The best new books for children and teens about incredible girls and women for Women's History Month 2022.
If you love to introduce kids to incredible girls and women from history, it's been another year full of fabulous new books for children and teens! Their fascinating stories give kids — girls and boys alike — a more nuanced and complete understanding of history, while also providing role models for the next generation of groundbreaking women to come.
In honor of Women's History Month, we've collected the best biographies that have been published in the past 12 months about remarkable, determined, trailblazing women! These books for children and teens feature a broad range of women in many different fields, from science to the arts to politics and activism, making them excellent additions to any bookshelf or school curriculum. Whether you're sharing a picture book biography at bedtime or introducing your teen to an inspiring new hero, these books will remind them to tell women's stories all year long!
For more empowering books about girls and women from around the world, check out the hundreds of biographies and works of historical fiction in A Mighty Girl's History & Biography Collection.
New Books For Women's History Month 2022
She Persisted in Sports (Board Book Edition)
She Persisted in Sports (Board Book Edition)
Chelsea Clinton introduces the littlest readers to thirteen daring, determined Olympians in this board book edition of her best-selling book She Persisted in Sports! From the earliest record-breakers to the sports heroes of today, these women faced unique challenges throughout countless sports and levels of play. But they ignored the naysayers and refused to give up, and found their way to athletic excellence! With vivid, compelling art by Alexandra Boiger and simple text, this board book introduces trailblazing athletes — from some of the earliest American Olympians to members of the US' Tokyo Olympic team — and highlights how they persisted to pursue their dreams.
Greta: My First Greta Thunberg
Greta: My First Greta Thunberg
Even the littlest readers can be inspired by Greta Thunberg's story of activism with this board book adaptation of the picture book biography from the Little People, Big Dreams series! Young Greta was so upset when she heard about the climate crisis that she stopped talking at first, but eventually, she realized that it was young people like her who needed to raise their voices and make the people in power pay attention. She created the "School Strike for Climate" which has become a youth movement around the world! Today, she reminds everyone that "No one is too small to make a difference." This board book from the My First - Little People, BIG DREAMS series is sure to delight kids who want to dream big.
Women in Science (Board Book Edition)
Women in Science (Board Book Edition)
Rachel Ignotofsky's best-selling Women in Science gets a board book adaptation for the littlest readers! Combining Ignotofsky's gorgeous, colorful illustrations with simple text, this book is packed with diverse role models from every field of science. Each entry gives the woman's name, a few fun facts, and a one-sentence summary of one of her most important contributions, from how Wang Zhenyi figured out how eclipses work to how Mae Jemison became the first African American woman in space. It's the perfect title for curious kids who can't wait to learn more about the trailblazing women who made their mark on history! You can also check out the board book adaptation of Ignotofsky's book about Women in Sports.
I Am Malala Yousafzai
I Am Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai grew up in Pakistan and she loved to learn — but when the Taliban took control, they didn't think girls should go to school. But she refused to stop learning — and she refused to let them silence her. She wrote about what it was like to be denied the chance to study and, even after the Taliban tried to kill her, she continued to stand up for women's rights and for girls' right to an education. In this inspiring book from the Ordinary People Change The World series, best-selling author-illustrator team Brad Meltzer and Christopher Eliopolous introduce kids to Malala's story and show them how traits that many children possess, like curiosity and a love of learning, helped make Malala into a hero for people around the world.
Harriet's Ruffled Feathers: The Woman Who Saved Millions of Birds
Harriet's Ruffled Feathers: The Woman Who Saved Millions of Birds
Harriet Lawrence Hemenway loved all things fashion — especially hats! What was more fun than a hat with ribbons or flowers or, best of all, feathers? But then she learned that millions of birds were killed every year to supply the feathers for her cap, and she was horrified: "To think this bird should be deprived of its own finery for someone else’s hat! A passion for fashion was one thing, but this was featherbrained!" So she set out to change fashion, pushing for laws making it illegal to sell wild bird feathers. And in 1896, that newfound love for birds led her and her friends to found the Massachusetts Audubon Society, which later grew into the country's largest national bird conservation organization! This lively picture book biography is a celebration of how one pioneering conservationist's love of fashion led to a crusade that saved millions of birds.
A Dinosaur Named Ruth: How Ruth Mason Discovered Fossils in Her Own Backyard
A Dinosaur Named Ruth: How Ruth Mason Discovered Fossils in Her Own Backyard
In 1905, prairie girl Ruth finds something unexpected on her family's South Dakota land: strange rocks and rubble. They look almost like bones — but bones of what? And why are they so much like stone? Ruth is full of questions, but nobody else seems interested in them, even the scientists she contacts when she's an adult. It's not until 1979 that two paleontologists come to see Ruth's discovery and discover the remains of thousands of dinosaurs! This thrilling picture book celebrates a curious girl who grew up into a woman determined to be heard, and how her persistence ensured scientists could study one of the greatest paleontological discoveries of the 20th century.
My Little Golden Book About Dolly Parton
My Little Golden Book About Dolly Parton
Today, Dolly Parton is a world-famous entertainer, a generous philanthropist, and an advocate for literacy — but she didn't start out in a life of fortune and fame. In fact, Parton's singing and songwriting helped her and her family escape from poverty... and she's never forgotten where she came from. Today, she's an award-winning entertainer, an actress, an author, and she even has her own theme park! With simple language and appealing illustrations, this picture book biography from the beloved Little Golden Book series is the perfect way to introduce preschoolers to Parton's inspiring story. This series also includes new books about Misty Copeland and Betty White.
Sarah and the Big Wave: The True Story of the First Woman to Surf Mavericks
Sarah and the Big Wave: The True Story of the First Woman to Surf Mavericks
Growing up in Hawaii, Sarah Gerhardt learned to surf on little waves, the kind that most people surf on. But the bigger they were, the more fun she had! So she slowly started surfing on bigger and bigger waves, until eventually she was regularly surfing on waves 50 feet high. It was hard being a female surfer: she had to use gear designed for men, and plenty of people didn't think she could surf a really big wave like the ones at the Mavericks surf break in California. But in 1999, after years of practice, she rode the biggest wave of her life — and became the first woman to conquer Mavericks. This stunningly illustrated picture book is a tribute to the excitement of surfing, the power of the ocean, and the determination of this female surfing trailblazer.
What Isabella Wanted
Isabella Stewart Gardner Builds A Museum
What Isabella Wanted
Isabella Stewart Gardner Builds A Museum
Isabella Stewart Gardner knew what she wanted — and she did what she wanted, too, whether that was wearing a baseball uniform to the symphony or organizing her home's artwork based on how it made her feel. In fact, she filled her home with such beautiful art that she decided to turn her collection into a museum, but she didn't change where the pictures were. She wanted to encourage her visitors to feel the same connection with the artwork that she did... and she was used to getting what she wanted. In this exuberant picture book biography, kids will meet the indomitable Isabella; learn about her amazing museum — including the infamous 1990 heist of 13 paintings valued at $500 million; and discover that a unique point of view can be just what the world needs.
She Stitched the Stars: A Story of Ellen Harding Baker's Solar System Quilt
She Stitched the Stars: A Story of Ellen Harding Baker's Solar System Quilt
In 1876, a wife and mother like Ellen Harding Baker was expected to focus on the home: to cook and clean, to knit and sew. But the Iowa woman had boundless curiosity, particularly about space. She may not have been able to defy the conventions of her day to study the stars, but she could learn everything she could on her own and stitch it into a quilt. Today, Baker's solar system quilt hangs in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, a tribute to a woman whose thirst for knowledge never faded. In this gorgeous picture book from the She Made History series, Baker's story is told through the eyes of her daughters, imagining how her determination to learn may have influence her family for generations.
I Am Frida Kahlo
I Am Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo grew up in Mexico, and her childhood wasn't easy: she was the only girl who attended her school, and a bout with polio left her with a permanently weakened leg. Then, as a young adult, she survived a bus crash, but was left in serious pain. As she recovered, she started to paint — starting the path to becoming one of the most famous painters of the 20th century, and a feminist icon! This book from the Ordinary People Change the World biography series introduces young readers to the inimitable Frida, and invites them to imagine how their own traits and talents could make history. For another new book about an inspiring woman from this best-selling series, check out I Am Oprah Winfrey.
The Fastest Girl on Earth! Meet Kitty O'Neil, Daredevil Driver!
The Fastest Girl on Earth! Meet Kitty O'Neil, Daredevil Driver!
Kitty O'Neil loved sports as a child, even after becoming deaf from a fever at the age of 2 — and nothing was going to stop her from pursuing her passions. She learned to read lips and to communicate with sign language, and she also learned to jump, run, race, and swim. She set speed records in water skiing and boating, and became a stuntwoman on films like Wonder Woman, but she still wanted more. So she decided to become a racecar driver, which took even more time and training as she learned to control her rocket-powered vehicle Motivator. And in 1976, she raced at over 600 miles per hour, breaking the land speed record! This high-powered picture book biography, which includes back matter about O'Neil's Cherokee heritage, the Motivator, and other speed records, is sure to inspire would-be daredevils.
