Because I Was a Girl

October 9, 2017
This collection of first-person reflections by 38 accomplished women—writers, politicians, entrepreneurs, and others—encompasses a sweeping range of voices, personalities, and experiences. De la Cruz (the Descendants series), whose own entry recounts fraught professional environments while working as a computer programmer, organizes the anthology by decade, opening each section with a list of women’s achievements in a variety of fields and pivotal legislation affecting them. Sharing stories of dreams dashed and fulfilled, racism and sexism confronted, and career paths diverted, the contributors share sound advice for teenage readers. Activist Dolores Huerta urges girls “to stand up for themselves always, and to reach out and stand up for others.” Author and literary agent Brenda Bowen underscores the importance of “finding ways around bad rules” that disadvantage and discriminate against women. And Katie Button, who quit a Ph.D. program in neuroscience to become a chef and restaurateur, advises girls to “do what you love, not what you think is expected of you.” Thoughtful, encouraging, and honest, this compilation should inspire readers looking for guidance in charting the directions their own lives take. Ages 12–up.

December 15, 2017
Grades 7-10 This uplifting book features 38 short memoirs of diverse, accomplished women and girls of all ages, who share stories of how they overcame barriers to fulfill their passions and dreams. Women profiled range from pioneers like labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta to high-school student and transgender activist Zoey Luna; also included are entrepreneurs, best-selling authors, CEOs, chefs, a bishop, a scientist, a cartoonist, and a Grammy-winning songwriter and producer. Their stories are arranged by decade, and each 10-year section includes a brief bulleted time line of historically significant events. Many women, like finance executive Anna Ponder and banker Jill Lorie, succeeded in predominantly male professions, but others struggled: National Poetry Slam champion and writer Elizabeth Acevedo quit rapping because of the criticism she received from men. CEO Abby Falk's belief that, Once you find your power, no one can ever take it away is echoed repeatedly in this inspiring book, with its glossy pages, large black-and-white portraits, and eye-catching quotes.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2018
This compilation of real women's gender discrimination narratives from the 1920s to the present day is halfway between browsable coffee table book and a collective memoir. Heavy on eye-popping graphic design but light on historical context, the book is commercially inspirational yet it lacks grounding in why gender has been an obstacle for women throughout the last decade.

(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from September 15, 2017
A collection of minimemoirs of successful women whose enduring spirits have enabled them to follow their passions, achieve their dreams, and overcome obstacles and naysayers. It begins with Dolores Huerta, the union organizer who worked alongside Cesar Chavez and helped to rally thousands while also a mother and wife. Francesca Zambello tells the story of the barriers she faced as a woman wanting to direct theater and opera, a particularly male-dominated sector of the arts. As a teenager, Holly Knight loved rock music and started her own band, going on to write Grammy-winning songs of female empowerment for such singers as Tina Turner and Pat Benatar. Aspiring to break into rap music growing up, Elizabeth Acevedo decided to walk away from it after refusing to glorify the stereotypes of sex, drugs, and violence that too often characterized the form. Instead, she chose spoken word and poetry to tell her truth. This anthology represents a culturally diverse group of women who disclose how they found the inner strength and courage to excel, oftentimes breaking new ground in fields where women were not welcome. The collection is organized by decade, and interspersed throughout are bulleted lists of women's historic accomplishments from the 1920s to the present day. Represented are CEOs, entrepreneurs, bestselling authors, bankers, and scientists, ending with girls and young women who are already leaders, paving the way for future generations of young women. An inspiring collection and an encouragement to young girls from all walks of life. (Collective memoir. 12-16)

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