No More Quiet Girls: Teen Reads for Women's History Month

March is Women's History Month—a time to celebrate the voices, achievements, and resilience of women past and present. One of the most powerful ways to explore women’s history is through story, especially the stories that portray young women finding their voices, challenging expectations, and shaping the world around them. 

The stories below spotlight girls who refuse to stay quiet, who question, resist, and reclaim their place in history, even when the odds are stacked against them. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, empowerment, or simply a great story, these books offer a meaningful way to honor Women’s History Month, one page at a time. 

The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee is a captivating story that keeps readers hooked at every chapter. It details the challenging life of Jo Kuan as a Chinese American in 1890’s Atlanta, a city that doesn’t even consider her a citizen, as she secretly lives in a basement along with her caretaker Old Gin. 

Ms. Lee manages to end every chapter of the book with a dramatic bang that refuses to let you stop reading. Each chapter was fast-paced, littered with suspense, drama and a plot twist right around the corner. I loved reading about historic Atlanta and every good and bad thing about it. I also loved the characters in the story making do with what they got, as they showed resilience against an unfair world. 

Jo Kuan and her story should serve as an inspiration to everyone as a story to work for what you believe in and to prevail. I blazed through this book because of how much I enjoyed it. I would give it a 5/5 stars.

- Christopher

Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley is a YA thriller that focuses on a young woman named Perry. She is determined to claim back what has been stolen from her family so many generations ago. With high stakes, and suspense around every corner, this book is a perfect for people who enjoy thriller books.

-Ava

The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrtes, and Helped Win World War II by Candace Fleming is a narrative nonfiction book that follows the stories of ten teenage girls who helped decode ciphers and keep secrets throughout World War II. Whether it was picking up Morse code signals in a listening station, working with a complex Bombe machine, or decoding messages using the Enigma machine, each task led the Allies one step closer to victory. Through their intelligence, determination, hard work, and dedication, these girls helped turn the tide of war.

-Sophie

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu follows the story of a Texas girl named Vivian. Fed up with her school not punishing boys for their disgusting, misogynistic behavior, she decides to take matters into her own hands. Inspired by the Riot Grrrl movement–an underground feminist punk movement that started in the 1990s–, Vivian starts a feminist zine called “Moxie”. Through Moxie, Vivian learns how to navigate relationships and to fight back and stay strong, even when situations seem hopeless. Moxie is a powerful anthem for everyone out there who feels objectified or dismissed. We are stronger together.

-Holly

What book do you plan to read that celebrates women?

Women's History Month - Recommended Reads

In honor of Women's History Month, the Winter Park Library's Teen Book Guild read multiple novels that represent women of various time periods, cultures, and ages. The stories chosen below do not only educate about different historical events; rather, they also allow readers to grasp how individuals might have felt in those times, bringing a more personal connection to those historical circumstances for readers. The humor, seriousness, strength, adventures, and persistence of these women will not disappoint.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys was NOT a good book. It was a GREAT book! Not only did it have courageous characters and a fascinating, climax-building plot, it also told an untold, almost forgotten part of history that everyone should know! I truly feel that it is our duty to remember all the courageous people that were murdered and persecuted by the Soviet Union. There is no better way to celebrate Women’s History Month then by reading this novel, an incredible story of a young girl experiencing some of the worst circumstances, but still overcoming!

In The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee Jo Kuan is a young Chinese girl in the late 1800s. Her and her adoptive father are one of the few Chinese citizens in Atlanta, as they live in a predominantly wealthy white neighborhood. To get by in life, she began working as a maid for one of the wealthiest men in town during the day, and after being mistreated by her employer, she decided to start a new column called Dear Miss Sweetie in her local newspaper to write about the serious issues that no one wants to talk about. Jo Kuan is a vibrant, courageous, and hardworking young woman who has a powerful message and story to share about women's leadership and perseverance through injustices and problems in our society, which is exactly what Women's History Month it’s all about.

 

Set in 1906, Jennifer Donnelly's A Northern Light tells the fictional story of Mattie Gokey, a young woman who aspires to become a writer. Even though those dreams seem impossible for Mattie to accomplish, she continues to use words as a way to learn, escape, and express herself. Additionally, Jennifer Donnelly’s novel weaves in the legitimate murder of Grace Brown, described through Mattie’s eyes. In reading Grace’s letters, Mattie discovers how to regain her voice and go after what she wants despite her fears. This book is a perfect read for Women’s History Month, providing the reader with a tale of history, mystery, and perseverance.

