compassion, generosity, and love—hopes I have for all students.

Melisa Blok is an editor at Baker Publishing Group. She taught sixth grade for one year and promptly moved on to editing and reading copious amounts of YA literature.