Must-Read Children and Teen Books for Women's History Month

March is Women's History Month. This book list includes recommended books for children and teens owned by the Sussex County Library System.

Updated January 5, 2026
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Alice across America : the story of the first women's cross-country road trip
Marsh, Sarah Glenn
Paper Book
Writer Sarah Glenn Marsh and illustrator Gilbert Ford's Alice Across America is a nonfiction picture book account of maverick Alice Ramsey, the first woman to drive a car across America in 1909. When Alice Ramsey was little, she loved to ride horses. As she grew up,...
Before she was Harriet
Cline-Ransome, Lesa
Paper Book
Who was Harriet Tubman before she was Harriet? We know her today as Harriet Tubman, but in her lifetime she was called by many names. As General Tubman she was a Union spy. As Moses she led hundreds to freedom on the Underground Railroad. As Minty she was a slave whose...
Blast off! : how Mary Sherman Morgan fueled America into space
Slade, Suzanne
Paper Book
A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids The inspirational story of Mary Sherman, the world's first female rocket scientist, who overcame gender barriers and many failures to succeed. Growing up in the 1920s on a dirt-poor farm in North Dakota, Mary Sherman's...
Brave, black, first : 50+ African American women who changed the world
Hudson, Cheryl Willis
Paper Book
Published in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, discover over fifty remarkable African American women whose unique skills and contributions paved the way for the next generation of young people. Perfect for fans of Rad Women Worldwide,...
Classified : the secret career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee aerospace engineer
Sorell, Traci
Paper Book
An American Indian Library Association Youth Literature Award Honor Picture Book Mary Golda Ross designed classified airplanes and spacecraft as Lockheed Aircraft Corporation's first female engineer. Find out how her passion for math and the Cherokee values she was raised with shaped her...
Cubs in the tub : the true story of the Bronx Zoo's first woman zookeeper
Fleming, Candace
Paper Book
Fred and Helen Martini longed for a baby, and they ended up with dozens of lion and tiger cubs! Snuggle up to this purr-fect read aloud about the Bronx Zoo's first female zookeeper. When Bronx zookeeper Fred brought home a lion cub, Helen Martini instantly embraced...
Shark lady : the true story of how Eugenie Clark became the ocean's most fearless scientist
Keating, Jess
Paper Book
One of New York Times' Twelve Books for Feminist Boys and Girls! This is the story of a woman who dared to dive, defy, discover, and inspire. This is the story of Shark Lady. One of the best science picture books for children, Shark Lady is a must for both teachers and parents alike!
Else B. in the sea : the woman who painted the wonders of the deep
Harvey, Jeanne Walker
Paper Book
Else Bostelmann donned a red swimsuit and a copper diving helmet and, with paints and brushes in hand, descended into the choppy turquoise sea off the coast of Bermuda. It was 1930, and few had ventured deep into the sea before. She discovered a fairyland six fathoms below the surface-fantastic...
The enigma girls : how ten teenagers broke ciphers, kept secrets, and helped win World War II
Fleming, Candace
Paper Book
A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book. With numerous starred reviews and accolades, from award-winning author Candace Fleming, comes the powerful and fascinating story of the brave and dedicated young women who helped turn the tides of World War II for the Allies, with their hard work and...
Fly like a girl : one woman's dramatic fight in Afghanistan and on the home front
Hegar, Mary Jennings
Paper Book
A Young Readers Edition of a compelling story of courage and triumph, this is the inspiring true story of Major Mary Jennings Hegar--a brave and determined woman who gave her all for her country, her sense of justice, and for women everywhere. On July 29, 2009, Air National Guard...
Forgotten founders : Black patriots, women soldiers, and other thinkers and heroes who shaped early America
Lowe, Mifflin
Paper Book
The founding of America was not accomplished by a handful of people; it required the heart, soul, and grit of an entire nation. Today, we rightfully honor the efforts of the Founding Fathers, but what about everyone else who sacrificed for the cause? Introducing Forgotten Founders, the inspiring...
Gamer girls : 25 women who built the video game industry
Kenney, Mary
Paper Book
Discover the women behind the video games we love--the iconic games they created, the genres they invented, the studios and companies they built--and how they changed the industry forever.    Women have always made video games, from the...
Grace Banker and her Hello Girls answer the call : the heroic story of WWI telephone operators
Friddell, Claudia
Paper Book
Led by twenty-five-year-old Grace Banker, thirty-two telephone operators - affectionately called "Hello Girls" back in the US - became the first female combatants in World War I. Follow Grace Banker's journey from her busy life as a telephone switchboard trainer in New York to...
