Non Fiction 10 for 10 - History is HERS, too.

History is filled with the story of men, but we all know that women were just as important in shaping our world. Here are a few of my favorites... some brand new and some older titles. 

This post is part of the NF 10 for 10 from Reflect and Refine  AND the weekly Nonfiction Challenge at Kid Lit Frenzy. 

Healing Hands

Clara and Davie

by Patricia Polacco

A lovely story of the early life of Clara Barton. It's a wonderful way to show students that famous women in history started out as children - just like them. Clara's love for animals and healing were with her from the very beginning, and her older brother Davie was her support and inspiration.

Florence Nightingale

by Demi

A beautiful title! I wrote a full review earlier this year on the blog. 

http://www.mariaselke.com/2014/02/review-of-florence-nightingale.html 

Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors?: The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell

by Tanya Lee Stone (Goodreads Author), Marjorie Priceman (Illustrations)

I can't even tell you how much I love this book! My mother went back to school to become a doctor while I was in middle school, and I am proud to share that fact every time I share this book with students. 

Full review on my blog: 

http://www.mariaselke.com/2013/04/who-says-women-cant-nf-pb-review.html

Adventurers! Risk Takers!

Dare the Wind: The Record breaking Voyage of Eleanor Prentiss and the Flying Cloud

by Tracey Fern, Emily Arnold McCully (Illustrator)

I haven't blogged a full review of this one yet - but it's on my list! Just released February 18, 2014. 

Goodreads Blurb:

Ellen Prentiss’s papa said she was born with saltwater in her veins, so he gave her sailing lessons and taught her how to navigate. As soon as she met a man who loved sailing like she did, she married him. When her husband was given command of a clipper ship custom-made to travel quickly, she knew that they would need every bit of its speed for their maiden voyage: out of New York City, down around the tip of Cape Horn, and into San Francisco, where the Gold Rush was well under way. In a time when few women even accompanied their husbands onboard, Ellen Prentiss navigated their ship to set the world record for speed along that route. 

Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909

by Michelle Markel (Goodreads Author), Melissa Sweet (Illustrations)

I didn't know the story of Clara, and I was thrilled to learn about her spirit and desire to help gain protection for workers in the early 20th century. This was a perfect title to read just before the amazing novel Uprising by Haddix. 

"Clara never quit. And she never accepted that girls should be treated poorly and paid little. 

So Clara fought back. Fed up with the mistreatment of her fellow laborers, Clara led the largest walkout of women workers in the country's history. " (Goodreads blurb) 

Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas

by Jim Ottaviani (Goodreads Author), Maris Wicks

LOVE this graphic novel title - did a full review on the blog.

http://www.mariaselke.com/2013/06/primates-nf-graphic-novel-review.html

Teachers and Mentors

Miss Moore Thought Otherwise: How Anne Carroll Moore Created Libraries for Children

by Jan Pinborough, Debby Atwell (Illustrations)

Children not allowed in libraries? Say it isn't so! Miss Moore was convinced children needed library spaces of their own... 

Annie Sullivan and the Trials of Helen Keller(Center for Cartoon Studies Presents)

by Joseph Lambert

A 2012 graphic novel that is not to be missed. The focus is on Annie Sullivan - which is unusual. The images in the book do a great job sharing the struggles that Annie and Helen share, and celebrates the triumph of high expectations. 

My thoughts on Goodreads: 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11593458-annie-sullivan-and-the-trials-of-helen-keller?ac=1

Warriors

Joan of Arc

by Diane Stanley

An older title (This one is from 2002), but Joan of Arc is always a fascinating study. Diane Stanley was writing picture book biographies well before they became fashionable! The text is a bit dense, so this one is definitely for older readers.

Here's where YOU chime in... 

Yes, it's a little bit of a cop out. You see, I couldn't think of a 10th amazing picture book that featured women in history. Then I realized that I could make it seem like that was the plan all along. (Oh, umm... perhaps I shouldn't have made that part public.)

What would YOU add as the 10th HerStory picture book? Come on... let the ideas flow!