By Patricia Majher
A deep-sea diver, a dancer, an activist, an aviator, a singer, and a soldier—Great Girls in Michigan History highlights some of the girls from Michigan’s past who did amazing things before they turned twenty years old. Author Patricia Majher presents easy-to-read mini-biographies of twenty girls with ties to Michigan, representing a variety of personal backgrounds and interests, locations across the state, and historical time periods.
Majher introduces little-known stories, like those of female aviator Nancy Harkness (Love), pioneer Anna Howard Shaw, escaped slave Dorothy Butler, professional baseball player Marilyn Jenkins, union leader Myra Komaroff (Wolfgang), and Native American writer Jane Johnston (Schoolcraft). She also includes figures that many readers will recognize—including First Lady Betty Bloomer (Ford), jockey Julie Krone, Motown star Diana Ross, and tennis champion Serena Williams. Majher shows that while life wasn’t always easy for these girls, they were able to overcome any number of obstacles to achieve their goals. Great Girls in Michigan History includes a brief section on each girl’s life after the age of twenty and a glossary of selected vocabulary words at the end of the book.
With its depictions of young women who have not typically been represented in history texts, this book will be inspirational reading for upper elementary school students (ages 8 to 12) and welcomed by Michigan schools, bookstores, and public libraries.
Paperback, 192 pages, 30 B/W photographs
Dimensions: 5.5 x 8 x 0.5 inches
About the Author:
Patricia Majher is the editor of Michigan History magazine (published by the Historical Society of Michigan) and the author of Ladies of the Lights: Michigan Women in the U.S. Lighthouse Service.
Review:
Great Girls in Michigan History will inspire readers through stories of the impressive achievements of young Michigan women. The girls included in this collection have diverse accomplishments and backgrounds and come from across the state. No other book focuses exclusively on the actions of Michigan’s girls. Young women reading this book will feel both the spark of curiosity to learn more about these historical figures and pride in knowing that Michigan girls achieve great things! – Emily Fijol, executive director of the Michigan Women’s Historical Center and Hall of Fame
Awards:
2015 State History Award - Winner in the Children & Youth Books Category
2015 Midwest Book Awards - Finalist in the category of Children's Nonfiction
2016 Michigan Notable Book Awards - 1 of 20 selected annually
2016 Independent Publisher Book Awards - Gold Medal Winner in the Great Lakes Best Regional Non-Fiction Category
