Bell hookss Aint I a Woman? Accepting differences among us is a life skill in a diverse society, and this book, by a transgender woman, is a way to start those conversations. The attempt to kill Malala failed, and the young woman has remained a passionate advocate for the education of girls everywhere. Be warned, this title will spark some serious discussion sessions. how we as a society can fix the problem we are responsible for creating. Young feminists in need of a little light reading should pick up Erica Jongs Fear of Flying. Illustrated by 13 different female artists, this compilation of poems about earth-changing women features well-known figures like Nellie Bly and Frida Kahlo alongside the first female firefighter, the inventor of the modern swimsuit and more. Mary Edwards Walker, the suffragist who became a doctor and was given a Medal of Honor in the Civil War, didn't want to wear dresses. the pornography industry is practically defined by misogyny, how it can impact the life of anybody and everybody, how a feminist can make a difference in the world, Lise Meitner, the matron saint of discovery, Maya Angelou, the matron saint of storytellers, Oprah Winfrey the matron saint of every home. Dont believe me? She uses anecdotes from her own life story. But, she says, theres hope for getting out of it. The author discusses the boundaries placed upon women by society and what happens when women cross those boundaries.
Indeed, she dares to physically challenge the patriarchal authority that surrounds her by standing up to her nemesis, Creon. "They are confronted with a problem that needs a fix and they work together to solve it," Savannah said. A weekly newsletter focusing on literature by and about people of color! The perfect feminist, she says, simply doesnt exist. Bossypants is a must read for any young woman hoping to make it in a male-dominated industry. The effect of female role models is strong in areas like science and math, where girls are less likely to see them. Thats an important message for boys, too they have fallen behind girls in achievement in part because they often receive the message that working hard is uncool. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us.
This book celebrates women and girls who made an impact throughout history, famous and less so including Malala Yousafzai, Maya Lin and Ruby Bridges (the first African-American child to integrate an all-white American school.) In a continuing international study of adolescents, scientists have found that worldwide, theyre discouraged from straying from traditional gender roles. Though written nearly half a century ago, Greers passionate words remain just as timely today as when she first declared them. If youve got a young supernatural/horror fan on your hands you may be worried about too manyTwilight-esque plot lines with romance and helpless heroines. These bold stories inspire girls of all ages to be all they can be. For the true student of feminism, or those who really want to see how far women have come, Mary Wollstonecrafts A Vindication of the Rights of Woman is an eye opener. Fictional picture book heroines explore science, math and political activism. Though we are all different, we are all enough. Published in 1963, The Feminine Mystique is credited with bringing feminism to the forefront of suburban life. She also writes about the talented men she was consistently compared to as she rose to become one of the most famous female comedians of all time. Im a little obsessed with the whole concept of a ninja/princess/heroine since I discovered the existence of this title, and I guarantee you and your young reader will be too. It unapologetically features a young female character purposely fulfilling her sexual desires outside of marriage. Come check it out. The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde (ages 10-14). ): Boundaries, Respect, and Being in Charge of You"by Rachel Brian, "The Women Who Caught the Babies: A Story of African American Midwives"by Eloise Greenfield, illustrated by Daniel Minter, "It Began With a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way"by Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Julie Morstad, "Ritu Weds Chandni"by Ameya Narvankar, illustrated by Ameya Narvankar, "Ruth Objects: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg"by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Eric Velasquez.
Here are 12 offerings, from board books to middle-grade novels, for the next generation of feminist boys and girls: Children learn societys gender stereotypes by the time they start preschool. The ages you see are based on publisher recommendations and may notreally dont reflect my opinion or the actual reading level of your kid. Moran discusses what it means to be a woman during times like these, when the definition of woman and what is expected of her seems to change by the day. Check out this interview! She shares her observations about women in the workforce from her view at the top of the ladder. But research has shown that instead, its essential to explicitly call out stereotypes and explain why theyre problematic. White and I am still talking about how beautiful and elevated the prose was considering the intended audience. In recent years, the term trainwreck has come to mean any woman who behaves, well, unlike a woman. 
