A Mighty Girl's 2023 Summer Reading List

11-year-old Diana is the only child on the island of Themyscira. She's surrounded by adults who are the best at what they do, and nobody has time to play with her — especially not her mother, the queen, who is constantly busy with affairs of state. So Diana decides to try making a playmate out of clay, and awakens Mona. At first, Mona seems to be everything she wanted... but soon the friendship goes sour. "Don't be a wimp," Mona tells Diana when she hesitates at one of Mona's plans. "Aren't Amazons supposed to be brave?" This clever story about Diana before she was Wonder Woman incorporates real-life friendship dilemmas into its superpowered story, which is sure to speak to young readers.

The students in Molly's 8th grade class are furious when their class campout gets canceled after Olivia gets dress coded — but Molly is furious about the dress coding. She's seen for herself how two different students can wear the same outfit, but one gets coded and the other doesn't... or how Talia's Trinidadian hair is somehow "inappropriate"... or how a girl failed a math quiz because she was stopped by the principal. So Molly starts a podcast to talk about the issue. At first, she gets mocked for it, but slowly, more and more girls share their stories — and they're mad too. It's time to work together to tackle the dress code once and for all. This empowering story, told in a combination of podcast transcripts and letters and packed with real-life issues from dress coding to active shooter lockdowns to family stress, is a celebration of friendship, activism, and the power of one person to start a rebellion.

12-year-old Myrtle Hardcastle is a wickedly smart twelve-year-old with a passion for justice and a Highly Unconventional obsession with criminal science — one that is very much not proper in a Victorian Young Lady of Quality. When her next-door neighbor, a wealthy and eccentric connoisseur of rare flowers, dies mysterious, Myrtle decides this is the chance to prove herself and sets off with her governess, Miss Ada Judson, at her side. Her mission is to prove it was murder and find the killer! Witty, clever, and full of twists and turns, this delightful series opener introduces a clever and determined new detective! For more of Myrtle's adventures, visit our Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery Collection.

It's 1940, and World War II has already taken its toll on 15-year-old Louisa Adair: both of her parents were recently killed by German explosives. But much as she'd like to help the war effort, there seems to be little she can do, so she accepts a position caring for an elderly German opera singer in a small village in Scotland. Then she meets Ellen McEwen, a Traveler and volunteer driver for the Royal Air Force, and Jamie Beaufort-Stuart, a pilot... and the trio discover an Enigma machine, a German code-translation device that could turn the tide of the war. But can they unravel the puzzle while also staying safe from the enemy? A tense plot, absorbing characters, and poignant cameos from Wein's previous books Code Name Verity and The Pearl Thief make this a powerful addition to young adult historical fiction.

The story of Eleanor Roosevelt is more complex than most people know. After a childhood of insecurity, denial, and loneliness, her marriage to Franklin D. Roosevelt took her into the halls of power — but left her feeling more alone than ever as he pursued affairs with other women. Instead of collapsing, she decided to explore her own self and devoted herself to being a voice for the voiceless, first in the White House, and then around the world. Drawing on new research, acclaimed biographer David Michaelis creates the first single-volume cradle-to-grave portrait of this remarkable woman and how her life changed the world.

When Jocelyn Bell Burnell was a girl, she wanted to understand all about how the world worked — even though many people thought girls shouldn't be scientists. As a Ph.D. student, she built a radio telescope for her supervisor to study distant stars... and noticed something strange. One signal repeated in the sky, at perfect intervals. She had discovered the first pulsar! And while she was left off of the Nobel Prize awarded for her discovery — still one of the most hotly debated Nobel decisions — Burnell just kept studying, making more discoveries and inspiring a generation of women in science. This picture book biography of the pioneering astrophysicist, with artwork that includes luminous depictions of a mysterious and wonderful night sky, will leave kids eager to make their own discoveries about our universe.

12-year-old Brida was a foundling taken in by Mother Magdi, a kindly hedgewitch, but hard as she tries she doesn't have the knack for herbcraft. Instead, Brida discovers that she seems to have a gift for a more powerful magic... one that catches the eye of the wicked queen Moira, who drove her two sisters out and set the formerly peaceful realm off-balance, causing unpredictable weather and even the rise of monsters. With the huntsman — and, worse, Moira's Crow spies — on her tail, Brida starts to discover the truth behind her powers, and realizes that she may be the key to overturning Moira's reign... as long as she can maintain her courage and her firm sense of right and wrong. Brida will uncover her destiny against truly evil foes in this rich fantasy, perfect for fans of Shannon Hale and Kelly Barnhill.

11-year-old April's father has been neglectful and overwhelmed by grief since her mother died seven years ago. When he accepts a six month position at Bear Island in the Arctic, April hopes the solitude will bring them closer together, but instead he seems more distant than ever. Her father tells her that there are no polar bears left on Bear Island, so April is shocked when she finds one — hungry, injured, and lonely. Her gift for befriending animals allows the two to trust one another, and soon they're planning adventures together, including a mission to get Bear home. But when April realizes how the melting ice caps have affected the polar bears, she becomes determined to do all she can to save Bear — and the Arctic. An appealing heroine and a powerful message about environmental stewardship make this a touching story perfect for fans of Pax and A Wolf Called Wander.

11-year-old Briony has never been as important as her big sister: beautiful Rosalin was cursed to prick her finger on a spindle on her 16th birthday, while Briony never got a fairy's curse — or blessing — at all. When Briony wakes up a hundred years after the fateful day, in a room with a large spinning wheel, she thinks she knows what's happened... but not everything adds up. Prince Varian, the hero, is acting strangely; the castle is still strangled by thorns and vines, and there's a vaguely scary fairy godmother hanging around. But the only person who will listen to her is Rosalin herself. As the sisters try to untangle the plots around them, they'll realize that nothing is more important than sisterhood... and that destiny isn't all it's cracked up to be. This is the first book in a three-part series that explores the stories of the sisters who didn't make it into the fairy tales.

In 1946, Eva comes to New York City as a refugee after World War II, holding the secret to a horrific experiment in the concentration camps, Project Bluebird, and the desire for justice against a Nazi she knows has escaped from Europe. In 1945, Inge, raised as a Nazi by her doctor father, discovers the true horror of the camps — and her father's part in them — a promises to find some way to atone for what happened. As these two young women's stories intersect, readers will discover the brutal truth of life immediately after the war, the struggles of those who survived it, and the space between good and evil where so many people lie. This suspenseful historical thriller by the author of The Light in Hidden Places is a unique look at the aftermath of World War II.

At 26, Mildred Harnack went to Germany to enroll in a PhD program — and got a front seat to the rise of the Nazi party. By 1932, she started holding secret meetings for anti-Hitler activists in her apartment; by 1940, her cadre was the largest underground resistance group in Berlin. She recruited, sabotaged, helped Jewish refugees escape, and when the war began, spied for the Allies. When she was caught by the Gestapo the night before she was due to flee the country, German military judges sentenced her to six years in prison camp; Hitler overruled them and ordered her executed. Now, Harnack's great-great-niece Rebecca Donner draws on archival research and family documents to create a narrative non-fiction account of the only American in the leadership of the German resistance — a woman who was almost forgotten.

