10 Girl Power Books To Celebrate Women's History Month

For lessons on girl-power, here are 10 books for primary school children that center around female protagonists who are ready to take on the world:

1. Kristy’s Big Idea by Ann M. Martin (Apple Paperbacks, 1986)

Kristy has the brilliant idea to start a babysitting club with her best friends, Mary Anne and Claudia, and their new friend Stacey. Cue pranksters, energetic toddlers, and petsitting misunderstandings, and you have the recipe for a classic.  There are secondary plot lines involving Stacey’s diabetes, and Kristy’s mom dating Watson, which are both dealt with in realistic, but delicate ways. The lessons of friendship, loyalty, hard work, and entrepreneurship endure, and there is a new, graphic novel version of the book available as well by Raina Telgemeier, which makes for a great comparison of original lit vs. graphic novel.  The first book in one of the most beloved series of all time.

Reading Level: 3rd-5th Grade

2. Ada Lace - On The Case by Emily Calandrelli, Illustrated by Renee Kurilla (Simon & Schuster, 2017)
This is the first book in a new series that takes classic sleuthing, and modernizes it by using math, science, and technology to solve mysteries. Ada (whose name is an homage to Ada Lovelace) is Generation Z's version of Nancy Drew, and she is set on finding out who stole her neighbor's beloved dog.  With the help of her eccentric neighbor Nina, Ada uses her knowledge of all things STEM to solve the case.  As an added bonus, author Emily Calandrelli has a “Behind the Science” section at the end that explains some of Ada's science and sleuthing items, and how they are used in real life.

Reading level: 1st-3rd grade, STEAM themes

3.  Dragons and Marshmallows (Zoey and Sassafras) by Asia Citro, Illustrated by Marion Lindsay (Innovation Press, 2017)

This is the first book in a new series about a little girl with the power to help heal mythical creatures.  When Zoey discovers her mom holding a glowing photo, she learns the secret that mythical creatures come to their barn for help.  When her mom has to go away for a week, Zoey (with the aid of her cat Sassafras, and her "thinking goggles") uses science to help baby dragon Marshmallow.  Young kids will love the handwritten science journal entries Zoey keeps on her dragon patient, and the glossary of definitions at the end will help children learn scientific terms (much  in the vein of the Fancy Nancy books with vocabulary words at the end) .  Reading level: 1st-2nd grade, STEAM themes

4. Goldie Blox Rules the School! by Stacy McAnulty, Illustrated by Lissy Marlin (Random House Books for Young Readers, 2017)
After Goldie literally sends the second story of her school into Mars, and the mayor shuts down The Blox School, Goldie heads off to her first day at HiBo Prep, a school for gifted students that her mom is now a teacher at, and that doesn't take well to Goldie's creative genius. So Goldie and her Gearhead friends set off on a mission to get the Blox school reopened, and get Goldie away from the tradition of excellence and order that she keeps disrupting at HiBo Prep.  Filled with humor, inventions, and crazy ideas, this book is sure to inspire young inventors as Goldie works with her friends (each of whom has a special talent) to get the Blox School reopened- only to realize that sometimes the best way to make a difference is by not fitting in. This book is based upon the Goldie Blox engineering toys that encourage building, and is chock full of zany adventures, Rube-Goldberg-like inventions, and science experiments gone wrong and right that are sure to inspire young inventors and creative minded kids (especially the ones who always seem to make a mess of everything).
Reading level: 2nd-3rd grade, STEAM themes

5. "Grace For President" by Kelly DiPucchio, Illustrated by LeUyen Pham (Scholastic, 2010)

When Grace Campbell finds out that no woman has ever been president, she makes the bold proclamation that she will be the first one.  Her teacher, Mrs. Barrington, decides to hold a mock election to introduce her students to the election process, and Grace is up against Thomas Cobb, a boy from the other class who calculates that with more boys than girls, all he has to do is appeal to their gender to gain votes.  But when the votes are calculated, will Grace and her hard work be enough to overcome gender stereotyping?  With lessons about the electoral process, and a sly nod to feminism and equal rights, this is a book with a great lesson about being the best person for a job.

Reading Level: Picture book, Grades 1-3 (a perfect companion to lessons on the election process)

6. "Ladybug Girl" by Jacky Davis and David Soman (Author/Illustrator) (Dial Books, 2008)

Lulu, aka Ladybug Girl, is upset that her brother and parents are too busy to play with her.   Determined to show she is not little, and is in fact a strong, independent person, Ladybug Girl heads out with her trusty sidekick (her dog Bingo) on adventures involving saving ants, conquering puddles and fallen trees, and proving she can do anything she sets her mind to.  A story about being proud of who you are, this book uses sophisticated, creative language to introduce children to the idea that with a little imagination and gumption, you can do anything. 
Reading Level: Picture Book, Grades K-1

7. “Twinderella” by Corey Rosen Schwartz  (Author), Illustrated by Deborah Marcero ( G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, 2017) 
In this re-imagining of the classic “Cinderella”, Cinderella, and her lesser-known twin sister, Tinderella, still live with their mean stepsisters and stepmother, but Tinderella uses her knowledge of fractions to divide chores, food, and even their bed.  While Cinderella still wishes to be queen, and the girls’ Fairy Godmother appears to make them royal ball-ready, it’s Tinderella who uses math to come up with the perfect “happily ever after” after they both spend the evening dancing with the prince! This book speaks of kindness, the power of love, and how math can help you solve real life problems- and find your “happily ever half-ter.”

Reading Level: Picture Book, Grades 2-3

8. "Part Time Princess" by Deborah Underwood, Illustrated by Cambria Evans (Disney-Hyperion, 2013)

A twist on the classic damsel-in-distress, this princess is a normal girl by day, but at night, is a ruler of a far away land who understands that dragons and trolls can be best dealt with through kindness and compassion, instead of swords and fear (a powerful lesson some politicians could do well to learn).  This book is for anyone who has dreamed of living a double life, and using their powers for good.  With subtle lessons of empathy and understanding, this book also brings in elements of creating your own happily ever after instead of waiting around for someone else to save the day (one of the best lines is "I even dance with a prince.  Maybe I'll marry him when I grow up, but right now, I'm too busy").

Reading Level: Picture Book, Grades K-1

9. “Pirate Girl” by Cornelia Funke, Illustrated by Kerstin Meyer (Chicken House, 2005)

This is the tale of Molly, a little girl who is sailing aboard a ship to go visit her grandma.  When the Horrible Haddock pirates come aboard, she tries to hide, but is captured, and the pirates decide to hold her for ransom.  But little Molly refuses to give her parents’ names, only saying that “if I told you my mother’s name, you’d be so scared, you’d cry like a baby.”  The pirates laugh and put her to work, thinking she’ll crack.  But in secret, Molly begins sending messages in bottles, and when her mom does show up, it will be the pirates who are in for the real surprise.  A tale of adventure and fearlessness, “Pirate Girl” is sure to delight children who know that their mommies will be there for them, and together, they can conquer anything.

Reading Level: Picture Book, Grades K-1

10. “Rosie Revere Engineer” by Andrea Beaty, Illustrated by David Roberts (Harry N. Abrams, 2013)

Rosie is a quiet inventor who dreams of becoming a great engineer like her great-aunt, Rose. When her first big experiment fails, and her uncle laughs at her, she determines to give up on engineering.  But after overhearing that Great-Aunt Rose’s dream is to fly, she makes up her mind to give it one more go.  A story about learning that failure is the first step towards success, “Rosie” is a perfect book for teaching resiliency to budding inventors.

Reading Level: Picture Book, Grades K-3, STEAM themes