Women's History Past & Present: Books for Teens

Books for teens, both fiction and nonfiction that chronicle the lives of extraordinary women, examine historical movements, and address feminist issues.

Updated February 14, 2025
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The poet X
Acevedo, Elizabeth
Paper Book
* Extensive promotion at School & Library conferences, including lead book placement and substantial distribution of ARCs * Special Standalone Advertising and author feature pitches in leading school & library media such as School Library Journal, Booklist  *...
Nightbirds
Armstrong, Kate J.
Paper Book
AN INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER * In a dazzling new fantasy world full of whispered secrets and political intrigue, the magic of women is outlawed but four girls with unusual powers have the chance to change it all. Magic is illegal in Simta, but for the right price, the wealthy can...
No stopping us now : a novel
Bledsoe, Lucy Jane
Paper Book
Finalist, Golden Poppy Award for Best Young Adult Fiction! "A timeless and triumphant story of courage in the face of opposition." --Foreword Reviews (starred review) It's 1974. Title IX has passed two years ago, but Louisa's high school still refuses...
Jane against the world : Roe v. Wade and the fight for reproductive rights
Blumenthal, Karen
Paper Book
A riveting look at the tumultuous history of abortion rights in the United States leading up to the landmark case of Roe v. Wade, by award-winning author and journalist Karen Blumenthal. Tracing the path to the 19th century to the pivotal decision in Roe v. Wade and the...
Firekeeper's daughter
Boulley, Angeline
Paper Book
An Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller! A Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club Pick! A Printz Medal AND Morris Award Winner! Soon to be adapted at Netflix for TV with President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama's production company, Higher Ground.
Spin
Caprara, Rebecca
Paper Book
A Chicago Public Library Teen-Approved Best Book of 2023 "A powerful feminist retelling of an ancient tale about empathy and defiance, written in beautiful verse from a truly unique viewpoint." --Margarita Engle, Newbery Honor-winning author of The Surrender Tree...
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. ...
Looking for smoke
Cobell, K. A.
Paper Book
Big Mouth ARE mailing to a curated list of influential librarians and educators Teens' Top 10/YALSA ARE mailing to 15 teen reading groups across the country Announcement advertising in key school & library media, such as School Library Journal  Spring 2024...
Votes for women! : American suffragists and the battle for the ballot
Conkling, Winifred
Paper Book
The story of the tenacious American women who demanded, fought for--and finally won--their right to vote; paving the way for generations of civil rights activists. For nearly 150 years, American women did not have the right to vote. On August 18, 1920...
Feminist AF : a guide to crushing girlhood
Cooper, Brittney C.
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...
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...
TJ Powar has something to prove
Deo, Jesmeen Kaur
Paper Book
"With an iconic heroine, delightful banter and a deeply felt message, this debut proves many times over that Jesmeen Kaur Deo is an invaluable new voice. TJ Powar Has Something to Prove is rife with insight and rich with rom-com joy, often on the same page." -- Emily Wibberley and...
Ida B. the queen : the extraordinary life and legacy of Ida B. Wells
Duster, Michelle
Paper Book
Journalist. Suffragist. Antilynching crusader. In 1862, Ida B. Wells was born enslaved in Holly Springs, Mississippi. In 2020, she won a Pulitzer Prize. Ida B. Wells committed herself to the needs of those who did not have power. In the eyes of the FBI, this made her a "dangerous...
Bright red fruit
Elhillo, Safia
Paper Book
An unflinching, honest novel in verse about a teenager's journey into the slam poetry scene and the dangerous new relationship that could threaten all her dreams. From the award-winning poet and author of HOME IS NOT A COUNTRY. A MICHAEL L. PRINTZ HONOR BOOK * A CALIBA...
The summer of bitter and sweet
Ferguson, Jenny
Paper Book
Extensive ARC distribution via Big Mouth mailings and giveaways at major institutional conferences Teens' Top 10/YALSA ARE mailing to 15 teen reading groups across the country Advertising in key school & library media Update Heartdrum educator guide ...
Other Ever Afters: New Queer Fairy Tales
Gillman, Melanie
Paper Book
Once upon a time . . . happily ever after turned out differently than expected. In this new, feminist, queer fairy-tale collection, you'll find the princesses, mermaids, knights, barmaids, children, and wise old women who have been forced to sit on the sidelines in classic stories taking center...
Confessions of an alleged good girl
Goffney, Joya
Paper Book