Get to know Aven Green before the events of Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus in this early chapter book! Because third grader Aven was born without arms, all the extra cells went to her brain instead (or at least that's her theory.) So it's no wonder that she's a natural-born detective, who's already cracked cases like The Mystery of the Cranky Mom. But now she's got two mysteries at once: her teacher's missing lunch bag, and her great-grandma's missing dog. Could the cases be connected? Black and white illustrations sprinkled throughout — including many that show how Aven does day to day tasks with her feet — add visual interest to this book which showcases the main character's witty voice and can-do attitude. It's the perfect early chapter book for aspiring detectives!

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.

12-year-old Marigold's family are the last known aromages: witches who can perform magic with scents, but who know that each of their charms also alters someone's fate. Her ancestors have long lived on Luna Island in North Carolina — but suddenly things are changing. Her parents are planning to separate, and when Marigold tries to use magic to stop him, she causes an earthquake that hurts her dad, damages the island, and leaves her family ostracized by the neighbors.... and it doesn't even stop her dad from leaving. So she and her two big sisters make a pact that they'll swear off magic for good. When Marigold discovers a 200-year-old curse that threatens her family, though, she faces a choice: does she trust in herself (and her magic,) or risk losing her sisters forever? This magical novel, with its realistic emotions around family and sisterhood, is pure magic.

It's the summer of 1969, and while 12-year-old Nell usually tries to avoid her neglectful and abusive parents, she begs to come along on their upcoming trip to Paris. But Nell isn't interested in the tourist sights; she's looking for her beloved form au pair Perrine — Pear — who wrote letters to her every week for years... which suddenly stopped six months ago. With the help of Xavier, a bellboy at her parents' swanky hotel, Nell goes looking for Pear, only to discover that no one wants to talk about her... and that small independent bakeries are being shut down but a strange rash of contamination, while the chain Pain-tastique steps in to fill the gap. Could the two mysteries be connected? The author of The Secret Starling's atmospheric tale, which is complemented by Jo Rioux's soft pencil and ink illustrations, is a story of food, fashion, and a sinister plot that might just help Nell find a happily ever after.

Ages:	9 - 12
Price:	$13.15 C$23.99 £11.83 A$47.49

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Addie and Gussie Van Buren's father raised them to love sports, be confident, and ignore silly opinions about what "proper" women shouldn't do. But when World War I breaks out, the sisters want to encourage women to be battlefield messengers... only to be told that women can't serve. To prove their point, the Van Buren sisters decided to ride their motorbikes across the country... wearing pants! People were horrified, and they even got stopped repeatedly for wearing "men's" clothing. But their journey was successful, and they proved their point: "woman can, if she will"! Plenty of humor and fascinating historical facts combine in this picture book that celebrates two pioneers who proved women can do whatever they dream of.

From World War II to Vietnam, photojournalist and war correspondent Dickey Chapelle declared, "I side with prisoners against guards, enlisted men against officers, weakness against power." At a time when people sneered at female journalists, she took on dangerous stories that her colleagues wouldn't dare pursue, from capturing the conditions in Eastern Europe after the war to being the first reporter accredited with the Algerian National Liberation Front to marching down the Ho Chi Minh Trail with the South Vietnamese Army. And she suffered consequences for her determination: imprisonment, torture, and eventually, her death in 1965 while covering combat in Vietnam, all while also enduring mockery from male journalists. The first authoritative biography of Chapelle is a tribute to this determined and nearly forgotten woman, and to her determination to document the humanity of those oppressed by power.

Eleven-year-old Isabella is struggling with her identity, both as the child of divorced parents and as the child of a black, wealthy father and a white, waitress mother. Then both parents get engaged at the same time, leaving Isabella feeling ripped in two. What does it mean to be half white or half black? To belong to half mom and half dad? And if you're only seen as half of this and half of that, how can you ever feel whole? It seems like nothing can bring Isabella's family together again — until the worst happens. Sharon M. Draper, the author of Out of My Mind, tackles questions about identity, divorce, and belonging in this powerful book.

Ernestine has a big adventure planned for this weekend: her first camping trip! Her single dad helps her pack everything on the list her aunt Jackie gave, and even helps her make some special trail mix. But when she gets to the campsite with Jackie and her cousin Samantha, Ernestine gets intimidated. Putting up a tent is hard, there are FISH in the lake she's supposed to swim in, and everything is so quiet and big. Fortunately, with a little encouragement (and a few s'mores), Ernestine realizes that she's up for these challenges! This exuberant story about both the joys and the downsides to a first camping trip provides a powerful lesson about the confidence that comes from getting out of your comfort zone.

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.

12-year-old orphan and inventor Ellie is responsible for maintaining the intricate and strange mechanisms of her floating City, which protects the last vestiges of humanity in the drowned world. When she finds a boy with no memory trapped in the belly of a dead whale, the City's Holy Inquisition decide that he must be the Vessel of the God Who Drowned the Gods, the Enemy who continually seeks to cause chaos. Ellie doesn't believe Seth is the Vessel, but to prove his innocence, she and her friends Finn and Anna will have to find the true Vessel... without Ellie revealing her own dangerous secret. This nuanced tale of fanaticism, oppression, and adventure, set in a compelling world of gadgets and mystery, is a series opener that will leave young readers eager for more.

Years after the deadly Fly Flu, most of humanity has been destroyed, leaving only scattered survivors. 18-year-old Nico is on a quest set by her scientist father, who believes that there is a portal somewhere in postapocalyptic New England that could lead her to a better life. 12-year-old Kit was raised in an abandoned movie theater and is searching for a rumored safe zone on an island cluster by the coast. Both are watched over by the Deliverer, who has spent dozens of lives trying to influence — and fix — the world. As their paths converge, these three realize that they are tied together in unexpected ways... and that, sometimes, connection and love are the key to hope. This genre-bending novel by best-selling author David Arnold explores what it means to find love in a destroyed world.

Emily Windsnap lives in a houseboat right next to the beach — but she doesn't know how to swim. Her mother has always told her to stay out of the water, so Emily can only look on as the other kids play in the waves. When swimming lessons start at school, she figures that's her chance to show her mom she can be safe in the water... but something strange happens when she gets in the pool, and it feels like her legs are stuck together. Determined to figure out what's going on, Emily sneaks out to the ocean that night... and realizes that her legs change into a shiny tail! Emily is a mermaid — and her adventures are just beginning. With rich text and colorful illustrations throughout, this new chapter book brings the work of the best-selling Emily Windsnap series to newly independent readers.

When these three pig siblings get tired of getting pushed around by a bully of a wolf, they decide to take lessons at the ninja school! Pig One and Pig Two, though, aren't dedicated enough to perfect their skills, and it shows when they confront the wolf. Pig Three, on the other hand, practices diligently to earn her black belt — and her skill is so obvious that the wolf runs off before she lays a finger on him! This great twisted fairy tale has limerick text that’s great for reading aloud, and teaches a terrific message about practice and perseverance. Fans of this book will also love the sequel, Ninja Red Riding Hood.

Menolly, a 15-year-old fisher's daughter, loves music and has dreamed all her life of learning the Harper's craft. When her stern father forbids Menolly from pursuing her dream, she runs away just as Pern is struck again by the deadly danger of Threadfall, the killing ropes of death that fell from a nearby star — and the dwindling numbers of dragons are not enough to protect Pern from this destruction from the sky. Taking shelter in a cave by the sea, Menolly makes a miraculous discovery of nine fire lizards that could possibly save her world... and change her life forever. Dragonsong is the first book in the Harper Hall trilogy, set within science fiction legend Anne McCaffrey’s beloved and bestselling Dragonriders of Pern series.

