Some examples of excellent stories with female protagonists that don’t follow this pattern are Persepolis and Fun Home. I think it’s not at all a coincidence that both of these happen to be graphic novels — I think the graphic novel is a format where there’s a lot more leeway to break out of the expected standard formulas (than in television, movies, or novels), for practical reasons, because of the way the industry works.

There is also Cornelia Funke’s Inkheart series (and the third book just came out and she is coming here on Friday, yay!). It’s basically a “boy” book, but with a girl. It starts out with Meg depending on her dad, but, as he is kidnapped, she becomes more independent and realizes she doesn’t need him.

Of course, there are many other books that completely break the mold and have plots that in no way resemble the stereotype, but there are some good books out there that break the mold just enough.

So does Elizabeth Moon’s “Serrano / Suiza” series.