Lift as You Climb: The Story of Ella Baker

Written By: Patricia Hruby Powell Illustrated by: R. Gregory Christie For Ages: 8-12 years Language: English Topics Covered: Black Culture & Identity, Activism, History, Historical Figures, Modern Black Freedom Struggle, Voting, Community Organizing, Women in Leadership, Civil Rights. Summary: This week for #sweetsandsocialjustice I’m really excited to have a book aimed at older readers about…

A Black Woman Did That

Written By: Malaika Adero Illustrated by: Chanté Timothy For Ages: YA (Middle grades and up) Language: English Topics Covered: Black Culture & Identity, Historical Figures, Growing Up, Women in Leadership, Feminism, Racism. Summary: Before I get into heaping praise on this book, let me make clear that this book is about women but it’s for…

Imogene’s Last Stand

Written by: Candace Fleming Illustrated by: Nancy Carpenter  For ages: 4-8 years Language: English Topics Covered: History, Politics, Women in Leadership, Preservation, Activism, Peaceful Action, Feminism. Summary: I checked out this book from the library with cautious optimism.  I was hoping that the book would have solid representation in historical figures and not be another ode to the founding fathers of the…

The Only Woman in the Photo [Being Released February 2020]

Written by: Kathleen Krull Illustrated by: Alexandra Bye For ages: 4-8 years Language: English Topics Covered: Trailblazers, Women in Leadership, Historic Figures, Feminism, Women’s Suffrage, Historic Events, Activism, Women in Government.  Summary: Oh buddy do we love Frances Perkins!  This book is awesome, it tells the story of one strong badass lady when there were a distinct lack of badass ladies…

Step Into Your Power

Written by: Jamia Wilson Illustrated by: Andrea Pippins For ages: 9-12 years Language: English Topics Covered: Growing Up, Activism, Friendship, Self-Expression, Empowerment, Self-Esteem, Social-Emotional Learning, Skill Cultivation, Women in Leadership. Summary: Step Into Your Power does the incredibly complex job of being both a call to action as well as an anthem that every person, especially every young girl, is exactly…

Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists

Written by: Mikki Kendall Illustrated by: A. D’Amico For ages: YA older teens (mature topics-violence, assault, enslavement, death) Language: English  Topics Covered: Activism, Historic Figures, Historical Fiction, Enslavement, Women’s Rights, Suffrage, Women in Politics, Women in Leadership, Assault, Death, Indigenous Voices, POC-Centric Narratives, Marginalized Populations, Modern Black Freedom Struggle, LGBTQ, Black Feminist Thought.  Summary: Triple A, how much do I love you?…

Brownstone’s Mythical Collection: Kai and the Monkey King [released 10/22]

Written & Illustrated by: Joe Todd-Stanton For ages: 5-7 years Language: English Topics Covered: Adventure, Mythology, Family, Love, Women Adventurers, Single Mother Families.  Summary: This book was sent to us by Flying Eye Books, Nobrow in the UK, but all opinions are our own!  This book is part of the larger Brownstone’s collection, and the illustrations are incredible! Kai and her…

Leading the Way: Women in Power [Being released 10/8]

Written by: Senator Janet Howell & Theresa Howell, forward by Hillary Rodham Clinton Illustrated by: Kylie Akia & Alexandra Bye For ages: YA middle & upper grades to read themselves (ages 10 and up); great bedtime story for younger children. Language: English Topics Covered: Trailblazers, Women in Politics, Government, Leadership, Historical Figures, Historical Events, Feminism, Politics.  Summary: Something right off the…

Wilma’s Way Home, The Life of Wilma Mankiller

Written by: Doreen Rappaport Illustrated by: Linda Kukuk For ages: 5 years and up Language: English Topics Covered: Indigenous Voices, Cherokee Nation, Trailblazer, Feminism, Activism, Politics, Historical Figure, Historic Events, Family, Women in Government, Women in Leadership, Community. Summary: This is a story about the amazing life of Wilma Mankiller, Cherokee woman and first chief of their tribal nation.  This book…