Women's History Month: Middle Grade Fiction and Nonfiction

Updated February 27, 2026
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Aarzu all around /
Abbas, Marzieh,
Alice with a Why
James, Anna
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * Alice's granddaughter finds herself tumbling down the rabbit hole in this magical modern retelling of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland--from the beloved author of the Chronicles of Whetherwhy and Pages & Co. series. ⋆"This...
Amina's voice /
Khan, Hena
Paper Book
A Washington Post Best Children's Book of 2017 "For inspiring empathy in young readers, you can't get better than this book." --R. J. Palacio, author of #1 New York Timesbestseller Wonder "Amina's anxieties are entirely relatable, but it's her sweet...
Anya and the dragon
Pasternack, Sofiya
Paper Book
A Sydney Taylor Award Honor Book Sydney Taylor Honor winner Anya and the Dragon, the first in a duology, is a lush tale of magic and dragons, a gem for any adventure-seeking middle grade reader. Anya and the Dragon is the story of fantasy and mayhem in tenth century Eastern Europe,...
The blackbird girls
Blankman, Anne
Paper Book
NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD WINNER A SYDNEY TAYLOR MIDDLE GRADE HONOR BOOK Like Ruta Sepetys for middle grade, Anne Blankman pens a poignant and timeless story of friendship that twines together moments in underexplored history. On a spring morning, neighbors...
Buffalo dreamer
Duncan, Violet
Paper Book
NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST * An illuminating novel about the importance of reclaiming the past, based on the author's family history Summer and her family always spend relaxed summers in Alberta, Canada, on the reservation where her mom's family lives. But this year is turning...
Catherine's war
Billet, Julia
Paper Book
"A shining story of a young girl who struggles to come of age and find her place in a world fraught with danger." --Susan Campbell Bartoletti, Newbery Honor-winning author of Hitler Youth * Winner of the Youth Prize at the Angoulême International Comics Festival (voted by readers) * Winner...
Dress coded
Firestone, Carrie
Paper Book
In this debut middle-grade girl-power friendship story, perfect for fans of Moxie, an eighth grader starts a podcast to protest the unfair dress code enforcement at her middle school and sparks a rebellion.   Molly Frost is FED UP... Because Olivia...
Drive
Copeland, Cynthia L.
Paper Book
"An inspirational, information-packed tale inspired by a real feminist trailblazer." --Kirkus START YOUR ENGINES!  In 1964, Janet Guthrie is on her way to becoming one of the most successful female race car drivers in history--the...
El deafo
Bell, Cece
Paper Book
Cece Bell's #1 New York Times Bestseller graphic novel El Deafo is the origin story of a student with hearing loss and a hearing aid becoming a superhero. A John Newbery Medal Winner Now an Apple+ Animated TV Series! ...
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...
Finding Junie Kim
Oh, Ellen
Paper Book
For fans of Inside Out and Back Again and Amina's Voice comes a breathtaking story of family, hope, and survival from Ellen Oh, cofounder of We Need Diverse Books. When Junie Kim is faced with middle school racism, she learns of her grandparents' extraordinary...
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. ...
The first rule of punk
P
Paper Book
A2018 Pura Belpre Author Honor Book The First Rule of Punk is a wry and heartfelt exploration of friendship, finding your place, and learning to rock out like no one's watching. There are no shortcuts to surviving your first day at a new school-you can't fix...
The Flicker
Edgmon, H. E.
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of The Marrow Thieves, Hatchet and The City of Ember, H.E. Edgmon's middle grade debut offers a bittersweet tale of hope and survival, a modern classic for the climate change generation. One year ago, a solar flare scorched the Earth and...
Front desk /
Yang, Kelly
Paper Book
Four starred reviews and over ten best-of-year lists!* "Many readers will recognize themselves or their neighbors in these pages." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred reviewWinner of the Asian / Pacific American Award for Children's Literature!* "Many readers will recognize themselves or their...
Game changers
Feinstein, John
Paper Book
Trouble is about to tip off for Jeff and Andi's sixth-grade basketball teams in Game Changers, a standalone second book in the middle-grade Benchwarmers series by #1 New York Times bestselling sportswriter John Feinstein. After a controversial season playing on...
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...
Good night stories for rebel girls : 100 tales of extraordinary women
Favilli, Elena
Paper Book
A contemporary classic, Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls reinvents fairy tales, inspiring girls with the stories of 100 heroic women. Readers will rule ancient Egypt with Cleopatra, make groundbreaking discoveries with Marie Curie, fly through the sky with Amelia Earhart, and defy gravity with...
Grasping mysteries : girls who loved math /
Atkins, Jeannine,
Paper Book
"Informative, pithy, wry, very readable." --Booklist Learn about seven groundbreaking women in math and science in this gorgeously written biographical novel-in-verse, a companion to Finding Wonders: Three Girls Who Changed Science. After a...
Inside out & back again /
L?i, Thanhhŕ.
