Must-Read Women in History Book List

Frida Kahlo, the innovative and passionate Mexican artist, lived a life filled with laughter, love, and tragedy, all of which influenced what she painted on her canvases.

Clever illustrations and story lines, together with full-color reproductions of actual paintings, give children a light yet realistic overview of Georgia O'Keefe's life and style.

An introduction to the visionary woman who designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC.

A harmonious introduction to one of our country's most important singers—as envisioned by two of our industry's most important voices.

An inspiring tale of self-empowerment and perseverance as we see the refrain -- not yet -- grow from a low, meek mumble to a mantra and promise filled with determination.

Thanks to years of hard work and incredible talent, Serena Williams is considered by many to be one the best tennis players ever.

Meet Simone Biles. From the time she was a little girl, Simone wanted to be a world-class gymnast. Through hard work and determination she made her dreams come true. Read this book to learn all about Olympic champion Simone Biles and her path to glory.

A fun, feel-good, "underdog" story about a little-known female athlete whose derring-do transformed girls' sports.

This is the exciting story of the pioneering female baseball player Alta Weiss—a true American original.

Six days a week they awoke before the sun came up to practice their serves and returns, to learn to run faster and hit harder. They were unstoppable. At age fourteen, Venus played her first professional match. Three years later, it was Serena's turn.

The second book in an exciting new nonfiction series, You Are a Star, Jane Goodall focuses on Jane's lifelong mission to understand the chimpanzees and protect the planet. Hatem Aly's spot-on comic illustrations bring this icon to life, and engaging back matter instructs readers on how to be more like Jane!

When her parents took away her candles to keep their young daughter from studying math...nothing stopped Sophie. When a professor discovered that the homework sent to him under a male pen name came from a woman...nothing stopped Sophie. And when she tackled a math problem that male scholars said would be impossible to solve...still, nothing stopped Sophie.

Rachel Carson was a 20th century marine biologist and science writer, whose work on the harmful effects of the insecticide DDT helped to raise awareness about humanity's impact on the natural world and the often-unintended consequences of scientific progress.

Little Mae is a girl with big dreams, a supportive loving family, unbounded passion, and all the right stuff to dance among the stars. Against all odds, she will overcome any obstacle to become an astronaut one day.

What shapes our planet? Women have been answering the question for centuries on many levels. This book tells their stories and describes their vital contributions.

The computer and other electronic devices have changed life dramatically over the last 70 years-and many of the key breakthroughs in technology were made by women. These women's achievements were often highly specialized and have been widely overlooked. This book tells their stories and describes their vital contributions.

Women have historically been associated with caring for the sick, but their role in health sciences goes far beyond their traditional role. They have also advanced surgical techniques, developed cures for killer diseases, learned about human anatomy, and figured out the chemistry behind some of the biochemicals on which humans depend for their health. 

No one expected this autistic girl to speak, but Temple did and demonstrated her talent for visual thinking that's made a lasting impact on farm management.

From bestselling author Patricia Polacco's family tree: the true story of young Clara Barton.

"You are to report to Station X at Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire, in four days time....That is all you need to know." This was the terse telegram hundreds of young women throughout the British Isles received in the spring of 1941, as World War II raged. These young people had no idea what kind of work they were stepping into. Who had recommended them? Why had they been chosen? Most would never learn all the answers to these questions.

Rachel was a girl who loved science and the sea, books and writing and all the creatures of the world. Rachel was quiet, a listener by nature. But when she saw problems, she could not remain silent. Some people thought girls shouldn't be scientists. They thought girls shouldn't use their voices to question or challenge, even to protect all the creatures of the world. Luckily Rachel didn't listen to them.

In the 1960s, locked in a heated race to launch the first human into space, the United States selected seven superstar test pilots and former military air fighters to NASA's astronaut class -- the Mercury 7. The men endured grueling training and constant media attention for the honor of becoming America's first space heroes. But a group of 13 women -- accomplished air racers, test pilots, and flight instructors -- were enduring those same astronaut tests in secret, hoping to defy social norms and earn a spot among the stars.

The perfect introduction to Austrian-Swedish physicist Lise Meitner who worked on radioactivity and nuclear physics.

A picture book celebration of pioneering British Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid who broke boundaries and defied forms. 

When NASA was launched in 1958, 13 women proved they had as much of the right stuff as men to be astronauts, but their way to space was blocked by prejudice and insecurity.

This is the amazing true story of four African-American female mathematicians at NASA who helped achieve some of the greatest moments in our space program.

