Our top picks of stories to inspire your Mighty Girl to dream big this year and follow through with the hard work and perseverance to make those dreams come true.
A new year always seems ripe with opportunity, and it's not just adults who are eager to challenge themselves to achieve new things: kids and teens are often ready to tackle new goals when the calendar rolls around to January! But, of course, trying new things can seem intimidating, and it will take perseverance and dedication in order to accomplish whatever your Mighty Girl has set as her goal.
With that in mind, we've collected some of our favorite books for inspiring Mighty Girls to take a deep breath, jump in with both feet, and then see their plan through to the end! These books will get kids dreaming big dreams and remind them that those dreams are always worth striving for, even if there are some bumps along the way.
The First Step: Daring To Try
The first step — and often the most difficult one — is having the courage to try something new! These books will show Mighty Girl that she does have the daring necessary to test out her dreams.
You Can Be
You Can Be
There are many ways to be a kid, says author/illustrator Elise Gravel in this funny and empowering board book! Each page combines a single descriptive word (embellished and lettered to reflect its subject) and a cartoony illustration of a child demonstrating that mood, from funny to sensitive to noisy to scared. Clever asides will make kids giggle, like the reminder that kids can be smelly (sometimes!) Simple and appealing, this book reminds kids to embrace diversity in both themselves and others this year.
ABC What Can She Be?
Girls Can Be Anything They Want To Be, From A to Z
ABC What Can She Be?
Girls Can Be Anything They Want To Be, From A to Z
This vibrant picture book presents a colorful world of possibilities — from astronaut to zoologist and everything in between — for Mighty Girls with big dreams! Each letter of the alphabet is represented by a career, from veterinarian to judge to firefighter, and features a fun illustration of a woman at work and a one-line description about the impact she makes on the world ("A is for Astronaut. She blasts into outer space to explore new worlds.") This oversized board book featuring a diverse array of women will leave Mighty Girls dreaming of what the new year — and years beyond — will bring!
Mel Fell
Mel Fell
When Mel the kingfisher fledgling marches to the end of a branch, she spreads her wings... and plummets. As kids follow her fall down the vertically-oriented pages, though, they'll notice that even as Mel's friends rush to try to catch her, and even as her speed picks up as she races towards the ground, she keeps her eyes closed and a smile on her beak. When she crashes into the water, it seems like her fall was a failure... but when she emerges from the water, soaring back into the sky with a fish in her mouth, it turns out her dive was actually a great success! This charming tale, with its vivid illustrations and innovative format, is a celebration of self-confidence and taking a deep breath and making a leap into your first time trying something new.
Saturday is Swimming Day
Saturday is Swimming Day
Saturday is for swimming lessons... and this little girl hates them. It's too loud, the floor is too wet, her swim cap is too tight, and she has a stomachache! Fortunately, her kind swimming instructor, Mary, knows just how to gently urge her to take one step each week... and before long, she discovers that swimming day is fun. This story will be relatable to any child who's found something a little too new and scary to dive in — but urges them to find the combination of courage and patience they need to face their fears.
I Will Be Fierce
I Will Be Fierce
Every day is an adventure; every day is a chance to be fierce! This exuberant young narrator starts her day by putting on "armor" (a rainbow sweater) and prepares to face the challenges of her world. From monsters (dogs on a walk) to giants (big kids at the bus stop), she knows there's no beast she can't overcome. Her courage can also help others, like when she refuses to let a classmate sit alone in the cafeteria. After a busy day, she returns home to rest... after all, tomorrow, she'll be fierce again! This joyous celebration of bravery, compassion, and imagination is a reminder that you can be a hero every day.
Plant A Kiss
Plant A Kiss
Many children are also inspired by knowing that their efforts make a difference to those around them. In this clever story, Little Miss plants a kiss in the ground and carefully tends it. When a delicate, sparkling plant grows, Little Miss decides she should share it with the world and travels to every distant corner to do so. The glittery magic being shared is left open to interpretation, but the message is clear: even a little girl can bring something special to the world.
The Knowing
The Knowing
"I have a name and my name has a story," thinks a little girl as her mother braids her hair. "I have a look / a sound / a smell / a shape / a size...." But she is so much more than that, she thinks; everyone is! "All of these things are just what's showing / underneath all that I know / is The Knowing." Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, political activist, and feminist icon Ani DiFranco has crafted a gorgeous, lyrical picture book that celebrates individuality, collective responsibility, and the power of defining your own identity separately from the physical form that you hold. With glowing illustrations from first-time illustrator Julia Mathew, this rich and meaningful picture book is perfect for readers young and old to share and celebrate.
My Brave Year of Firsts: Tries, Sighs, and High Fives
My Brave Year of Firsts: Tries, Sighs, and High Fives
There is a lot of everyday bravery involved in being a kid! Frankie, the main character in this book, has a lot of new experiences over the course of a year: she learns to ride a bike, gets her first dog, goes to first grade, and more. And while all of these things seem insignificant once you’re grown up, Frankie learns that discovering you’re brave enough to try anything is part of what growing up is all about. This fun and touching book will also remind parents that these little steps only look little in retrospect.