Alice Waters Cooks Up a Food Revolution
Alice Waters Cooks Up a Food Revolution
As a child, Alice Waters loved the taste of fresh food from her family's garden in the summer and dreaded the winter full of convenience foods, which may have been "modern" and "easy" but certainly didn't taste as wonderful! As an adult, she realized that the secret of these delicious flavors was fresh, local food — so she opened a restaurant devoted to purchasing from small farmers and designing seasonal menus that took advantage of the foods that were in their prime. In this lively picture book from the team behind the acclaimed Ada Lovelace, Poet of Science, kids will learn about Waters' zest for food and cooking, and how she helped kickstart the organic food movement.
Rosalind Franklin (Little People, Big Dreams)
Rosalind Franklin (Little People, Big Dreams)
Rosalind Franklin was a scientist when few women were, and she perfected techniques in X-ray crystallography that allowed her to take pictures of molecules more detailed than anyone had managed before! At King's College London, she and Maurice Wilkins decided to work on finding the structure of DNA — but after a disagreement, he showed her "photo 51" to another researcher, Francis Crick. Crick and his colleague James Watson would later be credited with "discovering" DNA's double helix; Franklin's contribution wasn't recognized until after her death. Today, though, she's recognized for her critical role in one of the most important discoveries of the 20th century. This book from the Little People, BIG DREAMS series is a must-have introduction to a scientist who's finally getting her due. There are also new books from this series about Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Florence Nightingale, Amanda Gorman, Gloria Steinem, Marilyn Monroe, Mindy Kaling, Michelle Obama, Kamala Harris, Yoko Ono, and Iris Apfel.
You Are a Star, Ruth Bader Ginsburg!
You Are a Star, Ruth Bader Ginsburg!
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a rabble rouser, a keen legal mind, a determined advocate, and so much more. Now, best-selling author Dean Robbins and illustrator Sarah Green have created a modern tribut to her life and legacy. With a combination of first-person narrative, comic panels, sidebar facts, and more, Robbins and Green show how Ginsburg dedicated her life to equality and justice, first by arguing the law and then by helping to shape it. With engaging back matter that includes guidance on how kids can be more like their hero, this is an empowering introduction to Ginsburg's life and legacy.
Tu Youyou's Discovery: Finding a Cure for Malaria
Tu Youyou's Discovery: Finding a Cure for Malaria
When Tu Youyou was a child growing up in China, her family would treat her sicknesses with traditional remedies. She was fascinated by science, so she decided she wanted to study medicine. By the time she was an adult, more and more people around the world were being infected with a strain of malaria that was resistant to the medicines people usually used. She decided to find a new treatment — and she wondered if a traditional remedy might be the key. With the help of her team, Tu Youyou started poring through home remedies for symptoms of malaria and one of them, artemisinin derived from sweet wormwood, would be the cure she had been searching for. This picture book from the She Made History series is an inspiring introduction to the Nobel Prize-winning malariologist whose work has saved millions of lives.
Pura's Cuentos: How Pura Belpré Reshaped Libraries with Her Stories
Pura's Cuentos: How Pura Belpré Reshaped Libraries with Her Stories
As a child, Pura loved listening to her abuela's stories, rich with Puerto Rican folklore. When she moved to Harlem as an adult, she saw children who spoke Spanish and had families just like hers. But when she got a job at the library, the books on the shelves were only in English. So she decided it was time to introduce children to her stories — in English and Spanish — stories that captured the spirit and traditions of her home long before any of them were written in a book. This exuberant biography of Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian in New York City and a pioneer of bilingual storytimes, is a celebration of diverse communities, the joy of folk tales, and the power of stories to bring us together.
Born Hungry: Julia Child Becomes "the French Chef"
Born Hungry: Julia Child Becomes "the French Chef"
Julia Child was born loving food, but it took a long time before she became a chef. In fact, she started her adult life working for the Office of Strategic Services during World War II. After spending time in Ceylon and China, she and her husband moved to France, where a life-changing luncheon sparked an eagerness to learn French cooking — and share it with the world. She would become the only woman student at Le Cordon Bleu, where she learned to cook in 37 lessons (and a lot of trial and error. And finally, she got the chance to host a TV cooking show, where she could encourage people around the world to see eating as a special occasion and to have fun with cooking! Told by her grandnephew, Alex Prud'homme, with vivacious illustrations from Sarah Green, this picture book biography even includes a kid-friend recipe from Julia herself.
Fearless World Traveler: Adventures of Marianne North, Botanical Artist
Fearless World Traveler: Adventures of Marianne North, Botanical Artist
Born to a wealthy family in 1800s England, Marianne North loved painting and botany. Her mother told her she was wasting her time; she should be looking for an appropriate husband. Although she refused to give up on her dream, she spent many years caring for her ailing father — but when he died, she suddenly found herself with the freedom and the funds to do as she pleased. Not only did North travel the world, drawing and painting what she saw — and pioneering the technique of painting specimens in their natural environment — but she created so many works of art that she created the Marianne North Gallery at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, a gallery that is still open today. This lush picture book celebrates an independent-minded woman whose love of science and art changed the way people saw the natural world.
Like A Diamond in the Sky: Jane Taylor’s Beloved Poem of Wonder and the Stars
Like A Diamond in the Sky: Jane Taylor’s Beloved Poem of Wonder and the Stars
When Jane Taylor grew up in the late 1700s, few girls went to school; they were expected to learn to run a home instead. But Jane dreamed of being a writer, inspired by the English countryside around her and the stars in the sky. Her family supported her, but society didn't, disdaining her as a woman who "read too much, knew too much, and wrote too much." Still, Jane persevered, and one of her poems for children has stood the test of time and become a beloved lullaby: "Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are." This stunning picture book biography celebrates the little-known poet behind the famous nursery rhyme, and the backmatter even includes scientific details about why stars twinkle.
A Vote for Susanna: The First Woman Mayor
A Vote for Susanna: The First Woman Mayor
When the state of Kansas gave women the right to vote in municipal elections in 1887, some of the men in the city of Argonia disagreed. They didn't think women deserved to have a say in their next mayor. As a joke — and without telling her — some of them put the name of a local woman, Susanna Salter, on the ballot. But when she found out, she said she would serve if the people elected her. Several supporters of another candidate approached her and offered to campaign on her behalf... and Susanna won by a landslide! Told in the voice of a grandmother recalling the events of that election day to her granddaughter, this book from the She Made History series shows kids the obstacles women faced to vote and run for office — and the determined women who refused to give up.
Shaped By Her Hands: Potter Maria Martinez
Shaped By Her Hands: Potter Maria Martinez
Maria Povika Martinez learned pottery with her ko-ōo, her aunt Nicolasa, who knew traditional techniques that her people had used for hundreds of years. While other children played with toys, she practiced shaping clay, making pots, and more! As an adult, Maria wanted to combine these traditions with something new. She developed a new firing technique that made pots black and shiny — something the world had never seen. Before long, she was the most renowned Native American potter of her day! This gorgeous picture book from the She Made History series celebrates creativity, innovation, and how combining old and new can create something beautiful.
Little People, Big Dreams Treasury
50 Stories from Brilliant Dreamers
Little People, Big Dreams Treasury
50 Stories from Brilliant Dreamers
Fans of the Little People, BIG DREAMS series will love this keepsake quality treasuring featuring 50 inspiring people from the best-selling picture books! In each section, you'll find capsule biographies divided by profession, featuring artists, activists, entertainers, scientists, sports legends, and more. Each story includes new facts and figures to expand your knowledge about heroes like Frida Kahlo, Coco Chanel, Maya Angelou, Amelia Earhart, David Attenborough, Greta Thunberg, Elton John, John Lennon, Malala Yousafzai, Mindy Kaling, and Prince. This empowering treasury is the perfect gift to inspire a new generation of dreamers.
The Heart of the Storm: A Biography of Sue Bird
The Heart of the Storm: A Biography of Sue Bird
As a child in New York, Sue Bird was quiet and shy — but she was also full of energy and athletic talent. She adored her older sister Jen, and tried every sport Jen tried, but none of them quite seemed to fit... until the day she picked up a basketball. Soon she was dreaming of playing at the highest levels of the sport, but to do that, she would have to work hard. She honed her skills as a team player, and took on the challenge of becoming a more vocal leader. And that determination took her to the Seattle Storm WNBA team, where she became one of the best WNBA players of all time! With dynamic illustrations and text full of can-do attitude, this exuberant picture book is a celebration of the hard work and practice it takes to become a top-tier athlete.
