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March is Women’s History Month and National Reading Month. The best way to combine the two is to read epic books that will bring the stories of inspiring women alive and empower your children to reach for the stars.
Reading about the many achievements and contributions of women in science, music, sports, and leadership, according to Mashable, will give girls a reason to celebrate as well as the understanding that there is still much work to be done before women achieve equality.
From Katherine Johnson, one of the “hidden figures” who helped send the first astronauts into space to Supreme court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the leaders of the feminist movement, these are the stories that will inspire and empower. Check out these nine books that will appeal to readers from ages four to tweens.
Like a Girl
This celebration of girls who made a difference by Lori Degman and illustrated by Mara Penny is for ages 4-8 according to Mashable. Read about Sally Ride, Rosa Parks, Helen Keller, Frida Kahlo, Mother Teresa, and 19 other pioneering women in Like a Girl. This poetic book shows all of these women hard at work making positive changes in the world.
A Computer Called Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Helped Put America on the Moon
This biographical picture book, according to Atlanta Parent, is about Katherine Johnson, one of the mathematicians whose calculations for NASA put men on the moon according to the book’s publisher Little Brown. Written by Suzanne Slade and illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison, Johnson’s life trajectory shows that smart girls who like math can do anything. For ages 4-8.
She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World
All of the 13 women who persisted against all odds in this book, written by Chelsea Clinton and illustrated by Alexandra Boiger, are sure to inspire girls and boys ages 4-8.The book, features diverse figures including: ballerina Maria Tallchief, superstar Oprah Winfrey, journalist Nellie Bly, and a special cameo appearance according to the book’s publisher Penguin Books.
I am Sonia Sotomayor
Part of the Ordinary People Change the World Series, I am Sonia Sotomayer was written by Brad Meltzer and illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos and highly recommended by the Atlanta Parent. This volume is about Sotomayor, the first Latina Supreme Court Justice and her journey from a girl in The Bronx to law school and beyond. Her story shows that there is no limit to what a girl with big dreams can accomplish. For ages 5-8.
100 Women Who Made History
This inclusive book from DK Books is about remarkable women who shaped our world introduces kids 8-12 to historical figures like Joan of Arc and Marie Curie to modern heroine Malala Yousafzai, writers Maya Angelou and J.K. Rowling, sports superstar Serena Williams, world leader Angela Merkel, and many more inspirational women. 100 Women Who Made History is sure to inspire.
What is the Women’s Rights Movement?
From suffragettes Susan B. Anthony to modern day feminists leading up to the Women’s March, What is the Women’s Rights Movement? from Penguin Books makes the struggle for equality come alive for children ages 8-12. Written by Deborah Hopkinson and illustrated by Laurie A Conley this book will inspire youth to take up the cause.
Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World
This book features the true stories of 35 creative women inventors, artists, scientists and other trailblazers Including environmental activist Wangari Maathai, architect Zaha Hadid, physicist Chien-Shiung Wu, and other little known dreamers according to Mashable. Written by Vashti Harrison, the book also contains a list of additional role models for kids to research on their own. For ages 8-12.
Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World
This book highlights women in STEM who made contributions from the ancient world to the new. Women in Science was written and illustrated by Rachel Ignotofsky to show that girls can do anything! For tweens ages 10 and up.
Becoming RGB: Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Journey to Justice
This book is about the feminist icon and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and traces her journey from law student to trailblazing leader in the fight for equal rights for women and girls according to the book’s publisher Simon & Shuster. Written by Debby Levy and illustrated by Whitney Gardener, Becoming RGB will inspire young people ages 10 and up to work for social justice and equality, and to change the world.
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