Change Sings: A Children's Anthem
Change Sings: A Children's Anthem
The girl in this book knows change is coming — and that's a good thing! She can hear its hum, but she wants to amplify its voice. So she lifts her own voice... and urges others to do the same. In this stirring picture book by the first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman, whose inspiring words captivated the nation at President Joe Biden's inauguration, a musical journey becomes a metaphor for community action, and how many people making changes, no matter how big or small, can have a huge impact on the world. With lyrical text accompanied by vibrant illustrations by bestselling illustrator Loren Long, this book is a celebration of all those who work for a better world.
The Very Last Castle
The Very Last Castle
Everyone in Ibb's village is sure there is something awful behind the walls of the nearby castle, but Ibb isn't sure. "Maybe it’s something terrible,” she thinks. “Or maybe it’s something else." When she can't catch the eye of the lone guardsman, she rallies her courage and knocks on the door. It turns out that he's guarding — and tending — a marvelous topiary garden, and with Ibb's help, he not only makes some friends in town, but also agrees to make the garden into a public space for all to enjoy. Ibb's confidence and determination will encourage kids to make new friends — maybe even an unexpected one — this year.
Just Help! How to Build a Better World
Just Help! How to Build a Better World
Young Sonia's mother always asks her one question before she goes to bed: "How did you help today?" So just like Mami, Sonia always tries to find ways to contribute to her community! Today, she and her peers are assembling care packages for American soldiers, supporting recycling programs, and even learning about the struggle for voting rights — and the importance of being part of the political process. In this follow-up to Just Ask!, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor shows young readers how thinking of the world as "one very large neighborhood" can help us all work together to make the world a better place.
There Might Be Lobsters
There Might Be Lobsters
While her little girl gets excited for their trip to the beach, Sukie the dog is dreading it. After all, the beach is so big... the waves are so whooshy... and there might be lobsters! Sukie uses her fears as a justification for staying up on the sand, but when beloved stuffed animal Chunka Munka gets swept out to sea, Sukie is able to overcome all of it to swim out and save the day. A charming and funny story with clever details in the illustrations — including plenty of lobsters — this book will remind readers that overcoming a fear is truly empowering.
When You Are Brave
When You Are Brave
A little girl and her family are moving, and as she says goodbye to her old neighborhood and gets into the car's backseat, she worries. But when "days are full of things you'd rather not do," there's only one thing to do: you have to be brave! Because when you find that spark of courage you can draw on when you need it — whether it's leaping into a pool for the first time, or moving to a new home — you'll discover that you can handle the scary and uncertain times. This empowering book from best-selling author Pat Zietlow Miller will encourage kids to find their own brave glow.
Reach for the Stars
Reach for the Stars
A mother peeks in at her baby as she reaches for a solar system mobile. She knows that those small moments of reaching out — for the people you love, for the knowledge you want to find, for the experiences you want to have — help shape us. They give us the dreams we have of what we will achieve and help us figure out what kind of people we want to be. So she tells her daughter, "The more you reach, the more you learn. There's so much here to see. The world has wonders waiting. Come explore with me." With sweet rhyming text from Emmy-nominated science TV star Emily Calandrelli, host of Emily's Wonder Lab, and luminous illustrations from Honee Jang, this delightful celebration of discovering together is sure to inspire readers to reach for their own stars!
A Whale of a Mistake
A Whale of a Mistake
Sometimes, even a little mistake can grow out of proportion! This girl has made a mistake, and every time she worries about it, it grows and grows. Soon, it's a giant whale, following her everywhere she goes! She doesn't know what she'll do until she pauses to look up at the night sky... and realizes that mistakes aren't as rare as she thinks. As she begins to gain perspective on her mistake, the whale shrinks again, and finally swims away. Author/illustrator Ioana Hobai's clever text encourages self-reflection, and her dreamlike artwork helps illustrate how inner turmoil makes a mistake seem bigger — and more insurmountable — than it is.
Me and My Fear
Me and My Fear
The little girl in this story has always had a tiny friend called Fear: a small, white creature with an uncertain smile. But when her family immigrates to a new country, Fear gets bigger and bigger, growing with every uncertainty and every moment of confusion. Fear also tries to change the way she sees the world, telling the girl that she'll always be lonely and afraid... but this little girl is stronger than even her biggest Fear, and when she sees past Fear to discover a willing friend, she discovers that everyone has a Fear — and that talking about your fears can help overcome them. This empowering story will encourage kids to face their own fears in the year to come.
Raise Your Hand
Raise Your Hand
When Alice Paul Tapper noticed that girls in her class were less likely to participate than boys were, she wondered why. The boys made mistakes too, but for some reason, when a girl made a mistake, she stopped raising her hand, even if she thought she knew the answer. So Alice decided she had to do something to help girls build their confidence and leadership skills, and with the help of her parents and her Girl Scout troop, she came up with an idea: a patch and a pledge that girls across the country could earn if they promised to raise their hands! This spirited and enthusiastic picture book encourages girls to follow Alice's lead and make their voices heard.
Marilyn's Monster
Marilyn's Monster
Sometimes the best things in life come when you dare to try something different! Some of the kids in Marilyn's class have their monster and Marilyn knows she just has to be patient: everyone knows the monster has to find you. That's just how it works. But as more and more of her classmates get found, Marilyn decides this is taking too long for her monster to find her — it's time to take some initiative and go looking on her own! This fun story reminds kids that, sometimes, you have to go forth boldly to achieve what you want.