Sanctuary: Kip Tiernan and Rosie's Place, the Nation's First Shelter for Women
Sanctuary: Kip Tiernan and Rosie's Place, the Nation's First Shelter for Women
Kip Tiernan grew up during the Great Depression, and she often helped her grandmother feed hungry, homeless men who came looking for help. That spirit of selflessness stayed with her as an adult, and she continued volunteering — but she noticed that some of the people she served were women dressed as men. They couldn't officially seek help at the men-only shelters, because people believed that there were no women without homes... even though it didn't take Kip long to find women sleeping in parks. After years of arguing on their behalf, Kip finally opened Rosie's Place, America's first women's shelter — one that asked no questions, just provided food, beds, and safety for women in need. Written by a former educator at Rosie's Place, this compelling picture book biography is a celebration of compassion, determination, and the power of one person to make change.
A Voice for the Everglades: Marjory Stoneman Douglas
A Voice for the Everglades: Marjory Stoneman Douglas
Marjory Stoneman Douglas grew up in Florida, and she knew the Everglades as a place full of lush, wild beauty: nine different ecosystems packed with wildlife, including everything from panthers to manatees to hundreds of species of birds. But when she came home from World War I, she discovered that the Everglades were slowly falling, being taken over by developers. She wrote a book, A River of Grass, which helped people see the natural beauty of the Everglades and led to the creation of a national park, not for visitors, but as a preserve to protect this unique place. This vibrant picture book from the She Made History series celebrates Douglas' conservation work — and the Everglades that she loved.
Poet, Pilgrim, Rebel: The Story of Anne Bradstreet, America's First Published Poet
Poet, Pilgrim, Rebel: The Story of Anne Bradstreet, America's First Published Poet
In 17th century England, Anne dreamed of being a writer — but Puritan girls were supposed to devote themselves to keeping house. Still, her father encouraged her love of poetry, and let her listen in as he and his friends discussed music, astronomy, and medicine. When she married, her husband also encouraged her love of learning, even when they traveled to America to start life in a new land. While her children slept, Anne would write poetry... and when a family friend had her poems published, she became the first published poet in America, famous in both the New World and in England! This lovely picture book, written by one of Bradstreet's descendants, introduces young readers to Bradstreet's inspiring story of creativity and perseverance.
Sing with Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla
Sing with Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla
Selena loved to sing, and she loved how music brought people together — but being a professional musician, and especially proving herself in male-dominated Tejano music, would take work and determination! Selena learned to sing in Spanish, designed her own clothes, and started singing everywhere she could. And as she not only made a name for herself in Tejano music, but also on mainstream radio stations, she went from singing at local quinceañeras to performing at the Houston Astrodome! This vibrant and exuberant picture book biography of about Queen of Tejano music celebrates how Selena became an inspiration to Latinas everywhere. This book is also available in Spanish as Canta conmigo: La historia de Selena Quintanilla.
Fearless: The Story of Daphne Caruana Galizia, Defender of Free Speech
Fearless: The Story of Daphne Caruana Galizia, Defender of Free Speech
Daphne Caruana Galizia grew up in Malta, and she dreamed of being a writer — one who shared important stories. When she got older, she was an activist, fighting to change things for the better through peaceful protest. She became a reporter for a national newspaper who exposed criminals and corruption... but that brought threats and danger. Still, she refused to back down: she was fearless. This beautiful picture book tribute by Gattaldo, a friend of Galizia's, explores the life, death, and legacy of this courageous journalist and shows young readers the power of freedom of speech and a free press.
How to Hear the Universe
Gaby González and the Search for Einstein's Ripples in Space-Time
How to Hear the Universe
Gaby González and the Search for Einstein's Ripples in Space-Time
In 1916, Albert Einstein theorized that there were collisions in space, far out in the universe, which might make sound waves that we could use to understand the beginning of the universe — and the far reaches of it. But there was no way for him to prove it. Decades later, a scientist named Gabriela González, who had immigrated to America from Argentina, decided to take up Einstein's question. With brand new technology and a crack team of physicists, González finally found it: a sound wave, rippling through space-time. 100 years after Einstein had first proposed the idea, it was González who proved he was right. Written by molecular biologist Patricia Valdez, and with exuberant illustrations from award-winning illustrator Sara Palacios, this picture book about two pioneering scientists will fill kids with a sense of wonder about the universe.
She Heard the Birds: The Story of Florence Merriam Bailey
She Heard the Birds: The Story of Florence Merriam Bailey
Florence Merriam Bailey loved birds: she adored spending time outside, watching and listening to her feathered friends. But when she grew up, she learned that most ornithologists of her day studied birds that had been stuffed and mounted, and never set foot outside their labs except to trap even more birds. Bailey proposed the modern system of birdwatching, even writing one of the first field guides to American birds, Birds Through An Opera-Glass. She was also an advocate for conservation, encouraging women to refuse to wear feathers in their fashion and fighting for laws that protected wild spaces. Author Andrea D'Aquino's elegant text and gorgeous collage illustrations tell the story of this pioneering scientist and how her innovative perspective changed the world.
Violet Velvet Mittens with Everything: The Fabulous Life of Diana Vreeland
Violet Velvet Mittens with Everything: The Fabulous Life of Diana Vreeland
Growing up in Paris, Diana Vreeland loved to dress up — and stand out. She learned early on that not everyone appreciated that: when she was 13, her mother got angry at her for wearing red nail polish. But she took her love of the daring and bold and used it to turn herself into a fashion icon, working for Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, and the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. And one thing was certain: she was never, ever boring! This charming and airy picture book biography celebrates the "Empress of Fashion" whose determination and individuality left a legacy that still influences fashion today.
The Singer and the Scientist
The Singer and the Scientist
It's 1937, and contralto Marian Anderson is about to give another performance to an admiring crowd in New Jersey. This time, there's an odd-looking man near the front, with eccentric clothes and wild white hair. When her performance is over, Marian just wants to rest — but the venue's staff rudely tell her that the local hotels are for Whites only, and the people who cheered for her moments ago ignore her. Then the man with the white hair approaches: Albert Einstein! He invites her to stay at his house, and shares with her his own stories of experiencing prejudice as a Jew in Germany. Before long, the two have become friends, finding common ground in their love of music and their determination to pursue their passions. With vibrant illustrations, this picture book tells a story of a little-known friendship that highlights how small acts of kindness fight injustice.
Sharice’s Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman
Sharice’s Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman
When Sharice Davids was a girl, there weren't many women in Congress — and there weren't many Native Americans there, either. But she grew up loving to talk, proud of her identity as part of the Ho-Chunk nation, and determined to find a path to walk that was all her own. When she finally decided to run, there were plenty of people who thought a woman like her couldn't represent Kansas... but there were plenty more people who did! In this inspiring autobiographical picture book, Davids, one of the first Native American women elected to Congress and the first LGBTQ congressperson to represent Kansas, tells her story. With vivid illustrations by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, an Ojibwe Woodland artist, this book is a reminder that a child's "big voice" can become the voice that fights for change.
Niki Nakayama: A Chef's Tale in 13 Bites
Niki Nakayama: A Chef's Tale in 13 Bites
Growing up in LA, Niki Nakayama's Japanese-born parents loved fusing Japanese culture and American food — and Niki decided she wanted to be a chef, doing the same and sharing what she made with people everywhere! Using the thirteen courses of a traditional kaiseki meal, authors Debbi Michiko Florence and Jamie Michalak show how Niki evolved from making snacks as a child to making fancy meals in her Michelin-starred restaurant, n/naka. They highlight the sexism she faced along the way, but also her determination to prove everyone wrong: "Kuyashii!" she exclaimed, "I'll show them!" With vivid illustrations by Yuko Jones, and a recipe for wonton pizza for kids to try at home, this is a delicious celebration of a rising star master chef!
She Persisted in Science: Brilliant Women Who Made a Difference
She Persisted in Science: Brilliant Women Who Made a Difference
Women through the centuries have often been discouraged from science — but the truth is that the more kinds of minds we have working on scientific problems, the more answers we find! In this STEM-themed book from the best-selling She Persisted series, Chelsea Clinton introduces young readers to a variety of inspiring scientists, from chemists and physicists to architects and environmental activists. From famous figures like Jane Goodall, Rosalind Franklin, Temple Grandin, and Florence Nightingale, to lesser-known figures like Gladys West, Rebecca Lee Crumpler, and Flossie Wong-Staal, and even to a new wave of teen activists like Greta Thunberg and Wanjiru Wathuti, all of these girls and women prove that everyone has the potential to make a discovery that could change the world.
Sister Corita's Words and Shapes
Sister Corita's Words and Shapes
When she was 18, Corita Kent entered the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart convent to pursue her faith — but she was also encouraged to pursue the artwork that she loved. She earned a master's degree and started teaching art, encouraging her students to find new ways to look at the world. Fascinated by the pop art movement, she decide to make her own pop art, including vibrant works that tackled political and moral issues. Her archbishop disliked her methods and her work, so she left the convent, and continued to paint, creating powerful work that called for an end to the Vietnam War and urged equality, kindness, and acceptance. Celebrated picture book author Jeanette Winter has created an exuberant portrait of a pioneering artist and activist who urged the word to find the good in themselves.