Discover the rise of Ketanji Brown Jackson, from a young girl growing up in Florida to the first Black woman to be confirmed to the United States Supreme Court.

Acclaimed civil rights icon, Ruby Bridges, shares the touching tale of reuniting with the first-grade teacher who changed her life, Mrs. Henry.

Stand Up! tells the story of ten historic female figures who changed the world by standing up for what's right, including legendary Civil Rights activists like Ruby Bridges and Rosa Parks and spanning to contemporary role models like Bree Newsome, who removed the confederate flag from the South Carolina state house grounds, and Mari Copeny, a youth activist who fought for clean water in Flint, Michigan.

Using a unique mix of first-person narrative, hilarious comic panels, and essential facts, Dean Robbins introduces young readers to an American trailblazer. The first book in an exciting new nonfiction series, You Are a Star, Ruth Bader Ginsburg focuses on Ruth's lifelong mission to bring equality and justice to all. Sarah Green's spot-on comic illustrations bring this icon to life, and engaging back matter instructs readers on how to be more like Ruth!

Using a unique mix of first-person narrative, hilarious comic panels, and essential facts, Dean Robbins introduces young readers to an scientific trailblazer. The second book in an exciting new nonfiction series, You Are a Star, Jane Goodall focuses on Jane's lifelong mission to understand the chimpanzees and protect the planet.

Hop on the bike with Bessie Stringfield, the motorcycle queen of Miami, in this powerful picture book from Coretta Scott King medalist Charles R. Smith, Jr. and debut picture book illustrator Charlot Kristensen.

When her father and brothers joined the Cristero War to fight for religious freedom, Jovita wanted to go, too. Forbidden, she defied her father's rules " and society's" and found a clever way to become a trailblazing revolutionary, wearing pants!

Combining her ancestors' passion for service with her own adventurous spirit and her belief that girls could do anything, Juliette Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts. One hundred years later, they continue to have adventures, do good deeds, and make a difference!

Standing on her Shoulders is a celebration of the strong women who influence us-from our mothers, sisters, aunts, and grandmothers to the women who fought for equality and acceptance in the United States.

Jackie Ormes made history. She was the first Black woman cartoonist to be nationally syndicated in the United States. She was also a journalist, fashionista, philanthropist, and activist, and she used her incredible talent and artistry to bring joy and hope to people everywhere. 

A picture book celebration of pioneering British Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid who broke boundaries and defied forms.

When her husband became president and she became first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt was ready to make her mark. With characteristic candor, compassion, and courage, she traversed the country and trotted the globe, championing the value and dignity of every human being and transforming the role of first lady. This graceful portrait of a vivacious American icon radiates the essence of Eleanor, a model for kindness and purpose, in her time and in ours.

Before Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor took her seat in our nation's highest court, she was just a little girl in the South Bronx.

Soar along with Bessie Coleman in this inspirational tale of a woman whose determination reached new heights.

Starting with a fearless female Viking explorer, this volume celebrates 12 women heroes who refused to accept any limits.

The true and inspiring adventures of American women who defied social convention, prejudice, fear, and even disabilities to undertake dangerous projects, hobbies and missions.

In this stirring tribute to Coretta Scott King and Martin Luther King, Jr., their granddaughter, Yolanda - a national civil rights figure in her own right - is ready to lead in this powerful picture book text! With inspiration from Langston Hughes and deep love for her grandparents, Yolanda King shows the world that young people are strong enough to carry on their elders' legacy while creating a new path for themselves.

Dear Ruby, Hear Our Hearts is a compilation of letters from concerned young students about today's issues, including bullying, climate change, gun violence, and racism. Reading Ruby's intuitive and inspirational responses, young readers will embrace the courage to be brave, bold, and confident.

When Ruby Bridges was six years old, she became the first Black child to integrate the all-white William Frantz Elementary in Louisiana. Based on the pivotal events that happened in 1960 and told from her point of view, this is a poetic reflection on her experience that changed the face of history and the trajectory of the Civil Rights movement.

Learn about Malala's journey to becoming a world-famous advocate of girls' rights and education, as well as the youngest-ever Nobel Prize winner.

This is the story of a pivotal event in history as Ruby Bridges saw it unfold around her. Ruby's poignant words, quotations from writers and from other adults who observed her, and dramatic photographs recreate an amazing story of innocence, courage, and forgiveness. Ruby Bridges' story is an inspiration to us all.

The remarkable, underreported history of the 1,100 Women Airforce Service Pilots aka the WASPs who served despite constant obstacles with determination. 

Brief but illuminating bios of 25 trailblazing women from Cleopatra to Malala Yousafzai inspire readers.

An A-Z list of great women, including artists and scientists, suffragettes and rabble-rousers, and agents of change of all kinds.

Born Sarah Breedlove near Delta, Louisiana, in 1867, Madam C. J. Walker was an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and political and social activist. 

This fresh series zooms in on women in history and science highlighting their many critical contributions in the world around us.

This fresh series zooms in on women in history and science highlighting their many critical contributions in the world around us.

Even as a child growing up in the Fifth Ward of Houston, Texas, Barbara Jordan stood out for her big, bold, booming, crisp, clear, confident voice. It was a voice that made people sit up, stand up, and take notice. So what do you do with a voice like that?

An incredible memoir from Sharon Robinson — daughter of baseball legend Jackie Robinson — about one of the most important years of the civil rights movement

Unearth the true story of green-thumbed pioneer and activist Kate Sessions, who helped San Diego grow from a dry desert town into a lush, leafy city known for its gorgeous parks and gardens.

This inspiring story is about an extraordinary woman who changed America forever by helping women get the vote.

A mother, widow, sculptor, entrepreneur and spy! This inspiring biography of a woman of the American Revolution is a brilliant celebration of fortitude, passion and courage.

This picture-book tribute to Mrs. Parks is a celebration of her courageous refusal to give up her seat on the bus and the events that followed.

Long before boycotts, sit-ins, and freedom rides, Ida B. Wells was hard at work to better the lives of African Americans.

The fascinating life of one of the most popular historical figures is told through images - most rarely, if ever, seen.

Nikki Grimes offers a glimpse into the inspiring lives of Susan B. Anthony and Harriet Tubman, with breathtaking illustrations by Michele Wood.

This six-profiles-in-one, full-color biography focuses on civil champions—some of the incredible women who worked tirelessly to ensure equal rights for all.

This fascinating picture book biography tells the childhood story of Buffalo Bird Woman, a Hidatsa Indian born around 1839.

Girls cannot be drummers. In 1920s Cuba, an island filled with music, no one questioned that rule-until the drum dream girl.

Critically acclaimed author Alice Hoffman weaves a lyrical and heart-wrenching story of the way the world closes in on the Frank family from the moment the Nazis invade the Netherlands until they are forced into hiding, bringing Anne to bold, vivid life.

In the 1870s, Reconstruction brings big changes to the River Road Louisiana sugar plantation where spunky ten-year-old Sugar has always lived, including her growing friendship with Billy, the son of her former master, and the arrival of workmen from China.

When her mother is killed by the Gestapo, a Jewish girl named Lola is sent into hiding. Lola has lost everything—her home and her family. Will she ever find safety—or freedom?

Pura Belpre Honor winner for The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano and one of America's most influential Hispanics, Sonia Manzano, "Maria" on Sesame Street, delivers a beautifully wrought coming-of-age memoir.

Author Da Chen weaves a deeply moving account of his resolute older sister and their childhood growing up together during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. Mature content

“This important memoir is less about the Holocaust itself and more about its aftermath for a traumatized refugee girl becoming a young woman in America. Accessible, vital, and timely.”-Kirkus

It is 1943, and for four years, sixteen-year-old Stefania has been working for the Diamant family in their grocery store in Przemsyl, Poland, singing her way into their lives and hearts. She has even made a promise to one of their sons, Izio a betrothal they must keep secret since she is Catholic and the Diamants are Jewish.

This unique biography of Harriet Tubman uses interviews with Tubman, as well as writings from her contemporaries, to tell the story of her life.

In a compelling first-person narrative, Jane Goodall tells the exciting adventure of her discoveries about chimpanzees' profound similarities to ourselves.

Poignantly illustrating this important account by a seminal American voice are black-and-white photographs contributed by the Library of Congress, the NAACP, and Rosa Parks, herself.

Originally published in 1902 when she was a young woman, this is Helen Keller's own story—poignant, dramatic, inspiring and memorable.

Ji-li Jiang was twelve years old in 1966, the year that Chairman Mao launched the Cultural Revolution in China. Told with simplicity, innocence, and grace, this unforgettable memoir gives a child's eye view of a terrifying time and of one family's indomitable courage under fire.

A middle grade adaptation of the bestselling memoir by the American Ballet Theatre"s first African American principal dancer.