From the New York Times, a round-up of strong girl protagonists, including Drest from The Mad Wolf’s Daughter by Diane Magras. “12-year-old Drest, who lives in medieval Scotland, shouldn’t be on her quest either. When her father and brothers are captured by knights, her father’s parting orders are clear: Save yourself and hide. But Drest is a ferocious heroine, and after finding a wounded knight left behind by the enemy, she conjures a plan to travel to Faintree Castle and exchange the knight for her family before they’re hanged. “