The Day You Begin
The Day You Begin
There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you.... There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it's how you look or talk, or where you're from; maybe it's what you eat, or because you are quiet when others' voices fill the room. It's not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it. National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson lyrical text and two-time Pura Belpré Illustrator Award winner Rafael López's dazzling art celebrates the courage it takes to go out into a world where you feel strange, and the acceptance and friendship you can find if you do.
Start Now! You Can Make a Difference
Start Now! You Can Make a Difference
Activism can sometimes seem overwhelming — but there are problems large and small that kids can tackle every day! In this book, Chelsea Clinton addresses five key concepts — health, hunger, climate change, endangered species, and bullying — and shows kids how to start solving them, either individually, locally, or globally. Each chapter ends with a "Start Now!" bullet list, providing suggestions for young would-be activists to take first steps towards big changes. It's sure to inspire kids to think about how they can change the world for the better this year.
The Year of the Dog
The Year of the Dog
Sometimes feeling different can make a Mighty Girl want to hold herself back. 4th grader Pacy's Chinese horoscope says that this is the year she will “find herself.” But it’s hard enough struggling to meld her Taiwanese background with American culture! In the end, after wrestling with friends, crushes, and schoolwork, it’s having the courage to enter a contest that will give Pacy a clue about her future path. This charming coming-of-age novel is sure to speak to any reader who feels like it takes courage just to be herself.
Your Happiest You: The Care and Keeping of Your Mind and Spirit
Your Happiest You: The Care and Keeping of Your Mind and Spirit
If you've read The Care and Keeping of You, you already know a lot about caring for your body — but your mind and spirit need care too! In this new book from the American Girl Library, you'll learn important skills for long-term happiness: how to focus on what really matters to you, how to bounce back after a setback, how to find calm inside, and how to connect with the people you love. It also shows how you can make your happiness "contagious!" Friendly, accessible advice and stories from real girls just like you remind young readers that happiness doesn't just happen; it's something you can learn.
Otherwise Known As Sheila The Great
Otherwise Known As Sheila The Great
Even harder than overcoming fear can be admitting that you have fears in the first place! Sheila is brave on the surface, but Secret Sheila is afraid of spiders, dogs, and swimming. When her family rents a house for the summer — that comes with a dog — and signs her up for swimming lessons, she’s forced to meet her fears head on. Even though Sheila suspects she’s not fooling her new best friend, it will take a lot before Sheila will admit that she’s not fearless Sheila the Great all the time.
Clarice the Brave
Clarice the Brave
Clarice the mouse and her brother, Charles Sebastian, know that it's critical to be careful... but all the caution in the world didn't save their mother, who was swept into the sea, or their sister, who got caught and eaten by the horrible cat Special Lady. Since then, the siblings have stayed hidden in a pantry crate as much as possible, avoiding the dangers outside. But when some of the sailors on the ship they're riding mutiny, Clarice ends up on a small, leaky boat with Special Lady and one group of sailors, while Charles Sebastian is trapped on the ship with mutineers, a flock of angry chickens, and a human prisoner that's taking a little too much interest in him. To survive — and to find one another again — the siblings will have to learn something new: how to be bold. This thrilling animal adventure is perfect for fans of Pax and A Wolf Called Wander.
A Smart Girl's Guide to Knowing What to Say
A Smart Girl's Guide to Knowing What to Say
If your Mighty Girl wants some help learning how to speak up for herself as she pursues her dreams, this book will help her learn tips, techniques, and conversation starters to make speaking up a little easier. The guide covers over two hundred different situations, including talking to a new girl at school, comforting a friend whose relative has died, and negotiating with parents for a change in the rules. By planning for some common scenarios, your Mighty Girl will feel confident that she knows what to say in any situation.
The Chance to Fly
The Chance to Fly
When 13-year-old Nat's family moves from California to New Jersey, it means leaving behind her best friend Chloe and her wheelchair racing team — plus her parents are as overprotective as ever. But when musical-loving Nat discovers there's going to be a kids' production of Wicked, she takes the plunge and auditions — and gets into the ensemble! Her fellow cast members are eager to help her overcome obstacles — both physical ones, like inaccessible venues, and social ones, like stigma and patronizing attitudes. Will they be able to help Nat "Defy Gravity" in every sense of the song? Written by Tony award–winning actress Ali Stroker, the first wheelchair user to be cast in a Broadway play, and playwright Stacy Davidowitz, this is a celebration of musical theater and of one courageous girl determined to fly.
Minnie McClary Speaks Her Mind
Minnie McClary Speaks Her Mind
As Mighty Girls get older, they also need to learn to speak up — both for themselves and for those they care about. Minnie doesn’t fit in at school until the day Miss Marks takes over Minnie’s language arts class and encourages the kids to ask questions and think critically. Minnie loves Miss Marks, but some parents in town don’t like the questions she’s encouraging their children to ask. Fortunately, Miss Marks’ teaching inspires Minnie to stand up for herself and the teacher who has made such a difference in her life.
The Gutsy Girl: Escapades for Your Life of Epic Adventure
The Gutsy Girl: Escapades for Your Life of Epic Adventure
When Caroline Paul was a girl, she let fear hold her back from all sorts of adventures she wanted to try. As an adult, she has flown planes, rafted on white water, and become one of San Francisco's first female fire fighters. In her book, she shares stories of daring women from history and from her own journey — and encourages girls to set their own path to adventure. Each section includes a spot for girls to write about their own adventures, as well as confidence-building activities girls can try on their own. This book celebrates all the good things that can come when you assess the risks, take a deep breath, and take that first step.