She's on the Money
She's on the Money
For thousands of years, humans have used coins, bills, and other currencies to make trade easier — and often, they included the faces of important, admired people! In this intriguing book from the She Made History series, kids will learn about fifteen women whose faces have appeared on coins or bills, from Queen Cleopatra to Eva Perón to Sacagawea. They'll get a peek at how countries decide whose faces appear on currency — and why so few women do. Each entry provides information about the historical figure and context about different currencies, customs of the time period, and more. It's sure to make kids look at their piggy banks and wallets a little differently!
Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Alma Thomas grew up in the early 1900s, when racial injustice surrounded her family wherever they went — but so did the stunning colors of the great outdoors. Her parents encouraged her to fill her life with creativity, and she grasped the lesson well, going on to teach art to children when she moved to Washington DC. When she was almost 70 years old, though, she was done working and ready to pursue her own passion. Her artwork, inspired by nature and space travel, would make her the first Black woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum in New York City — and her work was even chosen for display at the White House. Detailed backmatter and an inspiring message about following your passion make this book perfect for fans of Malala's Magic Pencil and Mae Among the Stars.
Fall Down Seven Times, Stand Up Eight: Patsy Takemoto Mink and the Fight for Title IX
Fall Down Seven Times, Stand Up Eight: Patsy Takemoto Mink and the Fight for Title IX
As a child, Patsy Takemoto Mink learned a Japanese proverb: fall down seven times, stand up eight. She took that spirit to heart, and refused to give up on her dreams. When she found out that the medical school she wanted to attend wouldn't admit women, ending her dream of becoming a doctor, she regrouped and made a new plan. First, she went to law school — and became the first Asian American woman licensed to practice law in Hawaii; then, she ran for Congress and became the first woman of color to be elected to a seat. And in Congress, she became a champion for Title IX, the groundbreaking legislation that required federally funded schools to treat girls and boys equally. This rousing picture book biography celebrates the resilience and determination of this pioneering American politician!
Alicia Alonso Dances On
Alicia Alonso Dances On
Alicia Alonso grew up in Cuba, where she was thrilled to study ballet — even if she could only afford tennis shoes to practice in. The talented young ballerina quickly learned all she could at the dance schools in Cuba, so before long she traveled to New York City to learn more. Her star was on the rise, but then her vision started to fail. Even after multiple surgeries, she couldn't see like most people, and doctors told her she could never dance. But she found solutions, from ensuring dancer partners would be right on their marks to setting up lighting that helped her find spots on the stage. She not only danced again, but she became a prima ballerina, traveling around the world! This inspiring story from the She Made History series is perfect for anyone who has wondered if an obstacle would end their dreams.
A Seat at the Table: The Nancy Pelosi Story
A Seat at the Table: The Nancy Pelosi Story
When Nancy Pelosi was a child, her father was a politician — the mayor of Baltimore — and her mother worked behind the scenes, feeding and listening to marginalized citizens who came looking for help. She grew up believing in service, but at first she thought she'd have to stay behind the scenes too. When a friend asked her to run for Congress, she decided to take a chance — and kicked off a 33-year long career, which included becoming the only woman in history to be Speaker of the House! Including a reference to the events of January 6, 2021, and with backmatter that features an interview with Pelosi herself, this is an inspiring story of one woman's journey to finding her voice in government and encouraging other women to do the same.
Unbound: The Life and Art of Judith Scott
Unbound: The Life and Art of Judith Scott
Joyce and Judith Scott were as close as twin sisters could be — but Judith was born with Down syndrome, and was deaf and unable to speak. So when Joyce went to school, Judith was sent to an institution by their parents. Years later, though, Joyce brought Judith home... and realized she was a talented artist. With the support of a family who appreciated her abilities, Judith started creating stunning works with fiber and found objects — artwork that won acclaim from buyers and critics alike! She became famous around the world for her creative gift, helping to prove that people with Down syndrome deserved a chance to achieve their dreams. This poignant picture book, told by Joyce with Brie Spangler and stunningly illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Melissa Sweet, is a tribute to a trailblazing artist and the power of giving people a chance to succeed.
Indelible Ann: The Larger-Than-Life Story of Governor Ann Richards
Indelible Ann: The Larger-Than-Life Story of Governor Ann Richards
Dorothy Ann Willis learned as a child to speak up about the things that mattered — no matter who wanted her to keep quiet! During her high school years in Texas, where she dropped the Dorothy so she could just be Ann, she traveled to Washington, D.C., where she discovered the importance of civic duty and political office. As she worked her way up the political ladder, from county commissioner to governor of Texas, she surrounded herself with people who represented the communities she served. And when people thought she should run for president, she decided otherwise: there was "still work to be done in Texas." This vibrant and folksy picture book celebrates the legendary politician and the many women politicians today she inspired to greatness.
Nina: A Story of Nina Simone
Nina: A Story of Nina Simone
In North Carolina, a little girl named Eunice Kathleen Waymon learned to sing before she could talk. She started playing the piano as a tiny child, and with the help of her family and community, she took lessons that introduced her to some of the great classical composers. But she also saw early on how racial discrimination affected everyone. As an adult, she took the stage name Nina Simone, and as her star rose, so did the Civil Rights Movement — and she added her voice to the chorus, speaking out about discrimination, racial inequality, and the need for change. This exuberant picture book, with stunning illustrations by Caldecott Honoree Christian Robinson, is a tribute to Simone's legacy of music and activism.
Her Name Was Mary Katharine: The Only Woman Whose Name Is on the Declaration of Independence
Her Name Was Mary Katharine: The Only Woman Whose Name Is on the Declaration of Independence
Mary Katharine Goddard grew up in colonial Connecticut, where her parents made the unusual choice to educate their daughter just as they did their son. It was her steady hand that kept her flighty brother's newspaper and publishing business afloat — and it was her decision to publish material that would encourage her fellow colonists to support the Revolution. When the Continental Congress decided the Declaration of Independence needed to be widely distributed, she agreed to print it — and even put her name at the bottom with a printing credit, despite the risk of being targeted by the British. This bold picture book celebrates a savvy businesswoman and keen supporter of her newborn nation, who wrote herself into history.
I Am Mozart, Too: The Lost Genius of Maria Anna Mozart
I Am Mozart, Too: The Lost Genius of Maria Anna Mozart
Maria Anna Mozart — known as Nannerl by her famous younger brother, Wolfgang Amadeus — was a prodigy in her own right. She and Wolfie loved playing harpsichord together, and they were so talented that they played concerts all over Europe. Even the Empress Maria Theresa asked to hear them play! But then Nannerl dared to start writing her own music — and Papa was furious. Girls are not supposed to be composers, and as she reached marriageable age, he didn't think she should even be performing in public any more. Nannerl had to watch from the sidelines as Wolfie became a star... but she still followed her dreams in secret. Lyrical text by Audrey Ades and vivid artwork by Adeline Lirius capture the little-known story of the other Mozart — and invite young readers to wonder what she might have created if given the chance.
Dear Mr. Dickens
Dear Mr. Dickens
When Eliza Davis was young, Charles Dickens was the most celebrated writer in England! But the Jewish woman was hurt to see anti-Semitism in so many of his works — and when she read Oliver Twist, where she found an ugly, selfish character referred to repeatedly as "the Jew," she knew she had to do something. So she wrote to Dickens about her concerns and the two went on to exchange several letters. As a result, not only did Dickens change the next printing of Oliver Twist to call the character by his name, Fagin, but his next novel featured Mr. Riah, a Jewish character who was kind, generous, and loyal. This timely book from the She Made History series introduces young readers to the long-standing problem of anti-Semitism and the value that comes from peacefully advocating for positive change.
Taking Off: Airborne with Mary Wilkins Ellis
Taking Off: Airborne with Mary Wilkins Ellis
Mary Wilkins Ellis wanted to fly, but a girl in early 1900s Britain was not the sort of person people expected to be a pilot. She finally earned her pilot's license at the age of 16, becoming the youngest licensed pilot in her county... just before all civilian flights were banned after Germany launched attacks on Britain in 1940. But then she heard a call for pilots — ALL pilots — to join the Air Transport Auxiliary, and leapt at the chance. She spent the rest of the war flying hundreds of kinds of aircraft (and surviving a few close calls.) After the war, she became a flight instructor, ran an air taxi service, and became the only woman in Europe to manage an airfield — while also winning rallies in her racing car! This exuberant picture book celebrates a woman who turned her childhood dream into a lifetime of adventure.