This book offers the chance to do so. Sound familiar? As the book that pulled the trigger on history, Betty Friedans The Feminine Mystique is perhaps the most famous book about feminism. Plus ghosts and a grumpy little goth girl! This short manifesto by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is so powerful that every 16-year old in Sweden is given a copy by the Swedish government. Deza is the smartest kid in school and the unfortunate economic turn her family takes never seems to dim her light or talent. Each story is told in a poem, illustrated by a different female artist. She then asserts that as a society, we need to not only accept, but celebrate, those gender outlaws that is, those who dont quite fit into the traditional gender boxes. More and more college-aged women are proudly describing themselves as feminists. Naomi Wolfs The Beauty Myth acknowledges the great strides made by the feminists of the past. Fforde is a master at building worlds so similar yet so different from our own and he has a deft pen with spunky, flawed, real female protagonists. ), and since Rioter @marialaganga asked for it, I now present you with the best feminist books for younger readers. Journalist Rebecca Traister documents the growing trend of independent women in her 2016 book All the Single Ladies. For example, would Jane Austen have received more success during her lifetime if she had had access to her own writing space and money to support her work? Aida Salazar's novel in verse about a girl's changing body is a worthy successor to "Are You There God, It's Me Margaret.". As if dealing with a building full of recalcitrant magicians (and their paperwork) wasnt enough, now she just might be the legendary last dragonslayer, too!?! Then he finds out that two of them are in love with one another. The book was so popular amongst feminists it inspired the coining of a new phrase to describe women who choose to have sex for the sake of pleasure: the zipless fuck.. Program Coordinator, Coretta Scott King Book Awards and ODLOS Round Tables. Related Groups, Organizations, Affiliates & Chapters, ALA Upcoming Annual Conferences & LibLearnX, American Association of School Librarians (AASL), Assn. Her determination in the face of criticism helped change everything. Malala tells her story of seeing a world that needed to change, and wishing for a magic pencil to change it. 8 Books That Fictionalize Real Historical Figures, 20 Must-Read Horror Books That Deserve Adaptations, The Best Dark Academia, According to Goodreads, 8 Fun and Festive Christmas Murder Mystery Books. This book is an ode to the creative boys who love beautiful things. If you love this book, there are two more in The Finishing School series waiting for you and The Parasol Protectorate series is all complete and is actually pretty okay for middle school and up (it just has a bit more romance), and the Prudence series is coming soon! Phoebe and Her Unicorn: A Heavenly Nostrils Chronicle by Dana Claire Simpson (ages 8-12). Gay points out a major irony of feminism as she comments on the current feminist waves tendency to place unfair, unattainable expectations on their feminist idols. Miu Lan is a child who can change into any shape imaginable, but cant decide which to be a bird or a fish, a tree or a star, a boy or a girl. Best Degree Programs | 2022All Rights Reserved|Sitemap, Aint I a Woman? Eugenie Clark was determined to become an ichthyologist no matter the people who told her to be a secretary or a housewife. Womens rights is a hot topic at the moment.