Paper Book
Winner of the National Book Award, a Newbery Honor, and a #1 New York Times bestseller! Inspired by the author's childhood experience as a refugee--fleeing Vietnam after the Fall of Saigon and immigrating to Alabama--this coming-of-age debut novel told in verse has been celebrated for its...
Kiki Kallira breaks a kingdom
Mandanna, Sangu
Paper Book
For fans of the Aru Shah and Serpent's Secret series, this action-packed fantasy-adventure sees a girl's drawings of Indian mythology spring to vivid life--including the evil god who seeks to enter the real world and destroy it. Kiki Kallira has always been a worrier. Did she...
A kind of spark /
McNicoll, Elle
Paper Book
Perfect for readers of Song for a Whale and Counting by 7s, a neurodivergent girl campaigns for a memorial when she learns that her small Scottish town used to burn witches simply because they were different. "A must-read for students and adults alike." ...
Land of the cranes
Salazar, Aida
Paper Book
From the prolific author of The Moon Within comes the heart-wrenchingly beautiful story in verse of a young Latinx girl who learns to hold on to hope and love even in the darkest of places: a family detention center for migrants and refugees. Nine-year-old Betita knows she is a crane. Papi...
The last bear
Gold, Hannah
Paper Book
An instant classic with a bear-sized heart, Hannah Gold's debut novel is a touching story of kindness, adventure, and forging your own path--perfect for fans of Pax and A Wolf Called Wander. There are no polar bears left on Bear Island. At least, that's what...
The Last Cuentista
Higuera, Donna Barba
Paper Book
Winner of the Newbery Medal--a brilliant journey through the stars, to the very heart of what makes us human. "Gripping in its twists and turns, and moving in its themes -- truly a beautiful cuento."--New York Times Había una vez . . .  ...
Look on the bright side /
Williams, Lily
Paper Book
The creators of Eisner-nominated Go With the Flow Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann are back with a funny and heartwarming story following four best friends Brit, Abby, Christine, and Sasha in the graphic novel, Look on the Bright Side. Perfect for fans of Maria Scrivan's...
Maeve Mulvaney Has Had Enough
Mangan, Kelly
Maeve Mulvaney goes from "family raincloud" to Feminist Superhero in this upper middle grade novel perfect for fans of Carrie Firestone, Julie Murphy, and Barbara Dee. Fourteen-year-old Maeve feels more at home in the pages of her comics and sketchbook than she does in...
Margie Kelly breaks the dress code
Farr, Bridget
Paper Book
A timely and thought-provoking novel about one girl's fight against gender inequality at her middle school and the lessons about her own privilege she learns along the way. Margie Kelly's perfect skirt was dress coded on her very first day of middle school. Upset...
Merci Suaarez plays it cool
Medina, Meg
Paper Book
In a satisfying finale to her trilogy, Newbery Medalist Meg Medina follows Merci Suárez into an eighth-grade year full of changes--evolving friendships, new responsibilities, and heartbreaking loss. For Merci Suárez, eighth grade means a new haircut, nighttime football games, and...
Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales 11 : Cold War Correspondent
Hale, Nathan
Paper Book
Discover the Korean War through the eyes of a journalist who covered it in author-illustrator Nathan Hale's Cold War Correspondent, a Hazardous Tale in the New York Times bestselling graphic novel series. In 1950, Marguerite Higgins (1920-1966) was made bureau...
Ollie in between
Callans, Jess
Paper Book
A Stonewall Book Award Honor Book! A 2026 Rise: A Feminist Book Project Top Ten Title A 2026 Rainbow Round Table Top Ten Pick for Young Readers A 2026 Lone Star Reading List Selection An Indie's Introduce Pick A NYPL Best...
Other words for home
Warga, Jasmine
Paper Book
New York Times bestseller and Newbery Honor Book! A gorgeously written, hopeful middle grade novel in verse about a young girl who must leave Syria to move to the United States, perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds and Aisha Saeed. Jude never thought she'd be...
The partition project
Faruqi, Saadia
Paper Book
In this engaging and moving middle grade novel, Saadia Faruqi writes about a contemporary Pakistani American girl whose passion for journalism starts a conversation about her grandmother's experience of the Partition of India and Pakistan--and the bond that the two form as she helps...
Pashmina /
Chanani, Nidhi,
Paper Book
Priyanka Das has so many unanswered questions: Why did her mother abandon her home in India years ago? What was it like there? And most importantly, who is her father, and why did her mom leave him behind? But Pri.s mom avoids these questions.the top
Path to the stars : my journey from Girl Scout to rocket scientist
Acevedo, Sylvia
Paper Book
The inspiring memoir for young readers about a Latina rocket scientist whose early life was transformed by joining the Girl Scouts and who currently serves as CEO of the Girl Scouts of the USA. A meningitis outbreak in their underprivileged...
Reaching for the Moon : the autobiography of NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson
Johnson, Katherine G.
Paper Book
A Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Book of 2019 "This rich volume is a national treasure." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Captivating, informative, and inspiring...Easy to follow and hard to put down." --School Library Journal (starred...
