Women's History Month: Young Adult Picks

Updated February 27, 2026
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#NotYourPrincess : voices of Native American women
Charleyboy, Lisa
Paper Book
Whether looking back to a troubled past or welcoming a hopeful future, the powerful voices of Indigenous women across North America resound in this book.  In the same style as the best-selling Dreaming in Indian, #NotYourPrincess presents an eclectic collection of poems, essays...
All-American Muslim girl
Courtney, Nadine Jolie
Paper Book
A Kirkus Best Book of 2019 A 2021 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Book Nadine Jolie Courtney's All-American Muslim Girl is a relevant, relatable story of being caught between two worlds, and the struggles and hard-won joys of finding your...
Almost astronauts : 13 women who dared to dream
Stone, Tanya Lee.
Paper Book
They had the right stuff. They defied the prejudices of the time. And they blazed a trail for generations of women to follow. What does it take to be an astronaut? Excellence at flying, courage, intelligence, resistance to stress, top physical shape -- any checklist would include...
I am Malala how one girl stood up for education and changed the world
Yousafzai, Malala, 1997-
Paper Book
In this New York Times bestselling memoir, Malala Yousafzai--the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize--inspires young readers with her stunning story of resilience and power. I Am Malala. This is my story. Malala Yousafzai was...
Because I was a girl true stories for girls of all ages
De la Cruz, Melissa, 1971-
Paper Book
Because I Was a Girl is an inspiring collection of true stories by women and girls about the obstacles, challenges, and opportunities they've faced...because of their gender. Edited by #1 New York Times-bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz, the book is the perfect gift for girls of...
Biology Lessons
Kantor, Melissa
Paper Book
Biology Lessons is a heartfelt and profound contemporary young adult novel about the strength and importance of female friendship in a time when bodily autonomy is outlawed, from acclaimed author Melissa Kantor. "This is a book that Judy Blume would approve of." --...
Black girl you are Atlas
Watson, Ren?
Paper Book
A Coretta Scott King Honor Book Winner of the Walter Dean Myers Award A thoughtful celebration of Black girlhood by award-winning author and poet Renee Watson. In this semi-autobiographical collection of poems, Renee Watson writes about her experience...
Braiding sweetgrass for young adults : indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the teachings of plants
Kimmerer, Robin Wall
Paper Book
I could hand you a braid of sweetgrass as thick and shining as the braid that hung down my grandmother's back. But it is not mine to give, nor yours to take. Wiingaashk belongs to herself. I offer, in her place, a braid of stories meant to heal our relationship with the world. As a...
Brazen : rebel ladies who rocked the world
Bagieu, P
Paper Book
2019 Eisner Award Winner for Best U.S. Edition of International Material Throughout history and across the globe, one characteristic connects the daring women of Brazen: their indomitable spirit. With her characteristic wit and dazzling drawings, celebrated...
Daughter of the Bone Forest
Skye, Jasmine
Paper Book
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year An Oklahoma Library Association Sequoyah Masterlist Nominee Two girls reluctantly bound by fate must weather a dangerous courtship as a prophesied war grows ever closer in Jasmine Skye's high-stakes, dark fantasy...
Daughters of Oduma
Utomi, Moses Ose
Paper Book
An elite female fighter must reenter the competition to protect her found family of younger sisters in this "absorbing, striking" (Publishers Weekly, starred review) young adult fantasy inspired by West African culture, perfect for fans of The Gilded Ones and Creed. ...
Diary of a confused feminist
Weston, Kate
Paper Book
Meet Kat Evans: Feminist. Overthinker. Hot mess. A hilarious antidote to our Insta-perfect world, Diary of a Confused Feminist is for girls who want to do it right but always feel they're getting it wrong ... 15-year-old Kat wants to do GOOD FEMINISM,...
Does my body offend you?
Cuevas, Mayra
Paper Book
A timely story of two teenagers who discover the power of friendship, feminism, and standing up for what you believe in, no matter where you come from. A collaboration between two gifted authors writing from alternating perspectives, this compelling novel shines with authenticity, courage, and...
The Fall of Iris Henley
Graham, Jennifer
Paper Book
For fans of Megan Lally and Kara Thomas, a twisty thriller about a Texas teen accused of murder who's desperate to clear her name. All it takes to ruin someone's life is the stroke of a key. Just ask Iris Henley. Her life is destroyed when someone posts an anonymous message on...
