After Marya makes a terrible mistake, she receives a letter from Dragomir Academy—a mysterious school for wayward young girls. Soon she is a hundred miles from home, surrounded by girls she’s never met.Dragomir Academy promises Marya and her classmates a chance to make something of themselves in service to one of the country’s powerful sorcerers. But as they learn how to fit into a world with no place for them, they begin to discover things about the magic the men of their country wield, as well as the things that threaten the precarious balance of their society. These books feature girls standing up for themselves, finding their places in the world, and changing their societies for the better all while going on fantastical adventures and exploring magical worlds. Even though there’s magic involved, that’s not enough to solve their problems and make them the hero of their own story. They have to be kind and courageous and believe in themselves, but also know when they can depend on others. Plus they have dragons, witches, and every mythical creature an 11-year-old Sarah would’ve been thrilled to discover among the pages of their library books. As someone who was constantly pitted against their sister when we were children, I also really enjoy when these books have strong or developing sibling relationships, so you may see my list skew in that direction. Here are nine great middle grade feminist fantasies to add to your library. What are some of your favorite fantasy books for young readers with feminist themes?