Julie Berry’s novel, The Passion of Dolssa, is a historical, religious,  and romance novel that takes place during Medieval Europe in the country of France. In 1241, Dolssa is a young and mature woman who is part of the upper class family that has a mysterious gift that was naturally given to her. Having a title as a non-believer, she flees from a friar condemned her mother to death by fire and wants Dolssa to face the same consequences. Botille, a marriage broker, has a difficult time keeping herself and her younger sisters safe in a small seaside town of Bajas. Botille runs into Dolssa as she is falling ill and hides her in a local shelter from the friar. Both Botille and Dolssa develop a close friendship when Botille brings Dolssa back to normal as Bajas is being attacked. The Passion of Dolssa is a wonderful read for Women's History Month as it shows that two young girls have each other and increases womanhood with friendship, love, and service.

Stacey Lee’s enchanting Under a Painted Sky centers on one of the lesser-known areas of American history--the stories of the Chinese immigrants in the 1800s and their descendants. In 1849 Missouri, Samantha Young suffers an unspeakable tragedy which turns into a crime that sends her racing for California with the help of a runaway slave named Annamae. While life on the Oregon Trail is rough, the two girls forge a powerful bond of friendship as they struggle to survive undetected and search for missing keys to their pasts-unfortunately, the law is closing in fast and they are running out of time and hiding places. This book is a gem in a minefield. A true tribute to Women's History Month, it is smart, adventurous, and a celebration of the strength of women.

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

Reviewed by Kana C.
Grade 11

Audrey Rose is not your typical 1800s woman. She was born into a life of wealth and privilege. But other than attending tea parties and other typical events that ladies do, Audrey studies the gruesome art of forensic medicine.

When a string of brutally murdered corpses continue to show up in her uncle’s lab, Audrey gets drawn into the investigation. As she follows the clues, they bring her closer to her sheltered world. Audrey Rose is the girl who loved Jack the Ripper.

This book was amazing, with so many twists that I never saw coming. Kerri Maniscalco really brought the story to life with her amazing and very descriptive writing. Once I got into the story I couldn’t put the book down. Stalking Jack the Ripper is not for the faint hearted, Kerri Maniscalco goes deep into her explanations of the dead bodies and the forensic medicine process.

If you like a girl determined to be pretty, smart, and fierce and a witty, sarcastic, caring British boy involved in one gruesome mystery, mixed with a little bit (ok maybe a lot) of secrets, then Stalking Jack the Ripper is perfect for you. Maybe you can figure out who Jack the Ripper is before Audrey can. This is the story of the girl who loved the Ripper.

Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee

Reviewed by Lauren M.
Grade 11

Stacey Lee’s Under a Painted Sky is an enchanting tale of daring and adventure in the Old West. Heartwarming, engaging, and amusing, it follows a young Chinese- American as she struggles for freedom and equality, and is a true tribute to the strength of women.

Samantha Young lives with her father in 1849 Missouri. After a horrific tragedy leads to a shocking crime, she bands together with a runaway slave named Annamae and they set out on the Oregon Trail for California. As they each search for the missing ties to their pasts, they find unexpected allies in a band of cowboys. But with bounty hunters and the law closing in, how long will they be able to keep up their lies?

I loved this book. The worldbuilding was as realistic and believable as the plot. I also found the story to be immersive and compelling, and even in parts challenging to society’s long-held beliefs about equality and race. Samantha was realistic--since she’s so young, she struggles through the usual teenage dramas albeit with unfortunate doses of danger and tragedy mingled in with them. Nevertheless, through it all she was strong and had the benefit of a supportive community, namely her friends. Said friends were also firmly developed, especially Annamae, who was as loyal as she was incredibly spirited. Although I would have liked to see/know more about the Old West, there was just enough information to keep the reader happy.

I would absolutely recommend this book. It is humorous, adventurous, and a very fun story. If anyone likes a historical western, this is definitely for them. A natural reading choice for Women’s History Month, Under a Painted Sky receives a 5 out of 5 star rating.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Reviewed by Anna M.
Grade  9

Between Shades of Gray was NOT a good book. It was a GREAT book! Not only did it have courageous characters and a fascinating, climax-building plot, it also told an untold, almost forgotten part of history that everyone should know!  

The story is about a fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl named Lina and her family during Stalin’s “cleansing” of the Baltic region. Suddenly and unexpectedly, the Soviet soldiers stormed into Lina’s home and took her and her mother and brother captive. Her father was separated from her family and early on in the story Lina is determined to draw messages through her art, in hopes that her father will see and understand them. However, the harshness and toil the Soviets put her through forced Lina to grow up quickly. The Soviets treat Lina, and other Lithuanians, like animals.

FIVE out of FIVE! From the moment I picked the novel to the time I put it down, this book had an incredible storyline, and every page was a page-turner. Ruta Sepetys, the author, showed amazing talent, and the writing was well-done. The build of the plotline was outstanding. I also felt that the atrocities committed by the Soviet Union are not as known by the younger generation in today’s society. So by reading this book, you will not only read an excellent, well-written story, but you will also learn a part of history.

Between Shades of Gray was an amazing novel and I highly recommend it. I truly feel that it is our duty to remember all the courageous people that were murdered and persecuted by the Soviet Union. READ THIS BOOK! You will not regret it!