Coin Worthy
Written March 2003
Pictures of past presidents and other famous Americans
appear on US coins. Not everyone who deserves this honor gets it, though.
One person who I feel should be on a coin is not a political leader. She didn’t
make a great contribution towards science or help the Americans win the Revolutionary
War. She is Tamora Pierce, the author of five fantasy quartets for teens.
To teens of all ages all around the globe, this American author
is hero. Tamora Pierce’s books give them another world to go to when
they need to escape from real life. Pierce’s books give teens the option of
flying to a land of magic and battle, lady knights and nobles, romance and
evil. Suicidal, depressed, or even just plain sad teenagers can turn to this
world, live the lives of these characters, and become once again the happy
people they should be.
Often in this world, girls are told that they cannot do things
that boys can do. Certain jobs are “men’s jobs,” such as the jobs of soldier,
president, and construction worker. Girls may feel restricted from this. They
may feel that they aren’t as good as their male peers. These girls can pick
up a book by Tamora Pierce and see what girls can do. Pierce has her female
characters fighting in the army, being knights, and practicing as shamans.
They take command, rule fiefdoms, and work beside the men. The girls in Tamora
Pierce’s books show that girls can do as well as, if not better than, boys.
Tamora Pierce’s books teach both values and real life things
to teens. Daine’s story in The Immortals shows readers that it is important
to learn your lessons so that you can help when there is a need for your knowledge.
It also teaches readers a bit about the different kinds of animals that Daine
encounters. Alanna’s story in Song of the Lioness and Keladry’s story
in Protector of the Small are your basic female knight stories, showing what
girls can do. The Circle of Magic books show the value of both learning and
family. The Circle Opens gives teens a look into the minds of criminals. Though
set in a fantasy setting, Tamora Pierce’s books teach about values and things
in the real world.
So how does all this make Tamora Pierce fit for a coin? Think
about it. She gives teens a way to escape from the harsh reality. She shows
girls that they can be as good as boys. She teaches values and life things
to teens. All this she does through her writing. She uses her writing to help
the teens that will be our future. If that isn’t coin-worthy, what is?