Feminist Af : A Guide to Crushing Girlhood
Cooper, Brittney/ Tanner, Chanel Craft/ Morris, Susana
Paper Book
A Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of 2021 Hip-hop and feminism combine in this empowering guide with attitude, from best-selling author Brittney Cooper and founding members of the Crunk Feminist Collective. Loud and rowdy girls, quiet and...
Fight like a girl : 50 feminists who changed the world
Barcella, Laura
Paper Book
Feminism is a hot topic. The battle for gender equality is being fought by everybody from politicians to indie social media campaigners, celebrities to school girls. But how did we get here and who paved the way for today's badass women? Fight Like a Girl profiles 50 fearless women - both the...
Finish the fight! : the brave and revolutionary women who fought for the right to vote
Chambers, Veronica
Paper Book
A New York Times Bestseller! In collaboration with the New York Times, Finish the Fight! reveals untold stories of diverse heroines who fought for the 19th amendment--celebrate the historic win for women's rights and voting rights that changed the fabric of America. ...
Fitting Indian
Chand, Jyoti
Paper Book
This debut teen graphic novel from social media influencer Jyoti Chand and rising star illustrator Tara Anand follows one girl's journey navigating high school and her mental health within a traditional South Asian family. Perfect for fans of Netflix's Never Have I...
Furia
M©?ndez, Yamile Saied
Paper Book
A REESE WITHERSPOON x HELLO SUNSHINE BOOK CLUB YA PICK Recipient of the 2021 Pura Belpré Young Adult Author Medal One of BuzzFeed's Must-Read YA Books of 2020 A Best Book of the Year: Cosmopolitan * Kirkus...
Fyrebirds
Armstrong, Kate J.
Paper Book
With tensions rising and their powers no longer a secret, the Nightbirds must decide for whom and for what they are willing to fight for and how far they will go in the spellbinding conclusion to the international bestseller Nightbirds.
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...
Genesis begins again
Williams, Alicia
Paper Book
A Newbery Honor Book Winner of the Correta Scott King - John Steptoe for New Talent Author Award A Morris Award Finalist An NPR Favorite Book of 2019 A School Library Journal Best Middle Grade Book of 2019 A Kirkus Reviews...
The girl who drew butterflies : how Maria Merian's art changed science
Sidman, Joyce
Paper Book
In this beautiful nonfiction biography, a Robert F. Sibert Medal winner, the Newbery Honor-winning author Joyce Sidman introduces readers to one of the first female entomologists and a woman who flouted convention in the pursuit of knowledge and her passion for insects. One of the first...
Girls resist! : a guide to activism, leadership, and starting a revolution
Rich, KaeLyn
Paper Book
An activism handbook for teen girls ready to fight for change, social justice, and equality. Take on the world and make some serious change with this handbook to everything activism, social justice, and resistance. With in-depth guides to everything from picking a cause, planning...
Here we are feminism for the real world
Jensen, Kelly
Paper Book
LET'S GET THE FEMINIST PARTY STARTED! Have you ever wanted to be a superheroine? Join a fandom? Create the perfect empowering playlist? Understand exactly what it means to be a feminist in the twenty-first century? You've come to the right place. ...
History vs women : the defiant lives that they don't want you to know
Sarkeesian, Anita
Paper Book
Rebels, rulers, scientists, artists, warriors and villains Women are, and have always been, all these things and more. Looking through the ages and across the globe, Anita Sarkeesian, founder of Feminist Frequency, along with Ebony Adams PHD, have reclaimed the stories...
Inheritance : a visual poem
Acevedo, Elizabeth
Paper Book
They tell me to "fix" my hair. And by fix, they mean straighten, they mean whiten; but how do you fix this shipwrecked history of hair? In her most famous spoken-word poem, author of the Pura Belpré-winning novel-in-verse The Poet X Elizabeth Acevedo embraces all the...
Juliet takes a breath
Rivera, Gabby
Paper Book
Juliet Milagros Palante is leaving the Bronx and headed to Portland, Oregon. She just came out to her family and isn't sure if her mom will ever speak to her again. But Juliet has a plan, sort of, one that's going to help her figure out this whole "Puerto Rican lesbian" thing. She's interning with...