Planting Peace: The Story of Wangari Maathai
Planting Peace: The Story of Wangari Maathai
When Wangari Maathai was growing up in Kenya, she learned to tend a garden — and thanks to her parents, went to school and learned to read. After going to college in America, Wangari returned home full of new ideas — but she was shocked to see how deforestation was devastating her lush country. She decided to combine her passion for conservation with her fierce desire for gender equality. Her Green Belt Movement focused on teaching women to care for the environment, inspiring thousands of people to plant 30 million trees — and she became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Award-winning author Gwendolyn Hooks captures Maathai's environmental and political activisms, and with print-maker Margaux Carpentier's vivid illustrations, creates an inspiring look at Maathai's influence.
Revolutionary Prudence Wright: Leading the Minute Women in the Fight for Independence
Revolutionary Prudence Wright: Leading the Minute Women in the Fight for Independence
As a child in the colonial Massachusetts town of Pepperell, Prudence Wright defied expectations for a girl: she liked to hunt, fish, and debate her brothers about politics. As she got older, she fumed about Britain's oppression of the American colonies and the punitive taxes they had to pay. So in 1773, when Pepperell voted to join the Revolution, Prudence and her female friends showed their support by boycotting British goods. Then, while the men were away. Prudence learned that Tory spies were planning to infiltrate Pepperell. She rallied the women, dressed them in men's clothing, and conducted a successful ambush with her "minute women"! A pulse-pounding narrative and vivid, historically accurate illustrations combine to create a fascinating portrait of a courageous Revolutionary woman.
Nellie vs. Elizabeth: Two Daredevil Journalists' Breakneck Race around the World
Nellie vs. Elizabeth: Two Daredevil Journalists' Breakneck Race around the World
Nellie Bly was stuck for a story idea to propose to her editors — until she had an inspiration: why not try to replicate the journey from the novel Around the World in Eighty Days? In fact, why not try to beat that time? Her editors loved it... but so did one of her rivals, Elizabeth Bisland. Bisland decided to set out on the same journey, the opposite direction as Bly, and soon the two journalists were racing the clock and one another by ship, train, and even on foot. Bly would win the race, finishing her journey in only 72 days, but both women would prove that they were just as brave and capable as any man! This fast-paced picture book captures both women's journeys with vibrant illustrations and breathtaking text that will leave kids guessing to the very end.
Jubilee: The First Therapy Horse and an Olympic Dream
Jubilee: The First Therapy Horse and an Olympic Dream
Lis Hartel grew up with horses, and she discovered a love of dressage — where horse and rider "dance" together — at the age of 13. By the time she was a young woman, she was already a national champion. But then Lis caught polio, and doctors told her that she was paralyzed; she would never ride again. Lis refused to believe it. In order to prove them wrong, she had to figure out how to cue a horse with limited mobility... and find a very special horse who could learn alongside her. After years of training with an unlikely horse named Jubilee, Lis Hartel danced back into competition, making their way to the Olympics — where Lis became the first woman with a disability ever to win an Olympic medal, and the first woman to stand equally on the podium beside men in any Olympic sport. This exuberant picture book is a celebration of a determined athlete who refused to be told she couldn't find a way.
Child of the Flower-Song People: Luz Jiménez, Daughter of the Nahua
Child of the Flower-Song People: Luz Jiménez, Daughter of the Nahua
In the early 1900s, Luz Jiménez grew up like any Nahua girl: she learned to grind corn, twist yarn, and weave, and at night, she heard the stories of her people around the fire. But then came the Mexican revolution, and a decision by the government to "modernize" indigenous peoples by forcing them to dress and behave like Europeans. Luz, her mother, and her sisters fled to Mexico City, where Luz became a model for famous artists like Diego Rivera, Jean Charlot, and Tina Modotti. And she spoke to anthropologists about her culture, showing them what real Mexicans were like. This vibrant picture book biography about how Jiménez became "the soul of Mexico" that taught the world about the Nahua people is a celebration of diversity and indigenous cultures.
Out of the Shadows: How Lotte Reiniger Made the First Animated Fairytale Movie
Out of the Shadows: How Lotte Reiniger Made the First Animated Fairytale Movie
As a child in Germany, Lotte Reiniger considered herself "a modern girl" — but she still loved traditional fairy tales, and she played out story after story with flat, rod-style puppets she had received as a gift. At school, she learned about Scherenschnitte, or papercuts, and she started creating silhouette puppets inspired by the technique: puppets that could move! After collaborating with an actor, she got the chance to bring her stories to the moving picture screen — including the first feature-length stop-motion animated film. She's most famous for The Adventures of Prince Achmed, the oldest surviving animated movie, which came out in 1926 — 11 years before Disney's Snow White! This vibrant picture book, with artwork inspired by Reininger's cut-paper puppets, celebrates a pioneer in animation.
Breaking Through the Clouds: The Sometimes Turbulent Life of Meteorologist Joanne Simpson
Breaking Through the Clouds: The Sometimes Turbulent Life of Meteorologist Joanne Simpson
Joanne Simpson was an adventurous young woman who wasn't going to let anyone tell her what to do. She learned to sail a boat and fly a plane, and she learned how to judge the weather while doing both. In the middle of World War II, a professor at the University of Chicago asked her to teach Air Force officers about weather — and she discovered she enjoyed it. She decided to become a meteorologist herself... but when the war was over, her professors told her to go home saying, "No woman ever got a doctorate in meteorology. And no woman ever will." Not only did Simpson get that doctorate — becoming the first woman to do so — but she also discovered so much during her research that she completely changed our understanding of weather! This exuberant picture book is a celebration of a scientific trailblazer who was determined to be the first woman in her field.
To the Front! Clara Barton Braves the Battle of Antietam
To the Front! Clara Barton Braves the Battle of Antietam
When the Civil War broke out, Clara Barton wanted to do her part to help — and she knew that the men fighting on the brutal battlefields would need supplies and medical care. On the road to the Antietam Battlefield, she finagled her way to the front of a ten-mile wagon train... only to be present for the bloodiest day in American history. Clara and her team leaped into action: they cooked meals, nursed the wounded, distributed supplies, and even held lanterns for doctors desperately operating late into the night. It was this moment that would cement her reputation as "The Angel of the Battlefield." This gorgeously illustrated picture book, which combines Barton's firsthand account of the events with author Claudia Friddell's research, captures Barton's heroism and her first steps towards becoming one of America's greatest humanitarians: the founder of the American Red Cross.
A Queen to the Rescue
The Story of Henrietta Szold, Founder of Hadassah
A Queen to the Rescue
The Story of Henrietta Szold, Founder of Hadassah
Growing up, Henrietta Szold watched her mother and rabbi father helping escaping slaves in Civil War Baltimore, and she knew she wanted to help others too. She was inspired by the Purim story of Queen Esther saving the Jews from Haman, and decided she would devote herself to helping the Jewish people. So in 1912, she founded a social justice organization for Jewish women, Hadassah. At first, they worked to provide medical care to mothers and children in Palestine, but when World War II broke out, Hadassah's mission grew, and Szold devoted herself to rescuing Jewish children from the Holocaust and to working for education and women's rights. This captivating story of a courageous, compassionate, and service-driven woman is sure to spark kids' imaginations about how they could rescue people in need someday.
One Wish: Fatima al-Fihri and the World's Oldest University
One Wish: Fatima al-Fihri and the World's Oldest University
Growing up around the year 800 CE, Fatima al-Fihri loved to learn — and she wanted everyone who wanted to learn to have the opportunity to do so. Her parents taught her at home, and her passion for knowledge sustained her through difficult times, like her family's need to flee a war. Finally, as an adult, she used an inheritance to make her wish into reality, creating a place where anyone could study, no matter if they were women or men, poor or rich, common or noble. Her school — which would become the University of al-Qarawiyyin — is still teaching people today, making it the oldest university in the world! With lyrical text and stunning illustrations, this gorgeous picture book pays tribute to a Muslim woman's determination to change the world for the better.
Stitch by Stitch: Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly Sews Her Way to Freedom
Stitch by Stitch: Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly Sews Her Way to Freedom
Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly was born enslaved on a Virginia plantation in 1818, and she saw — and experienced — the cruelty of slaveowners first-hand. When a new master learned she could sew, he sent her to work for a tailor; the tailor paid the master, not her, for her work. But her gorgeous gowns caught the eye of Virginia's elite, including Mrs. Jefferson Davis and Mary Todd Lincoln. Before long, her patrons offered to buy her freedom, but she only agreed if she could pay them back — stitch by stitch. And when she was a free woman, she bought her son's freedom, too, and built a life for herself where she could enjoy the profit from her own labors. This poignant and inspiring story celebrates a talented African American woman who stitched her way to freedom.
