With mother’s day just around the corner, talking about mother figures is the most fitting topic for this week. However, we’re supposed to try to stay away from mother figures in Harry Potter. đ Which, you know, makes sense. They’re probably the most talked about mother figures in books.
Reading young adult lit, there isn’t always a lot of great mother figures to choose from. This is because the parental figures are almost always gone. Absent in some way, to give the main characters agency. But that doesn’t mean that parents are non-existent! There are plenty of fantastic moms in YA that are worth celebrating.
For those who forgot, Top 5 Wednesday is a weekly Meme thatâs run by Lainey (Gingerreadslainey), with weekly topics posted in this Goodreads group. Here’s my post from last week!
Mother Figures in YA
1. Delia’s Mom from Rayne & Delilah’s Midnite Matinee
At first, we don’t get the best impression of Delia’s mom. She’s a bit scatter-brained and keeps forgetting to take her meds. But she’s fiercely supportive of her daughter, which we see at the very end of the book. She just wants Delia to be happy, and is even willing to go on TV to do so.
2. Tiger’s Mom from How to Make Friends with the Dark
Though Tiger’s mom dies at the beginning of this book, her memories show us how important her relationship with her mom was to her. They only had each other, and sure, her mom could be overprotective at times, but she just wanted what was best for Tiger.
3. Lincoln’s Mom from Attachments
At the beginning of Attachments, Lincoln has moved back home while he figures out his next step in life. While his mom hoover a little bit too much, she cooks him fantastic meals and makes sure he’s getting out and staying healthy. By the end, their relationship is endearing.
4. Starr’s Mom in The Hate U Give
Both of Starr’s parents are there for her throughout the book, supporting her as she learns to find her voice. Her mom is portrayed as fierce and protective, willing to go to whatever lengths to protect her children. She’s there for them, even when it gets difficult.
5. Leah’s Mom from Leah on the Offbeat
Leah struggles with self-confidence throughout the book, and her mom doesn’t hesitate to try to build her up. As all of her friends and relationships are just about to change, she’s becoming less sure of herself, but her mom is always there to remind her that everything will be okay.