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Famous women in American history children’s books about female American icons, important women and famous females in history, and historic women’s list of legends in America. Children’s books about female empowerment great for Women’s Month Activities, history lessons for kids, STEM unit studies, and International Women’s Day celebrations for women that changed history.
Famous Women in American History For Kids To Learn About
Looking for famous women in history for kids to study? There are so many amazing children’s books today about strong, awesome, famous women in American history that you can make an entire study unit out of it.
Or, need a list of an important women in history to get started for women in history activities? This is a fun research list to give to kids for Women in History Month, International Women’s Day, or even American history lessons!
Historic American Women
Female Pioneers in History and Famous Women Personalities for Kids to Study:
- Harriet Tubman
- Helen Keller
- Raye Montague
- Sally Ride
- Annie Oakley
- Clara Lemlich
- Florence Mills
- Carol Burnett
- Ella Baker
- Hedy Lamarr
- Julia Child
- Eleanor Roosevelt
- Nellie Bly
- Claudia Jones
- Marjorie Post
- Dorothy Vaughan
- Mary Jackson
- Katherine Johnson
- Christine Darden
- Laura Cornelius Kellogg
- Virginia Apgar
- Jane Cooke Wright
- Juliette Daisy Gordon Low
- Maria Tallchief
- Claudette Colvin
- Ruby Bridges
- Etta James
- Ella Fitzgerald
- Margaret Chase Smith
- Michelle Obama
- Florence Griffith Joyner
- Oprah Winfrey
- Condoleezza Rice
- Sonia Sotomayor
Keep scrolling for the list of children’s book to read for women’s history studies!
If you haven’t looked for women who changed or the world or children’s books with strong female characters, there are so many great books!
(You’re missing out by not adding some of these children’s books to the reading list!)
We’ve created the ultimate must-read kids’ book list to celebrate strong and interesting famous women in history — this time the famous women in American history version (although some of the books cover women in world history, too).
It’s a great list to get you started on your famous females in history studies and we’ve tried to include some books and names you may not have heard of (or read about in a while)!
Of course, there are many other books, too. So, don’t stop after you’ve read these books about female role models in history!
ALSO CHECK OUT MORE WOMEN IN HISTORY:
Women’s History Month Activities and Unique Ideas for Kids
AN IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT CHILDREN’S BOOKS
Before we get started with the most influential women book recommendations, I just wanted to add a little note:
I’ve provided the publisher’s age range here, but I caution you against “boxing in” your kids on what they can read (and can’t read, within reason, of course).
If you have a child who doesn’t show an interest in reading, you may want to stop here, click over to this post, Please Stop Telling Children How to Readand then come back after you’ve read it.
It will really help give you some perspective on your non-readers, struggling readers, or those who can read well but just don’t show an interest in it.
(I talk about how my daughter went from zero interest in reading to an avid reader!)
After you’ve read it, come back here and continue on to learn about important women through history in America.
![17 Must-Read Famous Women in American History Books for Kids [Updated]](https://i2.wp.com/homeschoolsuperfreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/17-Must-Read-Famous-Women-in-American-History-Books-for-Kids-Updated.png "17 Must-Read Famous Women in American History Books for Kids")
17 Famous Women in American History Kids’ Books You Must Read
Although there are many other books about female heroines in history, we’ve given you a starting list of female role models in history in America and American female leaders.
(Some of them also include women in history from America and around the world, too!)
After you read these, venture out for more books about women who changed the world! If you have a favorite that we missed, leave it in the comments so we can add it to our list!
Famous Women in American History Book #1: My Name Is Not Isabella: Just How Big Can a Little Girl Dream?
“Who Is Your Hero?”
Isabella’s include U.S. Astronaut Sally Ride, activist Rosa Parks, and sharpshooter Annie Oakley-but there’s no bigger hero than Isabella’s own mommy!