She Persisted: Maria Tallchief
She Persisted: Maria Tallchief
When Maria Tallchief grew up, she loved to dance, and she discovered a gift for ballet early on. But as she rose through the ranks towards becoming a professional dancer, people told her she should change her name: most famous dancers were Russian, and Tallchief might have an easier career as "Tallchieva." But Tallchief refused: she was proud of her Osage roots. She would go on to become America's first prima ballerina, with many famous ballet roles created just for her! Her influence on American dance is still strong to this day. This book from the She Persisted chapter book series — inspired by Chelsea Clinton's best-selling picture book — is a celebration of individuality, perseverance, and a love of dance. There are also new books from this empowering series on Virginia Apgar, Nellie Bly, Sonia Sotomayor, Florence Griffith Joyner, Ruby Bridges, Clara Lemlich, Margaret Chase Smith, Oprah Winfrey, Helen Keller, Coretta Scott King, and Wangari Maathai.
Latinitas: Celebrating 40 Big Dreamers
Latinitas: Celebrating 40 Big Dreamers
Before these pioneering Latinas inspired people around the world, they were kids just like those who read this book — and childhood moments set them on the path to becoming the role models they are today! In this gorgeous book, Juliet Menéndez provides capsule biographies of 40 women from the U.S. and Latin America: artists, engineers, activists, entertainers, and many more. She shows how their young lives shaped their careers, and how their work has changed the world. Featuring figures ranging from Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor to singer Selena Quintanilla to NASA’s first virtual reality engineer, Evelyn Miralles, and accented by Menéndez's hand-painted illustrations, this compelling book is a celebration of Latina heroes!
Discovering History's Heroes: Susan La Flesche Picotte, Pioneering Doctor
Discovering History's Heroes: Susan La Flesche Picotte, Pioneering Doctor
When Susan was a child, she wrestled with the implications of her multiracial white and Native American heritage, and with the prejudice she saw every day: she once watched an elderly woman die because no white doctor would come to the reservation to help. So as an adult, she took the bold step of attending medical school — at a time when most medical schools wouldn't accept any women, let alone a Native American woman. When she graduated at the top of her class, she became America's first Native American doctor — and she returned to her native Nebraska to serve a reservation, caring for over 1,300 patients spread across 450 square miles. In this intriguing middle grade biography, kids will learn how Picotte battled epidemics like smallpox and tuberculosis, bad weather like blizzards, and much more to improve public health across her community.
Fossil Hunter: How Mary Anning Changed the Science of Prehistoric Life
Fossil Hunter: How Mary Anning Changed the Science of Prehistoric Life
Growing up, Mary Anning's family was desperately poor — so the nimble girl learned to help her father search the cliffs near her home on the south coast of England to find fossils to sell. Anning turned out to have a gift for fossil hunting; at the age of 13, she and her brother discovered the first complete ichthyosaur skeleton! Anning never had the opportunity for formal education, so she taught herself by reading scientific journals and performing dissections — and while her discoveries weren't given their due during her lifetime, today she's one of the most celebrated paleontologists ever. This exuberant biography, which includes high-quality illustrations — including reproductions of some of Anning's sketches — is a visually appealing and thoroughly researched introduction to a pioneer in STEM.
We Got Game! 35 Female Athletes Who Changed the World
We Got Game! 35 Female Athletes Who Changed the World
Whether they're breaking records, overcoming obstacles, or challenging the world to see women athletes in a new light, one thing is for sure: women athletes have got game! In this collection of capsule biographies, you'll meet a diverse group of athletes who pursued their love of their sport and inspired girls around the world. Featuring groundbreaking figures like dancer Misty Copeland, parathlete Tatyana McFadden, soccer star and activist Megan Rapinoe, and many more, these stories will encourage young readers to follow their dreams in sport — whether they're continuing one they already love, or trying out something new!
Athletes for Gender Equity: Billie Jean King, the U.S. Women's Soccer Team, and More
Athletes for Gender Equity: Billie Jean King, the U.S. Women's Soccer Team, and More
Women have long had to fight for their place in the world of sports. Early long distance runners were told running more than a mile might damage their uterus; male tennis players claimed that even a retired player could be a woman at the top of her game; and top-tier teams were paid less than men because "women's games don't draw in revenue." But thanks to the tireless efforts of trailblazing athletes and activists, women athletes continue to prove that they belong in the game! This book pays tribute to the athletes who demanded change, and provides eye-opening information about how factors like misinformation about women's health and disparities in funding have affected women's sports. Packed with athlete profiles, informative sidebars, and more, this book shows how far women athletes have come — and how far we still have to go.
Unforgotten: The Wild Life of Dian Fossey and Her Relentless Quest to Save Mountain Gorillas
Unforgotten: The Wild Life of Dian Fossey and Her Relentless Quest to Save Mountain Gorillas
Dian Fossey fulfilled a dream in 1963, scraping together her savings and a loan and traveling to Africa. She soon fell in love with mountain gorillas, and became determined to study them in the wild — and with the help of paleoanthropologist Louis Leakey, she finally had the chance. Fossey's 18 years of research into the gorillas changed the way people thought of these previously little-understood creatures, but her aggressive anti-poaching measures made enemies of many, and she was murdered in her camp in 1985. However, her legacy lives on: today, twice as many mountain gorillas live in the wild as when she began her studies. Concluding Silvey's trilogy of biographies on Leakey's "Trimates," which includes Untamed: The Wild Life of Jane Goodall and Undaunted: The Wild Life of Biruté Mary Galdikas, this nuanced and stunning book will inspire young animal-lovers.
Who Was the Girl Warrior of France? Joan of Arc
A Who HQ Graphic Novel
Who Was the Girl Warrior of France? Joan of Arc
A Who HQ Graphic Novel
Learn the story of Joan of Arc in a whole new way with this gripping graphic novel from Who HQ, creators of the Who Was...? biography series! As a peasant girl in France, Joan was expected to care for her family — but a vision of victory in the Hundred Years' War between England and France drove her to defy all expectation. She would meet with the Dauphin, convince him to let her lead the French Army, and ride to the Battle of Orleans. Written by Sincerely, Harriet author Sarah Winifred Searle and award-winning cartoonist Maria Capelle Frantz, this graphic novel will immerse young readers in Joan's time and place... and in her inspiring story.
Lady Icarus: Balloonmania and the Brief, Bold Life of Sophie Blanchard
Lady Icarus: Balloonmania and the Brief, Bold Life of Sophie Blanchard
As a child growing up in the late 1700s in France, Sophie Blanchard was a timid girl from a lower-class family — who had no idea she'd become a national sensation! When "Balloonmania" — a fascination with aeronauts who flew balloons to greater and greater heights — struck Europe, Blanchard decided she wanted to learn to fly, and her pilot husband supported her. She defied the sexist idea that women couldn't be pilots, discovered the joy of solo flying, and found fame as the first woman to work as a professional aeronaut in France. She even won the favor of Napoleon, who titled her "Aeronaut of the Official Festivals." Even after she died in a tragic and fiery final flight, she stood as an example that women deserved to soar. This vibrant scrapbook-style biography is a compelling portrait of a legend of early aviation.
Who Is Chloe Kim?
Who Is Chloe Kim?
When Chloe Kim skidded to stop at the bottom of the half-pipe course at the 2018 Winter Olympics, the 17-year-old made history as the youngest woman ever to win an Olympic Gold Medal in snowboarding! Around the world, people celebrated Chloe's win; she would receive three ESPY awards, appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and even be the inspiration for a Barbie Doll. In this book from the Who Was...? biography series' new Who HQ NOW format, you can learn all about Chloe's life and career — and the lifelong love of snowboarding that drove her to the top. With fun sidebars, detailed timelines and additional information about topics from snowboarding techniques to Olympic history, this is the perfect biography for snowboarding fans!
Who Was Juliette Gordon Low?
Who Was Juliette Gordon Low?
In the late 1800s, a well-bred Southern girl like Juliette Gordon Low had access to education and opportunities many girls did not — and was expected to be a proper lady. Instead, "Crazy Daisy" climbed trees, rode horses, and hiked long distances... and developed a passion for helping others. As an adult, she learned about the guiding movement in Europe, and knew that the girls of America deserved a similar organization. She founded the Girl Scouts of the United States of America in 1912; today, millions of American girls and women are proud to call themselves Girl Scouts! This captivating biography from the illustrated Who Was...? biography series is an intriguing introduction to Low's life and how she created the Girl Scouts. For another new book from this series, check out Who Is Queen Elizabeth II?
Anne Frank: Witness to History!
Anne Frank: Witness to History!
Anne Frank was an ordinary girl living in extraordinary times. After getting a diary for her birthday, Anne and her Jewish family were forced to hide from the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. For two years, as they tried to stay silent in their secret annex behind a bookcase, Anne wrote not just about her current predicament, but also about her feelings about growing up and her hopes for a better world. And even though Anne died in a concentration camp, her diary survived the war, becoming famous around the world. This graphic biography from the Show Me History series explores Anne's life both before and during the war, and the legacy of hope this young witness to history left behind.