Joya Goffney, author of the acclaimed Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry, delivers a powerful second novel about a preacher's daughter in small-town Texas and her journey toward loving herself and her body, filled with heart, humor, family drama, and a dynamic love triangle. Perfect for...
I kick and I fly
Gupta, Ruchira
Paper Book
A 2024 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Selection A 2024 ALA Rise: A Feminist Book Project Titles Selection "In I Kick and I Fly, Ruchira Gupta has given young readers an irresistible story, and also one that could save lives. This book is a gift." -- Gloria...
The fox maidens
Ha, Robin
Paper Book
Big Mouth ARE mailing to a curated list of influential librarians and educators Teens' Top 10/YALSA ARE mailing to 15 teen reading groups across the country Advertising in key school & library media, such as School Library Journal, The Horn Book and Booklist ...
We Deserve Monuments
Hammonds, Jas
Paper Book
"An absolute must read." --Buzzfeed "A gripping portrayal of the South's inherent racism and a love story for queer Black girls." --Teen Vogue Family secrets, a swoon-worthy romance, and a slow-burn mystery...
The red palace
Hur, June
Paper Book
June Hur, critically acclaimed author of The Silence of Bones and The Forest of Stolen Girls, returns with The Red Palace--a third evocative, atmospheric historical mystery perfect for fans of Courtney Summers and Kerri Maniscalco. To enter the palace...
She said : breaking the sexual harassment story that helped ignite a movement
Kantor, Jodi
Paper Book
The instant New York Times bestseller. "An instant classic of investigative journalism...'All the President's Men' for the Me Too era." -- Carlos Lozada, The Washington Post From the Pulitzer Prize-winning reporters who broke the news of Harvey Weinstein's...
Breathe : journeys to healthy binding
Kobabe, Maia
Paper Book
A graphic guide to chest binding with real-life stories and research-backed advice from bestselling Gender Queer author MAIA KOBABE and University of Michigan professor SARAH PEITZMEIER. Breathe arose from the need for a resource for folks considering chest binding...
The downstairs girl
Lee, Stacey
Paper Book
A Reese's Book Club YA Pick and New York Times Bestseller   From the critically acclaimed author of Luck of the Titanic, Under a Painted Sky, and Outrun the Moon comes a powerful novel about identity, betrayal, and the meaning of family.
Inaugural ballers : the true story of the first US women's Olympic basketball team
Maraniss, Andrew
Paper Book
From the New York Times bestselling author of Strong Inside comes the inspirational true story of the birth of women's Olympic basketball at the 1976 Summer Games and the ragtag team that put US women's basketball on the map. Perfect for fans of Steve Sheinkin and Daniel James Brown...
Moxie : a novel
Mathieu, Jennifer
Paper Book
Now a Netflix Original Film directed by Amy Poehler! "Moxie is sweet, funny, and fierce. Read this and then join the fight."--Amy Poehler An unlikely teenager starts a feminist revolution at a small-town Texas high school in this novel from...
Blood water paint
McCullough, Joy
Paper Book
"Haunting ... teems with raw emotion, and McCullough deftly captures the experience of learning to behave in a male-driven society and then breaking outside of it."--The New Yorker  "I will be haunted and empowered by Artemisia Gentileschi's story for the rest of...
Enter the body
McCullough, Joy
Paper Book
"At once tender, poetic and ferocious, Enter The Body breathes new life into the Bard's most tragic heroines. More than a tribute to Shakespeare, this kaleidoscopic, ambitious novel-in-verse gives Juliet, Ophelia, Cordelia, and Lavinia the chance to tell their own stories full of passion,...
Not here to be liked
Quach, Michelle
Paper Book
Featured title in Shake Up Your Shelves, a campaign to promote inclusive texts in curriculum, library collections, and bookstores
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...
The moonlit vine
Santiago, Elizabeth
Paper Book
Fourteen-year-old Taína just learned that she is a descendant of a long line of strong Taíno women, but will knowing this help her bring peace and justice to her family and community? Despite her name, Taína Perez doesn't know anything about her Taíno heritage, nor has she ever...
The self-love revolution : radical body positivity for girls of color
Tovar, Virgie
Paper Book
"A terrific resource that shows readers how to start feeling good about their body and rewire their sense of self-worth." --School Library Journal starred review It's time to ditch harmful, outdated beauty standards and build real, lasting body positivity. It...
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
The Field Guide to the North American Teenager meets Derry Girls in this hilarious and relatable young adult novel in diary entries about a British teen determined to be a good feminist and her charming, embarrassing, and inspiring journey to figuring out how. At...
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...

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