A greater goal : the epic battle for equal pay in women's soccer-and beyond
Rusch, Elizabeth
Paper Book
More than 250 women have played on the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, and most contributed to the battle for equal pay. This narrative nonfiction book by the award-winning author and journalist Elizabeth Rusch traces the evolution of that fight, bringing this important rights...
Hidden figures : the true story of four black women and the space race
Shetterly, Margot Lee
Paper Book
Based on the New York Times bestselling book and the Academy Award-nominated movie, author Margot Lee Shetterly and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award winner Laura Freeman bring the incredibly inspiring true story of four black women who helped NASA launch men into space to...
Hidden figures : the untold true story of four African-American women who helped launch our nation into space
Shetterly, Margot Lee
Paper Book
The uplifting, amazing true story--a New York Times bestseller! This edition of Margot Lee Shetterly's acclaimed book is perfect for young readers. It's the powerful story of four African-American female mathematicians at NASA who helped achieve some of the greatest moments in our space...
Hidden heroes in medicine
Mann, Dionna L.
Paper Book
Uncover the stories of hidden heroes who transformed the medical field. Direct quotes from medical professionals reveal their successes and experiences with racism, sexism, and ableism. Let's shine a light on these heroes. They prevented diseases, fought outbreaks, and created their own...
How women won the vote : Alice Paul, Lucy Burns, and their big idea
Bartoletti, Susan Campbell
Paper Book
This is how history should be told to kids--with photos, illustrations, and captivating storytelling. From Newbery Honor medalist Susan Campbell Bartoletti and in time to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage in America comes the page-turning, stunningly...
A Is for Athlete!: A Women in Sports Alphabet
Hanrahan, Kathleen
Paper Book
From A to Z, meet the women who changed the sports game and practice the qualities it takes to make a player truly great! With inspiring language and vibrant illustrations, this alphabet book introduces readers to the exciting world of athletics and the empowering women who have helped shape it.
Kamala Harris: history-making US Vice President
Roland, James
Paper Book
Americans elected Kamala Harris as vice president in November 2020. The election victory she shared with Joe Biden marks several history-making firsts. Among them: Harris is the first woman and the first woman of color to be elected as vice president. During a career that included six years as...
Latinitas : celebrating 40 big dreamers
Mene?ndez, Juliet
Paper Book
Dream big with the Latinitas in Latinitas: Celebrating 40 Big Dreamers. Discover how 40 influential Latinas became the women we celebrate today! In this collection of short biographies from all over Latin America and across the United States, Juliet Menéndez explores the...
Lizzie demands a seat! : Elizabeth Jennings fights for streetcar rights
Anderson, Beth
Paper Book
In 1854, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Jennings, an African American schoolteacher, fought back when she was unjustly denied entry to a New York City streetcar, sparking the beginnings of the long struggle to gain equal rights on public transportation. One hundred years before Rosa Parks...
Mae among the stars
Ahmed, Roda
Paper Book
A beautiful picture book for sharing and marking special occasions such as graduation, inspired by the life of the first African American woman to travel in space, Mae Jemison. An Amazon Best Book of the Month! A great classroom and bedtime read-aloud, Mae Among the Stars is the...
Malala's magic pencil
Yousafzai, Malala
Paper Book
Nobel Peace Prize winner and New York Times bestselling author Malala Yousafzai's first picture book, inspired by her own childhood. "This is a wonderful read for younger students that will also provide insight and encourage discussion about the wider...
The oldest student : how Mary Walker learned to read
Hubbard, Rita L.
Paper Book
Imagine learning to read at the age of 116! Discover the true story of Mary Walker, the nation's oldest student who did just that, in this picture book from a Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator and a rising star author. One of Slate's 25 Greatest Picture Books of the Past 25...
Planting stories : the life of librarian and storyteller Pura Belpré
Denise, Anika
Paper Book
RECIPIENT OF THE PURA BELPRÉ HONOR  * A Today Show's Best Kids' Books of 2019 * Indie Next List Pick * Junior Library Guild Selection *  "An appealing tribute and successful remedy to the lack of titles about the groundbreaking librarian...a must...
Planting stories : the life of librarian and storyteller Pura Belpre?
