Croll, Jennifer. Bad Girls of Fashion: Style Rebels from Cleopatra to Lady Gaga. Illus. by Ada Buchholc. 2016. 208p. Annick Press, $24.95 (978-1-55451-786-2). Gr. 7 and up.
Celebrate style icons throughout the ages and the ways they used fashion as a powerful tool for communication, protest, and to push societal boundaries. Bad Girl of Fashion are the rule breakers who were determined to live life on their own terms and brought about very good change for the rest of us.
Shields, Carol and Crowe, Patrick. Susanna Moodie: Roughing It in the Bush. Illus. By Selena Goulding. 2016. 152p. Second Story Press, $22.95 (978-1-77260-003-2). Gr. 7-up.
Susanna Moodie’s classic book “Roughing it in the Bush” became an acclaimed international sensation, but was derided by many in her adopted home, Canada, for being too unflattering. This graphic novel shares the life and words of a pioneer who struggled for her family’s very survival.
Plan International. As a Boy. 2016. 24p. Second Story Press, 18.95 (978-1-77260-016-2). Gr. Pre-K-3.
Teaching that feminism is global, As a Boy encourages young boys to recognize the early signs of sexism in their world and to fight against them, not only for the women and girls in their personal lives, because it is the right thing to do for all humans.
Ehrlich, Amy. Willa: The Story of Willa Cather, an American Writer. 2016. 72p. Simon and Schuster, $16.99 (978-0-689-86573-2). Gr. 1-6.
Willa Cather’s youth was a mix of East Coast comfort and rugged pioneering. She collected stories from the adults in her life, from people who had formerly been enslaved and from Eastern European immigrants. Determined to forge an independent life for herself, she used her way with words and these tales to become one of America’s greatest and most beloved authors.
Shen, Ann. Bad Girls Throughout History: 100 Remarkable Women Who Changed the World. 2016. 216p. Chronicle Books, $19.95 (978-14521-5393-3). Gr. 5-up.
Revolutionary women from throughout history show how being bad is something very good when it means challenging the status quo and changing the world for others.
Sheperd, Jodi. Malala Yousafzai: Champion for Education. 32 p. Scholastic/Children’s Press, $17.25 (978-531-2247-9). Gr.PreS-2.
Malala Yousafzai challenged life under the Taliban rule and demanded that girls receive equal access to education. When her identity was released as a BBC blogger challenging the Taliban and championing education for girls, she was target and shot by the Taliban. After she recovered, Malala continued her fight for education access for girls
Lady Jane Grey is married by her cousin King Edward to a nobleman in an effort to secure the throne when the King eventually succumbs to The Affliction. Jane, an educated intellectual is dismayed by her match, but is further dismayed when her cousin supposedly dies, leaving her Queen of England, but only for nine days. Armed with a consciousness and a desire to do good, she strives to find a balance between the Edians and the Verities. She works with an unlikely band of heroes to recover the throne, and bring peace and prosperity to a troubled land.
Alexander, Carol. Bessie Coleman: Trailblazing Pilot. 32 p. Scholastic/Children’s Press. $17.25 (9780531225455). Gr.PreS-2.
Despite challenges that included poverty, racism and sexism Bessie Coleman achieved success as the first female black pilot in the world.
Amira and Sadie are both princesses, but determined not to live the fairy tale lives prescribed for them. Amira longs to be a hero, someone who helps others with her wit and bravery. Sadie needs to rebuild her own self-esteem, to understand that she is a true leader. Working together, they achieve their goals and much more.
Lang, Heather. Swimming with Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark. Illus. By Jordi Solano. 2016. Unpaged. Albert Whitman and Co., $16.99 (978-0-8075-2187-8). Gr. K-3.
As a young girl, Eugenie Clark became fascinated with fish and sharks. With perseverance and personal bravery she became the world’s first and foremost expert in the field, leading to the nickname “Shark Lady”.
Rise 
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