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  • Update: You can now pre-order the Brave DVD at Amazon.com.

     
    We recently asked A Mighty Girl's Facebook supporters their thoughts on the new Pixar movie, Brave. The film has been highly anticipated for many months so we wanted to know if it lived up to their expectations and those of their children. Since we heard that a number of parents were on the fence about taking their young children to see Brave because of a few scary scenes, we also asked the group what minimum viewing age would they recommend.

    Thanks to everyone who shared their feedback on the film! It will be undoubtedly very helpful for other parents, aunt/uncles, grandparents, or others thinking of taking children to see Brave.

    For other girl-empowering animated movie recommendations, visit A Mighty Girl's animated movie section. Continue reading Continue reading

  • Many parents enjoy reading picture books to their young children but reading aloud to children doesn't need to stop once they are able to read on their own. On the contrary, many child development studies have found that parents reading to their children in elementary school and beyond can have a very positive impact on the children’s language and literacy development.

    One study from the OECD discovered that these impacts are long-lasting – children whose parents regularly read to them as 1st graders performed significantly better in reading at age 15 than children whose parents rarely, if ever, read to them. Plus, reading together provides a great bonding opportunity for parents and children – a little dose of quiet, reflective time in the midst of a hectic day.

    With these benefits in mind, we’re pleased to present A Mighty Girl’s newest special feature – the Top Read Aloud Chapter Books starring Mighty Girls. This list was compiled with elementary-aged students in mind but many of these stories are also excellent for older children as well. Here's a summary of the types of books found in this collection: Continue reading Continue reading

  • Wangari Maathai was a highly accomplished Kenyan environmentalist who has been the subject of a number of recent stunning picture books. After training as a biologist in the U.S., Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement, an environmental and women's empowerment organization that trains women in rural Kenya to plant trees in order to combat deforestation. Since its founding in 1977, her organization has planted over 40 million trees and trained over 30,000 women in trades that provide them with income and preserve the country's natural resources. Maathai's efforts effectively transformed the landscape of Kenya and raised countless women out of poverty. For her great contributions, Maathai received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 -- becoming the first African woman to do so.

    In the past several years, four picture books have been released on the life and work of Maathai. All four are beautifully illustrated and trace her life from her early girlhood days to her founding of the Green Belt Movement and the impact her work had on the land and people of Kenya. Continue reading Continue reading

  • Earlier this month in our first ever member survey, we asked A Mighty Girl's supporters what new site feature they would most like to see. And, the winner was clear -- you wanted book clubs and we've delivered! With summer vacation just around the corner, it's the perfect time for... Continue reading
  • Many people are familiar with Astrid Lindgren's beloved children's classic Pippi Longstocking but her lesser known novel, Ronia, the Robber's Daughter," is equally fantastic and highly recommended for those seeking a compelling adventure story starring a courageous and compassionate Mighty Girl.

    The story is set in the early Middle Ages in Scandinavia and follows Ronia, a young girl growing up in a robber clan led by her father, Mattis. Ronia is a very spirited child, who spends her time exploring the countryside and taming wild horses. One day Ronia saves the life of the son of a rival clan chief and the two become friends. Eventually, the revelation of the children's close friendship leads to a massive feud between the clans and the decision by the children to run off together to the woods. In the end, the story ends happily as, inspired by the children's example, the adults eventually repent of their feuding and peace returns.

    "Ronia" features an impressive heroine who is quite reminiscent of a young Katniss of The Hunger Games fame - she's brave and spirited, loyal to her friends, and determined to stay true to her beliefs even in the face of adult opposition. In "Ronia," not only has Lindgren created a rich engrossing fantasy world, she subtlety addresses themes of prejudice, gender, friendship, loyalty, and, most of all, the challenge of growing up and discovering what kind of person you want to be. Continue reading Continue reading

  • Each May the United States celebrates the history and culture of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. In honor of this month, A Mighty Girl has created a new special feature on the Top Asian Pacific American Mighty Girl Books. And, just as Asian and Pacific Islanders are a very diverse group, encompassing people who originate from the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia, the reading selections in this collection are equally diverse.

    Thematically, the books range from those which focus on the experience of 2nd or 3rd generation Asian-American youth to others which address of the challenges of more recent immigrants. Books from this former group often confront issues such as dual identities, cultural clashes between family and societal expectations, and body image, and include many teen-oriented titles like YELL-Oh Girls!, Nothing But the Truth (and a Few White Lies), Born Confused, Monsoon Summer, and April and the Dragon Lady. The selections focused on more recent immigrants address many of the challenges this population experiences such as cultural disorientation, teasing or bullying, and language struggles. Great options for younger readers include The Name Jar, My Name is Yoon, and Good-Bye, 382 Shin Dang Dong. Older readers might appreciate Tangled Threads: A Hmong Girl's Story, Kira-Kira, A Jar of Dreams, Inside Out and Back Again, Blue Jasmine, Children of the River, A Step From Heaven, and Ask Me No Questions. Continue reading Continue reading

  • In Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper, eleven-year old Melody has a photographic memory and is the smartest kid in her school but no knows it. Melody has cerebral palsy and cannot walk or talk. Stuck in preschool-level classes her whole life and unable to share her thoughts with anyone, her life has become an exercise in frustration. Yet, Melody refuses to be defined by her disability and, when she receives a keyboard that allows her to communicate for the first time, her life and those of everyone around her changes.

    Young people, like many adults, are often uncomfortable and uncertain how to act when meeting people with disabilities. Out of My Mind is an excellent novel to help tween/teen readers ages 10 and up understand that people with disabilities are just like them, with thoughts and feelings; hopes and dreams.

    Draper, a multiple Coretta Scott King Award winner and the mother of a child with developmental difficulties, was inspired to write Out of My Mind for "all the parents of disabled kids who struggle, to all those children who are misunderstood, to all those caregivers who help every step of the way. It's also written for people who look away, who pretend they don't see, or who don't know what to say when they encounter someone who faces life with obvious differences. Just smile and say hello!"

    For a wonderful and, at times, emotionally-charged story of a young girl with an indomitable spirit that is sure to challenge many of the stereotypes and biases held about people with disabilities, A Mighty Girl highly recommends Out of My Mind. Continue reading Continue reading

  • A Mighty Girl is excited to share news of these two great opportunities for tweens and teens! The first, the Girl Up Teen Advisors program is open to girls entering 7th-12th grades and focuses on global issues and international development; while the second, the new N.A.S.A. G.I.R.L.S. summer program, is... Continue reading
  • "Never play the princess when you can be the queen: rule the kingdom, swing a scepter, wear a crown of gold. Don't dance in glass slippers, crystal carving up your toes -- be a barefoot Amazon instead, for those shoes will surely shatter on your feet." We posted this fabulous... Continue reading
  • In honor of Mother's Day this coming weekend, we've selected My Name Is Not Isabella: Just How Big Can a Little Girl Dream? by Jennifer Fosberry as this week's A Mighty Girl's top book pick. This beautifully illustrated picture book follows young Isabella as she spends the day imagining herself as different... Continue reading
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