Girl Power Books About Fabulous Women!

If there is one thing kids adore, it’s reading about other mischievous children who grow up to walk to the beat of their own drum despite people trying to get them to follow the same old path everyone else has taken. As a child, young Jane loved telling stories to make others laugh, poking fun at popular novels with their ridiculous damsels in distress and absurd plots. Jane wanted to tell stories her way, and using details from her own community, she wrote with a wit and humor that was well ahead of her time. When faced with grief, however, she debated whether she would ever write again. She eventually picked up her pen once more, writing stories that have captured the hearts of readers for hundreds of years.

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Little do most people know that it was a female spy who helped save the American Revolution! Anna Strong was recruited by George Washington’s own spymaster and began to deliver Washington himself secret messages at great risk to not only herself, but her family, too. With clever techniques like hanging laundry on a line in such a way that others could “read” her clothesline message, Strong was a revolutionary who undoubtedly changed the course of American history.

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Zora Neale Hurston was “attracted to tales like mosquitoes to skin.” In this picture book biography, readers are instantly transported to the sultry South, where a young Zora spins tales almost as early as she walks. Her mama knows she’s talented, telling Zora to “jump at de sun” because even if you don’t reach it, you’ll still get off the ground. After her Mama died, Zora did what Mama had always told her: she jumped from home to Howard University to Harlem, where she became good friends with Langston Hughes, and then to Barnard, where a professor suggested she tell the stories of her people, of a culture rarely represented in literature. And so she did— and the rest is history. This is a wonderful and inspiring Black history children’s book that gives readers an insightful introduction to one of America’s iconic writers.

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If you have kids who love secret codes, they will be mesmerized by this picture book biography about a brilliant woman who cracked codes for a living. Elizabeth Friedman had always been intrigued by codes, and she was so good at deciphering them that her abilities led her to destroy Nazi spy rings, take down gangsters who were smuggling alcohol during prohibition, and create the CIA’s very first cryptology unit. Even cooler? The back matter not only gives great information about different kinds of codes and ciphers but also provides secret messages for readers to decode. 

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Even as a young girl, Gwendolyn Brooks wanted to write. And when, at seven years old, her mother saw snippets of Gwendolyn’s poetry and compared her to a famous poet, Gwendolyn glowed. Readers follow Gwendolyn from her girlhood to her adult life and all the writing she did along the way, including the poems she had published in a newspaper when she was just eleven years old. But it wasn’t always an easy path. The Great Depression wreaked havoc on the country, and Gwendolyn began to struggle with her identity and finding her place in the world. From invisible to invincible, the story of Gwendolyn Brooks will resonate with readers young and old, who will applaud her perseverance and her gorgeous poetry books, all while celebrating her becoming the first Black woman to win the Pulitzer Prize.

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What would you do if you were never taken seriously in your chosen career, even though you knew your abilities were top-notch? This was the case with Vera Rubin, a woman who never gave up on her dream of being an astronomer, even when men told her this was not a woman’s job. Yet, Vera never gave up on her goal and went on to discover dark matter and other groundbreaking realities that modern scientists are only just beginning to appreciate today. For more fabulous children’s books about space, click here!

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Mushrooms. Mangoes. Melons. Believe it or not, these weren’t always staples at the market. And it was Frieda Caplan who brought so many exotic foods into play, simply because she didn’t want to compete with all the men selling apples, potatoes and tomatoes! Always willing to try a new delicacy, Frieda was a groundbreaker who continuously bought exotic foods to the United States. She literally changed the way we eat, and we will all be forever grateful! For awesome children’s books about food, click here!

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We all know the big names: Susan B. Anthony. Elizabeth Cary Stanton. But did you know there were many more people who held crucial roles in the fight for women’s suffrage? Women around the country from diverse backgrounds helped lead this important fight for voting rights, women whose stories have been long forgotten. Yet this wonderful book teaches children about advocates like Mary Eliza Church Terrell, who co-founded the National Association of Colored Women (NACW), and Mabel Ping-Hua Lee, who, when she was just a teenager, helped lead what was considered the biggest parade in history to promote women’s suffrage. The short biographies in this book are fabulous, and it’s a necessary addition to bookshelves – especially those that have previously only offered whitewashed histories of the suffrage movement.

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When she was just a young girl, Anne Frank and her family were forced to take cover in an attic during the Holocaust to hide from the Nazis during World War II. While in hiding, Anne kept a journal documenting her life and observations in the tiny attic. Despite her very real fears and the cloud of terror hanging above her head, Anne’s words are those of resilience, hope, and optimism. This book is as sensational as it is somber. This is an absolute must-read.

