Staff Picks
Women Making History for Tweens & Teens
- Heather M.
- Monday, February 01, 2021
Collection
From Vice President Kamala Harris to Michaela Goade, the first BIPOC woman to win a Caldecott medal, these are just a few of the women making history in 2021.
Let's be clear. Women have always made history. Sadly, they have been overshadowed, overlooked or just plain erased from many history books. But no more.
Discover unsung heroes and (good) troublemakers in these books and appreciate the impact that women have made.
Looking for even more good books? Check out our personalized recommendations or call us at 803-799-9084.
Because I Was a Girl
True Stories for Girls of All Ages
Published in 2017
The collection includes writings from an impressive array of girls and women who are trailblazers in their fields, including bestselling authors Victoria Aveyard, Libba Bray, and Margaret Stohl; Hollywood heavy-hitters such as Quvenzhane Wallis; renowned chef Katie Button; aerospace and mechanical engineer Emily Calandrelli; and many more.
Yes She Can
10 Stories of Hope & Change from Young Female Staffers of the Obama White House
Published in 2019
"An anthology for young women by young women, featuring stories from ten inspiring young staffers who joined the Obama administration in their 20s with the hope of making a difference"-- Provided by publisher.
Brazen
Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World
Published in 2018
Profiles inspiring women--some who are world famous and some who are little knownin graphic format, including Nellie Bly, Mae Jemison, Hedy Lamarr, Josephine Baker, and Naziq al-Abid.
Changing the Equation
50+ US Black Women in STEM
Published in 2020
"Award-winning author Tonya Bolden explores the black women who have changed the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in America. Including groundbreaking computer scientists, doctors, inventors, physicists, pharmacists, mathematicians, aviators, and many more, this book celebrates over 50 women who have shattered the glass ceiling, defied racial discrimination, and pioneered in their fields. In these profiles, young readers will find role models, inspirations, and maybe even reasons to be the STEM leaders of tomorrow. These stories help young readers to dream big and stay curious. The book includes endnotes, a bibliography, and an index"-- Provided by publisher.
Women Heroes of the American Revolution
20 Stories of Espionage, Sabotage, Defiance, and Rescue
Published in 2015
"Susan Casey gives 20 remarkable girls and women the spotlight they deserve in this lively collection of biographical profiles. These women took action in many ways: as spies, soldiers, nurses, water carriers, fundraisers, writers, couriers, and more. Women Heroes of the American Revolution brings a fresh new perspective to their stories resulting from interviews with historians and with descendants of participants of the Revolution and features ample excerpts from primary source documents. Also included are contextualizing sidebars, images, source notes, and a bibliography"-- Provided by publisher.
Standing on Her Shoulders
A Celebration of Women
Published in 2021
"A stunning love letter to the important women who shape us -- from our own mothers and grandmothers to the legends who paved the way for girls and women everywhere"-- Provided by publisher.
Heroism Begins with Her
Inspiring Stories of Bold, Brave, and Gutsy Women in the U.S. Military
Published in 2019
Like a Girl
Published in 2019
Once upon a time, "like a girl" was an insult. Not anymore! In every walk of life, girls are demonstrating their creativity, perseverance, and strength. From civil rights activist Rosa Parks, who stood up for her beliefs by staying seated, to astronaut Sally Ride, the 24 women profiled here took risks, broke barriers, and transformed the world. This tribute to girl power will inspire young women everywhere.
Lifting As We Climb
Black Women's Battle for the Ballot Box
Published in 2020
"For African American women, the fight for the right to vote was only one battle. An eye-opening book that tells the important, overlooked story of Black women as a force in the suffrage movement--when fellow suffragists did not accept them as equal partners in the struggle."--Publisher's description.
The Book of Heroines
Tales of History's Gutsiest Gals
Published in 2016
"Everybody needs a role model! Discover true stories of superstars, war heroes, world leaders, gusty gals, and everyday women who changed the world. From Sacagawea to Mother Teresa, Annie Oakley to Malala Yousafzai, these famous women hiked up their pants and petticoats and charged full-speed ahead to prove girls are just as tough as boys...maybe even tougher. Complete with amazing images and a fun design, this is the book that every kid with a goal, hope, or dream will want to own"-- Provided by publisher.
Born Curious
20 Girls Who Grew Up to Be Awesome Scientists
Published in 2020
"A collection of biographies of twenty groundbreaking women scientists who were curious kids and grew up to make incredible discoveries."-- Provided by publisher.
