Women's History Month Reading List

Women's History Month Reading List
Posted on 02/25/2026

March serves as a time to honor the achievements and contributions that women of all backgrounds have made throughout the history of the United States, both by remembering those who paved the way in the struggle for gender equity in the United States, and by recognizing the history-makers and barrier breakers of today. The Santee School District is proudly led by a Board and Leadership Team that is largely female, giving our students a first-hand view of the impact strong women leaders have in communities.

Check out the list of book recommendations from our school librarians to read with your children this month.

Kindergarten

  • Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed
    Grade Level: K–2
  • She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton
    Grade Level: K–3
  • Extraordinary Magic by Denise Doyen & Eliza Wheeler (Crews illustrator)
    Grade Level: K–2

1st Grade

  • Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Aldamuy Denise
    Grade Level: 1–3
  • The Tree Lady by H. Joseph Hopkins
    Grade Level: 1–3
  • The House That Jane Built by Tanya Lee Stone
    Grade Level: 1–3

2nd Grade

  • You Forgot Your Skirt, Amelia Bloomer! by Shana Corey
    Grade Level: 2–4
  • Counting on Catherine by Helaine Becker
    Grade Level: 2–4
  • A Line Can Go Anywhere by Caroline McAlister
    Grade Level: 1–3

3rd Grade

  • The Spider Lady: Nan Songer and Her Arachnid WWII Army by Penny Parker Klostermann
    Grade Level: 2–4
  • Jellyfish Scientist: Maude Delap and Her Mesmerizing Medusas by Michelle Cusolito
    Grade Level: 3–5
  • Remembering Rosalind Franklin by Tanya Lee Stone
    Grade Level: 3–6

4th Grade

  • Dragonflies of Glass: The Story of Clara Driscoll and the Tiffany Girls by Susan Goldman Rubin
    Grade Level: 4–6
  • The High-Flying, Deep-Diving Adventures of Kathy Sullivan, Astronaut and Oceanographer by Caitlin O’Connell (if referencing Sullivan bio)
    Grade Level: 3–6
  • Spying on Spies: How Elizebeth Smith Friedman Broke the Nazis’ Secret Codes by Marc Tyler Nobleman / Moss edition
    Grade Level: 4–7

5th Grade

  • Hidden Figures: The Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race (Young Readers Edition) by Margot Lee Shetterly
    Grade Level: 5–8
  • Code Breaker, Spy Hunter by Laurie Wallmark
    Grade Level: 4–7
  • Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky
    Grade Level: 4–8

6th Grade

  • Malala: Activist for Girls’ Education by Raphaëlle Frier
    Grade Level: 5–8
  • Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison
    Grade Level: 4–8
  • Stand Up! 10 Mighty Women Who Made a Change by Brittney Cooper
    Grade Level: 5–8

7th Grade

  • Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo
    Grade Level: 6–8
  • Women Scientists Hidden in History by Danielle O’Brien
    Grade Level: 6–8
  • Women Writers Hidden in History by Brianna Custance
    Grade Level: 6–8

8th Grade

  • Women Explorers Hidden in History by Sara Rodger
    Grade Level: 6–8
  • Women Inventors Hidden in History by Brianna Custance
    Grade Level: 6–8
  • Hidden Figures
    Grade Level: 8+