Thursday, March 19, 2009

March is Women's History Month

Did you know that March is Women's History Month? Indeed, it is. We have many terrific books, fiction and non, that you should check out the next time you visit us!



The Hope Chest was one of my favorite reads last year. Set mainly in Nashville at the height of the suffragist movement and centered around two young girls, one Caucasian and the other African-American, The Hope Chest tells the struggle for women's voting rights (19th Amendment). Not only does it touch upon the forgotten fact that Nashville was at the center for the ratification struggle, but it also reminds us of the unfortunate racism that existed within the suffragist movement.



Cut From the Same Cloth is a fun collection of American tall tales, legends, and folk tales that involve women. Stories from Anglo, Latino, Native American, and African American cultures are included, making this a splendid multicultural resource.



Count on Us is a riveting history of American women in the Armed Forces. Beginning with the Revolutionary War and ending with the current war in Iraq, Count on Us tells us about the struggles, disappointments, bravery, and successes of American military women.



Remember A League of Their Own (there's no crying in baseball)? While that movie was largely fiction, a women's baseball league actually did exist from 1943-1954. A Whole New Ball Game is a fun and fascinating look at the league's brief history.



One of my favorite read aloud biographies is Wilma Unlimited. Last summer (during the height of the Olympics), I read this to a group of 3rd and
4th graders at the Boys and Girls Club. Wilma Rudolph's inspirational story, from her battle with polio to her Olympic victory, is beautifully brought to life.



One of my favorite biographies for older children is Something Out of Nothing. Marie Curie's incredible and ultimately tragic life story is brilliantly told in this superb biography for upper elementary and middle school students.

If you would like even more recommendations, go to our online Women's History Month booklist or pick up our Women's History Month bibliography (with even more titles) the next time you visit one of our branches.

No comments: