Rad Girls Can

May 1, 2018

Gr 5 Up-The author/illustrator pair of Rad American Women A-Z and Rad Women Worldwide present a new book featuring 50 women and girls who, before the age of 20, made an impact on the world. In an informal writing style, Schatz describes each young woman in one to three pages. The subjects are diverse in race, nationality, and ability, as well as purpose-they are athletes, activists, artists, and more. The title includes such historical figures as Anne Frank, along with contemporary individuals. The latter will be the most meaningful to readers, as they may relate more to their struggles and triumphs, such as the Radical Monarchs, an activist scout troop, and Yusra Mardini, a Syrian refugee and Olympic swimmer. Stahl's cut-paper illustrations are outstanding, showcasing her talent in creating portraitlike depictions on nearly every page. Though the content is impressive, its organization is somewhat lacking. Unlike the previous two titles, the stories do not follow a consistent layout, and they appear in random order. The back matter includes suggestions for readers on how to become a changemaker and short descriptions of additional "rad girls," though there's no formal bibliography. VERDICT Amid the plethora of collective biographies available, this one stands out for its focus on young women. Despite minor organizational flaws, it is a worthy addition to public and school libraries.-Clara Hendricks, Cambridge Public Library, MA

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2018
Schatz and Stahl (Rad American Women A-Z, 2015, etc.) partner again to present young women and girls who have achieved great things. The subjects of the powerful profiles in this book are mostly teenagers, some as young as 10 at the beginnings of their journeys to greatness. Most readers will know such names as Anne Frank and Malala Yousafzai, but they will learn many new names as well. Stories like those of Misty Copeland, the American Ballet Theatre's first African-American principal ballerina, and Yusra Mardini, the young Syrian swimmer who pulled 18 other refugees through the sea to safety, engage readers with emotional depth and demonstrate the value of perseverance. Various ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds are represented in this mix of modern and historical figures, though most are from the United States and born within the past 100 years. The black-and-white papercut illustrations give a memorable impression of each girl profiled. The careful inclusion of Jazz Jennings, Janet Mock, and Amandla Stenberg makes room for multiple constructions of girlhood. Carefully researched and utterly compelling, this volume is hard to put down. At the end, a blank profile asks the reader to fill in their own rad reality and dreams for making the world a better place. Eight pages of "More Rad Girls" offer many more names to look up, and the opening "Note on Gender" acknowledges heroes and readers of all gender identities while upholding the value of a volume with girls at the center. Engaging and inspiring. (sources, index) (Collective biography. 10-16)

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Starred review from October 15, 2018
Grades 5-8 *Starred Review* Following an introduction, Schatz and Stahl present 49 girls (50, once the reader creates their own profile at the end) who, before the age of 20, made positive impacts on the world. Whether taking action that led to legislative change (Mary Beth Tinker, Madison Kimrey), sharing a talent and breaking through norms (Misty Copeland, Lorde), or spearheading resistance (Joan of Arc, the Podg�rski Sisters), the women in these profiles show that no one is too young or too ordinary to effect change. The authors acknowledge and thank the boys and young men who have been allies, but unapologetically keep their focus on girls, both cis and trans. There are plenty of familiar names here?Anne Frank, Malala Yousafzai, Ruby Bridges?as well as girls who are less recognized, either because history has overlooked them or because they are active right now. The list is diverse and global, predominantly focused on the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. An ending Research and Resources guide describes how the authors prepared for writing the book and lists some of their favorite sources, as well as links to current information about girls active right now. And if 50 girls isn't enough, there are several pages of More Rad Girls to further inspire.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2019
The team behind Rad American Women AZ and others offers another collective biography introducing females who've made a difference, here before age twenty. From the singer Lorde to Malala Yousafzai, this volume covers a refreshing and inclusive mix of girls' achievement stories, written in engaging, tween-appropriate prose and illustrated with Stahl's hip cut-paper portraits. Tips for becoming a "rad girl" and resources are appended. Ind.

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)