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Rad American Women A-Z

Rebels, Trailblazers, and Visionaries who Shaped Our History . . . and Our Future!

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

The New York Times Bestseller!

"This is The Most Inspiring Children's Book We've Ever Seen."—Refinery29.com

"The very first kids' book released by the iconic publishing house City Lights, Rad American Women A-Z navigates the alphabet from Angela Davis to Zora Neale Hurston with colorful illustrations and short, powerful narratives. The perfect gift for the junior riot grrl in your life."—Bust Magazine

"The History of Feminism—in an Awesome Picture Book. The ABCs just got a major girl-power upgrade."—Chantal Strasburger, Teen Vogue

Like all A-Z books, this one illustrates the alphabet—but instead of "A is for Apple", A is for Angela—as in Angela Davis, the iconic political activist. B is for Billie Jean King, who shattered the glass ceiling of sports; C is for Carol Burnett, who defied assumptions about women in comedy; D is for Dolores Huerta, who organized farmworkers; and E is for Ella Baker, who mentored Dr. Martin Luther King and helped shape the Civil Rights Movement.

And the list of great women continues, spanning several centuries, multiple professions, and 26 diverse individuals. There are artists and abolitionists, scientists and suffragettes, rock stars and rabble-rousers, and agents of change of all kinds.

The book includes an introduction that discusses what it means to be "rad" and "radical," an afterword with 26 suggestions for how you can be "rad," and a Resource Guide with ideas for further learning and reading.

American history was made by countless rad—and often radical—women. By offering a fresh and diverse array of female role models, we can remind readers that there are many places to find inspiration, and that being smart and strong and brave is rad.

Rad American Women will be appreciated by various age groups. It is Common Core aligned for students grades 3 - 8. Pre-school and young children will be captured by the bright visuals and easily modified texts, while the subject matter will stimulate and inspire high-schoolers and beyond.

"This is not a book. This is a guest list for a party of my heroes. Thank you for inviting us." —Lemony Snicket, author of A Series of Unfortunate Events books

"I feel honored to be included in this book. Women need to take radical steps to become feminists, and to be strong to fight for their rights and those of others facing oppression and discrimination. The world needs rad women to create a just society." —Dolores Huerta, Labor Leader, Civil Rights Activist

"It's almost always with a chuckle that I view a cartoon image of myself. But to see cartoon-me positioned (alphabetically) amongst so many of my women heroes and role models . . . well, I just broke down and cried. Happy tears. I surely hope that this one-of-a-kind collection of radical American women reaches the hands of all children who want to grow up and become amazing women." —Kate Bornstein, author of My New Gender Workbook

"I was totally in rapture reading this book. Bold women, bold colors, and fierce black paper cutouts. I cheer these histories of women who fight not for war or country or corporation, but for EVERYONE! I can't wait for my son to read this." —Nikki McClure, Illustrator of All in a Day

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  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      January 26, 2015
      This lively abecedary introduces 25 inspiring women and their accomplishments, from environmentalist Rachel Carson (“R is for Rachel”) and rocker Patti Smith to lesser-known history-makers like Wilma Mankiller, who became the first female Chief of the Cherokee Nation, and transgender author/artist Kate Bornstein. Schatz opens with a discussion of different meanings of rad/radical (“A radical can be a person who wants to make big changes in society”), and the snappy mini-biographies that follow hit the highlights of the women’s lives and legacies in an accessible, conversational tone. Bright hues provide backdrops for Stahl’s angular cut-paper portraits, which emphasize the subjects’ power, humor, and strength. The letter X “is for the women whose names we don’t know.... For the women who aren’t in the history books, or the Halls of Fame.… The women who made huge changes and the women who made dinner.” This inspiring and diverse tribute to artists, journalists, sports phenoms, judges, and more culminates with an energizing A–Z list of “26 Things That You Can Do to Be Rad!” and a reading list to encourage further exploration. Ages 8–up.

    • Kirkus

      February 15, 2015
      Rousing tributes to 26 women who didn't keep their heads or voices down.Reserving "X" for "the women whose names we don't know," Schatz presents an unusually diverse gallery of activists. Along with the predictable likes of the Grimke sisters, Billie Jean King and Zora Neale Hurston, it includes Patti Smith, blacklisted musical prodigy Hazel Scott, Mexican-American journalist Jovita Idar and transgender performance artist Kate Bornstein. Furthermore, the author extends her definition of "radical" beyond the arenas of politics and social causes to include Florence Griffith-Joyner ("Who showed us how to run like a girl"), Rachel Carson, Temple Grandin and Dr. Virginia Apgar (developer of the Apgar Score for newborns). The author closes with an above-average reading list and activity suggestions that include a pithy second alphabet of "things that you can do to be rad!" Readers will come away energized if not particularly informed by her enthusiastic but vague profiles ("Patti tried working at a regular job, and she tried going to college, but her creative dreams were too powerful to put on hold"). The combination of hair-fine type, bright, monochrome background colors, and stylized, high-contrast portraits at each entry's head add up to an underground-'zine look overall. A "rad" alternative to less-inclusive albums, such as Cynthia Chin-Lee, Megan Halsey and Sean Addy's Amelia to Zora (2005). (websites) (Collective biography. 11-14)

    • School Library Journal

      February 1, 2015

      Gr 5 Up-Colorful and hip potraitures create a visual sensation that immediately draws in readers. Profiled are 26 American women from the 18th through 21st centuries, who have made-or are still making-history as artists, writers, teachers, lawyers, or athletes. The women come from a variety of economic and ethnic backgrounds and many had to overcome extreme hardships. One woman represents each alphabetical letter beginning with Angela Davis, an activist, teacher, and writer, and concludes with Zora Neale Hurston, an anthropologist and writer. Readers will also encounter Carol Burnett, the Grimke Sisters, Lucy Parsons, Rachel Carson, and Sonia Sotomayor, among others. Interestingly, the letter X is designated for the women, "we haven't learned about yet, and the women whose stories we will never read." The book's conclusion challenges readers to be strong and to make a difference in their own communities and suggests 26 things that students can do to be rad. VERDICT Classes across the curriculum can utilize this informative book.-Patricia Ann Owens, formerly with Illinois Eastern Community Colls., Mt. Carmel

      Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

    • The Horn Book

      July 1, 2015
      This diverse and informative collection of one-page biographies highlights twenty-six "radical" women, from Angela Davis, "who never backs down from the fight for justice," to Zora Neale Hurston, "who captured the stories and voices of many generations." The black-and-white illustrations recalling thick cutouts set on bold color blocks add a contemporary feel befitting this alternative AZ. Reading list, websites.

      (Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Formats

  • Kindle Book
  • OverDrive Read
Kindle restrictions

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • ATOS Level:6.7
  • Lexile® Measure:1040
  • Interest Level:4-8(MG)
  • Text Difficulty:5-8

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