These are the 30 books every young feminist should own. of College & Research Libraries (ACRL), Assn. Its likely every young feminist knows the name Malala, but does every young feminist know her story? It holds them back professionally, and it models inequality for children. Is there a feminist today who is more famous than Gloria Steinem? A number of assumptions are made and Woolf doesnt get everything right. The battles fought by women today are some of the same fought literally hundreds of years ago. Most Americans say they believe in the full equality of men and women the most straightforward definition of feminism and that they want to raise children that way. I havent met a younger reader (or teen) yet who hasnt fallen under Zitas spell. Everyone in this book is defying gender norms. Luz is smart, independent, and environmentally engaged. These charming graphic novels feel so fresh and show a girl in STEM fields doing her own problem solving. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Formerly known as the Amelia Bloomer Booklist, The RISE Book Projectrecommends well-written and well-illustrated books with significant feminist content for young readers from birth to 18 years old. Just sayin. Sophia Amoruso describes how she went from selling used clothing on eBay to running a multimillion dollar company that turned the fashion industry on its head. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/19/upshot/twelve-books-for-feminist-boys-and-girls.html, By Julie Merberg, Illustrated by Michle Brummer-Everett, Today I Feel : An Alphabet of Feelings, From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea, By Kai Cheng Thom, Illustrated by Wai-Yant Li and Kai Yun Ching, By Roda Ahmed, Illustrated by Stasia Burrington, Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Oceans Most Fearless Scientist, By Jess Keating, Illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens, By Rhonda Leet, Illustrated by Megan Walker, By Christian Trimmer, Illustrated by Madeline Valentine, Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World, Stories for Boys Who Dare to Be Different: True Tales of Amazing Boys Who Changed the World Without Killing Dragons, By Ben Brooks, Illustrated by Quinton Wintor. for Library Service to Children (ALSC), Assn. But with a female protagonist, and a unicorn, and a breathtakingly refreshing look at friendships and school age struggles. She asks them a variety of questions, but its their answers to the titular question that should inspire any young feminist especially those with political ambitions. Thank you for signing up! Best is a hard thing in this category, so Im aiming to include a variety of genres and some lesser known/newer options. She uses the scientific method to formulate some hypotheses, test them and find a cure. The two were published in the same year, and Friedans book was inspired by women just like Plaths main character. Today, mansplaining is a common term, and we can thank Rebecca Solnit for that. While Frannys mother goes to her important job, her father handles the home front, becoming an expert hair braider and breaking down boundaries for Franny too teaching her to change a tire and cheering at her ballet recitals. Since the feminist picture books were so popular (yay! Research has shown that having just one female STEM teacher, for instance, can influence a girl to pursue a science degree and career. Greer boldly encouraged her female readers to buck traditional gender roles, question traditional authority figures, and explore their sexuality. Dont miss the two sequels, Legends of Zita the Spacegirl and The Return of Zita the Spacegirl! To discover more deals, shopping tips and budget-friendly product recommendations, subscribe to our Stuff We Love newsletter! One of the ways in which men and women remain most unequal is that women still do more child care and household chores. Most parents say they want to raise boys and girls as equals, but children absorb gender stereotypes early on. Marianne Schnalls book is comprised of interviews with powerful women such as Nancy Pelosi, Maya Angelou, and Melissa Etheridge, among many others. But in addition to donning the obligatory pink cap, its helpful to know a little bit about: The 30 books listed below can help a proud woman get started. Also, because younger readers really run the gamut when it comes to reading level, Ive included beginner/early reader titles and intermediate titles. Caitlin Moran isnt quite as well known in the U.S. as she is in Britain, unless youve read her novel How to Build a Girl, also a good read for the young feminist. A. Anyone can read what you share. (YALSA), Information Technology & Telecommunication Services, Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services (ODLOS), Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment (HRDR), Ethnic & Multicultural Information Exchange RT (EMIERT), Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table (GNCRT), Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT), 225 N Michigan Ave, Suite 1300 Chicago, IL 60601 | 1.800.545.2433, 2021 Rise Book Project presents Top Ten feminist books for young readers, http://www.ala.org/rt/2021-rise-feminist-book-project-list. When children read books that break gender stereotypes, research has found, they reach for less stereotypical toys and broaden their future goals. The Year of Shadows by Claire Legrand, illustrated by Karl Kwasny (ages 8-12). Shes been a voice for pro-girly, pro-feminist reading for ages now. This is fantasy as it should be: Adventurous, fantastical, transportive- just minus all that pesky misogyny and misguided pining that pops up in too much of it. As one of the first popular feminist books of the 21st century, Ariel Levys Female Chauvinist Pigs asks questions like: Why do so many women