A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking
A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking
14-year-old Mona is a wizard, but she's not the kind you're thinking of: unlike the powerful magic-users who protect the city, her powers only work on bread. So she lives a quiet life at her aunt's bakery, where she bakes delicious biscuits and makes gingerbread men dance to delight the customers. But when an assassin starts targeting wizards in Mona's city — and the City Inquisitor frames Mona for a murder as part of a plot to take over — she realizes that none of the 'real' wizards are coming to save everyone with their lightning and earthquakes. To save herself and everyone she loves, Mona will have to figure out how a bread wizard can be a hero. Winner of the 2021 Hugo Award for Best Young Adult Book, this quirky and funny fantasy, perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman, explores what happens when a girl who was never considered 'strong' — including by herself — becomes the one to save the day.
Be A Changemaker: How To Start Something That Matters
Be A Changemaker: How To Start Something That Matters
Many people wish they could do something that would really change the world for the better, but it can seem hard to turn that desire to do good into a reality that works. This terrific guide will show kids how to take their passions and interests and turn them into an idea for a charity, social entrepreneurship company, or volunteer organization that will help people across the street or around the globe! After settling on her vision, the book also provides great advice on how to set up your group's structure, seek adult guidance and mentorship, plan for expansion, and more.
Fangirl
Fangirl
One of the greatest challenges anyone can face is re-evaluating how they see themselves. Cath and her twin sister Wren have been dedicated fans of a popular book series for years. But they’re going to college, and Wren has dropped a bombshell: she’s ready to move away from fandom and she doesn’t want to live with Cath. As Cath tentatively steps out into the world — without her sister — she discovers that there are hints of a great life, all her own, that she could have. Is she willing to leave behind fanfic and conventions — and everything that she used to be — in order to see how her own story plays out? This story about finding your own way is sure to speak to any teenage Mighty Girl as she faces a great, but scary, adventure: her own life.
Everything All At Once
Everything All At Once
When Lottie's favorite aunt, the author of the best-selling Alvin Hatter series, dies of cancer, she leaves her niece an unusual bequest: 24 letters. Each of them contains a challenge designed to encourage Lottie to overcome her grief — and her anxiety. So Lottie, her friend Em, her younger brother Abe, and her almost-boyfriend Sam set off to complete them all. Along the way, though, Helen's challenges reveal a secret about the inspiration for Alvin Hatter. This adventurous story with a mystical twist celebrates the power of love, writing, and daring to take a risk.
Express Yourself: A Teen Girl's Guide to Speaking Up and Being Who You Are
Express Yourself: A Teen Girl's Guide to Speaking Up and Being Who You Are
Many teen girls feel the pressure to be "nice" and avoid labels like "bossy" or "pushy", but it's hard to find and pursue your dreams if you don't feel like you can be yourself. With this guide from the Instant Help Solutions series, girls will learn how to have positive interactions with others, deal with difficult emotions that can arise from bullying or dealing with challenging peers, and discover easy-to-use strategies that will boost their self-esteem and confidence. By developing their ability to speak with an authentic voice, girls will not only be able to dream big: they'll be able to speak frankly and confidently about those dreams.
Spinning Silver
Spinning Silver
With her father, the local moneylender, unable to collect his debts, Miryem and her parents are left on the edge of poverty — until she takes matters into her own hands. She soon develops a reputation for turning silver into gold, but an ill-advised boast draws the attention of the king of the Staryk, the grim fey who appear more ice than flesh. He gives Miryem an impossible challenge, one that quickly entangles a local peasant girl and the unhappy young woman set to marry the tsar. The unlikely allies will have to find the power to change their fates if they hope to save their world and their own lives. This brilliant feminist reimagining of Rumpelstiltskin by the author of the best-selling Uprooted explores prejudice, love, determination, and sacrifice through the stories of three courageous young women.
Tess of the Road
Tess of the Road
Tess is the black sheep of her family, always speaking out of turn and getting into trouble. When she drunkenly punches her new brother-in-law at her twin Jeanne's wedding, her parents decide that's the last straw and plan to send her to a nunnery. Instead, she cuts her hair, disguises herself as a boy, and hits the road. She's not sure where she's going yet, just that the road will give her answers — answers about who she is, why she is the way she is, and where she belongs. This fantasy adventure set in the world of Seraphina and Shadow Scale also explores the power of journeys to reveal truths to those who walk them, which might prompt your Mighty Girl to look at a new path this year.
Making It Happen: Persistence and Hard Work
Of course, after taking the first step into a new experience, you have to keep going! It can be hard to remember sometimes that a lot of persistence and work is necessary to achieve what you want. These books will remind your Mighty Girl that dreams need to be backed up by some serious dedication!
Tilda Tries Again
Tilda Tries Again
Tilda does NOT like change, but that's all right, because her life is PERFECT just as it is. But then something happens that makes her world feel like it's completely upside-down. Everything seems different and everything is hard, even things she used to love, like playing with her friends. She's not sure she'll ever feel better. Then, she spots a ladybug stuck on its back, which tries again... and again... and again until she rights herself. If the ladybug can do it, Tilda realizes, she can too! And before long, Tilda's world starts to feel a bit more right-side-up again too. Exactly what happens to shake Tilda's confidence is left unspecified, allowing kids to more easily imagine themselves in Tilda's shoes — and helping assure them that everyone can find the resilience they need to handle unexpected change. For more of these kid-friendly books about emotions, check out our Big Bright Feelings Collection.
