Girls Who Rocked the World : Heroines from Sacagawea to Sheryl Swoopes [Paperback]

Amelie Welden (Author)

Book Description

The only book to profile girl heroines who made their mark on the world before turning twenty.

Why is it that girls who want to be basketball starts or presidents of their country grow into teenagers who doubt they will ever do anything important? What are we telling girls about what they can and can't achieve? There have been many influential girls throughout history, but their stories are seldom told. The girls profiled in Girls Who Rocked the World are from the past and present, some well-known and others overlooked. Girls like:

* Joan of Arc was 17 years old when she led French troops against armies of English invaders. She defeated the English and rescued her country. She was burned at the stake at 19.

* Cristen Powell is one of the top drag racers in America, male or female. She began racing at 16 and is the youngest female racer in history.

*Other girls included are: Cleopatra (Egypt), Phillis Wheatley (America), Wang Yani (China), Mary Leakey (England), Sarah Bernhardt (France), Frida Kahlo (Mexico), and Mother Teresa (India).

The book also links the heroines of the past to the girls of today. Between the historical profiles are photos and writings of today's girls answering the question "How do I plan to rock the world?"

This fun, hip book will inspire girls to make their dreams come true by showing them other amazing girls who did it before them and who changed the world.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-Thirty-three short biographical sketches of young women who achieved "something extraordinary" before age 20. The entries are in chronological order, beginning with Cleopatra and ending with tennis star Martina Hingis. Some of the names are familiar (e.g., Hellen Keller, Anne Frank, and Wilma Rudolf), while others are less well known. Welden introduces pioneer Virginia Reed (of the ill-fated Donner party), scientist Irene Joliot-Curie, archaeologist Mary Leakey, musician Vanessa-Mae Nicholson, and others. Some of the entries, especially those about people who lived before 1800, contain a great deal of fictionalization. For example, the chapter on Phillis Wheatley reads: "She fiddled with her front baby teeth, which were loose, as she longed for her warm home in Africa...." This sort of narration builds mood but undermines the book's credibility. Each biography is illustrated with a good-quality black-and-white photograph or less effective drawing of the subject. Some of the illustrations are decidedly unattractive, and the one of Phillis Wheatley looks distorted. The boxed quotes by and photos of modern girls explaining how they will "rock the world" are charming touches.
Rebecca O'Connell, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-7. Young women looking for inspiration will surely find it here. Including a variety of individuals--from athletes and political leaders to scientists and artists--Welden has assembled a collection of biographical sketches of women who "have achieved something extraordinary while under the age of twenty." Some accounts, like those of Helen Keller and Anne Frank, are well-known. Others are about women whose names we may have heard but whose stories are not familiar. Welden clearly admires them all, though she doesn't hesitate to reveal unflattering deeds. The short biographies serve nicely to whet readers' appetites for more. Each is followed by a small photo of a modern girl answering the question, "How will you rock the world?" An extensive bibliography is appended. Lauren Peterson

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Beyond Words Publishing (April 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885223684
• ISBN-13: 978-1885223685
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #498,644 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE IT!!!! I'm giving it as a gift to every girl I know!!!, April 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Girls Who Rocked the World : Heroines from Sacagawea to Sheryl Swoopes (Paperback)

I originally purchased this book for my 8 year old daughter. I think I like it better than she does! I absolutely *LOVE* reading about 14 year old girls who rocked the world... and I feel empowered to follow my dreams to rock the world a little myself. I especially love the current-day kids at the end of each section with their plans!!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Girls Rock!, January 4, 2002

By 

Paula Ortiz (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Girls Who Rocked the World : Heroines from Sacagawea to Sheryl Swoopes (Paperback)

    In her teens, Amelie Welden began writing this book, "Girls who rocked the world", about girls under 20 that have had a major impact on the image of women around the world, throughout history. These tales of hardships and obstacles women have overcome to reach success against the odds is perfect motivational reading for the girls of today. Amelie Welden combines girls from all different situations and backgrounds in this book that share the same characteristics of a heroine. Whether it is Joan of Arc, a French crusader, or Martina Hingis, Women's tennis championship, girls can find good role models. Among the 33 women mentioned in the book, three of which, I found exemplified outstanding characteristics of a heroine making this book a worthwhile read, Cleopatra, Phillis Wheatley, and Helen Keller.