Reckless, glorious, girl
Hagan, Ellen
Paper Book
The co-author of Watch Us Rise pens a novel in verse about all the good and bad that comes with middle school, growing up girl, and the strength of family that gets you through it. Beatrice Miller may have a granny's name (her granny's, to be more specific), but she...
The red pencil
Pinkney, Andrea Davis
Paper Book
"Amira, look at me," Muma insists. She collects both my hands in hers. "The Janjaweed attack without warning. If ever they come-- run." Finally, Amira is twelve. Old enough to wear a...
The remarkable journey of Coyote Sunrise
Gemeinhart, Dan
Paper Book
"Your heart needs this joyful miracle of a book." --Katherine Applegate, acclaimed author of The One and Only Ivan ★ "Narrator Coyote is legendary: wise, thoughtful, and perceptive" --Booklist, starred review A 2020 ILA Teachers' Choice ...
The ribbon skirt : a graphic novel /
Mukwa, Cameron,
Paper Book
American Indian Youth Literature Award Honor Book A joyful coming-of-age middle-grade graphic novel by debut Indigenous creator Cameron Mukwa about the journey of a two-spirit kid who wants to create a ribbon skirt for the upcoming powwow. Ten-year-old Anang wants to make a...
Rosa Parks & Claudette Colvin : civil rights heroes
Baptiste, Tracey
Paper Book
A 2024 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Award Winner Turn back the clock with History Comics! In this volume, learn about two brave women who stood up against segregation, setting in motion the Montgomery Bus Boycott! A Black woman who refused...
Seabird
Kadarusman, Michelle
A Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Book of the Year Inspired by the true story of a nineteenth century feminist. Seabird follows Kartini's early teen years as a young noble girl. Confined to the family home in preparation for an arranged marriage, Kartini...
Smile /
Telgemeier, Raina.
Paper Book
Raina Telgemeier's #1 New York Times bestselling, Eisner Award-winning graphic memoir based on her childhood! Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after Girl Scouts she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth. What follows is a long and...
Stand up, Yumi Chung!
Kim, Jessica
Paper Book
One lie snowballs into a full-blown double life in this irresistible story about an aspiring stand-up comedian. On the outside, Yumi Chung suffers from #shygirlproblems, a perm-gone-wrong, and kids calling her "Yu-MEAT" because she smells like her family's Korean barbecue...
Star child : a biographical constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler
Zoboi, Ibi Aanu
Paper Book
A Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book A Walter Dean Myers Honor Book From the New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award finalist, a biography in verse and prose of science fiction visionary Octavia Butler, author of Parable of the Sower and...
Strange birds : a field guide to ruffling feathers
P
Paper Book
From the award-winning author of The First Rule of Punk comes the story of four kids who form an alternative Scout troop that shakes up their sleepy Florida town. * "Writing with wry restraint that's reminiscent of Kate DiCamillo... a beautiful tale." -Kirkus Reviews,<...
Tear This Down
Dee, Barbara
Paper Book
From Barbara Dee, the critically acclaimed author of Maybe He Just Likes You, comes an "empowering" (Booklist) middle grade novel about a girl who makes the choice to speak out against a problematic historical hometown figure no matter the cost--perfect for readers of Dress Coded...
Tessa Miyata is no hero
Abe, Julie
Paper Book
This thrilling and charming middle grade fantasy steeped in Japanese lore and mythology follows Tessa after she breaks a precious family heirloom, sending her on a wild adventure to save herself, her family--and all of Tokyo. Tessa Miyata has never fit in....
This promise of change : one girl's story in the fight for school equality
Boyce, Jo Ann Allen
Paper Book
Recipient of a Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor Winner of the 2019 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Nonfiction 2020 National Council for the Social Studies Carter G. Woodson Honor Recipient A NYPL Top Ten of 2019 A Kirkus...
The troubled girls of Dragomir Academy /
Ursu, Anne
Paper Book
From the acclaimed author of The Real Boy and The Lost Girl comes a wondrous and provocative fantasy about a kingdom beset by monsters, a mysterious school, and a girl caught in between them. If no one notices Marya Lupu, is likely because of her brother, Luka. And that's because of what...
Two tribes
Bowen Cohen, Emily
Paper Book
In her poignant debut graphic novel inspired by her own life, Emily Bowen Cohen embraces the complexity, meaning, and deep love that comes from being part of two vibrant tribes. Mia is still getting used to living with her mom and stepfather, and to the new role their Jewish...
We still belong
Day, Christine
Paper Book
A thoughtful and heartfelt middle grade novel by American Indian Youth Literature Honor-winning author Christine Day (Upper Skagit), about a girl whose hopeful plans for Indigenous Peoples' Day (and plans to ask her crush to the school dance) go all wrong--until she finds herself...
Women's right to vote /
Messner, Kate
Paper Book
A world without princes /
Chainani, Soman
Paper Book
THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL is the #1 movie now streaming on Netflix--starring Academy Award winner Charlize Theron, Kerry Washington, Laurence Fishburne, Michelle Yeoh, Sofia Wylie, Sophie Anne Caruso, Jamie Flatters, Earl Cave, Kit Young, and many others!  In the New...

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