Because
Because
Where does this girl's musical journey begin? Perhaps it begins because her uncle has a cold, so he gives her his ticket. Or perhaps it begins hundreds of years before, when, "Because a man named Ludwig wrote beautiful music— / a man named Franz was inspired to create his own." And perhaps, when the girl grows up, she will be the "because" for someone else's love of music. Because sometimes it’s the smallest moments that have the biggest impact. Best-selling author Mo Willems' exquisite story captures the magical influence that chance moments have on our hearts, through the eyes of one girl whose musical awakening becomes a life-long passion.
The Perfect Plan
The Perfect Plan
Maya has been dreaming of the perfect cozy fort in the woods, where she can read, dream, and play — so she decides to turn her dreams into reality! She drafts a plan and gathers supplies, but when she gets to the woods, she realizes that it's difficult to build a fort alone. Fortunately, she discovers some new woodland friends willing to help: the beavers cut down logs, the bears help lift them in place, and the birds help weave branches together. And when they're done, she not only has the fort of her dreams, but also a space where she and her new animal friends can spend time together! This charming, gorgeously illustrated picture book celebrates leadership, creativity, and a can-do spirit.
The Most Magnificent Idea
The Most Magnificent Idea
The little girl from The Most Magnificent Thing (and her beloved dog!) are back — and this time, she's run into a new problem: a creative block. How can she make something new if there isn't even a single idea in her head? She tries brainstorming, gathering supplies, and even jumping up and down to shake an idea loose. And without ideas filling her brain, she's finding sadness creeping in to fill the gaps. Fortunately, the same perseverance she's already learned will help her get over this block and fill her brain up with ideas again! Best-selling author/illustrator Ashley Spires provides a fun look at one of the most frustrating parts of the creative process in this encouraging picture book.
The Wednesday Surprise
The Wednesday Surprise
Sometimes it’s important to remind children that even adults have to work hard to learn new things. Anna and Grandma have been working together, planning a special surprise for Dad’s birthday. Together, over many weeks, they spend hours curled up together with a book, always keeping the secret. When Dad's birthday finally comes, after he has opened all his presents, Grandma is able to give him one more, extra special gift — by reading him a story for the very first time. It’s a great way to show every child that you’re never too young or too old to try something new.
This Is It
This Is It
A young girl adores dancing — but jitters about her upcoming audition have taken all the pleasure out of it. As she stands at the door to the theater, though, something magical happens: her shadow comes to life! Soon, it's leading her on an exploration of her city — leaping and twirling all the way. Through her journey, she rediscovers her confidence and her joy, and she returns ready to take her place on the stage. Many girls will recognize themselves in the awkward and anxious main character, who realizes that a dose of courage and confidence leads to great things, and be inspired to push themselves to shake off their own jitters.
The Little Red Fort
The Little Red Fort
Ruby's brain is full of ideas, and today, a pile of old boards has provided inspiration: a fort, just waiting to be built! When she invites her brothers to help, though, they scoff: she doesn't even know how to build. Fortunately, Ruby is full of can-do spirit, declaring, "Then I'll learn" — and soon gets some help from her mother and grandmother. As in the original tale, The Little Red Hen, it's she who does the work who enjoys the rewards... but in this modern spin, Ruby's brothers quickly find a way to make it up to her. This story celebrates an ingenious Latina builder who has the courage and persistence to turn her dreams into reality.
The Book of Mistakes
The Book of Mistakes
On an empty page an artist starts to create — and things don't work out exactly as planned. But amidst mistakes like one eye bigger than the other, or a weird frog-cow-cat... thing, or an inky smudge, this artist is able to see possibility. The eye may have been a mistake, but the glasses look great; the frog-cow-cat makes an excellent bush; and even the smudges can look like leaves floating across the sky. With simple, playful text, author/illustrator Corinna Luyken reminds readers young and old that "mistakes" can be the start of bright ideas — and that all of us are works in progress. It's the perfect reminder as she heads out for a new adventure.
The Most Magnificent Thing
The Most Magnificent Thing
When you're striving for a particular result, it's easy to look at how your work fails, rather than at how it succeeds. The little girl in this story has an idea for building the most magnificent thing she's ever made... but her first attempt just isn't right. Neither is her second, or her third... Finally, in a fit of frustration (complete with smashing, pummeling, and an explosion of fury) she quits altogether. Fortunately, after a little time to calm down — and a walk with her patient, sympathetic furry friend — she's able to go back and see that there's a lot right with everything she made. This charming and funny story will remind kids that taking a break and trying again usually results in success.
Rosie Revere, Engineer
Rosie Revere, Engineer
It’s important to understand that failures are part of the process of achieving great things. In this story, Rosie loves inventing crazy contraptions, but rarely shows her stuff, afraid that things won't work the way she imagines. When her great-great-aunt Rose (a cameo by Rosie the Riveter) confesses that her dream is to fly, Rosie is determined to invent something to let her do just that... except her great invention falls from the sky and smashes on the floor. Far from being disappointed, though, Rose is delighted, telling Rosie that the only true failure is giving up.
