In celebrating Woman’s History Month, why not take a look at the wide, wonderful variety of books with strong depictions of girls and women and their world? From famous historical woman, to young girls growing up in today’s world, there’s a little something for everyone.
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
How can a fairy’s blessing be such a curse? At her birth, Ella of Frell was the unfortunate recipient of a foolish fairy’s gift — the “gift’ of obedience. Ella must obey any order given to her, whether it’s hopping on one foot for a day and a half, or chopping off her own head! But strong-willed Ella does not tamely accept her fate. Against a bold backdrop of princes, ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, and fairy godmothers, Ella goes on a quest to break the curse — once and for all.
Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Esperanza thought she’d always live with her family on their ranch in Mexico–she’d always have fancy dresses, a beautiful home, and servants. But a sudden tragedy forces Esperanza and Mama to flee to California during the Great Depression, and to settle in a camp for Mexican farm workers. Esperanza isn’t ready for the hard labor, financial struggles, or lack of acceptance she now faces. When their new life is threatened, Esperanza must find a way to rise above her difficult circumstances–Mama’s life, and her own, depend on it.
I Am Amelia Earhart by Brad Meltzer
We can all be heroes. That’s the inspiring message of this lively, collectible picture book biography series from New York Times bestselling author Brad Meltzer. “Kids always search for heroes, so we might as well have a say in it,” Brad Meltzer realized, and so he envisioned this friendly, fun approach to biography – for his own kids, and for yours. Each book tells the story of one of America’s icons in an entertaining, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers, those who aren’t quite ready for the Who Was series. Each book focuses on a particular character trait that made that role model heroic. For example, Amelia Earhart refused to accept no for an answer; she dared to do what no one had ever done before, and became the first woman to fly a plane all the way across the Atlantic Ocean. This book follows her from childhood to her first flying lessons and onward to her multi-record-breaking career as a pilot.
Keena Ford and the Second-Grade Mix-Up by Melissa Thomson
Meet an irrepressible young lady with a flair for getting into trouble! Sassy, fun-loving Keena Ford always tries to do the right thing, but somehow, she just keeps making things worse. Keena is super excited about starting second grade and she’s eager to impress her new teacher but why does Ms. Hanson think Keena’s birthday is tomorrow? It was a small mistake, but now Keena can’t turn down her very own chocolate cake and sparkly crown, can she? No more than she can help sneaking into her best friend Eric’s classroom to see if it’s really as much fun as he claims. Too bad nothing turns out quite the way she plans . . .
Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women by Catherine Thimmesh
In kitchens and living rooms, in garages and labs and basements, even in converted chicken coops, women and girls have invented ingenious innovations that have made our lives simpler and better. Their creations are some of the most enduring (the windshield wiper) and best loved (the chocolate chip cookie). What inspired these women, and just how did they turn their ideas into realities? Features women inventors Ruth Wakefield, Mary Anderson, Stephanie Kwolek, Bette Nesmith Graham, Patsy O. Sherman, Ann Moore, Grace Murray Hopper, Margaret E. Knight, Jeanne Lee Crews, and Valerie L. Thomas, as well as young inventors ten-year-old Becky Schroeder and eleven-year-old Alexia Abernathy.
Rad American Women A-Z by Kate Schatz
Like all A-Z books, this one illustrates the alphabet–but instead of “A is for Apple”, A is for Angela–as in Angela Davis , the iconic political activist. B is for Billie Jean King , who shattered the glass ceiling of sports; C is for Carol Burnett , who defied assumptions about women in comedy; D is for Dolores Huerta , who organized farmworkers; and E is for Ella Baker , who mentored Dr. Martin Luther King and helped shape the Civil Rights Movement. And the list of great women continues, spanning several centuries, multiple professions, and 26 diverse individuals. There are artists and abolitionists, scientists and suffragettes, rock stars and rabble-rousers, and agents of change of all kinds.
The weather’s getting nicer… Take some inspiration from Amelia Earhart and explore the skies, with this creative plane craft: The Incredible Hoop Glider!
St Louis Public Library Parents 