Girls who have discovered the joy of reading will want to be sure to get these books into their permanent library. Guaranteed to become instant favorites, here are some girls books you will never, ever forget:
1. His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman (Fantasy)
Young girls around the world have been inspired by the adventures of Lyra and her daemon, Pantalaimon, as they journey together through many worlds -- including ours -- to discover the secret of dust, the mysterious force that penetrates all worlds.
2. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle (Fantasy)
"It was a dark and stormy night..." may seem like a cliche opening, but it is the beginning of a wonderful fantasy that stretches across time, space and dimensions. Discover how Meg Murry can travel via tesseract with the assistance of angelic beings to rescue her father.
3. Pollyanna by Elanor H. Porter (Fiction)
Learn how to play "the Glad Game" that keeps Pollyanna's optimism strong despite the many challenges she faces as a young orphan girl living in Vermont in the 1900s.
4. The Beautiful Between by Alyssa B. Sheinmel (Fiction)
A poignant look at the life of a contemporary high school student, Connelly Sternin, who identifies with the Rapunzel tales of a trapped princess until she meets her prince charming, but the typical tale of boy meets girl takes an interesting twist as Connelly learns the value of trust and friendship.
5. The Fabulous Girl's Guide to Grace Under Pressure by Kim Izzo, Ceri Marsh (Non-Fiction)
A fun, contemporary "survival guide" for social situations that create high stress reactions -- and how to handle them.
6. Joy of Cooking by Irma Rombauer (Cookbook)
Although you will probably never read this book cover-to-cover, it can become the most important book on your shelf because it not only contains time-tested recipes, it is an invaluable guide to the wonderful art of cooking.
7. Lost Star: The Story of Amelia Earhart by Patricia Lauber (Biography)
A pioneer among women, the story of Amelia Earhart's solo flights around the world still inspires young girls, and the details of her mysterious disappearance continue to fascinate.
8. Reviving Ophelia by Dr. Mary Pipher (Psychology)
An incredible study of the effects of the modern "girl-poisoning culture" that helps young girls reclaim the power society strips from them.
9. The Holy Man Trilogy by Susan Trot
This wonderful series takes a gentle look at the wisdom of kindness, generosity and patience, and shows how one simple man can have a huge effect the world.
10. Nancy Drew Series by Carolyn Keene (Mystery)
No list would be complete without the classic tales of America's favorite teenage sleuth and her many harrowing escapades.
