February 11th is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This day was created by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015, as a way to recognize the accomplishments and achievements of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (or STEM).

Here are some books from our nonfiction collection about some of these amazing women in science or other STEM fields. These books highlight women specifically, but they are great role models for anyone with an interest in science and the world around them!

Picture Book Biographies (PreK-3rd Grade)

Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist by Linda Skeers (OverDrive)

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin by Julia Finley Mosca

Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom by Teresa Robeson

Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: the Woman Who Loved Reptiles by Patricia Valdez

Hidden Figures: the True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly (OverDrive)

Life in the Ocean: the Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle by Claire Nivola

 

Easy Chapter Biographies (1st-4th Grade)

Virginia Apgar by Sayantani DasGupta (Axis 360)

Sally Ride by Atia Abawi ages (Axis 360)

Jane Goodall by Libby Romero

Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist by Evan Griffith

Space Engineer and Scientist: Margaret Hamilton by Domenica Di Piazza

NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson by Heather E. Schwartz

 

Chapter Book Biographies (5th-8th Grade)

Wonder Women of Science: Twelve Women Who Are Currently Rocking Science, Technology, and the World by Tiera Fletcher (Axis 360)

Changing the Equation: 50+ US Black Women in STEM by Tonya Bolden (OverDrive)

Blast Off into Space like Mae Jemison by Caroline Moss

The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian’s Art Changed Science by Joyce Sidman

The Tornado Scientist: Seeing Inside Severe Storms by Mary Kay Carson

Path to the Stars: My Journey From Girl Scout to Rocket Scientist by Sylvia Acevedo

– Alyssa Young, Youth Services Assistant