When Sally Ride joined NASA — after the agency spent years telling women they couldn't be astronauts — she wanted to be the first, not just for herself but for all the girls and women who came after her. When she became the first American woman in space, it was a dream come true! And when she left NASA, she continued to do so, creating programs that encouraged girls to see themselves as scientists and engineers and inspiring generations of women in STEM. This early chapter book inspired by the bestselling picture book She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World celebrates a trailblazing woman who let girls see everything that they could be.

Corayne an-Amarat has spent her life overprotected and hidden away in a small town by the sea — but all that changes when danger threatens the land of Allward. Corayne soon discovers that she is the last of an ancient lineage, a descendant of humans who came from another realm. Together with a group of unusual companions — some human, some immortal — she will play a critical role in preventing a wizard and a thief from tearing a passage between the worlds... one which could destroy them all. Full of action and magic, this exciting series opener from the best-selling author of the Red Queen series is packed with epic adventure and shocking twists and turns that will leave readers eager to continue the story in the sequel, Blade Breaker.

12-year-old Sara Martinez ended up in juvenile detention after she hacked the New York City foster care system to prove her foster parents were breaking the law. She's expecting a grim stretch with no computer access when she gets approached by a mysterious man who calls himself Mother and recruits her for an all-kid spy agency. Before she's even gotten to know her new team, Sara is on her way to Paris where the billionaire sponsor of a youth environmental summit is getting death threats. This thrilling series opener, perfect for fans of Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls, is full of excitement, espionage, and friends becoming family. The City Spies' adventures continue in the sequel, Golden Gate.

For decades, Dolly Parton has delighted audiences with her music, becoming a beloved icon and a pop culture legend. Now, in her own words, she lets her fans in on the stories behind the songs! In this book, Parton uses 175 of her songs to reveal both her own life story and the specific stories behind each song, including favorites like "Jolene," "9 to 5," "I Will Always Love You," and many more. Packed with previously unpublished images from Parton's personal and business archives, this book is a unique peek into Parton's witty, funny, and insightful thought process and a delight for music lovers everywhere.

12-year-old Emma lives in a world where every child has a hint of magic — but where only the wealthy and powerful are allowed to kindle it, so that they can use it as adults. As the daughter of a magical architect, she gets the opportunity to attend one of the best kindling schools in New York City: Miss Posterity’s Academy for Practical Magic. Meanwhile Izzy, a servant girl, is determined to find a way to hold onto her magic. When Emma's father dies, she strikes a bargain with Izzy: if Izzy helps her pay her debts to Miss Posterity by teaching her to work as a servant, Emma will teach Izzy what she knows about magic. Together, can they find a way to kindle their magic, despite all the obstacles? This magical story, which pays homage to the classic novel A Little Princess, explores friendship, class, and the power of the human spirit. Izzy's story continues in the follow-up, The Tarnished Garden.

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.

August, 1920: Tennessee's legislature is about to cast a history-making vote. If they approve the 19th Amendment, it will be ratified and women across the country will be assured of their right to vote. If they don't, the suffragists have more battles ahead. The decision came down to a single vote, and a shocking moment when Harry Burns — previously a staunch opponent of suffrage — voted in favor of suffrage. And he did so because of a letter from his indomitable mother, Febb Burns, who said "Vote for suffrage and don't forget to be a good boy." This inspiring picture book celebrates a defining moment of American history — and the determined woman whose letter helped give all women a voice in politics.

To make money to go to sleepaway camp like all her friends, Katie takes a job catsitting for her mysterious upstairs neighbor Madeline. She soon discovers why Madeline offers such high pay: she has 217 cats who cause all sorts of chaos, each of which has a special talent, from computer hacking to soap opera expertise. As Katie tries to wrangle the cats (and deal with hurt feelings over the fact that her friend Beth is barely writing to her), a supervillain called Mousetress starts terrorizing the town. Katie starts to connect the dots and wonders if Madeline may be Mousetress herself — but is she jumping to conclusions like a cat after a mouse? In this hilarious graphic novel series opener perfect for fans of Guts and Awkward, Katie will find out if a love of cats and a little courage can help her be the hero!

11-year-old Fiona's family have just moved to Lost Lake, Massachusetts, to foster her older sister Arden's figure skating career... even though it means uprooting Fiona from her tight-knit friends. She finds solace in the town's library, particularly a mystery novel that begins, "Once there were two sisters who did everything together. But only one of them disappeared." After particularly painful proof that Fiona is the family's lowest priority, she decides to unravel the true story behind the book with the help of a local boy named Charlie. Mysterious things happen in Lost Lake, and danger lurks in unexpected places — but as Fiona will discover, help and hope can come from surprising people too... even the sister she thinks doesn't care about her. This scary but not gory supernatural mystery is rooted in the sometimes difficult but always powerful bond between sisters.

Shiori'anma is the only daughter of the emperor of Kiata, and she hides a dangerous secret: the gift of forbidden magic. But on the day she's to be betrothed to a warlord's son, she loses control; her mistake means she's avoided an unwanted marriage, but it also reveals that her stepmother, Raikama, is a sorceress with a demonic form. Raikama banishes her and turns her brothers into cranes, warning that Shiori that, for every word that she speaks, one of her brothers dies. To rescue her brothers and save the throne, she will have to find a way to survive on her own and win allies... including a dragon and the boy she didn't want to marry. This duology opener, inspired by elements of both European and East Asian folklore, is a stunning and magical fantasy.

Brigitte does her part to support Adolf Hitler's war, like all good Aryan girls. But she wonders why even simple questions are unwelcome at her League of German Girls meetings. Then a mysterious pamphlet from a group called the White Rose shows up at her house. Her father and older sister, Angelika, seem to agree with the White Rose, but they also seem to think agreeing is dangerous. Brigitte wonders if the White Rose could endanger her entire family... but as she starts to see more of the truths that have been hidden by the Nazi Party, she wonders instead if she has the courage to take a stand. This gripping story about a real-life resistance movement from World War II will make young readers wonder what they would choose in Brigitte's place.

Julia, her mythological creature friends, and her flying house have been looking for the Perfect Spot — and Julia thinks she's finally found it, way off in the distance. But on the way there, disaster strikes when the house trips, spilling Julia and all the creatures out as it tumbles down a mountain. Undeterred, Julia sets off to find her friends (adding a few new ones along the way — "we'll make room") and her house... but when she discovers that all that's left of her beloved house is the sign, a doorknob, and the front step, her confidence is shaken. Fortunately, the creatures she's shown so much kindness to know just how to return it: by working together to build Julia's Town, with room enough for everyone. This poignant and satisfying conclusion to the Julia's House trilogy of picture books is a reminder that the Perfect Spot is what we make it — and that everything is better when we welcome people in.

Most of her family loves the farm life in 1920 Burr Oak, Michigan, but 12-year-old Suzy is sick of chores and dreams of seeing the world! When her "deadbeat" uncle Fred moves back home — only to mysterious skip farm duties — Suzy gets curious and follows him... where she meets the legendary Madame Marantette, a former circus queen, and her amazing ostriches, including the cantankerous Gaucho. Before long, Suzy is learning to ride Gaucho (and also getting lessons in comportment over tea.) Will Suzy ride an ostrich out of Burr Oak and into her dream life of fame, fortune, and travel? Energetic, funny, and full of heart, this charming book includes an author's note with details about the real-life Madame Marantette.

