Ok, Ok, I never got back to finish this! Winter blues have set in with the winter rains and I'm already at work on the next issue. Take my word for it, these are worthwhile books if you are looking for good books to see you through the winter. Most of the childrens books all have strong female characters and in my opinion are superior in quality to the Harry Potter books (which I also enjoy). [The Dark is Rising has a male protagonist in the first book but has other female characters as the series continues that are very strong.] Gibbons Decline and Fall is a very important book, and if it builds a bit slowly it is worth it, as it takes you to an incredible place at the books' end. Any feminist will enjoy the ideas, even if sci fi is not your thing.
Please check out these books:
Gibbons Decline and Fall by Sheri Tepper
Singer From The Sea by Sheri Tepper
Grass by Sheri Tepper
childrens books:
Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce
Circle of Magic: Sandry's Book by Tamora Pierce
Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce (all beginning books in a series)
Wise Child by Monica Furlong
Juniper by Monica Furlong
The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper (beginning of series)
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L 'Engle