Or to give her correct title, Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo, Princess of Genovia. I haven't read a huge amount of young adult fiction, but I have to say, Mia, in The Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot, is one of the finest heroines there is in this genre. No, not everyone will be lucky enough to find out they are secretly a Princess, but Mia's everyday actions, and the fact she always digs deep for strength and stands up for what she believes in, is surely something all girls can aspire too.
Mia is a girl after my own heart. Passionate about her beliefs, she prefers to wear boots instead of heels and she writes. A lot. We see, through her diaries, that she is young (obviously), naive and doesn't have lots of self confidence. The reader, by reading between the lines, often sees what is obvious, whilst Mia is completely unaware.
She hero worships Lilly, her best friend. Striving to be self-actualised like she is, Mia compares herself quite unfavourably to Lilly, and doesn't see that it is actually Lilly who wants to be more like her. In fact, when JP tells her that Lilly was jealous of her in book nine, Mia was astounded and demanded to know why. "For the same reason I imagine a lot of girls - including Lana Weinberger - are jealous of you. You're pretty, you're smart, you're popular, you're a Princess..." Notice how being a princess is the fourth reason. Mia could still be the other three without the title. Mia doesn't believe JP anyway, believing herself to be a five foot nine, flat chested freak. Mia also feels inferior to her boyfriend, Michael because of his cleverness.
Then, in book nine, we see Mia, wise beyond her years and passionate when she makes a speech about her ancestor, Princess Amelie. She says "sixteen year old girls are capable of so much more that wearing some navel baring outfit...or passing out from partying...and can achieve fame for taking a stand and coming to the aid of people in need." Well said Mia.
Underneath the lack of confidence and belief in her own talents is a strong girl who can rise to any challenge. Now she just needs to sort out her love life...
More Helen's Heroines