Shaking Things Up
14 Young Women Who Changed the World
Published in 2018
Fresh, accessible, and inspiring, Shaking Things Up introduces fourteen revolutionary young women--each paired with a noteworthy female artist--to the next generation of activists, trail-blazers, and rabble-rousers. From the award-winning author of Ada's Violin, Susan Hood, this is a poetic and visual celebration of persistent women throughout history. In this book, you will find Mary Anning, who was just thirteen when she unearthed a prehistoric fossil. You'll meet Ruby Bridges, the brave six-year-old who helped end segregation in the South. And Maya Lin, who at twenty-one won a competition to create a war memorial, and then had to appear before Congress to defend her right to create. And those are just a few of the young women included in this book. Readers will also hear about Molly Williams, Annette Kellerman, Nellie Bly, Pura Belprè, Frida Kahlo, Jacqueline and Eileen Nearne, Frances Moore Lappè, Mae Jemison, Angela Zhang, and Malala Yousafzai--all whose stories will enthrall and inspire. This book was written, illustrated, edited, and designed by women and includes an author's note, a timeline, and additional resources. With artwork by notable artists including Selina Alko, Sophie Blackall, Lisa Brown, Hadley Hooper, Emily Winfield Martin, Oge Mora, Julie Morstad, Sara Palacios, LeUyen Pham, Erin Robinson, Isabel Roxas, Shadra Strickland, and Melissa Sweet. -- Amazon.com.
Brave, Black, First
50+ African American Women Who Changed the World
Published in 2020
An illustrated biographical compilation of over fifty African American women from the 1700s through to the present day.
Women in Sports
50 Fearless Athletes Who Played to Win
Published in 2017
"Illustrated profiles of fifty pioneering female athletes, from the author of the New York Times bestseller Women in Science. A charmingly illustrated and inspiring book, Women in Sports highlights the achievements and stories of fifty notable women athletes--from well-known figures like tennis player Billie Jean King and gymnast Simone Biles, to lesser-known athletes like skateboarding pioneer Patti McGee and Toni Stone, the first woman to play baseball in a men's professional league. Covering more than forty sports, this fascinating collection also contains infographics about notable women's teams throughout history,pay and media statistics for female athletes, and muscle anatomy. Women in Sports celebrates the success of the tough, bold, and fearless women who paved the way for the next generation of athletes"-- Provided by publisher.
Girls Who Run the World
31 CEOs Who Mean Business
Published in 2019
Part biography, part business how-to, and fully empowering, this book is the perfect gift for future entrepreneurs...because you're never too young to dream BIG! -- amazon.com
Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists
A Graphic History of Women's Fight for Their Rights
Published in 2019
"A bold and gripping graphic history of the fight for women's rights The ongoing struggle for women's rights has spanned human history, touched nearly every culture on Earth, and encompassed a wide range of issues, such as the right to vote, work, get an education, own property, exercise bodily autonomy, and beyond. Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists is a fun and fascinating graphic novel-style primer that covers the key figures and events that have advanced women's rights from antiquity to the modern era. In addition, this compelling book illuminates the stories of notable women throughout history--from queens and freedom fighters to warriors and spies--and the progressive movements led by women that have shaped history, including abolition, suffrage, labor, civil rights, LGBTQ liberation, reproductive rights, and more. Examining where we've been, where we are, and where we're going, Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists is an indispensable resource for people of all genders interested in the fight for a more liberated future"-- Provided by publisher.
Women Win the Vote!
19 for the 19th Amendment
Published in 2020
"A bold new collection showcasing the trailblazing individuals who fought for women's suffrage, honoring the Nineteenth Amendment's centennial anniversary. Women Win the Vote! maps the road to the Nineteenth Amendment through compact, readable biographies of nineteen women who helped pave the way. From early feminist activist Lucretia Mott to radical twentieth century suffragist Alice Paul, this vibrant collection profiles both iconic figures like Sojourner Truth and those who may be less well-known, like Mary Ann Shadd Cary. Vividly illustrated with an eye-catching design, Women Win the Vote! celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment and the intrepid individuals who broke through barriers and upended tradition to fight for gender equality and the empowerment of future generations"-- Provided by publisher.
Women Artists A to Z
Published in 2020
"An alphabet picture book featuring famous women artists and their most iconic works"-- Provided by publisher.