As a student, Meg Lowman was the only girl at the science fair; as a graduate student, she realized she'd have to climb to the canopies of Australia's rainforests to effectively study the leaves she was researching. Forty years later, she's one of the world's best-known arbornauts, nicknamed the "real-life Lorax" for her exuberant efforts to promote protection of the "eighth continent": the world's treetops. Combining fieldwork notes and memoir, The Arbornaut is a celebration of the wonder of trees and the thrill of scientific discovery, plus a call to action to take steps against climate change. Inspiring, uplifting, and full of hope, this book is sure to inspire you to take a new look at the trees outside your window.

When Jane Goodall arrived in Gombe, nobody had ever studied chimpanzees in the wild up close. In order to learn about them, she had to earn their trust — and when she did, she discovered amazing things, from the way they interacted in their group to their creation and use of tools. Her discoveries would change the way people looked at chimpanzees — and humans. This book from the I Can Read series, which is geared for newly independent readers who need simple text and sentences, includes a timeline and historical photos that are sure to inspire primate-loving kids!

When Elizabeth Blackwell decided to study medicine, she was defying stereotypes about what women were capable of in the mid-1800s — but her determination and intelligence won out, and she became the first woman in America to receive an M.D. in 1849. Shortly afterward, her sister Emily followed in her footsteps. The two Blackwell doctors founded the first hospital staffed entirely by women, the New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children, but while the success of the hospital was largely due to Emily's brilliance and hard work, Elizabeth's strong personality often overshadowed her. In this fascinating dual biography, Janice P. Nimura explores a story about breaking barriers and a sisterhood that changed the field of medicine forever.

Penelope Rex is startled to discover her classmates are all children, so she does what comes naturally... and eats them. Children are delicious, after all! Her teacher immediately gets her to spit them out, and tells her firmly that classmates are not snacks. But Penelope is always hungry, and no matter how hard she tries, she keeps forgetting the rule — until an unexpectedly voracious class pet teaches her what it feels like to be eaten! Beloved author/illustrator Ryan T. Higgins has created a laugh out loud story with a gentle message about the importance of treating others how you want to be treated. Penelope returns in We Will Rock Our Classmates and We Don't Lose Our Class Goldfish.

In August 1920, women's right to vote is at a tipping point. Suffragists have been fighting for the vote for over 70 years, and one more state needs to ratify the 19th Amendment for it to finally be enshrined in the Constitution. Tennessee is about to make their decision, but the road isn't easy. Many people oppose the amendment, including the "Antis": women who don't want women to be able to vote and racists who oppose the fact that its passage would give black women the right to vote. As suffragist leaders Carrie Catt, Sue White, and Alice Paul agitate for the amendment's ratification, they face blackmail, betrayal, and more. Elaine Weiss told this nail-biting story for adults in The Woman's Hour; now, this young readers edition, which includes an 8-page photo insert, will teach kids about the power of activism, the importance of equal rights, and just how close the passage of the 19th Amendment really was.

Fans of Kiki's Delivery Service will be delighted to read this new translation of the book that inspired the Studio Ghibli film! Half-witch Kiki is ready to follow the witch tradition of choosing a new town to call home for one year after her thirteenth birthday. But the village of Koriko is not as welcoming as she might have hoped, and the villagers aren't so sure about her idea to use her witch's powers to help them. It takes some determination, but slowly, Kiki makes friends in her new home... and realizes that there's magic in every day, ordinary places, too. This brand new translation of the first book in the Kiki series will delight readers young and old!

Before 1992, Amra's life in Bosnia was that of a typical teenager, full of volleyball games and birthday surprises — but things were about to change. Suddenly Muslims like her started arriving in her hometown of Bihac, fleeing Serbian persecution... and soon even her own best friend refuses to talk to her. When the Serbian tanks beseige the town, Amra thinks all happiness has vanished until she meets a stray calico cat who seems to charm her way into everyone's heart... and perhaps even serves as the family's guardian. Now a professor in the United States, Sabic-El-Rayess uses her teenage self's viewpoint to explore the horrors of the Bosnian genocide and how war brings out the worst — and the best — in humanity.

Zima the wolf knows that humans, and especially witches, are dangerous creatures, but when her younger sibling is injured, Baba Yaga may be the only one who can help. It turns out that Baba Yaga needs Zima's keen nose, and in exchange for the healing, she switches bodies with Zima. Now, Zima must pretend to be Baba Yaga — and when her path collides with an orphan girl named Nadya whose close friend is engaged to the intimidating Tsar Aleksander, it starts her on a quest to unite the wolves, witches, and villages against a common enemy that could destroy them all. Full of magic and wonder, and inspired by Russian folk stories, this fantastical tale, which features stylistic black and white artwork sprinkled throughout, is perfect for fans of The Girl Who Drank the Moon and Pax.

"Some people eyes like sapphire lagoons / with lashes like lace trim on ballgowns," observes the Mighty Girl in this story. Her own eyes are different: they "kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea." Her eyes, in fact, look like those of other women in her life: her Mama, who sees her as "a miracle"; her Amah, who has so many stories to tell; her little sister Mei-Mei, who adores her. Her eyes also remind her of her family's traditions, from the folklore Amah shares to the upside-down Fú character by her family's door that brings good fortune. Empowering, poetic, and full of love for both self and family, this is a gorgeous picture book that celebrates the deeper meaning behind our diverse backgrounds and stories.

Judy Heumann fought polio at 18 months of age — but her bigger battle would be against a world that didn't want to allow her in. As a child, her family had to argue for her right to go to grade school, where one objection was that she might be a "fire hazard." She had to take the New York City school system to court because they wouldn't give her a teacher's license because she was paralyzed. These experiences convinced her that Americans with disabilities deserved better: they deserved legislation that would explicitly protect them. In this stirring memoir, Heumann describes her leadership for the Section 504 Sit-In, the longest takeover of a government building in American history, and of her lobbying for the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act. Heumann's story is also available in a young reader's edition, Rolling Warrior: The Incredible, Sometimes Awkward, True Story of a Rebel Girl on Wheels Who Helped Spark a Revolution for ages 10 to 14.

Virginia Hall left behind a privileged life of debutante balls and fancy dress in Baltimore to seek a life of adventure in Europe, but when World War II breaks out, her new home is thrown into turmoil. Undeterred, Hall joins the ranks of the Allies' spies, devoting herself to subverting the Nazis and aiding the resistance. Then someone betrays her organization, forcing her to flee — and costing the lives of brave people who worked beside her. Now she's determined to go back behind enemy lines, despite the risk, to avenge them — and continue to fight for freedom. Based on the true story of World War II spy Virginia Hall, this stunning historical fiction novel is suspenseful and inspiring.

When Rosie sets out into the forest, she's wearing a familiar-looking red cloak... but her story won't be as expected. On her way, she meets all sorts of fairy tale characters, including Hansel and Gretel, the Goose that Laid the Golden Egg, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White! And each time, the reader helps Rosie make a choice: Get spooked by the wolf and head home, or muster your courage and keep going? Enter the strange castle surrounded by thorns or head back home? Each choice leads to a different story path — some of which are successes and some of which will lead to Rosie's downfall! Laurel Snyder and Dan Santat team up to create a laugh-out-loud, choose-your-own-adventure style picture book with clever twists on classic fairy tales that will make kids want to find every ending.

