Empowering and Inspiring Books for Young Girls

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Anne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl shares her personal experiences when her family and family friends were hiding for 2 years from the Nazis during World War II. Her moving words take the reader to the attic where she hid and the experiences of war in her tender teen years.

Anne never gave up, despite the dire conditions. Her fierce spirit shines through in her diary entries, creating a remarkable yet sad piece of history. The legacy of her life has inspired females to follow their dreams and not take anything for granted, especially life, family and happiness.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  This delightful rhyming book has an excellent message. Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty tells the story of hard-working Rosie, inventor of many products who chooses to never quit, and is based on Rosie the Riveter from World War II.

Also from Beaty for more girl STEM power is Ada Twist Scientist, inspired by Ada Lovelace. If your daughter likes to build, Iggy Peck Architect is a great choice.

These books reflect real life STEM themes. Girls will root for the characters to succeed, providing empowerment and conviction to explore the fields of science and history.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Mattie Knight loved to create and invent things from a young age. In Marvelous Mattie by Emily Arnold McCully, Mattie later created a design to fix a textile machine from causing accidents. Eventually, she invented a machine to create paper bags but when she tried to patent it, a man stole her idea and claimed it as his own.

Mattie is inspiring because she hired a lawyer and went to court to earn her patent back. She proved it was her idea by her sketches and roommate's testimony, won the case and then founded the Eastern Paper Bag Company. She was referred to as "the Lady Edison."

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  In Helen Thayer's Arctic Adventure by Sally Isaacs, we learn about the 364 mile journey Helen took to become the first woman to walk around the magnetic North Pole and the first woman to travel alone to any of the world's Poles. She took a dog (Charlie) with her and the pair trudged through severe storms, ice and the threat of polar bears to accomplish her goal.

Since she did this trek at age 50, Helen inspired girls and women of all ages to set goals and accomplish tasks they might not have thought possible. She empowered women to take risks, have faith and take one step at a time.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Esther Morris was a woman on a mission. In I Could Do That, by Linda Arms White, we learn how Esther opened her own hat shops, raised her son after her husband died, moved to unknown territory, and fought for the rights of women. She was successful in getting women the right to vote in Wyoming before anyone else and became the first female public official as judge.

Esther's story is inspiring because no matter what life dealt her, she worked hard for what she believed in, raised kids, owned businesses, inspired others, and never faltered. Her story shows girls they can do anything.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  In Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen by Deborah Hopkinson, we learn how Jane Austen became one of the world's greatest writers. She had a love of reading (books written by men from her father's library) as well as imagining, listening and watching which helped her invent stories. She wrote about ordinary people who followed their dreams and with hard work, she crafted 6 novels before her death at age 41.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle is inspired by Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a Chinese-African-Cuban girl who broke Cuba's rule against girls playing the drums. In the richly illustrated, poetic book, the Drum Dream Girl wants to play the drums but girls are not allowed. Her father finally relents and her dream comes true.

The Drum Dream Girl's talents are celebrated, inspiring girls to work hard for what they want, despite being told they are not allowed to do certain things. Girls learn that they have the power to change rules for the better, with hard work and determination.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  There was a time when female magicians were not the star of the show. The tenacious and bold Adelaide Herrmann changed that. In Anything But Ordinary Addie by Mara Rockliff, we learn how Addie performed as a young girl in a quest to astonish and dazzle. Later, Addie and her husband performed together but after his death, Addie decided the show must go on, and in doing so, became the star.

Addie's story demonstrates to girls that they can do anything a boy can do, only better. She performed for 30 more years, proving that girls have the stamina, ingenuity and power to reach the top.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  In Helen's Big World, by Doreen Rappaport, we learn the inspiring life of Helen Keller and how she overcame deafness and blindness to learn words and their meanings, Braille, how to read and write and how she focused on her senses of touch, taste and smell to uncover the world. Helen's teacher and friend, Annie Sullivan, was by her side for 49 years.

Despite being blind and deaf, Helen graduated college and fought for causes such as women's right to vote, equality for all people and against child labor and war. She was a beacon of hope to all women.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  In Alabama Spitfire by Bethany Hegedus, we learn about the private life of Harper Lee and how her passion for writing and strong will to follow her heart led her to write To Kill a Mockingbird, one of America's most beloved books.

Lee is inspiring to girls because she grew up as a tomboy (with friend Truman Capote), which continued through adulthood. She followed her love of words and writing and didn't care what others thought. As a Pulitzer prize-winning author, she kept secretive and stayed away from the limelight - remaining true to herself and how she wanted to live her life.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Mermaid Queen by Shana Corey shares the story of Annette Kellerman, an artistic and strong swimmer and diver from Australia who changed the way people looked at female athletes and swimsuits. Upon traveling the world to perform, she realized her swim suits were not accepted and was even arrested in Boston for not being covered up on the beach!

Annette was a leader who won her court case and inspired many females to take up swimming and wear true swim suits much to their delight. She inspired the acceptance of female swimwear, athleticism, and to fight for what you believe in.

Vanessa M. said:  Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell is based on the true story of a Native American girl named Karana as she survives for 18 years alone on an island, battling wild dogs and struggling to survive. As Karana faces hardships, a quiet strength grows within her - a strength that continues to inspire readers today.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Jane Adams led a remarkable life and in The House That Jane Built by Tanya Lee Stone, we learn how she started a settlement house in Chicago to help the poor and those in need. Over the years, Hull House provided thousands of people with education, food, access to bathing, music, arts and more, with Jane leading the efforts.

Jane had compassion and a desire rooted from childhood to help those less fortunate than her. She also fought for women's rights and was the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Her legacy of inspiring girls lives on in community programs today.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Marie Curie, a brilliant scientist, discovered radium and explored its effects: a cure for cancer or deadly. In Marie Curie by Demi, we learn about her intelligence from a young age, to her life as a wife, mother, scientist and inventor. She assisted with providing X-rays to soldiers in World War I, providing humanitarian efforts.

Marie won two Nobel Peace prizes in her lifetime and was celebrated around the world for her work. After her husband's death, she kept moving forward as a mom, scientist, professor, and researcher. She remains one of the greatest scientists who ever lived.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  In Diana's White House Garden by Elisa Carbone, we learn how Diana Hopkins, at age 10, helped inspire the nation to plant Victory Gardens during World War II as President Roosevelt ordered farm food be sent to the troops. Diana, who lived at the White House with her father, planted such a garden on the White House lawn and citizens across the country followed her lead.

This book will encourage your child to be a leader and not give up as well as try again if something goes wrong. It may also inspire kids to plant their own garden as well as eat more fresh fruits and veggies!