Join Isabella on an adventure of discovery-and find out how imagining to be these extraordinary women teaches her the importance of being her extraordinary self.”
Great to spark discussion with your kids about their own female heroes!
Ages: 4-8
Famous Women in American History Book #2: Here Come the Girl Scouts!: The Amazing All-True Story of Juliette ‘Daisy’ Gordon Low and Her Great Adventure
“The amazing, all-true story of the first Girl Scouts and their visionary founder.
She loved the outdoors, and she yearned for adventure!
Born into a family of pathfinders and pioneers, she too wanted to make a difference in the world–and nothing would stop her.”
Ages: 4-8
Famous Women in American History Book #3: Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History
From the School Library Journal:
“An artist’s social media sensation is lovingly brought to life in this standout title. Initially a personal project for Black History Month, Harrison’s collection highlights 40 notable black women throughout U.S. history.
Each entry includes two to three paragraphs of biographical text, opposite which nearly identical figures (most are drawn facing forward with cherubic smiles and closed eyes) hold center stage of their full-page portrait, framed by simple yet clever backgrounds that contextualize their achievements.”
Ages: 5-9
Famous Women in American History Book #4: She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World
“Thirteen inspirational women who never took no for an answer, and who always, inevitably and without fail, persisted.”
The book includes stories about:
- Harriet Tubman
- Helen Keller
- Clara Lemlich
- Nellie Bly
- Virginia Apgar
- Maria Tallchief
- Claudette Colvin
- Ruby Bridges
- Margaret Chase Smith
- Sally Ride
- Florence Griffith Joyner
- Oprah Winfrey
- Sonia Sotomayor
& more!
AGES: 6-9
Famous Women in American History Book #5: Amazing Women
“From world leaders to explorers to writers, artists, and performers, discover more than 40 women who changed the world in Amazing Women.”
Ages: 9-12
Famous Women in American History Book #6: 100 Women Who Made History
“From super scientists like Marie Curie and Rosalind Franklin to clued-up creatives like Emily Dickinson and J.K. Rowling to leading ladies like Joan of Arc and Eleanor Roosevelt, profiles explore the lives of each woman in detail, and photography and quirky “bobble-head” illustrations present history in a new and fun way.”
Ages: 8-12
Famous Women in American History Book #7: Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women
“In kitchens and living rooms, in garages and labs and basements, even in converted chicken coops, women and girls have invented ingenious innovations that have made our lives simpler and better.
Their creations are some of the most enduring (the windshield wiper) and best loved (the chocolate chip cookie).
What inspired these women, and just how did they turn their ideas into realities?”
Ages: 10-12
Famous Women in American History Book #8: Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World
“A charmingly illustrated and educational book, New York Times best seller Women in Science highlights the contributions of fifty notable women to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) from the ancient to the modern world.”
Ages: 8-12
Famous Women in American History Book #9: Women in Sports: 50 Fearless Athletes Who Played to Win
“Covering more than forty sports, this fascinating collection also contains infographics about notable women’s teams throughout history, pay and media statistics for female athletes, and muscle anatomy.
Women in Sports celebrates the success of the tough, bold, and fearless women who paved the way for the next generation of athletes.”
Ages: 8-12
Famous Women in American History Book #10: Rad American Women A-Z: Rebels, Trailblazers, and Visionaries who Shaped Our History . . . and Our Future!
“A is for Angela—as in Angela Davis, the iconic political activist.
B is for Billie Jean King, who shattered the glass ceiling of sports;
C is for Carol Burnett, who defied assumptions about women in comedy;
D is for Dolores Huerta, who organized farmworkers;
and E is for Ella Baker, who mentored Dr. Martin Luther King and helped shape the Civil Rights Movement.”
And, so much more!
Ages: 8-16
Famous Women in American History Book #11: Hidden Figures
This is one of my favorite books to add to any history studies, STEM kids activities, or Women’s History Month activities!
