Books for Young Women and Girls

These books were identified from a variety of websites and search of literature that focus on girls.

Bolden, Tonya (ed.) .
33 Things Every Girl Should Know
(1998, Crown Publishing Group, ISBN# 0517709368)
A collection of essays, poems and anecdotes from women who command kids' respect and smart talk by 33 Extraordinary Women. Ages 10-13.

Campbell, Patricia
Encouraging Girls In Math and Science
(WEEA Publishing Center, 55 Chapel Street, Newton, MA 02160. 1-800-225-3088)
Series of pamphlets to increase the participation of girls in math and science.

Carlip, Hillary
Girl Power: Young Women Speak Out
(1996, Warner Books, Inc. ISBN# 0446446670219.)
Carlip illuminates the worries, hopes, dreams and experiences of girls ages 13 to 19, through their stories, poems, letters and notes. Their voices come from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives--cowgals, lesbians, teen mothers, sorority sisters and girls in gangs--and reveal the depth, vulnerability, wisdom and power of the writers.

Echevarria, Pegine
For All Our Daughters: How Mentoring Helps Young Women and Girls Master the Art of Growing Up
(1998, Chandler House Press, 1-800-642-6657, http://www.tatnuck.com. ISBN# 188628413X)
Offers specific activities, strategies, information and support to women interested in mentoring or making a positive impression on girls and young women.

Felder, Deborah
The 100 Most Influential Women of All Time: A Ranking Past and Present.
(1998, Carol Publishing Group, ISBN# 0806519762)
Ranks 100 eminent women plus 49 others who received honorable mention. Includes social reformers, scientists, educators, labor leaders, artists, performers and sports figures.

Fireside, Bryna
Is There a Woman in the House-or Senate?
(1993, Albert Whitman Publishers, 1-847-581-0033. ISBN# 0807536628)
Non-fiction, ages 9-14. Profiles 10 women members of Congress chronicling their childhood and careers including setbacks and successes.

Forsyth, Sondra
Girls Seen and Heard
(1998, Putnam Publishing Group, ISBN# 087477926X)
The Ms. Foundation created Take Our Daughters to Work Day: a national intervention which became successful beyond all imagination. Every last Thursday in April, for one day, millions of girls experience the adult workplace firsthand. As the Ms. Foundation discovered, girls come away from that experience with important lessons that lead to a lifetime of confidence. These lessons, gathered together in Girls Seen and Heard, can help girls soar when they take their place as women in the world and in the workforce. Girls learn how to make their voices heard, take control of their lives, and invest in their futures. Following practical instructions that reach beyond theory, girls gain the knowledge necessary to collaborate with others; to network and negotiate; to effect change; and to rise to all of life's challenges. An interactive manual for parents of girls of all ages, the book includes a reader's group guide and a resource directory.

Godfrey, Joline
No More Frogs to Kiss: 99 Ways to Give Economic Power to Girls
(July 1995, Harper Business, ISBN# 0887306594)
In a book for parents, teachers, sisters, brothers, and friends of girls everywhere, the author of Our Wildest Dreams, provides an inspirational and practical guide for helping girls achieve economic empowerment. Ninety-nine action plans help readers at home, at work, and in their communities. Illustrations.

Igus, Toyomi (ed) , with Patrick, Diana.
Great Women in the Struggle, Vol 2: An Intro For Young Readers.
(1992, Just Us Books, 1-201-676-4345. ISBN# 0940975262)
Non-fiction. Ages 10 and up. Profiles black women throughout history featuring freedom fighters, educators, artists, athletes, entrepreneurs, policy makers and scientists.

Jukes, Mavis and Tilley, Debbie.
It's A Girl Thing - A pre-Our Bodies, Ourselves.
(1998, ISBN# 0679990275)
Ages 9-12. Straight talk about "firsts" in a girl's life and their changing body. .

Karnes, Frances, Wallner, Rosemary (ed) and Bean, Suzanne
Girls and Young Women Leading the Way.
(1993, Free Spirit Publishing, Inc., ISBN# 0915795320)
Real-life stories of girls and young women leaders such as the girl who organized a recycling project and two girls who led a campaign against censorship of library materials.

Karnes, Frances, and Bean, Suzanne
Girls and Young Women Inventing, Plus How You Can Be One Yourself
(Free Spirit Publishing, Inc., 1-800-735-7323. ISBN# 091579389X)
20 True stories of girls and young women ages 6-17 who've invented everything from a blinking tooth-fairy light to computers that recognize speech. Includes information on how to invent something yourself.

Mackoff, Barbara
Growing a Girl: Seven Strategies for Raising a Strong, Spirited Daughter
(1996, New York: Dell Publishing. ISBN# 0440506611)
Teaches how to avoid gender stereotyping, while encouraging individuality, strengthening learning, discovering and honoring the child's developing feelings and insights, and counteracting the emphasis on physical beauty.

Miller, Marlene (Ed.)
An Intricate Weave: Women Write About Girls and Girlhood
(1997, Laguna Beach, CA: Iris Editions. ISBN# 09453721519)
From Kate Fitzsimmons - San Francisco Review: The real beauty of this collection rests with the ability these writers share to recreate, imagine, or reflect--with clarity--upon a time in life that is too easily glossed over with sentimentality or clouded with remorse. . . . Miriam Karmel Feldman's wry essay 'What Does Madonna Know?' and Peggy Orenstein's cautionary essay 'Bodily Harm' demonstrate how many young girls are trapped by destructive obsessions that target their bodies. Humor and a lighthearted touch are equally important in 'Young Springtime,' a short story by Janice Levy about a girl's desire to graduate from an undershirt to her first bra eventhough her body has not yet filled out to her expectations. . . . After reading most of these pieces I found myself wanting to do two things: stop and savor the complexity of images and feelings created by these gifted women, and then call a friend and read a story aloud. This book deserves an audience.

Odean, Kathleen. (Ed.)
Great Books for Girls: More Than 600 Books To Inspire Today's Girls and Tomorrow's Women.
(1997, New York: Ballantine Books. ISBN# 034540484X)
This first-of-its-kind sourcebook of valuable reading presents more than 600 annotated listings of books for girls, from toddlers to adolescents, featuring female characters who solve problems, handle conflicts, go on quests, and shape their own destinies.

Pohlman, Susan (ed.) , Boyles, Denis (ed) , and Turner, Priscilla (ed) .
A Girl's Guide to Life. The Complete Instructions: Written by Kids for Kids
(1997, ISBN# 0201151677)
Topics include Money, Chores for Cash, What to Do with the Dough, etc. Ages 8 and up.

Sheldon Epstein, Vivian
History of Women series. (Vivian Sheldon Epstein Publisher)

History of Women Artists for Young People
(ISBN# 0960100253)
Profiles 30 European and American women artists throughout the ages and features full-color reproductions of some wonderful art.

History of Women in Science for Young People
(1994, ISBN# 0960100288)
Profiles 29 women scientists from Ancient Rome to the present.

History of Women Artists for Children
(1987, ISBN# 0960100237)
Chronicles women's history from prehistoric times to the present.

Taylor, Mildred
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.
(1991, New York: Penguin Audiobooks)
Read by Lynne Thigpen (Audiotapes)

UNICEF-ESARO
Sara: The Special Gift
(1996, Communication Section, UNICEF, Nairobi, Kenya. Email: sara.esaro@unicef.unon.org)
(VHS) .

Vail, Rachel
If You Only Knew.
(1998, Scholastic, Inc., ISBN# 0590033700.)
Ages 10-12. A compelling series about friendship and the trials and triumphs of growing up.