Strong Female Character Anyone???

First Test by Tamora Pierce
Ten-year old Keladry is the the first girl to train for knighthood. In this medieval, magical fantasy, she suffers hard physical training and many prejudiced opinions from those who hope she flunks this first year. Determined to prove herself, Keladry perseveres and even begins to rally some classmates into ousting bullies. This is the first title in the Protector of the Small series and proves itself a worthy read.

Fun fantasy

Dealing with Dragons
by Patricia C. Wrede

The first in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles series, this fantasy is a light-hearted and fun read. The main character Cimorene escapes the tedious tasks of being a princess and her pending marriage by volunteering to become a dragon's princess. Her new life is far more entertaining than her the boring proper princess lessons. It's while she is preforming her new duties that she stumbles upon a mystery. What are the wizards trying to steal from the dragons!

Dealing with Dragons is a great fantasy. Read this one and you'll be picking up the rest of the series; Searching for Dragons, Calling on Dragons and Talking to Dragons.