During Michala’s first year of homeschool, she wanted to study Women’s History as part of her social studies requirement. I thought it was a wonderful idea because it was a great way to (1) keep her engaged in learning history and (2) learn more inspiring stories about women that are not found in the standard history textbooks for middle schoolers.
Michala selected books from our local library to read. Some books she would read independently and other books we would read together. We would also discuss what she was learning and I even had her do a few writing assignments on various historical female figures.
It was a beautiful experience and I am so glad Michala thought of it.
Thinking back on our experience with 6th grade Women’s History, I thought it would be a good idea to create a list of books about strong girls and women. This book list would make great holiday gifts for boys and girls.
After all, boys need to also learn about the great accomplishments of women. How else will they learn how to respect and include girls in the professional world and other life circumstances?
Nobel Peace Prize winner and New York Times bestselling author Malala Yousafzai created a picture book which is inspired by her own childhood. This would be a great book to share with young girls, especially girls who are still learning how to read, to let them create a story in their own voice based on the pictures in the book.
Yousafzai is the also the author of I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World— a memoir about how she risked her life for the right to go to school in Pakistan.
The recommended age range for Malala’s Magic Pencil: 4- 8 years
Other book options for young readers
For the Right to Learn: Malala Yousafzai’s Story (recommended age range 8 – 11 years)
Malala: A Hero for All (recommended age range 7 – 9 years)
Who is Jane Goodall? by Roberta Edwards
Children who love animals will definitely love this book about British primatologist Jane Goodall. Illustrations are in black-and-white throughout the book.
This is a great way to introduce children to the study of animals, how to care for animals and the importance of protecting wildlife.
Recommended age range: 8 – 12 years
Little People, Big Dreams: Rosa Parks by Lisbeth Kaiser
The inspiring true story of civil rights activist Rosa Parks. The Little People, Big Dream series features amazing women who made a big difference in the world. Frida Kahlo, Maya Angelou, Coco Chanel, and Amelia Earhart are also featured in this series.
The Little People, Big Dream series is a wonderful way to introduce young children to outstanding women who accomplished big dreams.
Recommended age range: 5 – 8 years
MORE LITTLE PEOPLE BIG DREAMS BOOKS
Other book options for young readers:
Rosa by Nikki Giovanni (recommended age range: 4 – 8 years) | My children have this book and it is a great read!
I Am Rosa Parks by Brad Meltzer (recommended age range: 5 – 8 years)
Girls Think of Everything by Catherine Thimmesh
This is one of the books Michala used for her Women’s History studies during her first year of homeschool. Girls Think of Everything highlights women inventors who whose creations helped make our lives simpler and safer.
A few featured inventors include Mary Anderson, Grace Murray Hopper, and even a few young inventors. This book is a great way to teach children that women can invent some pretty cool stuff!
Recommended age range: 10 – 12 years
Other options for young readers:
Oprah: The Little Speaker by Carole Boston Weatherford
Wonder Women: 25 Innovators, Inventors, and Trailblazers Who Changed History by Sam Maggs
Voice of Freedom Fannie Lou Hamer: Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement by Carole Boston Weatherford
This book is a compilation of moving poems and an incredible collage of illustrations to celebrate the life of Fannie Lou Hamer– a leader in the Civil Rights Movement. Hamer was a voting rights activist who was instrumental in organizing Mississippi’s Freedom Summer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
Ekua Holmes illustrations in Voice of Freedom are simply beautiful and will keep young readers engaged in the readings.
She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World by Chelsea Clinton
She Persisted features stories about remarkable women such as Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, Oprah Winfrey, Nellie Bly, Maria Tallchief, Ruby Bridges, Sally Ride, and more!
Written by Chelsea Clinton, daughter of Former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton inspires young girls with the stories of thirteen American women who accomplished great achievements in the United States. Women who showed great strength and never gave up. Women who persisted.
Recommended age range: 4 -8 years
100+ Native American Women Who Changed the World by KB Schaller
This great book is “a collection of historical and contemporary women of Indigenous heritage who have contributed to the survival and success of their families, communities, and the United States of America.”
Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Tales of Extraordinary Women by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo
Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo created a lovely collection of stories about 100 inspiring women. The book reinvents the bedtime fairy tale as it encourages young girls to dream big.
Various female heroes are detailed in Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls, such as Jane Austen, Serena Williams, and Nina Simone. Each story also features a full-page, full-color portrait of the woman the story is about.
Recommended age range: 5 – 8 years
Other options for young readers:
Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls 2 by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo
Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotonfsky
Hidden Figures (Young Readers’ Edition) by Margot Lee Shetterly
If you loved the movie Hidden Figures, then you have to get this young readers’ edition for your kids! It’s a great way to introduce your children to the amazing and intelligent African American female mathematicians who worked at NASA.
Recommended age range: 8 – 12 years
Is there a book you would add to the list?
Also, check out: 5 Homeschool Planners for 2018-19 and Summer Birthday Gifts for Men.
Feature Image: photo courtesy Barnes and Noble