Ranks 100 eminent women plus 49 others who received honorable mention. Includes social reformers, scientists, educators, labor leaders, artists, performers and sports figures.

Make no assumptions about the life of a privileged early American. As evidenced by this recent biography, Abigail Adams was more than "the wife of one president and the wife of another." Thanks in large part to the many letters she wrote to friends and family, the author is able to paint a very clear picture of the life of an extraordinary woman who shaped the even more extraordinary events that were happening around her. This book not only allows us to get to know one of the first First Ladies, but it also brings the atmosphere of early America into our understanding. It is a biography, a history, and an adventure story all in one. (SF)

Reading this book was probably the single-most important literary endeavor of my girlhood. Of all the "classics" of youth literature, this one arguably boasts the most charming and clever heroine.
Anne Shirley is a red-headed orphan who gets sent to an old man and woman by mistake. Though they wanted a boy orphan, they are quickly won over by Anne's depth and determination. As the novel unfolds, we are transported to an almost idyllic world. Despite the lovely, pastoral landscape and the late Victorian setting, Anne's is a story to which many girls (and women) can still relate. She is forthright in speech, original in action and always follows her heart. The lessons Anne learns in this wonderful novel are equally valuable to those of who share them through the printed word. (SF)

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This book is a practical how-to for girls who want to get involved and make a difference. It offers examples and advice on how to find your voice, establish your credibility, and maintain your self-confidence. As women achieve new roles in society, the aims of this book will become more and more integral to every American girl's experience. Not only for girls, this book also provides a positive look at raising females, so it's also a great read for parents, teachers, and mentors. (SF)

A winner of the prestigious Newberry Medal, this book tells the story of an English girl in the thirteenth century. As her father tries to marry her off, the clever Catherine devises ways to cast off each suitor. Along with the amusing tale, the reader will become more familiar with life in medieval England through Cushman's extensive, historical descriptions. Anyone interested in history would be interested by just this aspect of the book! (SF)

This is a very friendly little biography. Detailing the private and public life of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, the author goes beyond common knowledge and dives into a real character study of this well-known woman. Filled with interesting (and sometimes surprisingly candid) photographs, this book is far above-average; its style hovers somewhere between youth writing and full-fledged adult-level biography. Elegant writing and fascinating details show how a girl of average talents and plain appearance can become an influential and widely admired woman. Eleanor Roosevelt is part of the heritage of every American girl. (SF)

Another practical guide, Girl Power introduces girls to a variety of topics relevant to self-defense and self-confidence. After reading this guide, girls will know the basics of self defense ranging from assault prevention to dating. Best of all, the author approaches the topic with sensitivity and common sense. The message is that the best defense is to be prepared -- a good maxim for any situation. (SF)

I wish books like this one had been in my library at school! This encyclopedic, chronological account of diverse lives of American girls is well-organized, beautifully produced, and deeply insightful. This book is simple in language and presentation, and could be read in one long sitting or at a whim, out of order. The profiles are woven together to create a vibrant sense of the experience of American females, a virtual quilt of experiences, colorful, tightly interconnected, and comforting. The author has fully included all girls; she writes of Native Americans, slaves, wealthy colonial daughters, Chinese immigrants, Mexican-Americans, daughters of farmers, businessmen, and activists. This book is a must-read for any girl who yearns to make sense of her place in the American tradition and draw inspiration from the experiences and values that, somehow, link all the girls together. (SF)

This book is a must-read for any girl interested in science, whether that means climbing trees, playing with bugs, or working with microscopes. The women profiled in this book all became famous in their fields despite discouragement from those who thought that girls shouldn't get dirty. Naturalists such as Rachel Carson and Jane Goodall are excellent role models for any girl who wants to discover new things, in science or otherwise, and this book provides a great starting point for girls with inspiration. (SF)

This is a new book, just released in September, that addresses the subject of building self confidence in girls. The website is www.girlwise.com.

This first-of-its-kind sourcebook of valuable reading presents more than 600 annotated listings of books for girls, from toddlers to adolescents, featuring female characters who solve problems, handle conflicts, go on quests, and shape their own destinies.

Paul S. Eriksson (publisher), Middlebury, Vermont, 1979.

Offers specific activities, strategies, information and support to women interested in mentoring or making a positive impression on girls and young women.

From Kate Fitzsimmons-San Francisco Review: The real beauty of this collection rests with the ability these writers share to recreate, imagine, or reflect, with clarity, upon a time in life that is too easily glossed over with sentimentality or clouded with remorse. Miriam Karmel Feldman's wry essay 'Bodily Harm' demonstrates how many young girls are trapped by destructive obsessions that target their bodies. Humor and a lighthearted touch are equally important in 'Young Springtime,' a short story by Janice Levey about a girl's desire to graduate from an undershirt to her first bra event though her body has not yet filled out to her expectations. After reading most of these pieces I found myself wanting to do two things: stop and savor the complexity of images and feelings created by these gifted women, and then call a friend and read a story aloud. This book deserves an audience.

