Books That Celebrate Women Heroes

Sky High: The True Story of Maggie Gee by Marissa Moss and illustrated by Carl Angel is one of my favorite books that celebrate women heroes.

I may be a little bit biased because I knew Maggie and she truly was a woman of power: pilot in World War II, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, chemist (at a time when it was rare for a woman to be a scientist) and political activist. She devoted her life to making positive changes in our world at a time when Chinese-American women were fighting stereotypes and prejudice.

This lesson plan has activities and lessons that celebrate women aviators.

Brave Harriet: The First Woman to Fly the English Channel by Marissa Moss and illustrated by C.F. Payne is another book about an inspiring female aviator.

Harriet Quimby wants to be the first woman to fly across the English Channel. She is determined despite warnings from a fellow pilot. This book is a good addition to any unit on women’s history or aviation.

Learning resources for Brave Harriet.

The Bravest Woman in America by Marissa Moss and illustrated by Andrea U’Ren

Ida Lewis loved everything about the sea, so when her father became the official keeper of Lime Rock Lighthouse in Newport, Rhode Island, she couldn’t imagine anything better. Throughout the years, Ida shadowed her father as he tended the lighthouse, listening raptly to his stories about treacherous storms, drowning sailors, and daring rescues. Under her father’s watchful eye, she learned to polish the lighthouse lens so the light would shine brightly. She learned to watch the sea for any sign of trouble. And, most importantly, she learned to row. Ida felt ready for anything – and she was.

Women's History Month Lessons and Resources

Kate Warne, Pinkerton Detective by Marissa Moss and illustrated by April Chu

When Kate Warne applied for a job with the Pinkerton Agency, Pinkerton assumed she wanted to cook or clean, but he agreed to try her out as an agent. Assigned to a tough case with high stakes, Warne went undercover and not only found the stolen money, she got almost all of it returned. The Adams Express Case made the reputation of the fledgling Pinkerton Agency, turning it into the biggest, most prestigious detective company in the world.

There is a fabulous curriculum guide from the publisher, Creston Books.

Mighty Jackie: The Strike-Out Queen by Marissa Moss and illustrated by C.F. Payne

You may be surprised to learn that there was a woman baseball player who actually struck out the power-house player, Babe Ruth. For as long as she could remember, Jackie Mitchell’s father had told Jackie she could be good at whatever she wanted, as long as she worked at it. Jackie worked at baseball. She worked hard. And before long Jackie could outplay anyone in her neighborhood — even the boys. She had one pitch — a wicked, dropping curve ball. But no seventeen-year-old girl could pitch against Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. It was unthinkable. Then on April 2, 1931, the New York Yankees stopped in Tennessee for an exhibition game against the Chattanooga Lookouts. And on that day Jackie Mitchell made baseball history.

This curriculum guide for Mighty Jackie: the Strike-Out Queen connects the readers to literature while developing reading comprehension.

Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine by Laurie Wallmark and illustrated by April Chu is the story about the woman who was the first computer programmer.

Nurse, Soldier, Spy: The Story of Sarah Edmonds, a Civil War Hero by Marissa Moss and illustrated by John Hendrix is the remarkable story of a young woman who dresses up like a man to fight for the Union during the Civil War.

This fast-paced, high-energy picture book tells the true story of Sarah Emma Edmonds, who at age nineteen disguised herself as a man in order to fight in the Civil War. She took the name Frank Thompson and joined a Michigan army regiment to battle the Confederacy. Sarah excelled as a soldier and nurse on the battlefield. Because of her heroism, she was asked to become a spy.

Lesson Plan about Women in the American Civil War

A Soldier’s Secret: The Incredible True Story of Sarah Edmonds, a Civil War Hero by Marissa Moss is the story about Sarah Edmonds for older students.

This historical Fiction novel follows the story of Sarah Edmonds in a more in-depth manner than the picture book. It is a great companion book for any unit on women heroes, women in history and the Civil War.

This book lesson plan has activities and questions for both Nurse, Soldier, Spy and A Soldier’s Secret.

Marissa Moss also provides discussion questions and a reading group guide you can use while reading the book.