“Based on the New York Times bestselling book and the Academy Award–nominated movie, author Margot Lee Shetterly and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award winner Laura Freeman bring the incredibly inspiring true story of four black women who helped NASA launch men into space to picture book readers!
Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden were good at math…really good.
They participated in some of NASA’s greatest successes, like providing the calculations for America’s first journeys into space. And they did so during a time when being black and a woman limited what they could do. But they worked hard. They persisted. And they used their genius minds to change the world.
In this beautifully illustrated picture book edition, we explore the story of four female African American mathematicians at NASA, known as ‘colored computers,’ and how they overcame gender and racial barriers to succeed in a highly challenging STEM-based career.”
AGES: 4-8
Famous Women in American History Book #12: Bad Girls Throughout History: 100 Remarkable Women Who Changed the World
“The 100 revolutionary women highlighted in this gorgeously illustrated book were bad in the best sense of the word: they challenged the status quo and changed the rules for all who followed.
From pirates to artists, warriors, daredevils, scientists, activists, and spies, the accomplishments of these incredible women vary as much as the eras and places in which they effected change.”
Ages: 8 and up
Famous Women in American History Book #13: Wonder Women: 25 Innovators, Inventors, and Trailblazers Who Changed History
“Smart women have always been able to achieve amazing things, even when the odds were stacked against them.
In Wonder Women, author Sam Maggs tells the stories of the brilliant, brainy, and totally rad women in history who broke barriers as scientists, engineers, mathematicians, adventurers, and inventors.”
Ages: 8 and up
Famous Women in American History Book #14: 50 Fearless Women Who Made American History: An American History Book for Kid
This book with historical timeline covers some of the more well-known women in history (Harriet Tubman and Amelia Earhart) to lesser known women (Hawaiian Queen Lili‘uokalani and Revolutionary War soldier Deborah Sampson) and their contributions to society.
Ages: 8-12
Famous Women in American History Book #15:Harlem’s Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills
This is another one of my favorites and may be a person that children have never heard of, so it’s a great addition to your children’s library!
“Born to parents who were both former slaves, Florence Mills knew at an early age that she loved to sing, and that her sweet, bird-like voice, resonated with those who heard her.
Performing catapulted her all the way to the stages of 1920s Broadway where she inspired everyone from songwriters to playwrights.
Yet with all her success, she knew firsthand how prejudice shaped her world and the world of those around her.
As a result, Florence chose to support and promote works by her fellow black performers while heralding a call for their civil rights. “
Ages: 3-7 years
Famous Women in American History Book #16: The Girl With a Mind for Math: The Story of Raye Montague
Chances are, you probably haven’t heard of Raye Montague. However, she played an important role in U.S. military history.
Raye was a naval engineer that created the first computer-generated draft of a U.S. naval ship and went on to become the first female program manager of ships in the United States Navy.
If you have a kid who loves math and/or computers, definitely add this one to your list!
Ages: 5-10 years
Famous Women in American History Book #17:The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin
If you don’t know the story of Dr. Temple Grandin, you’re in for a treat!
“When young Temple was diagnosed with autism, no one expected her to talk, let alone become one of the most powerful voices in modern science.
Yet, the determined visual thinker did just that.
Her unique mind allowed her to connect with animals in a special way, helping her invent groundbreaking improvements for farms around the globe!”
There is also a good movie based on Dr. Grandin’s life. You can read the book and watch the movie with the kids for a whole study unit!
Ages: 5-10 years
What famous women in American history books did we miss that you love?
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Hi there! I just stumbled upon your incredible list of women’s history books for kids, and I must say, it’s absolutely brilliant! As a homeschooling parent, I’m always on the lookout for resources that inspire and empower my children, and your compilation is a treasure trove. The diverse range of books featured is fantastic, ensuring that children of all backgrounds can connect with these incredible stories of inspiring women. Thank you for putting together such a valuable resource! Keep up the amazing work!