Women’s History Month is celebrated every March – including International Women’s Day on 8th March – to highlight the amazing achievements of women throughout history and today. Get to know some fantastic female characters and real-life role models by reading all about them in this month’s recommended stories and non-fiction.
It’s Not Fair
Oxford Reading Tree Biff, Chip and Kipper Stories
Oxford Level 5 (Reception-Year 2/P1-3)
Biff learns about the legend of King Arthur at school. Keen to be a knight herself, the magic key takes her back in time, but she’s furious when she’s told she can’t be a knight because she’s a girl. Can her modern skills and determination help her become a knight of the round table?
Take a look at the whole Oxford Reading Tree Biff, Chip and Kipper Stories: Level 5 More Stories A pack or buy It’s Not Fair on Amazon.
Pick Your Queen!
Oxford Reading Tree inFact
Oxford Level 8 (Year 1–3/P2–4)
Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria lived centuries apart, they both had a huge impact on their times. This fact-filled book will allow your class to compare the lives of two of the most famous women from English history. Will they choose jelly or cake? Is a pet bear better than lots of dogs? It’s time to pick your queen!
Take a look at the whole Oxford Reading Tree inFact Level 8 pack or buy Pick Your Queen! on Amazon.
Mulan
Oxford Reading Tree Traditional Tales
Oxford Level 9 (Year 1–3/P2–4)
This retelling of the ancient Chinese story, which was originally told as a poem, might already be familiar to some children who have watched the film. This captivating version, adapted by Michael Morpurgo, has been retold so that they can read it themselves and rediscover the story of the brave girl who has to pretend to be a boy to go and fight for her country.
Take a look at the whole Oxford Reading Tree Traditional Tales Level 9 pack or buy Mulan on Amazon.
Zaha Hadid: Building the Future
TreeTops inFact
Oxford Level 10 (Year 2–4/P3–5)
Get to know the mind behind some of the most impressive buildings around the world in this guide through the creative career of award-winning architect, the late and great Zaha Hadid. Featuring stunning photographs of her imaginative creations, and the background to how she became the best in her field, it’s a great way to inspire girls to pursue careers in STEM.
Take a look at the whole TreeTops inFact Level 10/11 pack or buy Zaha Hadid: Building the Future on Amazon.
Real Heroes
Oxford Reading Tree inFact
Oxford Level 11 (Year 2–4/P3–5)
Unlike superheroes, real heroes don’t have special powers! Meet two very special women who became heroes by standing up for their beliefs: Emily Davison and Rosa Parks. Discover their inspiring stories of determination, and the impact they had on suffrage and civil rights respectively, in this fascinating biography.
Take a look at the whole Oxford Reading Tree inFact Level 11 pack or buy Real Heroes on Amazon.
Grace the Pirate
TreeTops Fiction
Oxford Level 14 (Year 3–5/P4–6)
If you’re looking for a feisty female character, look no further than Grace Barry! From surviving a shark attack and taking up residence on a desert island, to becoming a pirate captain, her bravery and determination is second to none. What’s more, this book includes fascinating historical facts about a pair of real-life female pirates who sailed together in the early 18th century.
Read the free eBook or take a look at the whole TreeTops Fiction Level 14 pack.
Maggie Aderin-Pocock: Space Scientist
TreeTops inFact
Oxford Level 16 (Year 4–6/P5–7)
In the final biography in our list – which is another great one for inspiring girls to pursue careers in STEM – meet Maggie Aderin-Pocock, space scientist extraordinaire! Find out all about Maggie’s career travelling around the world and what drove her to succeed, and discover lots of fun facts about women in space.
Take a look at the whole Treetops inFact Levels 16–17 pack or buy Maggie Aderin-Pocock: Space Scientist on Amazon.
Warrior Queen
TreeTops Reflect
Oxford Level 20 (Year 5–7/P6–S1)
Older, independent readers will be completely absorbed by this powerful novel about identity and loyalty that’s set in the time of Boudicca’s uprising against the Romans. With a central theme of tolerance and understanding it’s all about reaching a hand out across cultural divides against the backdrop of the rise and fall of the woman who took on the Roman Empire.
Take a look at the whole Treetops Reflect Levels 18–20 pack or buy Warrior Queen on Amazon.
We hope those wonderful women inspire your class this Women’s History Month – and beyond!
You might also be interested in these reading recommendations from children’s author Joanna Nadin, over on Oxford Owl, which are ideal to share with parents. Read the blog: How to build a girl – books to inspire, encourage, or just reassure your daughter >
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Until then, register for free on Oxford Owl to try out the Oxford BookMatch tool to get lots of inspiration to keep your class reading!