30+ Best Living Books for Girls {Gentle and Inspiring}
Looking for living books for your daughter? These Charlotte Mason-inspired selections are grouped by age and filled with stories that nurture character, imagination, and quiet strength.
With seven boys in the house, most of our shelves have filled over the years with stories of explorers, inventors, and brave-hearted boys. But now, with a little girl of our own, I’ve found myself slowly collecting books I hope she’ll love one day—many of them the same ones I cherished as a girl (I’m sure you did as well).
We’ve followed Charlotte Mason’s approach to homeschooling for years, and living books have always been the most important part of that rhythm. Not just any story—but ones that are well-written, thoughtful, and full of ideas worth growing on. These are the books that grow on you gently, but stay with you for years.
As I’ve started slowly adding books to her shelf, I’ve been selecting stories with girls who are strong in quiet ways—who face challenges, grow in character, and learn to live with kindness and courage. Some are new to me, but many are old friends I’m grateful to revisit.
This list is a starting place. From early chapter books to deeper reads for older girls, these living books have earned a lasting place in my home (and bookshelf)—and I hope they will in yours too.
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Beautiful First Stories: Living Books for Young Girls (Ages 6–8)
Little House in the Big Woods By Laura Ingalls Wilder
I still remember curling up with the Little House books as a girl, completely swept into Laura’s pioneer childhood—maple sugaring, evenings by the fire, and the steady rhythm of life in a log cabin. These stories give our daughters history they can touch and feel, while gently showing courage, gratitude, and family closeness. I can’t wait to read them again with my own little one.
Find it here: Little House Boxed Set
Pair it with: Little House Paper Dolls and Little House Cookbook
Betsy-Tacy By Maud Hart Lovelace
Betsy and Tacy are ordinary little girls who manage to make their small world sparkle with imagination. Whether it’s cutting paper dolls, making up fanciful stories, or simply walking to school, their friendship feels both real and endearing. It’s easy for your girls to see themselves in Betsy and Tacy, and the charm of their everyday adventures makes this series a gentle favorite for these early years.
Find it here: Betsy-Tacy
The Hundred Dresses By Eleanor Estes
This little book may be short, but its message lingers. Wanda, a quiet immigrant girl, is teased for wearing the same dress each day. When her classmates realize the truth of her “hundred dresses,” their regret is as powerful as Wanda’s quiet dignity. It’s a story that opens gentle conversations about kindness and courage without ever feeling heavy. Every little girl should read it at least once.
Find it here: The Hundred Dresses
The Courage of Sarah Noble By Alice Dalgliesh
At only eight years old, Sarah Noble sets out with her father into the Connecticut wilderness. She faces fear with prayer, makes unlikely friends, and learns what it means to be truly brave. It’s a simple story, yet it gives our girls a heroine they can look up to—and an early taste of American history through the eyes of a child who lived it.
Find it here: The Courage of Sarah Noble
Heidi By Johanna Spyri
Heidi is the kind of heroine who feels like an old friend, one you want your girls to know too. Her joy in the mountains, her tender heart toward her grandfather, and her simple love for life make her unforgettable. It’s the kind of story that stays with you, whether you’re reading it for the first time or the fifth.
Find it here: Heidi
The Princess and the Goblin By George MacDonald
This fairy tale has all the elements children love—mystery, danger, and courage—but it also carries a depth that makes it timeless. Princess Irene must follow a magical thread she cannot see, trusting it will guide her through the darkness as she faces goblins with her friend Curdie. It’s adventurous and exciting, while quietly reminding our girls about faith, trust, and perseverance.
Find it here: The Princess and the Goblin
Meaningful Middle Grade Stories: Living Books for Girls (Ages 9–12)
Anne of Green Gables By L. M. Montgomery
Anne Shirley has been like a good friend to me since childhood. I laughed at her mistakes when I was young, and I still find myself inspired by her imagination and gratitude today. She makes plenty of blunders, yet always grows through them—and that’s exactly the kind of model I want my daughter to have one day. This is one of those rare books you never outgrow; you only come to love it more deeply over time.
Find it here: Anne of Green Gables Boxed Set
Pair it with: Anne of Green Gables Paper Dolls
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm By Kate Douglas Wiggin
Rebecca Rowena Randall is brimming with optimism and imagination. Sent to live with her proper aunts, she brings sunshine into their home and charms nearly everyone she meets. Your girls may see themselves in Rebecca’s excitement for life, and it’s easy to be swept along with her energy. This book truly is like a “breath of fresh air”—fresh, hopeful, and unforgettable.