Kate, Who Tamed the Wind
Kate, Who Tamed the Wind
Kate is playing hopscotch when she hears a cry of frustration from the bare hilltop near her town. The wind there is powerful, and the man who lives there can't escape it. Kate knows the solution: planting trees! Over years — enough years that Kate becomes a teenager and the man's beard goes grey — Kate plants trees over the steep hill, tends them, and helps them grow. Finally, the trees are tall enough that Kate can truly claim to have tamed the wind. This simple story shares an important message, both about the role that trees play in making our spaces healthier and more comfortable, and about the power of long-term planning and action.
Firebird
Firebird
When confidence is fragile, it's harder to push yourself long enough to achieve big dreams. In this book, an everygirl and would-be dancer looks up at her idol, a prima ballerina, but instead of being inspired, she despairs. How can she possibly ever soar so high, no matter how much time and effort she puts in? Fortunately, the ballerina's reassuring voice tells her that she was once a young dancer too, and that it was time, determination, and courage that turned her into the Firebird. In addition to its confidence-building tone, this book conveys a powerful message: not only does your work lead to achievement, but each person who succeeds can inspire and uplift the next generation.
How to Solve a Problem
The Rise (and Falls) of a Rock-Climbing Champion
How to Solve a Problem
The Rise (and Falls) of a Rock-Climbing Champion
World-record-holding rock climber Ashima Shiraishi provides a lesson in perseverance and resilience, straight from the rock face! In rock climbing, a boulder is called a "problem," and just like any other problem, it can seem "tremendously endless" when you're looking up at it. As the illustrations depict 13-year-old Ashima tackling a challenging rock face — complete with a boldly depicted, breathless fall — she talks about how you can overcome these obstacles, especially with help from your family. And when she makes it to the top of her problem, Ashima reminds young readers that achieving your goal is the best feeling in the world. This inspiring picture book includes back matter about Ashima's groundbreaking climbing career.
La La La: A Story of Hope
La La La: A Story of Hope
One day, a lonely little girl dares to raise her voice. "La la la," she sings, and waits to hear a response... but there is only silence. So she decides to brave the wider world and skips out, pausing every so often to sing again: "la la la." As night falls, she even climbs as high as she can, singing out to the moon; still, nothing. Heartbroken, she falls asleep on the ground, only to be woken later by the most wonderful sound... "LA!" This nearly wordless picture book with exquisite art gently explores loneliness, connection, hope, and persistence; adults will find its message inspiring too.
All The Way To The Top: How One Girl's Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything
All The Way To The Top: How One Girl's Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything
Jennifer Keelan was just an ordinary girl who happened to use a wheelchair. But she knew her life would be a lot easier if people would think about what people with disabilities needed — like cuts in a curb, lifts and elevators, and most importantly, acceptance from others. She joined adult activists in the disability rights movement, and on March 12, 1990, as Congress contemplated the Americans with Disabilities Act — a law that would make public spaces accessible — she got out of her wheelchair at the bottom of the steps to the Capitol Building and climbed — all the way to the top. This inspiring picture book reminds young readers that anyone, no matter their age, can make an impact.
The Girl Who Buried Her Dreams In A Can
The Girl Who Buried Her Dreams In A Can
Years ago in Rhodesia, a child dreamed of an education that was off limits to girls like her. So while she taught herself to read and count, she reconciled herself to a life as a wife and mother only. But when she married, she followed a community tradition: she wrote her dreams down and buried them in an old can as a reminder never to give up. Years later, Dr. Tererai Trent would indeed get university degrees in America — and return to educate the children at her home. This inspiring true story of perseverance despite years of obstacles is sure to inspire.
She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World
She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World
"Nevertheless, she persisted" began as a rebuke, but it's become a celebration of the groundbreaking women who refused to take "no" for an answer! In Chelsea Clinton's captivating picture book, she celebrates thirteen American women whose determination and grit shaped their nation, paving the way for future generations to follow in their footsteps. Her capsule biographies are accented with vivid art from Alexandra Boiger, showing young readers that that no matter what obstacles may be in their paths, they shouldn't give up on their dreams. Persistence is power.
Rescue at Lake Wild
Rescue at Lake Wild
12-year-old Madi's parents have told her if she brings home one more stray or injured animal, she'll lose an opportunity to meet one of her heroes, Jane Goodall! But then she and her friends Aaron and Jack find two dead beavers by the side of the lake — and when Madi investigates their lodge, she finds two orphaned kits. The three kids hide the beavers inside their clubhouse, but in addition to keeping them safe, they have to figure out who killed the two beaver parents, and why. But as they dig into the mystery, they might discover a local environmental crisis that will take more than the three of them to solve! Perfect for fans of Pax and A Boy Called Bat, this book about a determined animal-loving girl will make kids wonder what they can do about protecting wildlife in their own communities.
The Confidence Code for Girls
Taking Risks, Messing Up, and Becoming Your Amazingly Imperfect, Totally Powerful Self
The Confidence Code for Girls
Taking Risks, Messing Up, and Becoming Your Amazingly Imperfect, Totally Powerful Self
Many girls are consumed by self-doubt on the inside, especially during the tween and teen years — but if they can crack the confidence code, they can learn how to set worries aside and focus their energy on what's really important: confidently pursuing their dreams and embracing their authentic selves! In this book, Katty Kay and Claire Shipman, the authors of the best-selling The Confidence Code for adult women, draw on the latest research to help tweens understand how to short-circuit the thoughts that drain your confidence and hold you back. This encouraging title will help her build her confidence long after the year is done!
