Books About Female Role Models · 275 titles considered

The Best Female Role Models Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about female role models? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Female Role Models

Matilda
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 7–12 · 1988

Matilda

By Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake (Illustrator)

A young girl discovers she has telekinetic powers and uses them to defend herself against her cruel parents and the evil headmistress of her school.

240 pages· 40,056 words· Est. 5.5 hour read
7.0/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 1,151,810 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Matilda is a brilliant young girl misunderstood by her neglectful parents. At school, she encounters the fearsome Miss Trunchbull, a headmistress who despises children. When Matilda discovers she possesses extraordinary abilities, she sees a chance to stand up against the oppressive Trunchbull. Can Matilda outsmart the tyrant and bring justice to her school? With courage and wit, she might just change everything.
The Secret Garden
Sale price
$1699
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12

The Secret Garden

A lonely girl discovers a hidden garden with a mysterious key.

352 pages· 80,729 words· Est. 11 hour read
6.4/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,194,235 ratings
Bookroo Collection Edition: Hardcover
Summary: Mary Lennox, orphaned and alone in her uncle's dreary mansion, discovers a key to a forbidden garden. As she unlocks its secrets, she steps into a magical world that changes everything. What mysteries lie within, and how will they alter her life forever?
Ella Enchanted
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1997

Ella Enchanted

A cursed girl must obey every command. Can she break free?

304 pages· 53,087 words· Est. 7.5 hour read
5.9/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 427,535 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Ella of Frell is cursed with obedience, forced to follow any command, no matter how dangerous. Determined to reclaim her freedom, she embarks on a daring quest through a world of ogres, giants, and wicked stepsisters. As she navigates this treacherous path, Ella must outwit those who would exploit her curse and discover her true self. Will she find a way to break the spell and live on her own terms, or will the curse dictate her fate forever? Dive into this enchanting tale of courage and resilience.
Dragons and Marshmallows
Sale price
$674
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2017

Dragons and Marshmallows

By Asia Citro, Marion Lindsay (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Zoey and Sassafras series

A young girl discovers a magical world of creatures in her backyard and learns to care for them with the help of her scientist mother

96 pages· 8,263 words· Est. 1 hour read
4.4 Goodreads · 5,528 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Zoey and her cat, Sassafras, discover a secret: magical animals need their help. When a baby dragon falls ill, Zoey must use her science skills to save it. Can she solve the mystery before it's too late? Each adventure brings a new creature and challenge, blending magic with scientific inquiry. Join Zoey as she experiments, investigates, and journals her way through enchanting mysteries, all while learning about the wonders of science. Will her curiosity and determination be enough to help her magical friends?
Harriet the Invincible
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 2015

Harriet the Invincible

A princess must find a prince to break a sleeping curse cast on her family.

256 pages· 16,096 words· Est. 3 hour read
5.3/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 4,380 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Harriet Hamsterbone isn't your average princess. Cursed to fall asleep on her twelfth birthday, she revels in her invincibility, embarking on daring adventures with her riding quail, Mumfrey. But as her birthday looms, the curse takes an unforeseen turn, forcing Harriet to confront a new reality. Can she find a way to break the spell, or will her adventurous spirit be her undoing? Dive into a world where princesses defy expectations and curses lead to unexpected journeys.
The Diary of a Young Girl
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 11–15

The Diary of a Young Girl

By Anne Frank, Susan Massotty (Translator)

A young girl hides from Nazis, documenting her life in a secret attic, revealing courage and humanity's frailty.

400 pages· 100,270 words· Est. 9.5 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 4,333,169 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Mass Market Paperbound
Summary: In Nazi-occupied Holland, thirteen-year-old Anne Frank hides with her family in a secret attic. Her diary captures the tension, fear, and fleeting moments of joy during their two-year confinement. As Anne navigates adolescence amidst the constant threat of discovery, her words reveal a profound resilience and a poignant glimpse into her inner world. This uncut edition unveils her complex relationship with her mother and her emerging self-awareness, offering a deeper understanding of her indomitable spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.
The Secret of Whale Island
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 2013

The Secret of Whale Island

A killer whale disrupts college life, threatening peace during whale migration.

56 pages· 5,314 words· Est. 1 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 921 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Hardcover
Summary: At Ratford College, the Thea Sisters, five aspiring journalists, face an unexpected challenge as a killer whale threatens the annual whale migration. Amidst classes and friendships, can they uncover the truth and restore peace to Whale Island? Dive into a thrilling adventure where the stakes are high, and the mystery deepens with every wave.
Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters
Sale price
$1248
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2018

Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters

By Andrea Beaty, David Roberts (Illustrator) · Book #4 in the The Questioneers series

A young inventor helps her friend participate in an art contest despite her physical limitations

144 pages· 7,816 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 1,659 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Hardcover
Summary: Rosie Revere faces her toughest challenge yet when her Aunt Rose and the Raucous Riveters need her engineering skills. Tasked with creating a device for a mural competition, Rosie struggles with repeated failures. As hope dwindles, classmates Iggy Peck and Ada Twist join the quest, sparking creativity and teamwork. Can Rosie overcome setbacks and rediscover the true meaning of home with the Riveters? Dive into this adventure of perseverance and friendship, where science and heart collide.
Dealing with Dragons
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 10–12 · 1990

Dealing with Dragons

A rebellious princess seeks adventure with a powerful dragon, facing magical dangers and unexpected allies.