Find it here: Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm
Understood Betsy By Dorothy Canfield Fisher
Betsy begins her story timid and uncertain, but when she goes to live with her Vermont cousins, everything changes. She’s asked to do real work, to think for herself, and to rise to challenges—and she blossoms. I love the way her confidence grows, and it’s the kind of book I’ll be saving for when my daughter is ready to see how courage and responsibility shape a girl’s heart.
Find it here: Understood Betsy
Little Women By Louisa May Alcott
The March sisters feel less like characters and more like dear companions once you’ve spent time with them. Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy each have their own struggles and dreams, and your girls will likely see themselves in one (or all) of them. I first read Little Women as a girl myself, and it’s one of those stories that has stayed close ever since—shaping my heart toward generosity, devotion, and contentment.
Find it here: Little Women
The Secret Garden By Frances Hodgson Burnett
The first time I read The Secret Garden, I felt like I was discovering the hidden door right alongside Mary Lennox. The blossoms pushing through the earth, and the quiet transformation of Mary’s spirit, left such an impression on me. It’s the kind of book that stays with a girl, reminding her of the healing power of love, friendship, and time outdoors.
Find it here: The Secret Garden
A Little Princess By Frances Hodgson Burnett
Sara Crewe loses everything when her fortune disappears, yet she clings to her imagination and her belief that “every girl is a princess.” Even in hardship, her kindness shines through. Your girls will admire her courage, and I think you’ll find her story deeply moving too. This is one of those books that inspires us to hold our heads high and live with grace, no matter the circumstances.
Find it here: A Little Princess
Caddie Woodlawn By Carol Ryrie Brink
Caddie is not the sort of girl who sits still with her sewing—she’d much rather be racing her brothers across the fields or exploring the woods. Her bold spirit makes her easy to love, but what makes this story stand out is the way her courage and compassion grow when it truly counts. Your daughters will find her both fun and inspiring.
Find it here: Caddie Woodlawn
Roller Skates By Ruth Sawyer
Lucinda, a ten-year-old in 1890s New York, is given a year of freedom to roam with her roller skates—and the city becomes her playground. She meets people from all walks of life and learns lessons of independence and empathy along the way. It’s a story that feels both adventurous and tender, and one that lingers long after the last page.
Find it here: Roller Skates
Strawberry Girl – Lois Lenski
Set among the pioneer families of Florida, Strawberry Girl follows Birdie Boyer as her family works the land and learns to live peaceably with their rough-edged neighbors. It’s a story full of hard work, courage, and quiet growth — the kind of book that gives girls a sense of place, perseverance, and purpose.
Find it here: Strawberry Girl
Thimble Summer By Elizabeth Enright
When Garnet Linden discovers a silver thimble, she believes it brings her good luck for the summer ahead. Her days are filled with fairs, farm chores, and friendships, yet it’s the lessons of gratitude and resilience that make the story memorable. It’s a gentle, hopeful book that gives our girls a picture of joy found in the every day things.
Find it here: Thimble Summer
The Good Master By Kate Seredy
When spirited Kate comes to live on her cousin Jancsi’s Hungarian farm, the two jump into country life full of traditions, mischief, and discovery. The story is full of culture and warmth, and your daughters will find themselves swept along with Kate’s adventures. It’s one of those hidden gems that deserves a place on the shelf.
Find it here: The Good Master
Madeleine Takes Command By Ethel C. Brill
Based on a true story, fourteen-year-old Madeleine Verchères defends her family’s fort in New France with only her younger brothers at her side. Her courage and leadership are remarkable, and her story shows what strength and bravery can look like in the heart of a young girl. It’s thrilling, inspiring, and unforgettable.
Find it here: Madeleine Takes Command
Rich and Reflective Reads: Living Books for Teen Girls (Ages 13+)
Jane Eyre By Charlotte Brontë
Jane Eyre is a heroine of quiet strength and steadfast faith. Her courage to hold to truth—even when it costs her dearly—makes her one of literature’s most admirable young women. This is a book that asks more of its readers, but it rewards them richly. I can’t wait to place this one in my daughter’s hands when she’s older.
Find it here: Jane Eyre
Pride and Prejudice By Jane Austen
Elizabeth Bennet is clever, lively, and strong-willed—yet willing to grow as she learns about pride, prejudice, and love. This novel has been a favorite of mine for years, and it’s one I look forward to passing on when the time is right. It’s more than a love story; it’s about discernment, humility, and knowing one’s own worth.