The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle
The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle
In this quirky story, 12-year-old introvert Bicycle has been raised by Sister Wanda in the Mostly Silent Monastery since she was left there as a three-year-old. But Sister Wanda is worried that Bicycle doesn't have any friends, so she declares that she's going to sleepaway camp at the Friendship Factory (“Three Guaranteed Friendships or Your Money Back.”) Bicycle has other ideas, and sets off on her own bike for California, aiming to meet her hero, Polish cycling racer Zbig. Along the way, she encounters a good-natured ghost, a mysterious woman in black, and an unexpected number of new friends! Hilarious, and charming, this adventure celebrates perseverance, the open road, and the joy of friendship.
It's Not Bragging If It's True
How to Be Awesome at Life, from a Winner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee
It's Not Bragging If It's True
How to Be Awesome at Life, from a Winner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee
When Zaila Avant-garde became the first African American student to win the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2021, she suddenly became a household name! And while people were blown away by her accomplishments — in addition to her spelling bee win, she holds two basketball-related Guinness World Records — she uses this chatty book to remind kids that there are some simple keys to living an authentic life that's successful in the way that YOU define success. With an encouraging tone that teaches readers to follow their passions (even if they're different from the crowd), embrace mistakes and failure, and ask for help when you need it, this book is sure to motivate kids to achieve whatever they're dreaming of.
Remarkably Ruby
Remarkably Ruby
Welcome back to middle school with Emmie & Friends! Ruby (AKA Baked Bean Girl — the one who's always running for the bathroom after her fiber-rich snack) is bigger than her peers and a bit socially awkward. She's always been an outsider — the opposite of Mia, her perfectionist former friend, who's on her way to popular and might even win class president. But when Ruby is asked to start a poetry club, it's a surprise success, and kids start to realize there might be more to her than they thought. Meanwhile, Mia is stressed (and feels a little left out when she realizes people are directing their focus to Ruby.) The sixth book in Terri Libenson's best-selling graphic novel series is a story of individuality, kindness, and being generous to others — and yourself.
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Getting It Together
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Getting It Together
With so much going on and so much to remember, tweens can feel overwhelmed — especially if they don't know how to organize their belongings or their time. This guide teaches girls to look at all aspects of their life, from their backpack to their bedroom to their schedule, to clear them out, tidy them up, and focus on what's really important. Quizzes and step-by-step guides will help girls feel more in control and confident that they can manage everything they need for school, extracurriculars, and more.
Hummingbird
Hummingbird
12-year-old Olive is eager for adventure, even though her osteogenesis imperfecta — AKA brittle bone disease — has her parents convinced she needs constant protection. As far as Olive is concerned, with her trusty wheelchair (to prevent falls) and some actual friends, she can overcome any obstacle! When she convinces her parents to let her go to Macklemore Elementary, her first day goes awry — although she does find a friend, Grace, and learn about a magical wish-granting hummingbird that could be the solution to all her problems. But as Olive chases the hummingbird and new opportunities at school — including a chance to perform in the school play — she starts to wonder if she really wants to be a different person after all... Inspired by author Natalie Lloyd's own experiences with OI, and set in a world that deftly combines magic and reality, this is a powerful story about disability, self-acceptance, and finding your own path to your dreams.
Out of Left Field
Out of Left Field
Katy Gordon is the best pitcher in the neighborhood — everyone knows that. But that doesn't mean she can try out for Little League; as far as the rules are concerned in 1957, it's no girls allowed, period. So when Katy learns a bit about civil rights in school, she decides to prove that she's not the only girl who plays baseball, and discovers that "girl’s baseball had a lot of history, but not a lot of now." The vast changes of the late 1950s — from the Civil Rights movement to Sputnik — and a determined heroine who won't let anyone tell her girls can't play help remind young readers that, even if it's slow, progress is always being made.
Always, Clementine
Always, Clementine
Clementine is a little lab mouse, but she's a bit different from the rest: she's a genius, who can calculate complex equations and dreams in Latin. The scientists put her through dozens of tests, and Clementine is proud of her hard work... but she's lonely, too. Fortunately she occasionally gets a late-night visit with a chimpanzee, Rosie, who's also in the lab for testing. Then a lab technician feels sorry for Clementine and sets her free, introducing her to a world full of amazing things, from delicious Brussels sprouts to intriguing games of speed chess to the chance for a real home. But what good is a home if the other mice — and Rosie — are still prisoners? Told through letters between Clementine and Rosie, this charming adventure story about a little mouse with big plans to free her friends is full of heart, courage, and wisdom.
The House That Lou Built
The House That Lou Built
Lou feels squashed and smothered in her grandmother's house, where she shares a room with her mom, so the woodshop-loving girl comes up with a solution: this summer, she's going to build a "tiny house,", which she can put on land she inherited from her dad when he died before she was born. But building a house is tricky (even when it's tiny) and worse, the land might have to be sold to pay off back taxes and fund a move. Fortunately, both Lou's devoted friends and her loving Filipino family are there to help her achieve her dream... even if it doesn't look quite like she imagined. Lou's determination to build a place for herself is sure to encourage girls to dream their own big dreams.
