by KB Meniado

Welcome to Tosses and Turns, where I rant-chant about whatever reading-related issue that has been keeping me up at night.

Before you worry about my slumber schedule, let it be known that I’ve had a pretty easy time choosing this topic, thanks to the annual International Women’s Day celebration. Which, of course, led me to this idea of sharing my childhood literary superheroes!

5. JUDY ABBOTT of Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster

This is a case of I-watched-it-before-I-read-it but Judy’s too superb not to be in this list. In spite of her circumstances, she achieved her dreams of an education with hard work and ambition.

Other Superpower: Mighty Journaling Skills

4. NANCY DREW of the Nancy Drew Notebooks by Carolyn Keene

One of my first books were the Nancy Drew Notebooks starring the nine-year-old Nancy, who of course seemed like every seven-year-old’s idol, being clever, pretty and rich. (Like many kids, I was impressionable.)

Other Superpower: Amazing Mystery-Solving Talent

3. KRISTY THOMAS, CLAUDIA KISHI, MARY ANNE SPIER and STACEY MCGILL of The Baby-sitters Club series by Ann M. Martin

I’m cheating here, I know, but these fantastic four are the Fantastic Four young girls—and some boys—should be looking up to! With Kristy as the idea machine, Claudia as the resident artist, Mary Anne as the world’s best friend and Stacey as the trendsetter, it’s not impossible to take over the world!

Other Superpowers: Striking Athletic Abilities (Kristy), Super Sweet Tooth (Claudia), Hyper Emotional Intelligence (Mary Anne), Fashion Forecasting Skills (Stacey)

2. CASEY SMITH of the Get Real series by Linda Ellerbee

The least popular in this list, Casey makes up by being all-around awesome. At 11, she can make even the most successful journalists’ toes curl.

Other Superpowers: The 3S (Being Stubborn, Smart and Sassy)

1. MATILDA of Matilda by Roald Dahl

I can’t possibly miss paying homage to the little girl who showed me that reading is MAGIC. Need I say more?

Other superpowers: Telekinesis, Being Irresistibly Adorable

If these characters were real, I bet they’d be running the world!

Who are your favorite literary superheroes? Do we have the same ones? Share your thoughts in the comments below! ☁