208 pages· 50,352 words· Est. 5.5 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 95,259 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Princess Cimorene defies royal expectations by fleeing to live with Kazul, a formidable dragon. Her quest for excitement leads her into a whirlwind of magical encounters, including a witch, a jinn, and a talking bird with deadly intentions. As she navigates these challenges, Cimorene must outwit oily wizards and a mysterious stone prince. Will her thirst for adventure bring triumph or peril? Discover a world where a princess's courage defies tradition and danger lurks at every turn.
Tuesdays at the Castle
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2011

Tuesdays at the Castle

A castle changes, a kingdom in peril, a princess must save it.

256 pages· 50,090 words· Est. 7 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 23,923 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Princess Celie loves Tuesdays when Castle Glower magically transforms, adding new rooms and secrets. But when her parents, the king and queen, vanish after an ambush, Celie must use her unique knowledge of the castle's shifting halls to protect her home and rescue her family. Can she navigate the castle's mysteries and save the kingdom before it's too late?
Browse by age

Female Role Models Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

Sturdy, inviting books about female role models for the youngest readers and listeners.

Sale price
$799

This Little Explorer

Ages 3–5 · 2016

Discover the world's greatest explorers in a vibrant journey for young adventurers.

Sale price
$1599

Audrey Hepburn

Ages 2–4 · 2015

Discover how a dream led Audrey Hepburn from war-torn Europe to Hollywood stardom.

Sale price
$999

A Little Princess

Ages 2–6 · 2017

Discover friendship in unexpected places with a classic tale's charm.

Sale price
$1199

Pride & Prejudice

Ages 1–3 · 2011

Explore numbers through a charming journey of proposals and encounters in an English village.

Sale price
$1599

Marie Curie

Ages 2–4 · 2016

Discover Marie Curie's journey from childhood dreams to groundbreaking scientific achievements.

Sale price
$799

This Little Scientist

Ages 3–5 · 2018

Discover the groundbreaking scientists who changed history in this vibrant board book.

Sale price
$899

Think Big, Little One

Ages 0–3 · 2019

Discover trailblazing women who changed the world and inspire young dreamers to follow their biggest ideas.

Sale price
$999

A Is for Awesome!

Ages 1–3 · 2019

Explore the alphabet through iconic women who changed the world.

Browse by age

Female Role Models Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about female role models for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Sale price
$1699

Harriet Tubman

Ages 4–8 · 2018

Discover Harriet Tubman's daring escapes and secret missions during the Civil War.

Sale price
$1599

Emmeline Pankhurst

Ages 4–8 · 2017

A young dreamer fights for women's voting rights, changing history.

Elizabeth Leads the Way
Sale price
$899

Elizabeth Leads the Way

Ages 6–10 · 2008

A woman defies societal norms to fight for voting rights, changing history forever.

Sale price
$1599

Maya Angelou

Ages 4–8 · 2016

Discover how Maya Angelou found her voice and became a beloved writer and activist.

Sale price
$1699

Women in Science

Ages 10–15 · 2016

Discover the untold stories of women who shaped STEM history.

Cinder Edna
Sale price
$1799

Cinder Edna

Ages 4–8 · 1994

Two girls, two paths: who finds true happiness without magic?

Dangerously Ever After
Sale price
$1799

Dangerously Ever After

Ages 5–8 · 2012

A daring princess faces unexpected challenges when mysterious seeds grow into something bizarre.

The House That Jane Built
Sale price
$1999

The House That Jane Built

Ages 6–9 · 2015

A woman transforms a Chicago neighborhood with a community center, impacting thousands.

Browse by age

Female Role Models Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about female role models for developing and independent readers.

A Little Princess
Sale price
$1800

A Little Princess

Ages 8–12 · 1905

A wealthy girl becomes a pauper at boarding school. Can kindness be her true wealth?

Sale price
$999

Princess Academy

Ages 11–15 · 2005

A mountain girl faces a contest to become a princess, risking her home and heart.

Sale price
$899

Harriet the Spy

Ages 8–12 · 1964

A young spy's secret notebook falls into the wrong hands, threatening her friendships.

Sale price
$899

A Wrinkle in Time

Ages 9–13 · 1962

A stormy night, a mysterious stranger, and a quest through time to find a missing father.

Anne Frank
Sale price
$1999

Anne Frank

Ages 9–12 · 1999

A hidden diary reveals a young girl's life under Nazi threat.

Becoming RBG
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1999

Becoming RBG

Ages 10–13 · 2019

A shy girl rises to challenge injustice and reshape the law.

Force of Nature
Sale price
$1999

Force of Nature

Ages 8–12 · 2024

A young naturalist defies norms to protect the planet and spark change.

Grasping Mysteries
Sale price
$899

Grasping Mysteries

Ages 8–12 · 2020

Discover the untold stories of seven women who transformed science and math.