Take 5 For Your Dreams
Take 5 For Your Dreams
As Mighty Girls get older, too many of them lose sight of their dreams — or never really deeply examine what they want in the first place. In this daily workbook, your Mighty Girl will find a series of five minute prompts and exercises to help her examine her strengths, her desires, and how she can turn her dreams into reality. These daily sessions will encourage girls to define their futures by what they want, rather than by expectations from people around them. Then, fortified by their new confidence in themselves, girls can go out and find ways to make their dreams come true.
Social Anxiety Relief for Teens
A Step-by-Step CBT Guide to Feel Confident and Comfortable in Any Situation
Social Anxiety Relief for Teens
A Step-by-Step CBT Guide to Feel Confident and Comfortable in Any Situation
Millions of teens struggle with social anxiety, something that's been heightened by isolation during the coronavirus pandemic — but if that anxiety prevents them from achieving the life they want, this workbook from the therapist-recommend Instant Help Solutions series can help! This book introduces a five-step program based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which can help teens recognize anxiety triggers, spot the unhelpful coping behavior they've developed, and gradually challenge themselves to increase their comfort levels in social situations. This compassionate and encouraging book will give teens the boost they need to find the confidence they've always dreamed of.
The Self-Esteem Workbook for Teens: Activities to Help You Build Confidence and Achieve Your Goals
The Self-Esteem Workbook for Teens: Activities to Help You Build Confidence and Achieve Your Goals
To achieve your goals, you need positive self-esteem and confidence...and this book will help you build them. This entry from the Instant Help Solutions series teaches teens while self-esteem is a necessary foundation for all of their other goals. Step-by-step workbook pages teach teens to honestly assess their strengths and weaknesses, understand and respond to constructive criticism, and develop the emotional resources you need to succeed.
Get Out Of Your Mind And Into Your Life For Teens
Get Out Of Your Mind And Into Your Life For Teens
If your Mighty Girl finds that the stresses of teenage life make it hard for her to pursue her dreams, this guide from the Instant Help Solutions series will help her work through feelings of anger, embarrassment, or self-doubt to find inner reserves of confidence and self-worth that she never knew she had. As she becomes more aware of how her emotions work, she’ll be more ready to face them and overcome the ones that are holding her back. Teens can also check out The Self-Esteem Workbook for Teens from the same series to help them assess themselves realistically so they can find the assurance they need to achieve their goals.
The Resilience Workbook for Teens
Activities to Help You Gain Confidence, Manage Stress, and Cultivate a Growth Mindset
The Resilience Workbook for Teens
Activities to Help You Gain Confidence, Manage Stress, and Cultivate a Growth Mindset
The teen years bring lots of challenges — and they're also a critical time for building positive strategies for handling setbacks, struggles, and the tough emotional moments that are a part of everyone's life. In this workbook from the Instant Help Solutions series, psychotherapist and youth mentor Cheryl M. Bradshaw teaches teens how to build a positive relationship with themselves, one which helps them believe in their ability to handle whatever life has to throw at them. Interactive activities and evidence-based practices help teens build the resilience they need to survive and thrive, both now and for the rest of their lives.
The Grit Guide for Teens: A Workbook to Help You Build Perseverance, Self-Control, and a Growth Mindset
The Grit Guide for Teens: A Workbook to Help You Build Perseverance, Self-Control, and a Growth Mindset
Want to power through the challenges in your life and achieve your goals? Then you need grit! The term "grit" encompasses all the attributes you need to accomplish what you want, from tenacity to self-control to the ability to bounce back from failure. This guide introduces teens to the concepts of grit and growth mindset — focusing on improvement and hard work — and shows them how these ideas can translate into turning disappointment into opportunity, embracing challenges, managing stress, and more. After all, life isn't necessarily about being the best of the best; it's about being the best YOU that you can possibly be! If she likes this volume from the Instant Help Solutions series, then she can also check out Conquer Negative Thinking for Teens and A Teen's Guide to Getting Stuff Done.
Just As You Are
A Teen’s Guide to Self-Acceptance and Lasting Self-Esteem
Just As You Are
A Teen’s Guide to Self-Acceptance and Lasting Self-Esteem
It's okay to want to be your best — but sometimes teens set themselves impossible standards and find themselves in a loop of constant self-criticism. In this guide from the Instant Help Solutions series, psychologist Michelle Skeen and her daughter, Kelly Skeen provide step-by-step practical advice to shut down overcritical thoughts, identify your strengths, and stop comparing yourself to others. Instead, you'll learn how to use mindfulness tools to be more aware of your thoughts and feelings so that you can figure out what really matters to you — and build a future based on what you love. Most importantly, you'll learn that you are worthwhile, just as you are.
Additional Recommended Resources
- For a wide range of books perfect for encouraging your Mighty Girl to try new things, visit our Initiative / Leadership section.
- For Mighty Girl stories for all ages about the power of persistence, visit our Perseverance section.
- For more books to give your Mighty Girl the self-esteem and confidence she needs to tackle the challenges of the new year, check out the reading recommendations in our Self Esteem / Confidence book section.
- School is the source of many new experiences in a Mighty Girl’s life. For Mighty Girl school stories for elementary-aged children, check out our post on 50 Stories On Mighty Girls’ Adventures At School. And, for recommendations for tweens and teens, visit our post: Mighty Girls in Middle School, High School, and Beyond.