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In this visually and lyrically stunning biography, readers learn about Maya Angelou’s life — a life defined by trauma and transformation, perseverance and passion. From working as a freedom fighter to becoming a world-renowned poet, Angelou’s story is gently written but oh-so powerful, an ode to the written word and the power of prose to heal, transform and unite. An utter beauty about a woman whose words have touched millions. For more fabulous books about perseverance, click here!

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“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” This famous quote by the pioneer Shirley Chisholm epitomizes this trailblazer’s life.  Chisholm was always the kind of woman who got things done, and young readers will be inspired by her active participation in our country’s democracy and her willingness to stand up to the men that held all the power. From her time in Congress to her presidential bid, this is an empowering biography of a woman who continues to inspire people worldwide today.

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This book was a hit with my students who couldn’t get over the fact that when many of their parents were young, women couldn’t hold certain jobs. This fascinating story about Brenda Berkman tells what happened when the New York Fire Department finally allowed women to become firefighters in the 1970s. Yet, even upon passing grueling tests, the hatred and ill will towards female firefighters were all too real. From the physical strength required to fight fires and save lives to the inner strength required to fight brutal discrimination from those who believed firefighters should only be fireMEN, this captivating book shares the story of one woman who was determined to pave the way for girls who didn’t just dream of becoming firewomen but could actually become them, too. For more fabulous books about community helpers, click here!

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Even as a young child, Gloria Steinem never wanted people to tell her what to do or how to think. She had her own voice, she spoke her mind, and she read a lot. She wanted to be the heroine of her own story, but because she grew up at a time when women were not allowed to do many of the things men could do, she faced some serious obstacles. Always having a mind of her own, Gloria set out to change these restrictions. From her career in journalism to her passion for social justice to her advocacy with the women’s liberation movement, Gloria encouraged generations of women and girls to demand equal rights for all people!

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Kamala Harris was a fighter for justice even as a little girl when she accompanied her parents to civil rights marches in her stroller. As Harris grew from a young girl in Oakland to a law student to a U.S. Senator and then to the Vice President of the United States, she learned a thing about persistence — and justice — along the way.

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When she was only 9, Selena Quintanilla was performing in her family’s band. From hairbrushes to microphones, Selena’s career eventually began to grow as she played gig after gig around town. Though many believed she would never be successful performing Tejano music, Selena was determined to prove them wrong. And that she did, learning to sing in Spanish, and becoming a superstar in Tejano music before crossing into mainstream American music. Selena inspired Latin girls worldwide and opened the door for many LatinX entertainers across America.

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British Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid knew from a very young age she wanted to be an architect. Yet, it seemed like all odds were against her. She faced obstacles at every turn, a colored woman in a white man’s world. Even when critics challenged her novel and innovative ideas, she never let them hold her down. One by one, brick by brick, she followed her dreams, defied convention, and overcame, becoming one of the world’s most famous and revered architects!

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When Michelle Obama was in the White House, the First Lady had a big idea: she would grow the largest kitchen garden the White House had ever seen! Yet, she had a problem — she had never, ever gardened before! With the help of local students, the White House staff, and even President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama learned how to grow a garden — and she inspired the country along the way.

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When she was just a little girl, Megan found her home on the soccer field. The sport called to her, and she was a star on the field. Off the field, however, Megan didn’t always fit in among her peers. Yet with her soccer team, she knew she belonged. Megan eventually earned a coveted spot on Team USA and led her team to not only an Olympic gold medal but a World Cup medal as well. Off the field, Megan continues to inspire as she champions both women’s and LGBTQ rights and fights for representation in sports. She is a true champion!

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I have so many gymnastics-obsessed students, and they are all head over heels for Simone Biles! They thought they knew all about her, yet they actually didn’t know so much — like the fact that she grew up in foster care, or that her grandparents adopted Simone and her sister and became their parents. This is a story of remarkable dedication, perseverance, sacrifice, and the devotion of love from family. This is a great one for very young readers! For more great children’s books about sports, click here!

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Looking at Beyonce on stage today, one would never guess she was a shy little girl. Yet, that’s how most of the world saw her until she opened her mouth to sing. When Beyonce got onto the stage, she was a different person. She was confident, dazzling, and bold, and she knew the stage was where she belonged. Through ups and downs, trials and tribulations, Beyonce became a world-famous superstar, shining her bright light on all who listened.

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Introducing nineteen powerhouse Muslim women who spoke truth to power and made their voices heard! These twenty-first century women have excelled and broken barriers, rising above societal challenges to blaze trails in a wide variety of areas, including culinary arts, fashion, sports, government, science, entertainment, education, or activism. Refusing to be silenced, these modern women fought against every no they heard, working to rise above the obstacles and live out their dreams. Just fabulous!

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In this collection of short biographies, readers will learn how forty influential Latina women got their start. Each took small steps to lead them on their big journeys! This is a beautiful look at childhood dreams and the courage and perseverance it takes for us to achieve them.

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