Frida Kahlo: The Revolutionary Painter!
Frida Kahlo: The Revolutionary Painter!
Frida Kahlo loved art but dreamed of becoming a doctor — until an accident at age 18 left her in chronic pain. She turned to painting to keep herself occupied during her recovery, and as a form of therapy. Soon, she developed a unique style: one that drew from Mexican folk art and her inner landscape. Her work wasn't fully appreciated in her time, but today she's renowned as one of the 20th century's great artists and a feminist icon! This graphic biography from the Show Me History series is a compelling introduction to a woman who changed art forever.
Girl Warriors: How 25 Young Activists Are Saving the Earth
Girl Warriors: How 25 Young Activists Are Saving the Earth
You don't have to be larger than life to protect the environment: these activists show that you can take bold steps before you turn 25! Inside this book, you'll find the stories of 25 activists who have participated in climate strikes, given speeches, sued their governments, and founded organizations pushing for change. You'll meet girls from all over the world, from a girl with cerebral palsy from Harlem who tackles how climate change and disability rights interact, to a girl from Brazil whose love of surfing prompted her to work to protect our planet's oceans. With each story including a color photograph, social media handles, responses to interview questions, and more, this is a hopeful picture of the future of environmentalism that invites young readers to see that they can be activists too.
Just a Girl: A True Story of World War II
Just a Girl: A True Story of World War II
In late 1930s Italy, 6-year-old Lia's life changes forever when prime minister Mussolini joins forces with Hitler. First, there are laws that bar Jewish children from attending regular school, so Lia starts attending a Judaic school. Then, her father isn't allowed to keep his job, and has to work under the table to help the family survive. Lia doesn't understand why someone would make these laws, and she especially doesn't understand why her parents send her and her sisters away to a convent. But as the war goes on — and Lia starts growing up — she begins to understand what's happening around her... even as she appreciates the moments of joy and laughter that still appear in the most difficult times. Newly translated from Italian and adapted for young readers, this powerful story includes black and white illustrations, a family photo album, and an author's note that reminds readers why they must always stand up for justice.
Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round: My Story of the Making of Martin Luther King Day
Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round: My Story of the Making of Martin Luther King Day
As a child, Kathlyn J. Kirkwood was drawn to activism, particularly to the Civil Rights Movement. As a teenager, she attended protests where she, like many others, drew courage from Martin Luther King, Jr.'s example. When King was assassinated, it would have been easy to lose hope, but Kathlyn and millions of others persevered... and they were also determined that King's memory would not be forgotten. In addition to their fight for justice, they now had a new cause: ensuring that King's birthday was marked with a national holiday. This powerful memoir-in-verse is both a coming of age story and a unique look at history in the making — one which will show young readers that ordinary people working together is what really changes the world.
The Science and Technology of Marie Curie
The Science and Technology of Marie Curie
Marie Curie not only changed the way we saw chemistry and physics: she also changed the way we saw women's role in the sciences! This book, published for the 110th anniversary of Curie's receipt of the Nobel Prize for chemistry, is part biography, part hands-on science guide, which gets kids learning about Curie's life and work while also exploring concepts like energy and matter. Kids will use materials they can easily find at home to try engaging activities like building a 3D model of the periodic table, or calculating the "half life" of candies! It's an enthralling way to learn more about Curie — and to spark an interest in chemistry and physics.
Black Ballerinas: My Journey to Our Legacy
Black Ballerinas: My Journey to Our Legacy
When Misty Copeland first started dancing at the age of 13, it was hard to imagine herself as a world-famous ballerina — in part because she rarely saw faces like hers on stage. But after she saw an African American ballerina on a magazine cover at the age of 16, she realized that there were other trailblazing women, just like her. In this powerful book, Copeland introduces young readers to 27 pioneering women of color who changed American ballet, exploring how their stories have affected dance as a whole and her own career in particular. This is an empowering, gorgeously illustrated celebration of women of color in dance.
Govern Like a Girl: The Women Who Became Canada’s First Ministers
Govern Like a Girl: The Women Who Became Canada’s First Ministers
In Canadian history, only a dozen women have served as the premier of a province or territory, and only one has served as prime minister. But each of these women showed the world that governing like a girl meant accepting political power — and changing the world! In this book, political writer Kate Graham provides capsule biographies of these thirteen women, exploring their childhoods, what prompted them to run for office, and how their tenured changed their province, territory, or country. From Indigenous premiers like Eva Aariak and Nellie Cournovea to Québec's first female premier, Pauline Marois, to Canada's only female prime minister, Kim Campbell, this is an inspiring book that will show a new generation of the value women bring to politics.
Cold War Correspondent: A Korean War Tale
Cold War Correspondent: A Korean War Tale
Marguerite Higgins wanted to be a reporter — and she didn't want to write for the society pages. By 1950, she had worked her way up to bureau chief of the Far East Asia desk for the New York Herald Tribune, keeping an eye on the tension around the border between North and South Korea. When the North Korean army invaded (with Soviet tanks), Higgins was there. She reported on the Communist capture of Seoul, fled with refugees, and saw the bridges over the Han River get destroyed. The U.S. Army said women didn't belong on the frontlines and ordered her to leave — so she appealed to General Douglas MacArthur, who personally lifted the ban on female war correspondents so she could stay. This pulse-pounding entry in the Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales graphic novel series is a thrilling look at a pioneering woman journalist!
Alias Anna: A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis
Alias Anna: A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis
Zhanna and her sister Frina are both piano prodigies, with their sights set on attending one of the world's top conservatories... until the Germans invade Ukraine. Suddenly, Jewish families like theirs are forced from their homes, driven on a death march through the countryside. Her father begs her: "I don't care what you do. Just live." So with help from a guard who turns a blind eye, Zhanna and her sister flee with nothing but one another and their sheet music. Concealing themselves as Anna and Marina Morozova, they find an orphanage that can issue them "replacement papers" — and soon find themselves performing for the very Nazi soldiers who destroyed their family. This novel in verse, told by award-winning author Susan Hood and Zhanna's son, Greg Dawson, includes original letters and photographs in its powerful story of sisterhood, music, and survival.
No Boundaries: 25 Women Explorers and Scientists Share Adventures, Inspiration, and Advice
No Boundaries: 25 Women Explorers and Scientists Share Adventures, Inspiration, and Advice
What does it take to break boundaries around the world? These 25 female explorers and scientists will tell you! From a volcanologist climbing an active volcano to a mountaineer defying prejudice as she reaches the top of the Seven Summits to a paleontologist who uncovers fossils in the field, these women know what it takes to dream big — and dare to follow up. Packed with breathtaking photography, first-person interviews, and general interest information about the places and subjects these pioneers are studying, this book is sure to inspire a new generation of girls to go further, higher, and deeper in the quest for knowledge and success.
Rolling Warrior
The Incredible, Sometimes Awkward, True Story of a Rebel Girl on Wheels Who Helped Spark a Revolution
Rolling Warrior
The Incredible, Sometimes Awkward, True Story of a Rebel Girl on Wheels Who Helped Spark a Revolution
When Judy Heumann was 5, she was told she couldn't attend grade school — because her wheelchair made her a "fire hazard." But her parents, who had survived the Holocaust, and Judy, who had survived polio, weren't going to be stopped. In this powerful young readers’ edition of her acclaimed memoir, Being Heumann, Judy explains how she went from a child who just wanted to go to school to one of America's most prominent disability advocates and activists. She tells the story of suing New York City when she was denied a teacher's license, and of holding the longest sit-in protest in US history in San Francisco. Fans of the Oscar-nominated documentary Crip Camp will love this memoir that captures Judy's courage, persistence, and the rebellious streak that keeps her fighting for equal access.
Girls Solve Everything: Stories of Women Entrepreneurs Building a Better World
Girls Solve Everything: Stories of Women Entrepreneurs Building a Better World
The author/illustrator team behind the best-selling Girls Think of Everything returns with this companion volume that celebrates entrepreneurs whose work makes the world a better place! Sibert-winning author Catherine Thimmesh profiles 16 social innovators, from Elizabeth Stott, who created consignment shops to give women financial empowerment in 1832, to modern figures like Jane Chen, who created a low-cost warmer to protect premature babies in 2008. Caldecott Honor winning illustrator Melissa Sweet adds tons of visual interest with mixed-media artwork that incorporates quotations from the women profiled. It's an inspiring look at how one person's determination to improve the world can spark big change: as Thimmesh says, "If one random kid enlists ten other kids to help, the difference they can collectively make multiplies and grows."