In 1818, Jeanne Power was a former dressmaker who became a self-taught naturalist after moving from Paris to Sicily. She was fascinated by the life forms in the ocean — but while it was easy to study animals on land, how could she study the ones in the sea? Power built a glass box — an aquarium — that she could use to examine aquatic creatures, and she made groundbreaking discoveries doing so! And even when men tried to take credit for her work, she argued her case and made sure she got her due. This vibrant picture book biography celebrates a little known pioneer of science whose legacy lives on in every aquarium found in homes, research facilities, and zoos around the world.

12-year-old Abby has spent her life training to be an Aesir — an elite Viking warrior that hunts Grendels — just like her mother was. Except no one has seen a Grendel for hundreds of years, and the Viking Council plans to disband the Aesir for good. When Abby's father is injured, and she has to go stay at Vale Hall, a strange school in Minnesota, Abby quickly realizes that an actual Grendel is hunting her, but no one believes her. On her quest to save herself (and find the truth) Abby soon realizes that someone at the school wants to destroy the Aesir for good... and it's up to Abby to foil the plot and save the day! This action-packed adventure based on Norse mythology is perfect for fans of Percy Jackson.

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.

Kit Tyler is heartbroken when she has to leave her beloved Barbados to join an aunt and uncle she's never met in 1687 Connecticut. And from the moment she arrives, she is the topic of disapproval and suspicion: in their Puritan community, a girl like Kit who swims and dares to talk back to her elders might get labeled a witch. And when Kit finds a kindred spirit in Hannah Tupper, a Quaker woman known as the Witch of Blackbird Pond, she suddenly finds herself facing witch hysteria and a mob mentality with nothing but a sense of truth and justice. This Newbery Medal-winning novel provides a stirring exploration of witch hysteria in early colonial America and the power of courageous individuals to stand up to mob mentality.

This retelling transports Cinderella into outer space! Hardworking Cinderella is kept doing menial appliance repairs, but at night, she studies how to build and repair rocket ships. When her family strands her on an empty planet. all Cinderella's fairy godrobot needs to provide are tools; that allows Cinderella to repair a ship, get off the planet, and provide some much needed mechanical assistance to the Prince! She’s also smart enough to know she’s too young for marriage, opting to take up the post of chief royal mechanic instead. Tinkering kids will love this mechanically-inclined Cinderella.

Spensa dreams of being a pilot, one of the heroes of the decades-long fight that the humans are losing — but her pilot father was killed years ago as he deserted his team, and his act of cowardice has left Spensa tarred with his disgrace. Still, she hopes to prove herself as a cadet in the Defiant Defense Force by excelling in the dangerous — sometimes fatal — training. And when she discovers a long-abandoned starfighter in a cave, she may get to do more than fly: she may be the key to winning the war. This trilogy opener is full of adventure and daring, with hints that not everything is as it seems in the fight for humanity. Spensa's adventures continue in the sequel, Starsight.

In the early 1900s, women doctors in Britain were only permitted to treat women and children — they certainly weren't allowed to operate on men. But two of them — Flora Murray and Louisa Garrett Anderson — were determined to prove they were just as capable as their male colleagues, and World War I gave them the chance to do it. A month after the war began, Murray and Anderson were in Paris, opening a hospital in a former luxury hotel where they treated thousands of war wounded. They were so successful that the British Army asked them to set up a hospital on Endell Street in London. This lively telling of the women who founded the "Suffragettes' Hospital," and how they proved women doctors deserved equality, is an exciting reminder of how women's wartime service changed the world.

18-year-old Serilda knows that on the night of the full moon, everyone must hide inside to avoid the Erlking and his hunters, but when she hears hellhounds chasing a pair of moss maidens, she can't help but intervene. When she's confronted by the Erlking, she spins one of her many outlandish tales, claiming that she was collecting straw to spin into gold. On the next full moon, though, the Erlking kidnaps her, ordering her to spin gold as she claims — or be killed for telling lies. Fortunately, a mysterious boy named Gild appears and offers to do it for her... for a price. Before long, Serilda finds herself plotting to break an ancient curse and overthrough the Erlking — and falling in love with Gild. Bestselling author Marissa Meyer reimagines the story of Rumpelstiltskin into this compelling, haunting tale.

It's summer in the city, and for these kids, that means freedom! They go out first thing in the morning to meet up with their friends. In the summer heat, they'll cool off by running through the water from open hydrants and chasing down ice cream trucks. They'll turn the streets into their playground, and play traditional kids' games like hide and seek and tag. They'll jump double Dutch and build forts all by themselves... until their parents call them home for dinner. And tomorrow, they'll do it all again: the block is their world, and it belongs to them. Acclaimed author Jacqueline Woodson and artist Leo Espinosa have created a lively, nostalgic tribute to the joys of childhood and the pleasures of summer.

The girl in this story is sure it will be a bad day — and she's soon proven right! In a series of dramatic odes, she narrates the woes as they occur: too much milk in her cereal, clothes that itch, a late arrival, someone cutting the line, and even boredom at the grocery store. Truly, this is a bad day worthy of an epic book of poetry! Fortunately, as the end of the day draws near, hopeful thoughts begin to pop up again. Today was truly a bad day... but tomorrow can be better. Witty, authentic, and relatable to both kids and adults, this is a laugh-out-loud way to deal with a bad day and look forward to a good one.

Kate O'Sullivan is bold and brave, so when village is threatened by an angry witch whose horse was stolen by tax collectors, she prods her father and brothers into action. But when they steal the horse back, they’re caught by the king who threatens to hang them all! Kate’s going to have to use all her inventiveness and courage to convince the king to let them go. Fortunately, Kate knows how to spin a good story... Colorful illustrations capture Kate’s confident spirit, and parents will love her response when the now-besotted king arrives at her doorstep to declare his love.

18-year-old Zofia is struggling to heal her body and rebuild her mind after liberation from Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945. Three years ago, everyone in her family except her brother, Abek, as sent to the gas ovens; now, she can't remember the last time she saw Abek, but she knows she promised to find him. At a displaced persons camp, she meets others like her, trying to find a life after the horrors of the Holocaust, and even starts to feel like she could love someone again. But Zofia's trauma makes her memory unreliable, and she begins to wonder what exactly she will discover if she can put the pieces together. This stunning historical mystery by award-winning author Monica Hesse explores how the Holocaust affected survivors — and the incredible ability of humanity to overcome evil.

17-year-old Vania knows she can't count on anyone but herself: her biological mother adopted her and her adopted godmothers, Death and Fortune, charge a steep price for their aid. To make her own way in the world, Vania became a servant for Princess Gisele... then used a magical necklace to take her place. As a princess, Vania can charm all the nobles while stealing all their jewels for herself. But when Vania crosses the wrong goddess and ends up cursed for her greed, she has to figure out how to break the curse and escape... while also avoiding Gisele's intimidating fiance and a junior detective who's hot on her tail. Margaret Owen, author of The Merciful Crow, has created a lush and cynically funny retelling of "The Goose Girl" with a daring (and wicked) girl at its core.