Last night at the Telegraph Club
Lo, Malinda
Paper Book
WINNER OF THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE; THE ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN AWARD FOR YOUTH LITERATURE; THE STONEWALL BOOK AWARD (YA); THE PRINTZ HONOR _____________________________________________________________________________________________
Loud : Stories to Make Your Voice Heard
Cercignano, Anna/ Antonioni, Eleonora/ Rubino, Maurizia/ Barton, Anna (TRN)/ Israel, Brett (EDT)
Paper Book
Ellie, Sabrina, Rose, Laura, Liz, Camilla. Their stories touch us deeply because they happened and they happen to us too, to our sisters, friends, neighbours. Sometimes we don't even realize it, we minimize it, we don't have the tools to understand, react, talk about it out loud. And that's exactly...
Love, Sivvy: A Novel Inspired by the Life, Letters, and Diaries of Young Sylvia Plath
Toalson, R L
Paper Book
This intensely relatable historical novel-in-verse follows the young adult years of the exceptionally talented tortured poet, Sylvia Plath, as she casts off the limiting expectations of American women and forges her own path. Perfect for fans of Girl in Pieces.​ ...
Laurinda
Pung, Alice
Paper Book
When my dad dropped us off at the front gate, the first things I saw were the rose garden spreading out on either side of the main driveway and the enormous sign in iron cursive letters spelling out LAURINDA. No 'Ladies College' after it, of course; the name was meant to speak for itself.
Lumberjanes. Gotham Academy
Clugston-Flores, Chynna
Paper Book
DREAM TEAM UP! When a teacher at Gotham Academy goes missing, it's up to Olive, Maps, Colton, Pom, and Kyle to figure out what is happening and how to get her back. With only an outdated birthday invitation as the clue, they find themselves in the middle of the woods with no idea of where to start....
Moxie
Mathieu, Jennifer
Paper Book
MOXIE movie launching on NETFLIX on 3rd March 2021, directed by and starring Amy Poehler. 'I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!' Zoella '... this is my new favorite book. I'm proud to be a Moxie girl!' Jennifer Niven, author of All the Bright Places...
Ms. Gloria Steinem : a life
Conkling, Winifred
Paper Book
Throughout the years, Gloria Steinem is perhaps the single-most iconic figure associated with women's rights, her name practically synonymous with the word "feminism." Documenting everything from her boundary-pushing journalistic career to the foundation of Ms. magazine to...
Ms. Marvel / Mecca
Wilson, G. Willow
Paper Book
An enemy from Ms. Marvel's past resurfaces and begins targeting those closest to Kamala. As the world around her is spinning out of control, it becomes clear that this time there's something more sinister at work...Kamala's no stranger to fighting for what's right, but in facing down this challenge,...
The no where girls
Reed, Amy Lynn
Paper Book
'Empowering, brutally honest, and realistically complex' Buzzfeed 'A call-to-action to everyone out there who wants to fight back' Bustle 'With a powerful message about consent on the one hand and a diverse range of female...
One step forward
Atkins, Marcie Flinchum
Paper Book
One Step Forward is a compelling debut YA historical fiction novel in verse about Matilda Young--the youngest American suffragist imprisoned for picketing the White House to demand women's right to vote. Raised in a politically divided family, Matilda wondered if she...
Radioactive! : how Irene Curie and Lise Meitner revolutionized science and changed the world
Conkling, Winifred
Paper Book
The fascinating, little-known story of how two brilliant female physicists' groundbreaking discoveries led to the creation of the atomic bomb. In 1934, Irène Curie, working with her husband and fellow scientist, Frederic Joliot, made a discovery that would change the world:...
Rick Riordan Presents: A Touch of Blood
Patel, Sajni
Paper Book
Read the Persephone myth like never before in this companion to A Drop of Venom by Sajni Patel, where Greek mythology meets Indian lore. Gods are made, not born. Before Manisha, the youngest of three sisters, was sent to hide on the floating mountain,...
She takes a stand : 16 fearless activists who have changed the world
Ross, Michael Elsohn
Paper Book
2016 VOYA Non-Fiction Honor List In an age of "slacktivism" and fleeting social media fame, She Takes a Stand offers a realistic look at the game-changing decisions, high stakes, and bold actions of women and girls around the world working to improve...
Sisters in the Wind
Boulley, Angeline.
Paper Book
Six angry girls
Kisner, Adrienne
Paper Book
Adrienne Kisner's Six Angry Girls is a story of mock trial, feminism, and the inherent power found in a pair of knitting needles. Raina Petree is crushing her senior year, until her boyfriend dumps her, the drama club (basically) dumps her, the college of her dreams...
