Women Warriors

April 1, 2017
Gr 9 Up-The women featured in this well-written set defied more than convention. They also rebelled against prejudices, laws, and cultural norms to achieve success in nontraditional areas. Documented content ranges from ancient history to the present, combining background and analysis with biographical sketches of a diverse group of women. General introductions are followed by chronological chapters that describe how women challenged societal limits in historical eras. The sketches in each volume run from three to five pages and generally include a portrait. Many of those mentioned, such as Cleopatra and Joan of Arc, are well known, while others, such as Princess Pingyang (Warriors) and Mary Katherine Goddard (Entrepreneurs), will be new to most readers. VERDICT A primary addition to teen history collections.

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2017
Grades 8-10 The Defying Convention: Women Who Changed the Rules series offers informative collective biographies within specific fields. Arranged chronologically, each discussion presents a number of notable women and often places their achievements within the social context of a particular place and time. The books highlight women from around the world, though they often emphasize North American and European figures. The illustrations, usually in color, include reproductions of period prints, paintings, and sculptures as well as many photos of subjects and sites. The Athletes and Writers volumes cover a span from ancient to contemporary times, while the last women discussed in Warriors were active during WWII. Warriors achieves a good balance of worldwide figures. An information-packed series on women who excelled.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)