13-year-old Genesis keeps a list of things she hates about herself — 96 things so far. And sometimes it seems like all of it starts with her dark skin, which makes even her own family call her "charcoal" and "eggplant." When her gambling-addicted father gets the family evicted again, Genesis and her mom have to move in with her grandmother, whose colorist attitudes hurt Genesis deeply enough that she's willing to try painful bleaches if only her skin will get lighter. But at her new school, Genesis' confidence gets bolstered by an encouraging teacher and some new friends. This heartbreaking novel ends with a hopeful reminder that loving yourself gives you the power to start a new story.

When Beatrix Potter was growing up, girls didn't go to school, work, or have money of their own. She spent her summers enjoying the English countryside, and wishing she could do something important. She ended up coming up with a charming little story, full of her own illustrations, called The Tale of Peter Rabbit — and it was a smash hit! She earned enough money from her books that she could do as she pleased... and when developers threatened her beloved countryside, she used it to buy farms and bequeath them to U.K.’s National Trust. This elegant picture book biography celebrates Potter's beloved children's books and her little-known work to protect the land she loved.

It's a big day for Little Crab: the first trip out of the tidepool to see the ocean! Little Crab is full of excitement: "This is going to be so great." But then the ocean WHOOSHES with a giant wave, and Little Crab isn't so sure any more... Fortunately, Very Big Crab is there to encourage Little Crab along: "Don’t worry, Little Crab…. I’m here." When Little Crab takes the encouragement and musters the courage to step in, another wave whooshes over and reveals a gorgeous world to explore! This sensitive and empathetic book from the creator of Shh! We Have a Plan is an excellent reminder for young readers that new experiences can be scary — but with a little courage and help from the people you trust, they'll lead you to wonderful new things.

High school junior Avery Grambs is living out of her car, hoping to survive long enough to win a scholarship and make her way in the world. Then, she gets a message that billionaire Tobias Hawthorne has left almost his whole estate to her... even though she's never even met him. Worse, there's a condition: Avery must spend a year living in Hawthorne House alongside Hawthorne's furious daughters and grandsons, who think she's a con-woman. While there, Avery discovers secret passages, codes, and puzzles galore. Is she part of Hawthorne's final riddle? And will she be able to survive the year when so much is at stake for his descendants? Fans of The Westing Game and Knives Out will love this thrilling mystery. Avery's story continues in The Hawthorne Legacy.

12-year-old Eva Evergreen is getting desperate: she only has until her birthday to earn the rank of Novice Witch, or she'll lose her magic forever — but she struggles to cast simple spells and falls asleep if she overdoes it. With a month to go, she travels to the seaside town of Auteri, where the major allows her to stay if she can protect them from the Culling, a destructive magical storm. It's not long before she's come up with a clever idea to win over the town: a "semi-magical fixes" repair shop that allows her to combine the magic she has with some technological know-how. But with the Culling drawing nearer, will Eva's pinch of magic be enough? This charming and creative fantasy celebrates ingenuity and persistence, perfect for fans of Kiki's Delivery Service. Eva's story continues in Eva Evergreen and the Cursed Witch.

In 1940, three women form an unlikely friendship when they work together at Bletchley Park, one of Britain's top code-breaking facilities. Osla is a high society girl who wants to prove that she's more than a debutante; Mab worked her way up from poverty in east-end London; and Beth is a shy local spinster with an incredible gift for puzzles. But their friendship has barely begun when it's torn apart by a betrayal. Seven years later, a mysterious encrypted letter brings the friends-turned-enemies back together. A traitor lurked in Bletchley Park, and they have to crack this new code if they have any hope of finding them — but every step they take brings them closer to dangerous territory... Kate Quinn, best-selling author of The Huntress and The Alice Network, crafts another pulse-pounding World War II tale in this powerful novel.

Creatures all over the forest are getting sick, and Charlotte the bunny scientist is determined to figure out why! The stumped doctors and scientists are dismissive of her efforts, but she holds firm to her beloved grandfather's assertion that she will "make a real difference in the world." After some patient interviews and a few samples from the outhouse, Charlotte realizes that all the sick animals have been munching on carrots contaminated by 'Funky Forest Fungi.' A quick clinical trial later, and Charlotte has saved the tummies of all her friends! This delightful sequel to Charlotte the Scientist Is Squished celebrates the ability of determined girls to change the world.

It's 1869, and Jo March's first novel has become an unexpected best-seller... which means she's feeling the pressure for a sequel from both her publisher and her readers. Her first stories were inspired by real life, but she can't base a novel on things that haven't happened yet! A New York trip provides inspiration and an unexpected marriage proposal from Laurie; while Jo has feelings for him too, she wants to be independent. But when Laurie returns from college with a new girlfriend, Jo faces a lifetime without the person she loves... unless she can find a way to tell him how she really feels. Set in the year-long period between the publication of Little Women and Good Wives (which are now published as one volume), and based in part on Louisa May Alcott's life and letters, this is a charming and romantic retelling of an American classic.

Five years ago, high school senior Sal Singh was found dead by his own hand in the woods — and his girlfriend, Andie, disappeared. So everyone knows Sal killed her... except for Pip. She knew Sal as a child, and she can't imagine him as a killer, especially when she sees all the gaps in the case. As she starts digging into online records and interviewing people who knew Sal, she discovers secrets, some belonging to Sal's friends, who wouldn't give him an alibi, and others belonging to Andie herself. But someone in Fairview doesn't want Pip to find the answers, and she might find herself the next target... This engrossing mystery is full of surprise twists that will keep you turning pages to the end.

Maggie knows her 10th birthday will be the best ever: she's getting a dog! Even though the dog is supposed to be for the whole family, she knows that her twin brothers are completely focused on one another, and her parents are busy with the new baby they're expecting; the dog will definitely be Maggie's. But then she has a severe allergic reaction while cuddling a dog at the shelter, and after testing, the doctor recommends she avoids all animals with fur or feathers! Can Maggie figure out the perfect pet, while also managing a new school and her family's changing world? This graphic novel, inspired by author Megan Wagner Lloyd's experiences with allergies and accented by warm illustrations by Michelle Mee Nutter, is a charming story about finding your place — even when it's not what you expect.

In ancient Greece, a boy named Rhaskos and a girl named Melisto lead two very different lives. Melisto is precious as amber, an aristocrat's daughter — but she faces a life as a meek, tamed wife. Rhaskos is enslaved and is common as clay, but he has a gift for art and philosophy. By the time they meet — thanks to the actions of both people and gods — one of them will be a ghost, but their friendship will transcend death... and also provide a reminder of the power of being true to yourself. Told in dual perspectives, with lyrical text and black and white illustrations of "artifacts" to enhance the text, this is an epic tale full of heart and wonder.

12-year-old orphan Seren has just received word that her godfather, Captain Arthur Jones, will take her in, so she immediately starts imagining a happy life at his country estate. Instead, things go awry from the moment she sets foot in the train station, where a mysterious stranger gives her a package containing a mechanical crow. Then, she arrives at Plas-y-Fran to discover that Jones and his wife are away and their son, Tomos, has been missing for a year. Rumor has it that he's been taken by fairies... but if Seren could bring him home, maybe the happy family life she's been imagining could come true. With cantankerous Crow by her side, Seren sets of on a difficult and dangerous journey full of mystery and magic! Atmospheric and dark, this novel will delight readers eager for a taste of fantasy adventure.

