Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World

Author Susan Hood joins forces with fourteen woman illustrators in this poetic picture-book examination of the lives of fourteen young women who did extraordinary things. The women profiled include well-known figures like Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, African-American civil rights activist Ruby Bridges, and Pakistani education advocate and Nobel Peace Prize-winner Malala Yousafzai. Other figures - 18th-century firefighter Molly Williams, cancer researcher Angela Zhang, World War II spies Jacqueline and Eileen Nearne - are less well known. All of the women - the others include: Nellie Bly, Annette Kellerman, Pura Belpré, Frances Moore Lappé, Mae Jemison, Maya Lin - are interesting. Each two-page spread here features one of these women, show more with a poem from Hood and artwork from a different illustrator. The book concludes with an author's note, and a section of source materials and further reading, for each of the fourteen figures discussed...

Compilation biographies featuring women who did groundbreaking things have been quite popular in the last few years, from Chelsea Clinton's She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World and She Persisted Around the World: 13 Women Who Changed History to Vashti Harrison's Little Leaders: Visionary Women Around the World and Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History, and many more besides. Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World is the first I have encountered in poetic form, and the first to features multiple illustrators, as well as multiples subjects. I enjoyed it, and although already familiar with most of the women profiled, did learn some things. The artwork was appealing, and it was quite interesting to see the different styles utilized by the various artists. I think my favorite sections, from a visual perspective, were those done by Julie Morstad and Melissa Sweet. This sort of anthology of mini-biographies can be very useful, I believe, especially for young readers who are not already familiar with most of the women discussed. It will offer an introduction to a variety of life stories, which the child can then pursue in greater detail. Recommended to young biography lovers, and to picture-book readers searching for stories of women who achieved great things, and made a difference in the world. show less

This is a nice non-fiction picture book illustrated by 14 different artists telling the stories of young women and girls who in some way challenged stereotypes & broke barriers. Some stories are well known - Ruby Bridges or Maya Lin for instance & others were new to me - an african american female volunteer firefighter in NYC in the 1780's (Molly Williams) or a 17 year old in the bay area who may be discovering a way to cure cancer (Angela Zhang). The stories are crafted in verse which is also a unique touch. I think this will be a great book for home & classrooms.

A moving collection of poems about 14 young girls who had a huge impact on our world. Each woman's story is paired up with a woman illustrator to bring art alongside the informational poems. Readers will learn about women such as Ruby Bridges, Mae Jemison and Frida Kahalo along with many more. These young woman had impacts across multiple different fields. Included in the back is further reading on each of the mini biographies. Great book that children enjoy!

A fantastic biography collection about 14 young women who have made a huge impact on the world. Each biography includes a poem about the contributions made by each woman, as well as a short blurb about that woman. Each page has an illustration by a different artist, giving every page a different feel. The author also includes sources, books, and websites for each biography at the end of the book. This book highlights some of the amazing contributions made by women to the field of science and to the movement toward equality for all.

This book is an inspiring collection of poems that tell the stories of fourteen woman throughout history who changed the world. Each poem highlights a different woman, showing how their courage, creativity, and determination helped to shape society.

Beautifully written poems. I also learned a few new names of some wonderful and brave women that I had not heard about before! I will definitely use this book in library programming.

This is an amazing inspirational book about the life of 14 great young women that have made contributions to change the world. They were different and were true to their convictions and dreams. This book is a great resource to encourage children to be faithful to their dream.