Assalamu Alaikum!
It's Hanifah here and I've come up with a few books that I believe every girl should read by the age of 15. I think these books would appeal more to girls, as they all contain female main characters, but of course boys could enjoy them too!
1. Heidi
By: Johanna Spyri
This is a beautiful, simple story about a little orphan girl named Heidi who is sent to live with her grandfather in his home high in the Alps. Her grumpy grandfather soon warms to her, as she has a way of bringing joy to all those she meets. Although it is over 100 years old, the book is still relevant to a modern day audience; it tackles some of the basic and important issues in life such as wealth and poverty, sickness and health, God and humankind, etc. Johanna Spyri is a wonderful storyteller and this book of hers is a must read!
2. Anne of Green Gables
By: L. M. Montgomery
Just as with Heidi, Anne is an orphan and she is mistakenly adopted by Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert(who had actually wanted to adopt a boy) and ends up living on their farm at Green Gables. Anne is a chatty, imaginative child who is eager to please and rather dramatic. She has her faults; she can be stubborn and hot-tempered, and she very much despises her red hair and freckles. I loved this book and would actually like to read it again when I find the time to, insha'Allah.
3. The Railway Children
By: E. Nesbit
Roberta, Peter and Phyllis are three lucky children who have everything they need - pretty clothes, good fires and wonderful parents. Despite all this they are not spoilt, rich children, they are just 'ordinary suburban children'. However, all this changes late one evening when their father is called away on 'business'. They are certain something terrible has happened and their mother seems sad and worried but won't say why. Soon they have to leave their lovely London home and move to a simple cottage in the country where their mother writes books to make ends meet. The children come to love the railway that runs near their cottage. They make new friends and have many adventures, as well as try to solve the mystery of their father's disappearance. The Railway Children is such a sweet story and an all time favourite of mine.
4. Emma
By: Jane Austen
Emma Woodhouse is a clever and rich, young woman. She lives with her father who is very dependent on her and relies on her to keep him content and in good spirits. Due to this responsibility she feels she cannot marry as she can't leave him alone. Thus, she amuses herself by playing matchmaker and has developed a habit of meddling in other people's affairs, which often gets her into trouble. You may find this strange, but I actually do not like Emma even though she is the main character in the novel! I find her to be selfish and cold( Jane Austen herself wrote "I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like" when she decided to write the book), however, there is no denying the fact that the story is brilliant and the characters intriguing and convincing. This is a book for older girls; it was a bit of a slow read for me as there is so much going on and you need time to process everything. However, it is a very entertaining book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Well, that's all I have time for today. I hope you liked this book recommendations post and I'll see you next week, insha'Allah.
Wassalam,
Hanifah