Denise, Anika
Paper Book
RECIPIENT OF THE PURA BELPRÉ HONOR  * A Today Show's Best Kids' Books of 2019 * Indie Next List Pick * Junior Library Guild Selection *  "An appealing tribute and successful remedy to the lack of titles about the groundbreaking librarian...a must...
Pura Belpr
Medina, Meg
Paper Book
Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, a chapter book series about women who spoke up and rose up against the odds--including Pura Belpre! Pura Belpre grew up in Puerto Rico surrounded by stories. When she...
Rewriting the rules : how Dr. Kathleen Friel created new possibilities for brain research and disability
Zeiger, Danna
Paper Book
When Kathleen Friel was young, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and a doctor told her parents all the things she'd never be able to do. They left his office for good and found a new doctor. As Kathleen grew up, she found her own methods to tackle tricky tasks and make her way...
Secret engineer : how Emily Roebling built the Brooklyn Bridge
Dougherty, Rachel
Paper Book
On a warm spring day in 1883, a woman rode across the Brooklyn Bridge with a rooster on her lap. It was the first trip across an engineering marvel that had taken nearly fourteen years to construct. The woman's husband was the chief engineer, and he knew all about the...
Shark lady : the true story of how Eugenie Clark became the ocean's most fearless scientist
Keating, Jess.
Paper Book
One of New York Times' Twelve Books for Feminist Boys and Girls! This is the story of a woman who dared to dive, defy, discover, and inspire. This is the story of Shark Lady. One of the best science picture books for children, Shark Lady is a must for both teachers and parents alike!
She persisted in sports : American Olympians who changed the game
Clinton, Chelsea
Paper Book
From Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, the #1 New York Times bestselling team behind She Persisted, comes a new book featuring women athletes who overcame and inspired--perfect for fans of the Olympics! Throughout history, women have been told that they couldn't...
The six : the untold story of America's first women astronauts
Grush, Loren
Paper Book
Two starred reviews! The "compelling and inspiring" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) true story of America's first female astronauts hailed as "suspenseful, meticulously observed, enlightening" by Margot Lee Shetterly, #1 New York Times bestselling author of...
Teen trailblazers : 30 fearless girls who changed the world before they were 20
Calvert, Jennifer
Paper Book
True stories of young women who made a big difference! From authors to activists, painters to politicians, inventors to icons, these inspiring teenagers are proof that girls can change the world. Joan of Arc. Anne Frank. Cleopatra. Pocahontas. Mary Shelley. Many of these...
The voice that won the vote : how one woman's words made history
Boxer, Elisa
Paper Book
A vote is a voice: This is what I believe in. This is what I stand for. This is what matters to me. This is who I am. In August of 1920, women's suffrage in America came down to the vote in Tennessee. If the Tennessee legislature approved the 19th amendment it would be ratified, giving all...
The woman all spies fear : code breaker Elizebeth Smith Friedman and her hidden life
Greenfield, Amy Butler
Paper Book
An inspiring true story, perfect for fans of Hidden Figures, about an American woman who pioneered codebreaking in WWI and WWII but was only recently recognized for her extraordinary contributions. A YALSA EXCELLENCE IN NONFICTION FINALIST * A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK...
Women in science
Green, Jen
Paper Book
Read about the women who changed the landscape of science: from pioneers of the ancient world to super-scientists like Marie Curie to unlikely geniuses, such as Hedy Lamarr, and much more. Women in Science includes scientific pioneers who came up with incredible ideas that...
Women's suffrage movement
Wilkins, Veronica B.
Paper Book
Who first found gold in California? What caused the Great Depression, and what did we learn from it? Each book in this series highlights a defining event or era in America's history, its key players, causes, events, and lasting effects on our nation. Have you read them all? Book jacket.
Wonder women of science : twelve geniuses who are currently rocking science, technology, and the world
Fletcher, Tiera
Paper Book
What does it take to be a STEM genius? Check out these exciting, highly readable profiles of a dozen contemporary women who are on the cutting edge of scientific research. Searching the cosmos for a new Earth. Using math to fight human trafficking. Designing invisible (and safer)...
Wood, wire, wings : Emma Lilian Todd invents an airplane
Larson, Kirsten W.
Paper Book
Meet self-taught engineer Emma Lilian Todd as she tackles one of the greatest challenges of the early 1900s: designing an airplane. Emma Lilian Todd's mind was always soaring--she loved to solve problems. Lilian tinkered and fiddled with all sorts of objects, turning dreams into...

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