Scribbles, Sorrows, and Russet Leather Boots: The Life of Louisa May Alcott
Scribbles, Sorrows, and Russet Leather Boots: The Life of Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott never quite fit with her family's plan, from her ill-timed birth, just as her father lost the patron for his school, to her hopes for a career as an author and life as an independent woman. Alternating between struggles with poverty and friendships with great thinkers, Alcott developed a unique perspective and unusual social conscience. And with her book Little Women, she found herself catapulted to fame... with all the advantages and disadvantages that implied. Drawing on journals and letters from both Alcott and her family and friends, author and poet Liz Rosenberg has created a complex, nuanced portrait of this beloved writer.
RBG's Brave & Brilliant Women: 33 Jewish Women to Inspire Everyone
RBG's Brave & Brilliant Women: 33 Jewish Women to Inspire Everyone
In the last year of her life, iconic Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg collaborated with her friend, journalist Nadine Epstein, to create this inspiring collection of stories of brave, brilliant Jewish women! From Biblical stories of women who defied expectation to follow their hearts, to women of history who fought for justice in times when it was a nearly impossible task, to the heroes of the 20th century, these women all dreamed big and fought to make their dreams possible. With an introduction by Ginsburg herself, and intriguing capsule biographies that convey how these women changed the world, this is an empowering book that will speak to people of all ages and faiths.
Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance
Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance
For centuries, accomplished women — of all races — have fallen out of the historical records. The same is true for gifted, prolific, women poets of the Harlem Renaissance who are little known, especially as compared to their male counterparts. In this stunning volume, bestselling author Nikki Grimes aims to give these women the recognition they deserve, paying tribute to figures like Mae V. Cowdery, Alice Dunbar-Nelson, and Esther Popel. Accompanying each poem is a unique, full-color portrait from one of today's most acclaimed female African-American illustrators, including Vanessa Brantley-Newton, Cozbi Cabrera, and Vashti Harrison. This gorgeous collection is a unique and powerful celebration of women's voices from a unique period in American history.
Hidden Powers: Lise Meitner's Call to Science
Hidden Powers: Lise Meitner's Call to Science
Lisa Meitner dreamed of becoming a scientist at the turn of the 20th century, when girls were supposed to dream of marriage and housekeeping. She fought to earn a PhD in physics, and even became the first woman physics professor at the University of Berlin, but was frustrated when people compared her to Marie Curie — "no one expects every man to be like Pierre Curie." Then, as the Nazi regime rose, she faced discrimination because of her Jewish heritage, and she finally had to flee. Her research led to the discovery of nuclear fission, but only her male research partner received the Nobel Prize... and she was forever haunted by the atom bomb that her work helped create. This stunning biography in verse by the author of Finding Wonders and Grasping Mysteries is a gorgeous portrait of this pioneering physicist.
Courage: My Story of Persecution
Courage: My Story of Persecution
Freshta Tori Jan had two strikes against her in Afghanistan under the rule of the Taliban, an Islamic fundamentalist regime: she was a girl and she was part of an ethnic minority. Her whole family faced potential kidnapping or even murder attempts on a daily basis, wherever they went — and lost many friends to the same. Her school was even shut down by the Taliban. But Freshta was determined not to lose her voice. Today she's become a community activist and a public speaker advocating for marginalized groups. In this book from the propulsive middle grade non-fiction series I, Witness, with black and white spot art and compelling details about life under the Taliban, this is a powerful exploration of Freshta's journey from persecution to activism.
The Woman All Spies Fear
Code Breaker Elizebeth Smith Friedman and Her Hidden Life
The Woman All Spies Fear
Code Breaker Elizebeth Smith Friedman and Her Hidden Life
When Elizebeth Smith Friedman was hired by an eccentric millionaire to look for secret messages in Shakespeare's plays, she had no idea she'd become one of America's top cryptanalysts! Her knack for spotter patterns and solving puzzles led her to code-breaking, and she and her husband, William, became stars of the intelligence community, cracking enemy messages in World War I and World War II and helping the Coast Guard track smugglers through their communications — all at a time when most women were expected to keep house. Award-winning historian and novelist Amy Butler Greenfield introduces teen readers to this inspiring pioneer of STEM, whose contributions to American military intelligence have only recently been declassified.
A Face for Picasso: Coming of Age with Crouzon Syndrome
A Face for Picasso: Coming of Age with Crouzon Syndrome
When Ariel and her twin sister Zan were diagnosed with Crouzon syndrome, a craniofacial condition where the bones of the head fuse prematurely, it was the start of dozens of surgeries that blurred the lines between medical need and making them aesthetically pleasing. As she grew, she began to realize how our society others people: fat people, people with facial differences, people of different races, and more. In this powerful young adult memoir, she explores her thoughts about beauty, identity, and feeling alienated from your own body through the lens of Picasso's life as an artist — and how his misogyny and ableism affected it. Poignant and thought-provoking, this book challenges us to examine our assumptions and urges us to look at people with new eyes.
Close-Up on War: The Story of Pioneering Photojournalist Catherine Leroy in Vietnam
Close-Up on War: The Story of Pioneering Photojournalist Catherine Leroy in Vietnam
Catherine Leroy had no photographic training and had never left her home country of France, but at the age of 21, she traveled to Vietnam to document the human face of the Vietnam War. She impressed the soldiers on the front lines with her calm under fire and her willingness to travel wherever they did — even parachuting into combat alongside them. When she was seriously wounded by shrapnel, she was back in the field in a month, and when the North Vietnamese captured her in 1968, she talked them into releasing her in exchange fro photographs of her captors — which earned her a cover story in Life magazine. Award-winning author Mary Cronk Farrell presents a captivating and meticulously researched account of Leroy's trailblazing career in this book about the woman who introduced the world to the reality of the war.
Tiny Dancer
Tiny Dancer
Siena has always dreamed of being a ballerina, and her hard work earned her a spot at the School of American Ballet — the first step towards becoming a member of George Balanchine's New York City Ballet Company. But her feelings about ballet are becoming more complicated. Siena's hours in rehearsal keep her away from family and friends. Frustrations like mastering a new step — but only on one side of the body — and being told she's too tall for certain roles begin to take their toll. And then there are the injuries, which every dancer fears and no dancer can avoid. Now Siena has to decide if she should look beyond the dance world... and who she is if she gives up the passion that has consumed years of her life. This stunning graphic memoir, a sequel to the Siebert Honor-winning To Dance, is a powerful story that speaks to the universal struggle of finding your footing in the world.
Brontë
Brontë
Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë are facing a crisis: their father is desperately ill, and their brother Branwell, addicted to alcohol and opium, is as likely to drain the family accounts as add to them. Plus, all three women dream of writing — not something that proper ladies should do. But under the pseudonyms of Currer, Acton, and Ellis Bell, three brothers, their works enter the literary world to both acclaim and controversy. In this stunning black and white graphic novel, Manuela Santoni fictionalizes the story of the Brontë sisters, exploring the courage it took to seek independence through art and how their work changed English literature forever.
Thrill Seekers: 15 Remarkable Women in Extreme Sports
Thrill Seekers: 15 Remarkable Women in Extreme Sports
Have you ever imagined trying an extreme sport, from parkour and Formula 1 racing to cave diving and wingsuit flying? For some people, the idea is frightening, but other people love the thrill! In this book, first in the Women of Power series, author Ann McCallum Staats explores the stories of fifteen inspiring women who have dared to try things that make many people flinch. In each profile, she shares information about pivotal moments in these athletes' careers, the path that led them to their sport, and what drives them to continue pushing their limits. Packed with fascinating facts and interesting trivia about a variety of extreme sports, many of which will be new to teens, this book is sure to encourage readers to go forth boldly for whatever thrill they've always wanted to try!
Code Name Badass: The True Story of Virginia Hall
Code Name Badass: The True Story of Virginia Hall
As a girl, Virginia Hall love to horseback ride and shoot, and played a pirate in the school play. As a young woman, she refused to let an accident that required the amputation of a leg stop her from pursuing her dreams. And when World War II broke out, she put all her skills to use — arming and training the French Resistance and spying for the British behind enemy lines! In this raucous biography of "the most dangerous of all Allied spies," teens will follow Hall's nailbiting adventures as she organizes sabotage missions, evades the notorious Gestapo commander the Butcher of Lyon, and helps win the war.
Augusta Savage: The Shape of a Sculptor's Life
Augusta Savage: The Shape of a Sculptor's Life
As a child, Augusta Savage showed a gift for sculpture — but her father believed it was sinful and she was "beaten for making art." Still, she was determined to keep creating. Although she struggled against racism, even being denied an artists' fellowship on the basis of race, she became a pillar of the Harlem Renaissance, creating stunning artwork — and teaching a generation of African American artists. She was even one of the featured artists at the 1939 World's Fair but, tragically, her sculpture was destroyed after the Fair was over because she couldn't afford to ship it home. This stunning biography in poems, accented with photographs of Savage's work, creates a vibrant and powerful portrait of a trailblazing artist who pursued a "hunger/ to pull something out of yourself."