Amy Cahill from the series The 39 Clues (by multiple authors)
Amy Cahill is a strong, intelligent girl who works with her brother Dan to have peace between all the branches of the vast Cahill family. She is very smart, and can always find her way out of bad situations.She is also a very quick thinker. She never ever gives up either.

Katherine Stephenson from A Most Improper Magick by Stephanie Burgis
Kat is a energetic, determined girl who decides to save her sister from the fate of marrying an old man who may even be....a murderer. She manages to capture husbands for both her sisters, and even manages to join a magical order, all in a few days.

Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series by J.K Rowling
Hermione Granger is an intelligent, kind girl who is the heroine of the Harry Potter series. She is very well liked by the teachers, since is the smartest kid in her year. I like her because I think that she is a loyal friend to Harry Potter, and is very likable.

Frances Mary Kelly from A Family Apart by Joan Lowry
Frances Kelly is a determined, courageous girl who is sent west on the Orphan Train with her 5 siblings. I love her because she is so independent and brave. She also loves her family very much and does everything she can to keep them happy. Way to go, Frances!

Juliet Butler from the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer
Juliet is a very courageous and powerful girl who truly proves that girls too can be as strong as men. I admire her because she is incredibly determined, and can do anything if she is determined to. Not to mention the fact that she is stronger than most adult men!

If you have a top five you'd like to share, or you'd like to add your own favourites to SaiWish0221's list, email us at childrens.books@theguardian.com"