Once Upon a Heroine

Girl-specific lists are always up for extra criticism, and this is no different. The authors do a great job of discussing their criteria, and for me there's a gap between theirs and mine. I want great books, that also are positive for girls. Theirs seems to possibly be books that are positive for girls, but except for that aren't that great. I'd rather a smaller, more selective list.My problems with this specific book include:The age groupings - they have 8yrs - 11yrs old, and then 12 & up. I like the middle school grouping better - 11 is much more similar to 12 than 8 is to 10, in my perspective.Also I dislike that each book stands alone in their descriptions - there may be two books listed my an author, but neither listing will give a clue about that. I prefer where other books by that author are within a listing.Different genre's are thrown together within each age group, and genre is not identified in the heading info. So it is not possible to skim for fiction only for instance (although that is what most selections are). The basic info: author, illustrator, year, edition is laid-out in a way that takes 4 lines per book, which is a waste of space.The descriptions are full, but again it often felt like I was being sold or encouraged to read it. I don't want encouragement, I want assessment/criticism. Finally, there are the barest of indexes: one has title, author and contributor; the other has subject.I do like the contributor items: in which a famous woman comments on her favorite books. So it is certainly useful, and could also be even better in later editions!

This is a carefully constructed resource of books about and for girls. While it includes recommendations on the well known..."Little Women", "Anne of Green Gables" and "Harriet the Spy", it also includes recommendations on unusual, clever and hard to find books such as Jan Andrews' "Very Last First Time" amd Jacqueline Dembar Greene's "Out of Many Waters".In addition to the typical one paragraph summaries of the books, the authors have interviewed dozens of prominent accomplished American women about their favorite childhood books. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor particularly enjoyed the "Book of Knowledge",and author, Paula Danziger, read Nancy Drew books and "Little Women".This is the most thoughtful book of its kind. It reviews 450 books by age and reading level. My daughter and I have discovered wonderful books we would never have found on our own. Be prepared to use your library, well as used book sales and services to find some of the great books. The authors have clearly put a great deal of thought and effort into best guide of books about and for girls. If you are the sharing the adventure of reading with a girl, this is a must for your book shelf.Highly recommended

I can't tell you how excited I am to have found this book. As a mother of a 2 1/2 year old little girl, I am thrilled that I will have found a tool in which to seek out books that will help build her self esteem, self confidence and self assurance. It'll accompany me on our many trips to the library. The books listed within, are phenomenal. And best of all, it'll carry her from toddler to teenage! It's a must have!

As the mother of three daughters, I was delighted to discover this meaningful guide to good books for girls. Literature that empowers and inspires a young girl is one more way to launch confident, successful children into an increasingly challenging world. This book makes that concern much more effective and the choices more clearly directed. I especially like the sidebars of high-profile women who reveal their favorite titles from girlhood. It's amazing to see how a simple picture book as a child can have such a radical and lasting effect on an individual. There is guidance and inspiration aplenty in here...and lots to think and talk about at the dinner table, too.