Comments on: 10 Books You Must Read to Your Daughter (Or How to Keep Your Daughter From Ending Up Like That Horrid Girl in Twilight)

By: Haley

Haley — Mon, 20 May 2013 02:24:57 +0000

Colleen, I’m not sure how to understand your question in light of this post. I definitely believe in what the Church teaches about marriage and family. Could you elaborate?

By: Zoe

Zoe — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:59:28 +0000

While she is still little you should read her the Paper Bag Princess. A princess gets her prince captured by a dragon, well she is having none of that. Even though the dragon burnt up everything including her clothes, she puts on a brown paper bag and goes to off to save her prince. When she does rescue him, he is an ungrateful prat about her appearance. Once again instead of being crushed she kicks her feet up and walks away happy just to by herself. Its a picture book all little girls should see.

By: Colleen

Colleen — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:50:09 +0000

Any thoughts regarding obedience to a husband’s god-given authority? The Bible does say that a woman should obey her husband in all things. I just read a book called How to Change Your Husband by “a Friend of Medjugorje” and it turned my thinking upside down, saving my marriage and my children. A mother’s attitude about that could either breed insecurity in the children or teach the virtue of obedience. The new Catholic feminism seems to be in line with what the author was saying. But the author gave so many more practical illustrations about how this attitude of obedience plays out in a beneficial manner to protect motherhood.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_feminism

By: Rose

Rose — Wed, 15 May 2013 02:31:43 +0000

I absolutely loved The Island Of the Blue Dolphins. I probably read it a dozen times. The story is about a native Alaskan girl who is abandoned on an island and must learn to survive on her own.

By: Haley

Haley — Wed, 08 May 2013 19:42:05 +0000

Great points, Sarah. I remember reading these books called “The Elsie Dinsmore” series as a child that I would definitely not push my kids to read because thinking back the racism is just unreal! And I remember that part in Limberlost! Definitely something that should be discussed while reading it. And a good reminder to discuss historical context with Little House. I loved the American Girls books growing up and saved all of them hoping I’d have daughters to share them with

By: Marijanna

Marijanna — Wed, 08 May 2013 07:56:55 +0000

Aside from the Harry Potter series (not a fan) the others listed are totally up on my top faves. LOVED them all. Till we have faces (or anything by C.S.) was so thought provoking and convicting to me. I was dubbed by friends to be “Anne” when growing up. HUGE Jane Eyre fan… heck, all those you listed were great. Nice.

By: Alicia

Alicia — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:00:30 +0000

I did not read thru all the comments but I would def add ‘number the stars’ and ‘diary of Anne frank’ to the list for older girls. They may read them in school but there is a big difference between reading for pleasure and reading because you have to. These are either tire stories or stories based on true events. ‘A summer to die’ is another one that shows a young girl growing up into a strong young woman…again a sad story but life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Lois Lowry is a great source for books that promote female heroines…her quartet ‘the giver’ portrays both male and female lead characters that go thru hell and back but always overcome. A great series for any child, male or female, to read!!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Mon, 06 May 2013 18:38:31 +0000

I am saving this post because it has so many great books listed! And I love the additions in the comments. I don’t know if anyone mentioned Ursula LeGuin’s books? The character of Tenar in the Earthsea Chronicles is very strong and compelling. She is introduced in the second book, the Tombs of Atuan.
I did have a few thoughts thoughts to add. Remember to read all your old favorties again with a critical eye and look for books to complement when a discussion is needed. Some books, because of the time in which they were written, I find have some troubling spots. I too loved A Girl of the Limberlost as a child and came across a book at a book sale in perfect condition. My thought was to send it to a niece who lives on the other side of the country. I read it myself again and never sent it. I’m not saying I would never let my daughter read this as there is so much that is wonderful in the book. However, there is the peeping tom character who watches her through her window at night. She has an encounter in the woods with him and he gives her a warning. I wish I had the book in front of me right now, but it seemed to imply to me that she was safe from his desires because she was so pure. That seems a dangerous thing to teach a young girl and one that would be even worse for one who had been abused. So, I am now reserving this book for a later age than I originally thought when I can have the proper conversation.
A second conversation I had recently was with some moms about the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. There is some racism at least on the part of the father and other moms recommended reading them alongside some of the American Girls books which gave a fuller perspective on Native Americans and African Americans.

By: Marisa

Marisa — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 22:49:31 +0000

I loved your list! I do believe that one wonderful book for any young girl to read is Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.by Judy Blume. This book is about a young girl struggling with her self image because all of the other girls “look better” than she does. This book was always one of my favourites growing up and has stayed with me throughout life.

By: Marthie Ramos

Marthie Ramos — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:50:00 +0000

I totally agree with your comments on A Little Princess. I have read it many times over the years. As an added bonus, I attribute my good posture today to the description of Sara’s “princess-like” standing tall in the book.