Women’s History Month: Elementary School Book Recommendations

- ACPS

In celebration of Women’s History Month, ACPS librarians are recommending some of their favorite age-appropriate reads throughout March. Stories of women who have made significant contributions in our society and everyday lives should be shared beginning at an early age. These books are a part of the ACPS library system, and we encourage students and families to check out these informative and captivating books.

Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society and has been observed annually in March in the U.S. since 1987. Learn more at the Women’s History Month website.

PreK-Grade 3

  • “My Name Is Gabriela: The Life of Gabriela Mistral” by Monica Brown.
  • “Celia Cruz: Queen of Salsa” by Veronica Chambers.
  • “Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré” by Anika Aldamuy Denise.
  • “Talkin’ About Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman” by Nikki Grimes.
  • “Sing With Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla” by Diana López.
  • “Alma and How She Got Her Name” by Juana Martinez-Neal.
  • “Juana and Lucas” by Juana Medina.
  • “Mahalia Jackson: Walking With Kings and Queens” by Nina Nolan.
  • “Wilma’s Way Home: The Life of Wilma Mankiller” by Doreen Rappaport.
  • “Althea Gibson: The Story of Tennis’ Fleet-Of-Foot Girl” by Megan Reid.
  • “Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You” by Sonia Sotomayor.
  • “Joan Proctor, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles” by Patricia Valdez.
  • “The Legendary Miss Lena Horne” by Carole Boston Weatherford.
  • “My Name is Georgia: A Portrait” by Jeanette Winter.
  • “Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx” by Jonah Winter.

Grades 1-3

  • “101 Awesome Women Who Changed Our World” by Julia Adams.
  • “Mae Among the Stars” by Roda Ahmed.
  • “Phillis’s Big Test” by Catherine Clinton.
  • “Malala: Activist for Girls’ Education” by Raphaële Frier.
  • “Ellen Ochoa” by Elizabeth D. Jaffe.
  • “The Story of Frida Kahlo” by Susan B. Katz.
  • “The Story of Jane Goodall” by Susan B. Katz.
  • “Sky High: The True Story of Maggie Gee” by Marissa Moss.
  • “Girl Running: Bobbi Gibb and the Boston Marathon” by Annette Bay Pimentel.
  • “Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race” by Margot Lee Shetterly.
  • “Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks” by Suzanne Slade.
  • “Dorothea Lange: The Photographer Who Found the Faces of the Depression” by Carole Boston Weatherford.

Grades 4-5

  • “Fancy Party Gowns: The Story of Fashion Designer Ann Cole Lowe” by Deborah Blumenthal.
  • “Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Tales of Extraordinary Women” by Francesca Cavallo and Elena Favilli.
  • “She Persisted Around the World: 13 Women Who Changed History” by Chelsea Clinton.
  • “She Persisted in Sports: American Olympians who Changed the Game” by Chelsea Clinton.
  • “Meghan Markle” by Golriz Golkar.
  • “Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World” by Vashti Harrison.
  • “Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History” by Vashti Harrison.
  • “Sweet Dreams, Sarah” by Vivian Kirkfield.
  • “I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark” by Debbie Levy.
  • “Muslim Girls Rise: Inspirational Champions of Our Time” by Saira Mir.
  • “Princess Kiko of Japan” by Tim O’Shei.
  • “Anything But Ordinary Addie: The True Story of Adelaide Herrmann, Queen of Magic” by Mara Rockliff.
  • “The Skirt” by Gary Soto.