Our Favorite, Fierce Moms of Middle Grade

Elizabeth Thomas-Brewer (Kristy’s Great Idea (The Baby-Sitters Club Graphix Series #1), by Raina Telgemeier)
Elizabeth Thomas is the actual inspiration behind The Baby-Sitters Club. This single mom needed some help watching her youngest, which inspired Kristy to found the now famous club that we all love. Elizabeth took care of her four kids by herself, worked full time, found love, and adopted a little girl with her second husband. She quite efficiently and admirably brought home the bacon and fried it up all on her own. Once she was married she continued to serve as an equal opportunity example by working full time while her husband took on the role of Mr. Mom. Elizabeth raised some innovative and empowered children who created their own business, helped others, and were involved members of their community. Hats off to her!

Ginny Weasley-Potter (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Parts I & II, by J. K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany)
While we’ve yet to read this 8th Harry Potter story, we do know that it focuses on Harry and Ginny’s youngest son, Albus. Harry himself had a pretty awesome mom in Lily—the talented potion maker, brave Order of the Phoenix member, and friend to Snape before anyone else understood him. But Ginny Weasley will probably take the cake for awesome mom. Ginny inherited her mother’s bravery, her father’s humor, and a self-reliance all her own. After fighting in two battles at Hogwarts, we learned on Pottermore that Ginny went on to become a professional Quidditch player, and then a Quidditch reporter for the Daily Prophet. Oh, and she had three kids. Ginny will make a fierce mom, no questions about it.

Natalie Chase; (The Hammer of Thor, Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard Series #2), by Rick Riordan
Knowing that you’re the mother of a Norse demigod can’t be an easy burden to bear, but that is exactly what wonder mom Natalie Chase did for fourteen years. While Natalie may not have been a big part of the series thus far, she did raise a strong, independent son. Magnus has to handle a difficult day to day life and homelessness, and he is also, you know, a god who fights evil and saves the people he loves. Magnus’ mom also happens to be Annabeth Chase’s aunt… yes, that Annabeth, daughter of Athena and girlfriend to Percy Jackson. The Chase family is full of strong kids, and even stronger moms, who pretty much save the world on the daily.

Caroline Ingalls (Little House series), by Laura Ingalls Wilder)
Mrs. Ingalls is a real life mom as well as a fictionalized mom, and she is 100% amazing. Before she was Laura Ingalls Wilder’s mother, she embraced a half-sibling and was a teacher at the age of 16. She then married Charles Ingalls, had five children, and moved across the county in a covered wagon. She lived the kind of life we could only image from Oregon Trail games in our school computer labs. Caroline Ingalls learned to grow the food her family needed, raised upstanding kids, and kept everyone safe. For all of us who love that urban farmer lifestyle, with our scruffy free range kids, Caroline is role model like no other.

Ruth Walker (Finding Freedom (American Girl Beforever Series: Addy #1),by Connie Porter, Juliana Kolesova, and Michael Dworkin)
Fans of the American Girl series don’t need to look any farther for an awesome mom than Addy’s mom. The series is full of strong women and amazing moms, but Ruth is a true standout. In the hope of getting the best possible life for her family, she escapes slavery with Addy, finds work in a world that is often unwelcoming, and overcomes illiteracy. In the face of overwhelming odds, Ruth keeps a positive attitude and a strong will. With a mom like Ruth, it is little surprise that Addy finds a way to fit in at school, eventually teaching her family to read and write as well. In addition to everything else that Ruth did, she always kept her kids’ dreams alive, which for many parents is the most difficult, but most rewarding, job of all.
Happy Mother’s Day! How do you plan on celebrating?