When Lacy Crawford was 15, she was sexually assaulted by two senior athletes at St. Paul's School — but she was told that there was nothing that could be done. Years later, when St. Paul's came under state investigation for reports of sexual abuse, she finally got to look at her criminal case file, and found proof that her case had been deliberately silenced. In this heartrending memoir, Crawford explores how institutions — including, but certainly not limited to, St. Paul's — sacrifice the safety of girls for the reputation of the powerful and privileged. Her searing account asks readers what it will take before we finally help survivors overcome shame and silencing — and demand they be given justice.

17-year-old Lily Hu doesn't quite fit in among San Francisco's Chinatown in the 1950s: her passion for rocketry and space exploration is at odds with expectations for a Chinese-American girl... and so is her growing awareness that she's attracted to girls, not boys. When her friend, Kathleen Miller, introduces her to a lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club, Lily realizes that other people feel like her. But she still has to hide parts of herself, even as she code-switches between her community in Chinatown and her role at the Club, and when the Red Scare paranoia threatens her father — even though he's a citizen — Lily and Kath will have to decide how much of themselves they dare to reveal. This stunning historical queer romance, winner of the National Book Award, by best-selling YA author Malinda Lo is a rich, poignant story about being true to yourself.

In 1778, the British have occupied the town of Setauket... but right under their noses, George Washington's spy ring known as the Culper Ring is collecting intelligence. And right in the middle of it is Anna Strong, a daring young woman who used handkerchiefs on a clothesline to send messages and took advantage of her anonymity as a woman to slip right through the redcoats' guard. In this book from the Spy on History series, kids will learn more about this neglected Revolutionary War hero — and, with the help of spycraft tools included in the book, will solve the mystery of Strong's last letter! This exciting telling is perfect for any budding spy.

In the early 20th century, the young women who got jobs painting watch and gauge dials with glowing radium paint were considered lucky; they were well-paid, and surrounded by dust that would supposedly make them healthy — and literally made them glow. But the corporations didn't tell them about the dangers of radium exposure. When they started to get sick, the women tried to seek justice, only to be slandered by company management who claimed that they were dying of syphilis and other diseases. With their days numbered, the Radium Girls knew they had to win their case — not for themselves, but to protect generations of workers after them. This young reader adaptation of the best-selling adult book The Radium Girls tells the story of these courageous women and their groundbreaking battle for workers' rights to safety.

In 1880s Amsterdam, the five babies who were left at the Little Tulip Orphanage as babies — Lotta, Egg, Fenna, Sem, and Milou — are considered "unadoptable" for their physical differences, but each of them has an unexpected talent, too. Then the sinister Meneer Rotman suddenly shows interest in the kids, setting off Milou's mysterious danger sense. She convinces her friends to make a run for it, hoping to find the family she's convinced she has. The kids use their gifts to keep themselves save, but Rotman is still on the hunt. Will they finally find the home and family they crave? This mysterious and fantastical story with a Gothic flair is a celebration of found families.

Meg Lowman was a shy child who rarely spoke in school — but she adored the natural world, and particularly the trees and the many organisms that lived in their branches and leaves. So she decided she wanted to become a scientist and study the canopies in the rain forest. There were many obstacles in her way, from the inaccessibility of the treetops to the sexism she faced in the scientific community to the logging and clearing that threatened this precious ecosystem. But Lowman persevered, and "Canopy Meg" not only created her own future, but helped ensure the rainforests had a future too. With vibrant illustrations (that conceal fascinating facts about rainforests in their leafy designs) and text drafted with the help of Lowman herself, this picture book is a detailed and exciting portrait of a pioneering scientist and the incredible world she loves.

"It just takes three world to say, 'It isn't fair,'" this book begins, "And only four to say, 'We'll fight for you.'" As three modern girls look at the founding documents of the United States, they notice how there's no protection against discrimination based on sex... until Title IX. In this simple but powerful introduction to the landmark legislation, best-selling team Helaine Becker and Dom Phumiruk introduce young readers to the history and impact of Title IX — and how adding a few simple words can do so much to protect and uplift the vulnerable and ignored. With extensive back matter about the women behind Title IX — and the work that remains to be done — this picture book is a reminder of the work it took to give girls and women an equal shot.

When the Nazis invaded the Netherlands in 1940, three teenage girls were determined to resist. Hannie Schaft, and sisters Truus and Freddie Oversteegen, formed their own, all-female underground squad in Haarlem, and they resolved to fight the occupying forces in any way they could. They sheltered fugitives; sabotaged bridges; secretly transported weapons; and lured both German soldiers and Dutch sympathizers and traitors, then assassinated them. Historian Tim Brady captures the stunning story of these three girls who fought and spied like seasoned agents, no matter the risks — and no matter the cost.

Mary Golda Ross was the only girl in her college math class, and she proved that she could excel. She taught math at several high schools while taking graduate courses in the summers but she dreamed of finding more opportunities to apply her mathematical talents. In 1942, she succeeded, winning a spot at Lockheed as an aerospace engineer. She thrived, and before long, she had been invited to a super secret team called Skunk Works — one which was working on cutting-edge designs for future space travel! This compelling picture book biography captures the fascinating life of this little-known pioneer in STEM who became the first Native American aerospace engineer, celebrating how she blazed a trail for others behind her.

In the midst of the Vietnam war, three very different women arrived to cover the story of the war: Australian Kate Webb, French Catherine Leroy, and American Frances FitzGerald. They faced peers who thought they were unfit to be foreign correspondents, and sexist rules imposed by the military. But they were determined to unveil the true story of Vietnam — and do it on their own terms. Author Elizabeth Becker, who herself arrived in Vietnam during the last years of the war, explores the buildup, conflict, and aftermath through the eyes of these women and their work, capturing the sacrifices they made as they fought for their place... and how they changed war reporting forever.

Harriet Hamsterbone finds life as a princess terribly boring... until the day her parents tell her that she's been cursed to prick her finger on a hamster wheel on her twelfth birthday and fall into a deep sleep. Harriet is surprisingly delighted: after all, if the curse is going to play out, that means she's invincible against every other threat! But when the curse backfires, leaving everyone else in the kingdom asleep, Harriet has to figure out how to break the curse — even if that means finding a prince. Packed with comic-style illustrations throughout, kids will laugh at Harriet's glee, and at her befuddlement when the consequences of the curse turn out to be more complicated than she expected. Harriet's adventures continue in the rest of the Hamster Princess series.

Amy Anne considers herself shy, but when she learns that her favorite book in the whole world, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, has been banned from the library, she decides it's time to find her courage! So she recruits her friends to make their point: they start a secret banned books library in her locker, and even make arguments why every single book in library should also be banned to point out the folly of censorship. It turns out that when Amy Anne finds a cause that's important to her, she's ready to take on the world! Middle grade readers will laugh and cheer as they read this stirring defense against censorship.

When 12-year-old Lucy Callahan was struck by lightning at age eight, she developed genius math skills and has been homeschooled ever since. Now she's ready to head off to college, but before she does, her grandma insists on a different sort of test: middle school. Her tasks: attend for 1 year, make 1 friend, join 1 activity, and read 1 book (not another math textbook!). In this smart, funny, and heartfelt novel, author Stacy McAnulty cleverly helps readers see the world through Lucy's point of view – both her gift for numbers and her struggles with OCD, which can lead to spiraling digits of pi taking over her brain. This outstanding story is an uplifting celebration of friendship, self acceptance, and, of course, math!

