A couple of weeks ago I wrote about my favorite history teacher in high school and how I loved getting away from the textbook to study history. I think another thing that frustrated me about the history textbooks I grew up using was that women were always sidebar characters.
You’d get a little block of text set aside in each chapter, maybe 2-3 paragraphs long, to explain what women were up to during the Industrial Revolution or World War II.
Which is why I’m so thrilled about these three Fall releases, which focus entirely on strong women and their role in history:
Red Bird Sings: The Story of Zitkala-Ša, Native American Author, Musician, and Activist is a picture book by Gina Capaldi and Q. L. Pearce that tells the true story of Gertrude Simmons, also known as Zitkala-Ša, who worked as an activist for Native American rights, seeking to build a bridge between cultures. (And check out this teacher resource that the authors put together!)
Lily Renée, Escape Artist: From Holocaust Survivor to Comic Book Pioneer is a graphic novel written by Trina Robbins (who has a great post today at the Jewish Book Council Blog about her inspiration for the book) with art by Anne Timmons and mo oh. This is the biography of Lily Renée Wilheim, who grew up in Vienna and escaped Austria when the Nazis invaded. She went on to become an artist of heroes and a true pioneer in comic books.
And In Trouble by Ellen Levine is a historical novel set in the 1950s about two teenagers dealing with unplanned pregnancies, each in her own way facing the shame, isolation – or worse – of the very few options made available in the decades before Roe v. Wade.
To win a copy of each of these three books, comment on this post or Tweet the following: “RT to win a set of books featuring women in history from @Lernerbooks! http://www.lernerbooks.blogspot.com #contest” The winner will be announced on Monday, October 31!
Heidi Grange
It's great that more and more history books about women are coming out. I appreciate the effort that goes into writing and creating these books. Thank you.
Mary
All three in this diverse group sound like fabulous stories about women who could inspire us all. I would love to win copies of these books.
Laurie Thompson
All three of these books look amazing. Thanks for sharing!
Jen Russo
I love history on women, its so encouraging that these stories are being made and published into books.
bookkm
I am always glad to see authoritative biographies of women.
animalauthor
How thrilling–I can't wait to read all three of these books. What impressive and inspiring books for young readers: male and female!
lvharris
Hooked on biographies about gutsy women—will definitely check these three out!
Elizabeth Dingmann
Congratulations, Laurie Thompson! You've won our set of three books featuring the women in history! Please send your mailing address to publicityinfo at lernerbooks dot com to receive your prize.
Thanks to all who entered. Happy Halloween!