Hermione Granger — Witch Extraordinaire
Is there any better role model for girls than Hermione Granger? As a child, I always had my nose in a book. I loved tales of adventure and when I read the first Harry Potter book at age 8, Hermione was a revelation. Here, finally, was a contemporary character that seemed just like me! She was bright, worked hard at school, and wasn’t ashamed to show it. Hermione wasn’t the prettiest and certainly not the most popular, but she was brave, resourceful, and loyal to her friends. I also loved that she was smarter than the boys! Her deep bond with Harry and Ron was a great example to children of both sexes, highlighting that gender should not come in the way of friendship. She could be tactless, and sometimes a “know-it-all” but these flaws made her human. Most importantly, she was always right in the thick of the action, rather than playing the ubiquitous “damsel in distress” role. Without Hermione, Harry could never have completed his quest; and what’s more, he knew it!
J.K. Rowling (herself deserving of a place on this quilt) has said that she wants her daughters to grow up like Hermione Granger, rather than the shallow, scheming Pansy Parkinson. I couldn’t agree with her more.
-Chloe Grant