Girl Power
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by Carol Pouliot
When I was growing up and wanted to read about a girl detective, I had a choice between Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden. I chose Nancy Drew. I could dream of being like her. Nancy was exciting and cosmopolitan. She was older and drove a roadster−the mere name conjured up delight. Even the titles in the series were thrilling−The Secret in the Old Attic, The Hidden Staircase, and The Clue in the Diary. Clearly, this was a girl on an adventure. I was hooked. I read every book I could get my hands on.
Researching this article, I discovered many wonderful pre-teen and YA mysteries scattered over the mystery landscape since I was a kid. There were lots of brother and sister sleuths, boy and girl partners in crime, and certainly some fantastic girl sleuths in their own right.
However, none has made the impact that Hermione Granger has.
In 1997, with the release of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, girls all over the world hit the role-model jackpot with Hermione Granger. Although we may not usually think of Hermione as a girl detective, that’s exactly what she is.
When we first meet Hermione, she’s much like millions of young girls all over the world. She’s smart but she gets picked on for her intelligence. She loves school and learning but kids bully her for it. I admire Hermione for not letting the bullying change her behavior. She stays true to herself. She keeps on reading, studying, and learning.
Hermione’s trunk and school things ready for a new term at Hogwarts.
It doesn’t take long for Harry and Ron Weasley to appreciate Hermione’s smarts and skills. When a giant troll is let into the castle and threatens the lives of the three kids, Hermione tells Ron which spell to perform and he saves the day. The three children become friends for life.
The Great Hall was full as everyone celebrated at the Halloween feast the night the troll wandered into the castle.
In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, sleuth Hermione figures out what’s under the trap door then solves the logic problem so Harry can reach the stone. In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, she discovers the identity of the monster traveling unseen through Hogwarts, terrifying students and faculty alike. Hermione detects Professor Lupin’s secret long before it’s revealed in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
In their third year, students can visit the village of Hogsmeade for the first time.
An intelligent and resourceful girl, eventually liked and admired by her fellow students, Hermione solves problems and accomplishes things. In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, she convinces Harry to teach their friends how to defend themselves. She takes on a critical role in discovering the horcruxes in book 6, and, in the final book of the series, she triumphs as a warrior, defending the wizarding world against the evils of Voldemort and his cronies.
Professor Dumbledore leaves Hermione his copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard knowing she’s smart enough to figure out the clues.
In talking about Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban, Emma Watson, who plays Hermione in the movies, commented: “Hermione’s rock-and-roll. She’s girl power.” Watson herself has become an incredible role model to movie-watching girls all over the world since the first Rowling book was filmed.
Hermione Granger is smart, clever, and self-confident. She’s proud of her skills and doesn’t hesitate to take charge, leading her friends to solve mysteries in their magical world. Girls today are lucky to be able to read about and be inspired by Hermione Granger.
Photos by Carol Pouliot