still act to maximize their sex appeal?, Why are so many women performing in porn?. This book could be depressing and heavy since it deals with unemployment, Hoovervilles, and economic and racial inequality. If only Betty Friedan, Sylvia Plath, and other early feminists could see American women now! Forty women are highlighted in this follow-up to "Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History," including Frida Kahlo and Marie Curie. This book offers 26 feelings, one for each letter of the alphabet: invisible, light, nervous, quiet, relaxed.. According to author Kate Harding, rape culture is definitely a thing and society is totally to blame for instilling it. If you still havent heard of Jacqueline Woodson and this multi-award winning memoir told in flowing, captivating verse I want to know how big the rock you are under is. She focuses on the specific experiences that helped her to grow into a powerful woman in todays powerful womens movement. When education is taken from girls, and tragedy finds her, she discovers a different kind of magic. Catherynne Valente is pure magic with words and her middle-grade series doesntdisappoint. Though more and more women are choosing to forego marriage for a career, financial independence, and maybe even single parenthood. These profiles of lesser-known women in history spans from the third century to the 20th, telling stories of rebels, creators and scholars who shook things up. However, the bulk of society isnt on board with such women. Oxford professor Helena Kelly thinks so, and she makes her compelling argument in her book Jane Austen: The Secret Radical. There is an abundance to choose from in recent years, publishers have broken with tradition and offered more childrens books about powerful girls and sensitive boys, as well as children of color and from diverse backgrounds. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. And despite the fact that the word feminism can be controversial, this book uses the simplest definition: the equality of the genders. Boys are particularly sensitive to the effects of having strong male role models, research has shown. Alice Guy-Blache was one of the first filmmakers, though her work is often overlooked. Girls, we can do this on our own! It reaches children at an age when they are trying to figure out which box they fit in and shows them that no one has to be confined to a single box. My Life on the Road tells Steinems life story. In this one, hooks uses friendly, easy-to-understand statements to explain: Feminism is For Everybody is the perfect primer for those just diving into feminism, and those who arent sure what the movement is about. White, illustrated by Andrea Offermann (ages 10 +). She ultimately makes the argument that most movements do not fully recognize diversity. This moving biography tells the story of Elizabeth Cotten, who learned to play guitar backwards, and at age 11 wrote one of the most famous folk songs of the 20th century. Published in 1792, Wollstonecrafts book was perhaps the first feminism-themed book in history to make a splash. Books like this one that show involved fathers help combat that. Jennifer Strange has a lot resting on her young, orphaned shoulders. Even board book babies are feminists now. It includes men who were artistic, innovative or introverted, as varied as Bill Gates, Ai Weiwei and Frank Ocean. Her essay describes her timeless thoughts about how and why women possess incredible power because of their minds and bodies. We run a pretty sweet little bookish Instagram account, if we do say so ourselves (and we do). In her book Asking for It, Harding explains: Since the publication of her book Bad Feminism: Essays, Roxane Gay has become one of the foremost names in the world of feminism. Societal stigma lessons abound in this clever tale. remains as relevant today as it was when it was first published in 1981. Traister declares that more and more American women are choosing to live outside of the traditional social norms often expected of women. One of the things I love most about Gail Carrigers series is how her female leads are always smart, ladylike, and fiercely independent. This collection of 76 short biographies and illustrations shows role models that expand the definition of masculinity. Plus, Archer has a female best friend research has shown that children with opposite-sex friendships have fewer gender stereotypes and better problem-solving skills and communication. In the 1890s, women were warned that if they tried to ride bikes, they might get "bicycle face," with bulging eyes and a clenched jaw. The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham (ages 5-8). Emphatically, NO! If youre reading this, can we get a sequel? There arent many books written about intersectional feminism, but Janet Mocks Redefining Realness is definitely one of the best. They have the power to teach values and to expand childrens sense of whats possible. Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger (ages 12 +). A. New childrens books help combat them. In Spinster, author Kate Bolick explains why its perfectly acceptable for a woman to make a life for herself, and why society still tends to look down upon those women. But she asserts that womens newfound success has come at a cost: Wolfs bestselling book details how women have fallen for the unattainable beauty myth. She describes how such unattainable ideas of womanhood have only served to exploit and undermine women. The book is made up of essays, each of which discusses how the female experience is so often undermined by males abusing their privilege. Based on the latest social science about gender, we made a list of 12 books published in the last three years that help teach children gender equality, in time for the holiday gift-giving season.