Latinitas
Celebrating Big Dreamers in History!
Published in 2021
"A celebration of Latinas and Latin American women who followed their dreams, with portraits and short bios"-- Provided by publisher.
Muslim Girls Rise
Inspirational Champions of Our Time
Published in 2019
Introduces nineteen Muslim women from all around the world who have found their callings in a vast range of fields, from social justice to competitive sports to the entertainment industry.
History Vs Women
The Defiant Lives That They Don't Want You to Know
Published in 2018
"Looking through the ages and across the globe, [the authors] have reclaimed the stories of twenty-five remarkable women who dared to defy history and change the world around them. From Mongolian wrestlers to Chinese pirates, Native American ballerinas to Egyptian scientists, Japanese novelists to British Prime Ministers, [this book] will reframe the history that you thought you knew"--Provided by publisher.
Rad American Women A-Z
Published in 2015
"Profiled are 26 American women from the 18th through 21st centuries, who have made-or are still making--history as artists, writers, teachers, lawyers, or athletes. The women come from a variety of economic and ethnic backgrounds and many had to overcome extreme hardships. One woman represents each alphabetical letter beginning with Angela Davis, an activist, teacher, and writer, and concludes with Zora Neale Hurston, an anthropologist and writer."--Publisher.
Rad Women Worldwide
Published in 2016
Educational and inspirational, this gift-worthy New York Times bestseller from the authors of Rad American Women A-Z, is a bold, illustrated collection of 40 biographical profiles showcasing extraordinary women from across the globe. Rad Women Worldwide tells fresh, engaging, and amazing tales of perseverance and radical success by pairing well-researched and riveting biographies with powerful and expressive cut-paper portraits. The book features an array of diverse figures from 430 BCE to 2016, spanning 31 countries around the world, from Hatshepsut (the great female king who ruled Egypt peacefully for two decades) and Malala Yousafzi (the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize) to Poly Styrene (legendary teenage punk and lead singer of X-Ray Spex) and Liv Arnesen and Ann Bancroft (polar explorers and the first women to cross Antarctica). An additional 250 names of international rad women are also included as a reference for readers to continue their own research. This progressive and visually arresting book is a compelling addition to women's history and belongs on the shelf of every school, library, and home. Together, these stories show the immense range of what women have done and can do. May we all have the courage to be rad! For teachers, this book is appropriate for grades 6-8 and could be used in either Social Studies or English classes, or as part of a text for a multidisciplinary unit. It can also be used as a Common Core text for grades 6-8 Social Studies/History - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.1-10. Contents: Enheduanna (Mesopotamia) Malala Yousafzai (Pakistan) Kalpana Chawla (India) Aung San Suu Kyi (Burma) Qiu Jin (China) Junko Tabei (Japan) Fe Del Mundo (Philippines) Dame Katerina Te Heik?k? Mataira (New Zealand) Faith Bandler (Australia) Liv Arnesen and Ann Bancroft (Norway & U.S.A.) Miriam Makeba (South Africa) Wangari Maathai (Kenya) Kasha Jacqueline Nagabasera (Uganda) Funmilayo Ransome Kuti (Nigeria) Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria) Hatshepsut (Egypt) Madres de la Plaza de Mayo (Argentina) Marta (Brazil) Quintreman Sisters (Chile) Policarpa "La Pola" Salavarrieta ( Colombia) Bastardilla (Colombia) Nanny of the Maroons (Jamaica) Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz (Mexico) Frida Kahlo (Mexico) Queen Lili'uokalani (Hawaii) Venus and Serena Williams (U.S.A.) Birut? Mary Galdikis (Canada) Buffy Sainte-Marie (Canada) ENIAC Programmers (U.S.A.) Guerrilla Girls (U.S.A.) Grace "Granuaile" O'Malley (Ireland) Princess Sophia Duleep Singh (England) Poly Styrene (England) Sophie Scholl (Germany) Marie Curie and Irene Joliot-Curie (France) Josephine Baker (France) Maria Montessori (Italy) Hypatia (Egypt) Emma Goldman (Russia) The Stateless
Girls Think of Everything
Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women
Published in 2018
Expanded and revised, this new edition of the best-selling book celebrates the ingenious inventions of women throughout time. As inspiring as they are fascinating, these stories empower readers to imagine, to question, to experiment, and then to go forth ... and invent.