Girls on Fire ― Transformative Heroines in Young Adult Dystopian Literature

Under the threat of climate change, corruption, inequality and injustice, Americans may feel they are living in a dystopian novel come to life. Like many American narratives, dystopian stories often focus on males as the agents of social change.With a focus on the intersections of race, gender, class, sexuality and power, the author analyzes the themes, issues and characters in young adult (YA) dystopian fiction featuring female protagonists—the Girls on Fire who inspire progressive transformation for the future.

Sarah Hentges is an associate professor of American studies at the University of Maine at Augusta. She teaches courses and writes about American studies, literature and culture, and women’s studies. For more about the author, visit her blog, Culture & Movement.