The suffragist playbook : your guide to changing the world
Robb, Lucinda
Paper Book
Do you have a cause you're passionate about? Take a few tips from the suffragists, who led one of the largest and longest movements in American history. The women's suffrage movement was decades in the making and came with many harsh setbacks. But it resulted in a permanent...
A suffragist's guide to the Antarctic
Lai, Yi Shun
Paper Book
Two starred reviews! A teen's fight for suffrage turns into one of survival when her crew's Antarctic expedition ship gets stuck in the ice in this historical "gripping--and sometimes gut-wrenching--adventure tale" (Shelf Awareness, starred review) told in journal...
The Sun and the Starmaker
Griffin, Rachel
Paper Book
There once was a village so far north that most considered it the top of the world... and in that village, the Sun fell in love with her Starmaker. From the New York Times bestselling author of The Nature of Witches comes a whimsical and sweeping romantic fantasy. Nestled deep in the snowy...
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...
A thousand sisters : the heroic airwomen of the Soviet Union in World War II
Wein, Elizabeth
Paper Book
Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Finalist! The gripping true story of the only women to fly in combat in World War II--from Elizabeth Wein, award-winning author of Code Name Verity In the early years of World War II, Josef Stalin issued an order that made the...
Thrill seekers : 15 remarkable women in extreme sports
McCallum Staats, Ann
Paper Book
"Ann McCallum Staats has written an uplifting book profiling a handful of extraordinary women whose example proves that nothing can or should hold women back. These women push the boundaries of what was believed possible, achieving the impossible." --Milbry Polk, author of ...
Tomboy a graphic memoir
Prince, Liz
Paper Book
A memoir about friendship, gender, bullies, growth, punk rock, and the power of the perfect outfit . . . Growing up, Liz Prince wasn't a girly girl, but she wasn't exactly one of the guys either (as she learned when her little league baseball coach exiled her to the distant outfield). She...
A tyranny of petticoats : 15 stories of belles, bank robbers & other badass girls
Spotswood, Jessica
Paper Book
From an impressive sisterhood of YA writers comes an edge-of-your-seat anthology of historical fiction and fantasy featuring a diverse array of daring heroines. Crisscross America -- on dogsleds and ships, stagecoaches and trains -- from pirate ships off the coast of the...
Under a painted sky
Lee, Stacey
Paper Book
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Downstairs Girl, Stacey Lee's debut novel is a powerful story about love, friendship, and sacrifice, perfect for fans of Code Name Verity. "This moving novel will captivate you."--Buzzfeed.com  ...
The Underground abductor : an abolitionist tale
Hale, Nathan
Paper Book
In The Underground Abductor, #1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Nathan Hale tells an abolitionist tale about Harriet Tubman in the Hazardous Tales graphic novel series! "These books are, quite simply, brilliant. . . . Thrilling,...
The unexpected consequence of bleeding on a Tuesday
Toney, Kelsey B.
Paper Book
Growing up is painful. A fresh, funny and relatable coming-of-age YA novel, perfect for fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty and XO, Kitty. Delia has the most amazing friends and family, killer grades at a fancy prep school, and, with graduation just one...
Wake the wild creatures
Suma, Nova Ren
Paper Book
A Washington Post Best Book of the Year! A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year! This extraordinary, timely, and must-read novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Nova Ren Suma explores freedom and rage as a...
Warrior Girl unearthed
Boulley, Angeline
Paper Book
We should all be feminists
Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi, 1977-
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * The highly acclaimed, provocative essay on feminism and sexual politics--from the award-winning author of Americanah "A call to action, for all people in the world, to undo the gender hierarchy." --Medium<...
What would she do? : 25 true stories of trailblazing rebel women
Woodward, Kay
Paper Book
Covering 25 diverse women from early world leaders to modern day heroes, What Would She Do? is an inspiring and empowering illustrated guide for today's budding young feminists.From historic world leaders to brilliant scientists, artists, and modern-day pioneers, What Would She Do?...
Where you see yourself
Forrest, Claire (Young adult author)
Paper Book
A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book What does it take to follow your dreams? Where You See Yourself is a relatable, romantic, and necessary story about a girl who has to figure out what--and who--will bring her the happiness she deserves. By the time Effie...
Witch Hat Atelier 14
Shirahama, Kamome
Paper Book
A beautifully-illustrated story about a girl who longs for magic in her life and learns that, on the inside, she already is what she wishes she could be. This lushly-drawn story has won an Eisner Award and a Harvey Award, and was voted one of the top 10 manga of the year in 2018 by the Japanese...

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