Rad Girls Can: Stories of Bold, Brave, and Brilliant Young Women
Rad Women Series
What’s inside...
From the New York Times best-selling authors of Rad Women Worldwide and Rad American Women A-Z comes Rad Girls Can, a collection of inspiring stories and art about accomplished girls under the age of 20. The book highlights young women who have made positive impacts on the world, like Malala Yousafzai, Anne Frank, and others less well-known like Yusra Mardini, a Syrian refugee and Olympic swimmer, and Trisha Prabhu, who invented an anti-cyberbullying app. These profiles showcase girls excelling in sports, speaking out against injustice, expressing themselves creatively, and advocating for girls globally, all paired with dynamic paper-cut art.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
10-13
Length
107 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Which story of a bold, brave, or brilliant young woman inspired you the most and why?
How do you think the challenges faced by the girls in the book compare to challenges you face in your daily life?
What qualities do the young women in the book share that you admire or would like to develop?
If you could meet any of the young women from the book, who would it be, and what would you ask her?
How can you apply the lessons from these stories to your own life or community?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading each story, ask your child to predict what challenges the young woman might face and how she might overcome them.
After reading a story, encourage your child to draw or write about a quality they admired in the protagonist, fostering a deeper connection to the character.
Share your own stories of women you find inspiring, creating a personal link and enhancing the relevance of the book’s themes.
Suggest your child write a letter or journal entry to one of the young women in the book, expressing their thoughts or asking questions about her life and choices.
Discuss how the qualities of boldness, bravery, and brilliance can be beneficial in various aspects of life including school, friendships, and personal challenges.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empowerment through Role Models
Explanation: The book features inspiring stories of young women achieving remarkable feats, which serves to empower young readers by seeing figures they can look up to.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by seeking out and learning from role models in their own communities or fields of interest, fostering a sense of motivation and possibility.
Example Lesson: Importance of Determination and Perseverance
Explanation: Each story highlights how these young women overcame obstacles and persisted despite challenges, emphasizing the value of determination.
Real-World Application: Kids can internalize the importance of perseverance in their daily tasks or long-term goals, whether in academics, sports, or personal hobbies.
Example Lesson: Diversity and Inclusivity
Explanation: The book showcases young women from diverse backgrounds and abilities, promoting inclusivity and understanding of different perspectives.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and embrace diversity in their classrooms and social circles, fostering an inclusive environment.
Example Lesson: Impact of Civic Engagement
Explanation: Examples in the book demonstrate how young women engaged in activism or community projects, underscoring the impact one can have on society.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to participate in community service or small acts of kindness, understanding their potential to contribute positively to society.
Example Lesson: Self-Belief and Confidence
Explanation: The stories reinforce the theme of believing in oneself, as these young women achieved success through self-confidence.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to trust their abilities and advocate for themselves in various situations, whether in school or among peers.