Rad Women Your Girls (and Boys!) Should Read About
by Laura Lambert
If you Google it, the “Year of the Woman” was back in 1992, when an unprecedented number of women took U.S. Senate seats. That was the first election I ever voted in, and it makes me pretty proud.
And that was just the beginning! Kamala Harris is the first female vice president in our nation’s history, there are four women on the U.S. Supreme Court, and women make up more than a quarter of all members in Congress—the highest percentage in U.S. history and a significant increase from 1992.
And that’s just American politics.
Sisters are seriously doin’ it for themselves — and there’s a slew of books that prove how women have been making history since the beginning of, well, history. Here are notable nonfiction titles for early and middle grade readers.
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She Persisted
Available from:Introduce your child to 13 persistent women who changed America. This bestselling picture book spotlights activists, politicians, and change-makers who stood up and spoke out for their beliefs. Other books in this series include She Persisted in Science and She Persisted in Sports.
(Ages 4 - 8)Also available from: -
All Rise: The Story of Ketanji Brown Jackson
Available from:Whatever she did, wherever she was, Ketanji Brown Jackson rose to the top.
The first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court, Ketanji is an inspiration and role model to children of all ages. She represents resilience, integrity, and excellence in the face of challenges and adversity, rising above her life’s many obstacles. Young readers will thoroughly this picture book biography, with its repeating “She rose” reframe and lively illustrations.
(Ages 4 - 8)Also available from: -
What's the Big Deal About First Ladies
Available from:As the adage goes, “Behind every great man is a great woman.” Ruby Shamir and Matt Faulkner’s book is about the women behind the men who hold the highest office in the nation — our first ladies. Let it be known that these women are not just picking out china patterns. Even before Hillary Clinton’s groundbreaking stint as First Lady, America’s first ladies were wielding substantial influence. From Martha Washington to Jill Biden, first ladies have helped influence America in ways both large and small.
(Ages 4 - 8)Also available from: -
Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsa
Available from:Get to know Celia Cruz, a renowned Cuban-American singer and performer known for her vibrant voice and infectious energy. From humble beginnings in Havana, Cuba, to becoming a global icon and symbol of Latin music, this vibrant children’s book is a testament to her hard work and talent.
(Ages 5 - 8)Also available from: -
I am Malala Yousafzai
Available from:A Pakistani activist and Nobel Laureate, Malala Yousafzai defied the Taliban and fought for girls' education, becoming a global advocate for human rights and an inspiration to millions worldwide. Brad Meltzer’s Ordinary People Change the World series offers kids a fun, informative look at important historical figures; this one on Malala is no exception.
(Ages 5 - 9)Also available from: -
She Persisted: Wilma Mankiller
Available from:If your child loves the She Persisted picture books and wants to learn more, they’ll enjoy the chapter books. Easy-to-read text, illustrations, and fun facts make these books perfect for newly independent readers to learn about women like Wilma Mankiller. She became the first woman Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation through her tenacity and hard work.
(Ages 6 - 9)Also available from: -
Mae Makes a Way
Available from:Fashionistas will enjoy this biography about Mae Reeves, a hat designer who became the first Black woman to own a business on South Street in Philadelphia. Even though she faced many obstacles, her eye for fashion and desire to help women look their best made her a successful entrepreneur.
(Ages 7 - 10)Also available from: -
To the Front!
Available from:Meet “The Angel of the Battlefield” in this story about Clara Barton. During the American Civil War, Clara and her team worked at the front, nursing the wounded, cooking, and providing medical supplies. Her passion for humanitarian work eventually led her to open the American Red Cross.
(Ages 7 - 10)Also available from: -
Who Was Ruth Bader Ginsburg?
Available from:Oh, how I love the Notorious R.B.G.! I will admit, though, that in some ways she was in the shadow of Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman elected to the Supreme Court. Today, Justice Ginsburg has evolved into her own cultural icon, warmly embraced by millennials. Her lifelong fight for women's rights paved the way for significant advancements in gender equality, making her a revered figure and inspiration for many.
(Ages 8 - 12)Also available from: -
Troublemakers in Trousers
Available from:Throughout history, some women found it easier to get things done if they dressed in men’s clothing. Young readers will learn about 21 women who crossed fashion boundaries or impersonated men to reach their goals. Kids will learn about these fascinating ladies, from ancient royals to artists and athletes.
(Ages 8 - 12)Also available from: -
Who Is Michelle Obama?
Available from:Before she became the first African-American First Lady of the United States, Michelle was a smart and successful lawyer, having graduated from both Harvard and Princeton. As an activist and self-proclaimed "Mom in Chief", she championed causes for health, education, poverty awareness, and more. She still serves as a positive role model for young girls who are learning about education, self-respect and family.
(Ages 8 - 12)Also available from: -
Who Was the Girl Warrior of France?: Joan of Arc
Available from:Kids who prefer reading graphic novels will love this full-color biography about Joan of Arc. Readers will learn about the teenager and how she became a fierce warrior and one of the most recognized names in French history.
(Ages 8 - 12)Also available from: -
100 Women Who Made History
Available from:In 100 Women Who Made History kids learn how vital women have been to the world's evolution, milestones, and progress. Be it through art, science, leadership, or entrepreneurship, this book highlights great women who made a mark on history. Funky “bobble-head” illustrations and photos are mixed with fun facts to profile well-known women like Rosa Parks and Catherine the Great, and lesser-known ladies like Wu Zetian, the only female to ever rule China, and Sarah Breedlove, America’s first female self-made millionaire.
(Ages 8 - 12)Also available from: -
Who Sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott?: Rosa Parks
Available from:The legendary story of Rosa Parks comes to life in this full-color graphic novel biography. Kids will learn about her famous bus ride and advocacy work during the civil rights movement. Her courage is still a source of inspiration for countless people today.
(Ages 8 - 12)Also available from: -
Rad Women Worldwide
Available from:Rad Women Worldwide tells 40 biographies of amazing women spanning centuries, continents, and sensibilities. There are contemporary Colombian graffiti artists, ancient poets, mountain climbers, Nazi resisters, polar explorers, punk musicians, female kings, female pirates and, of course, Malala Yousafzi, the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner.
It’s an apt, globally-minded follow-up to Schatz and Stahl’s New York Times bestseller, Rad American Women A-Z, where A stands for activist Angela Davis, B stands for tennis player Billie Jean King, and C stands for comedian Carol Burnett.
(Ages 10 - 17)Also available from: -
Women in Science
Available from:Girls in STEM is a hot topic these days, but it definitely isn't brand new. Women in Science features familiar pioneering women like Madame Curie but also lesser-known astronomers, paleontologists, mathematicians, philosophers, and more! The illustrations, also by Ignotofsky, are so whimsical they are bound to inspire the next generation of professional artists.
(Ages 10 - 17)Also available from: -
Agent Most Wanted
Available from:World War II, Nazi-occupied France, and a spy with a prosthetic leg make this an engaging read for tweens and teens. Virginia Hall went behind enemy lines to gather support for the Allies during the war. This book will captivate kids who love learning about history and espionage.
(Ages 10 and up)Also available from:
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2016 and updated in 2024.