Feminism is For Everybody is yet another work by bell hooks on our list of the 30 books every young feminist should read. We asked for help from the people at Powells Books in Portland, Ore., and at Little Feminist, a subscription book club for children. Published in 1970, Germaine Greers The Female Eunuch was a call to arms for women. Of course its very fictionalized to have these figures be age comparable, but Stratford has kindly including a real facts section at the back of the book for any of you finicky historians. Bornstein discusses exactly what a woman is in cultural, political, and social terms. This book, based on the life of Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman to travel to space, is about pushing back against sexism and racism and about the value of hard work. Now, children can celebrate feminism inspired by the many books like Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls and She Persisted that celebrate the achievements of real women. Though not strictly about feminism, #GirlBoss is the story of a powerful woman who beat the system to become an industry powerhouse. Perfect for the budding mystery or historical fiction buff. Yet many of the teachers and caregivers in their lives are women, and boys say they feel pressure to be a certain kind of man: physically strong and athletic. To teach children to think in a more equal way takes effort, and childrens books are a way in. Each is illustrated in a pose of sweet serenity. The inspiring story of the first female chief of the Cherokee Nation. This board book challenges stereotypes early with rhymes and drawings that address grown-up issues like equal pay, consent and domestic labor with toddler-level directness. Emily Roebling learned alongside her husband as he engineered the Brooklyn Bridge. Most books on our list of the 30 books every young feminist should read fall into the non-fiction category. They also help convey an important environmental message through the story and the practical how-tos at the end. Middle school is a time when messages about gender are strongest and books for this age group also tend to be highly gendered. Each feminist entry is accompanied by a short biography and a stunning illustration by Manjit Thapp. The aforementioned wrote about the ways in which women in the 1950s and 60s were stifled by marriage and other traditional gender roles. A lot of fighting and adventure. Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant by Tony Cliff (ages 12-17). This follow-up to the best-seller She Persisted introduces young readers to more women who changed the world, including Marie Curie and Malala Yousafzai. I have my bestie to thank for my intro to this graphic novel. This content contains affiliate links. Its an important read for any young feminist. www.bestdegreeprograms.org is an advertising-supported site.
But how is a woman supposed to act, and according to what standards? Seriously, though, this is a memoir for younger readers all about a woman of colors life written in a way that willexpand their literary horizons by leaps and bounds. Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls 2, a follow-up to the original New York Times best-seller, features 100 stories about extraordinary women, including well known women and lesser known scientists, artists and revolutionaries. Written sometime before 442 B.C.E., Sophocless classic Antigone tells the story of a woman unwilling to play the part assigned to her by hate. Was Jane Austen a radical feminist? Think Arabian Nights meets Robin Hoodbut with a young female protagonist. Where he lives, boys grow up to be shape-shifters and girls grow up to be witches. Probably not, which is why her memoir is a must read for any young feminist. According to Traister, the modern American woman wants the career and financial independence, but not the ring.
"Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History,". (And like the previous book about outer space, it takes a topic, sharks, that many childrens products aim at boys and instead tells a story for everyone.). The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath is an important exception. Even the title is empowering: in a Ship of Her Own Making. : Conversations About Women, Leadership, and Power. It may also be used by interested librarians, teachers, parents, and others who work with youth. Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson (ages 10 +). We Should All Be Feminists discuses feminism on a global scale, making it a unique and informative read for any young feminist. Books may be recommended by anyone through the field recommendation process, but books can only be officially nominated for the list by regular RISE committee members.