June Del Toro has faced monsters, zombies, and worse in the past, but it was easier when her friends Jack, Quint, and Dirk were by her side. Now, with a villain who has suddenly re-emerged — along with an army of the undead — June suddenly finds herself miles from the others in a mysterious town completely unlike Wakefield. Her survival and action skills help get her through, and she even befriends a few unlikely allies, including a baby Wrecker and an owlish creature who thinks he's an expert on humans. But can she make it home with the critical information she's learned in time to save the world? Fans of the best selling The Last Kids on Earth series will love seeing June break out on her very own adventure!

Jen's mother and her new boyfriend Walter are starting a farm in the country, which has yanked Jen away from the comforts and excitement of the city into the drudgery of chores and farmers markets. It's also given her two "sisters," Andy and Reese, that get on Jen's nerves — and leave her feeling uncertain about her place in the family, especially since Walter can't seem to see her as equal to them. Over time, though, Jen not only finds some common ground with her unwanted new step-siblings, but also begins to establish agency and ambitious of her own. Loosely based on author/illustrator Lucy Knisley's childhood, this authentic and relatable graphic novel is perfect for fans of Awkward and Be Prepared. Jen's story continues in Apple Crush.

17-year-old Iris Hollow and her two older sisters once disappeared without a trace in Scotland, only to return a month later with no memory of where they had been, and with their dark hair turned white and their dark eyes turned blue. Their father was so convinced that they weren't really his children that he spiraled into madness and died by suicide. Now, Grey is a supermodel, Vivi is a musician, and Iris is just hoping to fit in. But when Grey goes missing, Iris and Vivi start following the mysterious clues to where she had been just before she vanished. But soon they realize that the past they knew is falling apart, and that supernatural forces may be pursuing them. This dark and vivid modern fairytale explores topics like isolation, substance abuse, and more, all through an uncanny tale that will leave you wondering about what is the truth.

12-year-old Maddie had planned a secret sleepover at her grandparents' empty summer apartment, and when her friends can't come, she figures she might as well stay by herself. Except when she wakes up, her town has been evacuated and abandoned... and she's been left behind. As days turn to weeks, Maddie befriends a neighbor's abandoned Rottweiler and learns the skills she'll need to survive natural hazards like Colorado winters, wild animals, and a tornado... and human ones, like looters. But worse of all is the crushing loneliness, which leaves Maddie wondering if she'll be able to make it through all on her own. This riveting novel-in-verse powerfully captures Maddie's struggle to survive alone over a three-year period.

Beloved author Patricia Polacco shares a story of a transformative year in elementary school — and the power of supportive friendships. On the first day of school, separated from her friends, Paricia breaks out in a rash and gets nicknamed "Cootie" by her class bully. Fortunately, a boy named Thom and a girl named Ravenne step in to comfort her. Thom's graceful manner and love of ballet make him a particular target, but he responds with poise and humor, helping Patricia see that she can overcome the bullying — and for many years to come, the three friends support one another as they find their passions and achieve success. This is a powerful anti-bullying tale that celebrates girl-boy friendships.

Amal dreams of being a teacher, but as the oldest daughter in her Pakistani family, she has to stay home from school to care for her siblings. She plans to find other ways to continue her studies, but an accidental run-in with the son of the village's corrupt landlord turns her life upside down: she is forced into indentured servitude at his estate to pay off her family's debt. But Amal's ability to read provides her with a shocking — and dangerous — opportunity to expose the Khan family's corruption. This powerful novel with a courageous and intelligent main character is a celebration of education, resistance, and hope.

12-year-old Paola is embarrassed by her mother's warning to stay away from the Gila River, where she says La Llorona lurks; the space-loving girl believes in science, not superstition. Except when she arranges to meet her friends Dante and Emma near the river to try out her new telescope, Emma never arrives... and Pao sees a figure hiding in the reeds. To rescue her friend, Pao has to enter a world full of nightmares and folk tales, where she'll discover that legends — and her own conflicting feelings — have a power of their own. Tehlor Kay Mejia draws on her Latinx heritage to create a fantasy adventure exploring our connection with ancestry and the strength of friendship.

10-year-old Aster is expecting nothing but boredom when her parents move the whole family to an isolated mountain town. But when Aster bumps into a mysterious old woman who gives her a dog named Buzz, saying he will ensure "the mountain will always look after you," things get unexpectedly interesting! Aster stumbles into one adventure after another, from magic gone wrong when a wish to be able to understand Buzz results in her only being able to speak dog, to helping a group of chestnut knights ensure the seasons pass as promised. This charming and whimsical graphic novel, full of action and adventure, will leave kids wishing they could dive into Aster's world! Aster's adventures continue in the sequel, Aster and the Mixed-Up Magic.

Susie Petruccelli's star was on the rise: her talent and drive at soccer had earned her a place on the soccer team at Harvard University. But a combination of injuries and health problems pulled her off the field — and tanked her sense of self. And at the same time, she was beginning to understand all the inequities that faced female athletes, from unequal pay to dramatically different training conditions, coaching support, and more. In this memoir, which is part personal story, part examination of sexism in the athletic world, Petruccelli explores the perseverance that helped her get back on to the soccer field — and that stands her in good stead now as she continues to fight alongside other activists for women athletes.

Garlic is an anxious bulb who lives with her fruit and vegetable friends, and loves helping the kindly Witch Agnes in her garden. As long as she has her friend Carrot and Agnes' support, she's content to stay safe at home and ignore jabs from meaner vegetables like Celery.. But then Agnes learns that a vampire has moved into the nearby castle... and Celery suggests Garlic is the natural choice to confront him. Agnes agrees but insists that Celery goes too. Now, outside of her comfort zone, and with the safety of her whole hamlet at risk, Garlic will discover that she's braver than she thought she was! This cozy graphic novel, with its lush illustrations of appealing fruit and veggies, comes with a special dedication to "all the anxious bulbs" that reminds readers they're stronger than they give themselves credit for.

Emma has always dreamed of having some friends her own age, so she's thrilled when not one but TWO sets of sisters move to her street! The five girls become fast friends, and they soon realize that when they combine all of their special talents, they can achieve far more than they ever thought possible. It's almost like they have... superpowers! Together they set their sights on making their neighborhood a better place... as long as they can avoid the dour and spooky Ms. Wigglestoot. But maybe their mysterious neighbor isn't all she seems... Former first daughters Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush, authors of the bestselling Sisters First, tell a charming real-life story of sisterhood, community service, and intergenerational friendship.

All this girl wanted to do was give her best friend — an invisible dinosaur — a bath. Seems like a good idea, right? Except once the mud was gone, she couldn't find him at all! She tries all sorts of tricks: she puts out a big plate of his favorite snacks (mmm, peanut butter and jelly); she puts up Lost Dinosaur signs (with a blank rectangle where the picture would be.) If something were falling, like snow or rain, it would be easier to find him. She's just about to give up hope when some dandelion fluff — and a peanut-butter-and-jelly-stained muzzle — reunite her with her friend! Sweet and charming, this book will get kids giggling at the determined girl's predicament.