Books About Famous Women Middle Schoolers Should Read
These books about famous women are sure to get your tweens excited about this area of middle school history.
Is women’s history a regular part of your history curriculum? Because it’s a passion of my teen, I do what I can to make sure our lesson plans always include stories of important females.
Instead of relying on textbooks that often overlook the accomplishments of ladies, I encourage you to add living books to your history reading list so you can share inspiring stories with your tweens.
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Here are a few of our favorite books that are full of exceptional female accomplishments. Use them along with your history curriculum, to celebrate Women’s History month, or just as some fun reading for your tween.
Books About Famous Women
There are countless accounts of ladies who made significant contributions to society, broke through impossible barriers, and changed the course of history.
Sadly, many of their stories have been overlooked, forgotten or worse, never even told.
You can change that by adding encouraging your middle schoolers to read some of the books from this list. They’re interesting and will definitely engage your tweens.
The titles below highlight strong, successful individuals, celebrate their accomplishments, and will hopefully inspire a new generation of exceptional young women.
Best Women’s History Books
These books should be at the top of your reading list for Women’s History month and middle school history studies.
100 Women Who Made History: Remarkable Women Who Shaped Our World by DK
This beautiful book from DK Publishing is full of fascinating stories of extraordinary women both past and present. There are 100 detailed histories that outline what each person did to make a difference in the world.
Aside from the cool photos, one of the unique parts of this book is the section that outlines people and things that both influenced each lady and that she affected. This is a fun resource book for families.
Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream by Tanya Lee Stone
Everyone knows about our country’s first astronauts, the Mercury 7, but not as many are familiar with the capable women who wanted to be among their ranks.
The Mercury 13 fought NASA, Washington, the media, and the astronauts to have a place in history. Although they never went to space, they made it possible for the women who followed them.
Bad Girls Throughout History: 100 Remarkable Women Who Changed The World by Ann Shen
Don’t let the title fool you. The women found in this book are famous for challenging rules and boundaries and broke through them to accomplish amazing things.
The ladies included excelled in all kinds of industries, even pirates and spies.
Finish the Fight!: The Brave and Revolutionary Women Who Fought for the Right to Vote by Veronica Chambers
This includes stories of women who fought long and hard to secure women the right to vote. There are well-known names in these pages, and lots of stories that haven’t been told yet.
It’s a great tool you can use to teach your kids about this important part of our history and the inspirational ladies who spent years working toward this important milestone victory.
Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women by Catherine Thimmesh
Even if your child isn’t an inventor herself, she’ll enjoy reading about the many, important inventions women created that continue to be a part of our lives today.
Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly
This is the true story of the women who helped make space exploration possible for NASA. It inspired the movie of the same name.
This meaningful story of four African-American ladies who excelled despite huge barriers during a time when females were often overlooked, especially those of color, will definitely inspire your tweens, especially if they’re fascinated by space, science, and math.
Let Me Play: The Story of Title IX: The Law That Changed the Future of Girls in America by Karen Blumenthal
Did you know that Title IX granted girls equal access to sports, as well as college admissions and financial aid? This book shares the uphill battle many faced, making it possible for our girls to fulfill their dreams.
Rad American Women A-Z: Rebels, Trailblazers, and Visionaries who Shaped Our History . . . and Our Future! by Kate Schatz
Starting with A and moving through to Z, this book profiles 26 women. It includes some familiar names, however, I’m pretty sure you’ll be introduced to some new heroes as well.
Rosie the Riveter: Women Working on the Home Front in World War II by Penny Colman
This is a great book for discovering more about how women stepped up in large numbers to help their families and our country during World War II.
Teen Trailblazers: 30 Fearless Girls Who Changed the World Before They Were 20 by Jennifer Calvert
Age is not a requirement for greatness, as your tweens will see through these stories. The young ladies featured in this book all made history while they were still teenagers.
By adding this title to your reading list, you’ll show your girls that they’re not too young to do something amazing.
With Courage and Cloth: Winning the Fight for a Woman’s Right to Vote by Ann Bausum
The road toward the 19th Amendment was long and hard-fought. This book examines this important part of our country’s history. You’ll find plenty of recognizable names, plus read about some of the young women who took over the movement as the years wore on.
Women in Art: 50 Fearless Creatives Who Inspired the World by Rachel Ignotofsky
If you have a budding artist in your family, she might enjoy these stories of 50 women who made their mark in the world of art.
While there are some names you’ll recognize, there are plenty that will be new to you. I appreciate that this book focuses not only on traditional art mediums. It also highlights women who work in things like photography, quilting, and stone.
Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky
Women have made huge contributions to the field of science throughout history. This book spotlights 50 of them in industries like biology, math, physics, engineering, and more.
These stores are sure to inspire your kids to explore the world of science.
These books celebrating women and their place in history should definitely be a part of your middle school history lessons. They’re the perfect way to teach your tweens about the role they played in shaping the world they know today.
Do your history lessons include various women and their contributions?
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