Little Women: Contemporary Polish Novels for Girls as an Example of Engaged Literature

Literature for today’s teenage girl is an important area of YA literature with structural elements of such narratives as vibrant portraits of a teenage girl, her search for an appropriate life path, and, in a broader context, the issue of the changing role and place of women in society. Just as society has evolved in the profile of young girls, so has literature reflected this change. Both a look at earlier Polish novels for girls as well as more contemporary depictions are found in this exploration of socially engaged literature that has developed a new model of teenage heroes and heroines.