    This book begins with most likely the most famous woman ruler of them all, Cleopatra. Blessed with riches from the beginning, this girl had all the makings to become a woman who would rock the world, and she did. She faced incredible responsible at the age of only 18 when she was crowned Queen of the Egyptian Empire. Ruling her empire was a difficult task when she was thought of as inferior, for being a women to other male rulers, but that didn't shake her confidence. From the start things went rough for the Queen and she found herself exiled from her own country because advisors felt threatened by her ideas and independence. However, determined, and clever, she devised a plan in order to get into her country to meet Julius Caesar, and the rest is history. The significance of her story is to prove to the world that girls can succeed in a position dominated by men. With the right skill and attitude shown by Cleopatra for her country, any girl can become good at her passion. Cleopatra's heroic courage and willingness to put her life on the line for the sake of her beloved country, is an admirable quality every girl should have.

    Unlike Cleopatra, Phillis Wheatley was born at a time when it was unheard of for African-Americans to be anymore than slaves, let alone women. However, Phillis Wheatley decided to change her stars, and follow her love for writing. Writing was a way for Phillis to express her feelings, a privilege that any girl should have. Unfortunately no one would listen or hardly appreciate the poetry of a black girl, no matter how good it was. But knowledge is power and as Phillis advanced in her studies, she gained respect. Her life proved that even a black girl could be an intelligent and an educated person if given the opportunity. She opened new doors for the rights of African-Americans and took society a step closer to accepting her race. She taught the world to look past superficial things like skin color and take a deeper look into what the person has to say. It takes a lot of courage to do this at a time when the slavery issue was so controversial, but Phillis Wheatley dared to be different and never gave up on her dreams. Her patriotic spirit but unwillingness to accept the injustice she was forced to live among made her one of the most respected heroines in our society and an excellent role model for girls to follow.

    Left blind and deaf when she was still a baby, no one could have guessed Helen Keller would become one of the most important advocates for the disabled of her time. Although very intellectually bright Helen was never given the chance to learn because it was the common idea that disabled people were not worthwhile to educate. Finally a teacher decided to take a chance on her and suddenly concepts started to make sense to Helen. She became a rapid learner up to where she could read, write, and speak as well as anyone. The rest of Helen's life dedicated on trying to break down the barriers of education discrimination and to change the way people thought of the "disabled". Girls who have disabilities can relate to Helen's story. The significance of Helen Keller's life is that she not only had to overcome a huge disability herself, but then went on to help others overcome the same obstacles so they could have equal opportunities. She fought her battle by educating and spreading awareness to others, so disabled people wouldn't have to face the discrimination she had. She rocked the world by speaking out and was devoted to her life's goal no matter how impossible it may have seemed. Helen devoted her life to help others so they wouldn't have to go through was she did. All these characteristics make her a heroine in everyone's eyes, including the disabled.

    All the women in this book possess very admirable characteristics that allowed them to follow their dreams against all odds. Along their journeys they encountered obstacles that only girls could take on. It takes courage and spirit to attempt what they did, and even more strength to succeed at it. But they believed in themselves which took them far and made them heroines who undoubtedly rocked the world. As the young orator Anna Dickinson said, "The world belongs to those who take it", these girls did, and so will the girls of today after they read this book!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for every girl in America, February 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Girls Who Rocked the World : Heroines from Sacagawea to Sheryl Swoopes (Paperback)

I read this book with my daughter who is 7. Both of us were awed by the featured women in the book. The book is short and the stories concise. It is inspiring to see not only women who changed the world, but young women doing so much. Every school and girl in America should read this book. I am buying them as gifts for every girl we know!