Based on the true story of a Native American girl who refused to evacuate her island off the California coast, this book won the Newberry Medal in 1961. The brave young woman, Karana, decides to jump ship during the evacuation to return to the island for her abandoned brother. When he dies, she is left alone amid the forces of nature. Karana manages to make her own clothes, secure shelter, and find food. Bordering on unbelievable to most modern readers, this simply-told story amounts to a vivid and powerful tale about nature, survival, and self-reliance. (SF)

A straightforward and fairly easy read, this biography is nonetheless fascinating and instructional. Margaret Mead, a member of one of the first waves of anthropologists in the early twentieth century, became a household name in her own time. She refuted popular opinion by proving that a woman could do field work 9,000 miles away from the United States and produce research, books, and even films that are still studied by anthropology students today. Mead's work helped define anthropology. Following her life through the words and illustrations of this slim volume, we share in many of her experiences, such as moving some sixty times before she was a teenager, and the adventures of being a working woman in Samoa, Bali, Australia, and even New York City.

The Women of Our Time series also has published biographies of other notables, including photographer Dorothea Lange, teacher Mary McLeod Bethune, and Mother Teresa. (SF)

In a book for parents, teachers, sisters, brothers, and friends of girls everywhere, the author of Our Wildest Dreams, provides an inspirational and practical guide for helping girls achieve economic empowerment. Ninety-nine action plans help readers at home, at work, and in their communities.

This book is just what the title says: the simple story of a young girl who leaves Illinois with her family for a new life in California. In this book, many modern American girls will find a fine introduction to this particular time and place in US history. Though it covers familiar territory, the book is never dull or overly predictable. For instance, this pioneer girl even wears her brother's clothes when hers are eaten by an ox! If you like this book, you might also try others by Moss, including Hannah's Journal: The Story of an Immigrant Girl or Emma's Journal: The Story of a Colonial Girl. (SF)

Touted as being for women "aged 11 to 111", this is another book that promises to up every woman's quality of life. Through her exploration of female beauty in America, Cooke discusses everything from fashion to cellulite, and provides a truthful, reassuring look at how women's bodies really are. Easy to read and filled with entertaining cartoons and side-bits, this book can be a companion to any girl, whether she is concerned with her weight or with society's emphasis on it. (SF)

This easy-to-read compilation of poems and essays provides entertainment and educational value on several levels. Children who aren't of Native American heritage will find here a great overview of the anxieties, hopes, and realities of life as an American Indian youth. Readers may learn surprising new facts about the life of these often-ignored people, but they will also surely be struck by the similarities Native and non-Native children and adolescents face growing up in America today. The selections are excellent, many of them having won prizes or been published previously. The realities presented in this book will likely bring readers to new considerations regarding life as a Native American and as a youth. (SF)

Despite the author's mysterious name, this book is not intimidating; rather, it is an adventure! A great experience (not just a read) for anyone, from small children to senior citizens, this journal is packed with carefree and colorful creativity-boosters. Through her questions (including many you might not otherwise ask yourself) and ideas for play, Sark's unconventional book allows you to learn about yourself while having loads of fun. (SF)

Sojourner Truth is a name well known to most school-age girls. But they may not really know very much about the details of her life. This biography, written with spirit and insight, could provide years of inspiration to readers, male or female. Sojourner not only contemplates many tough questions and confronts many now almost inconceivable obstacles, she acts. She is determined and independent. She is a mother, a winner of freedom from Northern slavery, an abolitionist, a feminist, and an evangelist. And her unique perspective as a member of each of these groups provides an amazing depth to her overall outlook and contribution to each movement. Her very presence brings up previously unconsidered questions at both Christian meetings and women's conventions. Her story is truly uplifting; initially a slave who doesn't speak English, she becomes one of the most influential voices in America and even meets the president. She leaves no room for excuses. Because of Sojourner and all the women like her, we must succeed.

Many book lovers remember this novel as being the first book that really moved them; even Oprah Winfrey says it's her favorite! There's a reason. This complex Southern drama revolves around both the thoughts of the young narrator, a girl named Scout, and the heart-wrenching trial of a local black man. This book explores themes of racism, poverty, and justice that are still relevant today; it is fully deserving of its classic status, and should be on the reading list of every American girl. (SF)

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It's difficult to find accounts of Native American life written by Native Americans. Most of our American ideas about native peoples are often fueled by shallow, poorly researched, or biased accounts. This book, written by a Blackfoot woman who practices many of the ancient customs of her tribe, reveals fascinating facts about her Canadian native culture, from relationships to recipes! The book also contains many moving photographs, spanning the lives of Blood women from the nineteenth century to the present. An in-depth, informative, and fun read. (SF)

This collection of stories is fueled by the memories of adult writers. Ten talented and elegant writers share stories from their own childhoods, exploring topics such as flying airplanes and dealing with household pests, and ranging in locale from Harlem to Shanghai. These stories are warm, well-written, and short enough to read in spare moments. Written by both men and women, the recollections reveal a wide range of emotional and family conflicts and concerns common to most children; each ends with a concise statement by the author about how he or she came to be a writer. This book is inspirational in many ways, through both the uplifting and life-affirming stories, and the encouraging words about writing. (SF)

Did you ever stop to wonder why many state constitutions ban children working in factories? Or how the system by which we photograph and chart stars was developed? Or who was the first woman to successfully complete a first-time ascent of a major mountain? The answers to these (and many more) questions can be found in the compilation Women Who Changed Things.

Profiling the lives of nine Progressive Era women, two former teachers bring us interesting and sometimes amazing facts about women's contributions. With stories about mountaineers and civil rights journalists, doctors and crafts women, this book is full of surprises and inspirations. Beginning each chapter with a vignette taken from an historical, recorded event in the woman's life, the authors bring us into a compelling intimacy with ground breaking, but fame-lacking, American women. (SF)

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