Find it here: Pride and Prejudice
Northanger Abbey By Jane Austen
Often considered Jane Austen’s most lighthearted novel, Northanger Abbey follows Catherine Morland, a young reader with a vivid imagination. It’s charming, funny, and a delightful first Austen for girls ready to step into her world. I love how it shows the joy of reading, while gently reminding us to keep our feet on the ground.
Find it here: Northanger Abbey
Stepping Heavenward By Elizabeth Prentiss
Written as the journal of a young woman, this book traces her growth in faith and maturity. It’s deeply encouraging and honest about struggles, which is why so many mothers and daughters have treasured it for generations. This is one I’ll keep nearby to read again and again, and someday, to share with my daughter as she grows into young womanhood.
Find it here: Stepping Heavenward
A Lantern in Her Hand By Bess Streeter Aldrich
Abbie Deal’s life as a pioneer woman is full of hardship, sacrifice, and deep love for her family. This novel spans decades, showing the beauty of a life well-lived, even when dreams are laid down for others. It’s one of those stories that stays with you long after, and it’s one I know I’ll be glad for my daughter to read when she’s ready.
Find it here: A Lantern in Her Hand
The Blue Castle By L. M. Montgomery
Valancy Stirling’s story is about finding courage to live fully when she believes she has nothing to lose. It’s witty, hopeful, and one of Montgomery’s most grown-up novels. Girls who loved Anne will find a more mature, but equally inspiring heroine here.
Find it here: The Blue Castle
Mama’s Bank Account By Kathryn Forbes
This collection of tender, humorous stories is based on the author’s Norwegian-American childhood. It paints a picture of family life filled with thrift, love, and resilience. It’s warm, relatable, and often surprisingly funny—a book that feels like listening to a loved one share family stories around the table.
Find it here: Mama’s Bank Account
Additional Sweet “Living Books” to Add to Your Girls’ Library
These stories may not all align perfectly with Charlotte Mason’s definition of living books, but many families have found them to be gentle, worthwhile additions—especially for shared reading on quiet afternoons.
Flower Fables By Louisa May Alcott
This was Louisa May Alcott’s very first book, written when she was still a teenager, and it feels like peeking into her young imagination. The stories are full of fairies, woodland creatures, and gentle lessons. They’re lighter than her later novels, but still such a joy. I love the thought of giving our girls this little glimpse of Alcott before she grew into the author of Little Women.
Find it here: Flower Fables
Grandma’s Attic Series By Arleta Richardson
These books feel like cozy evenings listening to a grandmother tell stories from her girlhood. They’re funny, wholesome, and full of the kind of old-fashioned adventures and mischief our girls love to imagine. I know many homeschooling families who make these a part of their read-aloud time, and they’re just as sweet for simple, quiet afternoons curled up with a book.
Find it here: Grandma’s Attic Series
A is for Annabelle By Tasha Tudor
This sweet alphabet book takes your daughter through the cherished belongings of a grandmother’s doll—Annabelle. From aprons and buttons to the tiniest details of a doll’s wardrobe, Tasha Tudor’s illustrations bring Annabelle’s world to life with delicate, old-fashioned beauty. It’s simple, wholesome, and full of charm—the kind of book little girls love to pore over again and again.
Find it here: A is for Annabelle
The Birds’ Christmas Carol By Kate Douglas Wiggin
This short Christmas tale has been a favorite of mine for years. Carol’s frail health doesn’t stop her from pouring out joy and generosity to everyone around her. It’s tender, even a little bittersweet, but that’s what makes it stay with you. Your girls will be touched by her kindness, and it’s the kind of story you’ll find yourself wanting to bring out each December.
Find it here: The Birds’ Christmas Carol
Looking for Living Books for Boys Too?
If you’re also building a library for your sons, be sure to check out my list of Living Books for Boys —full of adventures and stories that inspire courage and strong character.
A Living Book List to Grow With Her
These books have stood the test of time for a reason. They invite our daughters into stories that are worth remembering—stories that help shape thought, character, and imagination in quiet, lasting ways.
If you’re raising your girls with gentle, thoughtful homeschooling in mind, this list is a good place to begin. These are the kinds of books that fit naturally into slow mornings, afternoon read-alouds, and shelves you return to year after year.
You’ll find Amazon links with each title to make gathering them simple. If you choose to use them, it’s a small way to support my family and the work I share here—thank you.
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Here’s to stories that grow with our daughters—and the beautiful work of homeschooling them well.
