March is Women’s History Month, and as we continue to honor and celebrate the contributions of women in all fields, we’d like to take this opportunity to highlight female children’s and YA authors. Moms are always looking for a new author or a new book series for their children, so here are a few suggestions both old and new. The next time you’re at the library or book store, seek out these fabulous reads by this diverse group of talented writers. We’re pretty sure you’ve read a book or two on this list, so why not share it with the next generation of readers?

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilde

The family depicted in The Little House books was an idealized version of that Laura Ingalls Wilder grew up in. Starting with Little House in the Big Woods, this series recounts the everyday lives as well as adventures of a family pioneering the Great Plains in the mid-1800s. Life was simple, sometimes challenging, but good.  

The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali

Already a New York Times Bestseller and Amazon #1 Bestseller, The Proudest Blue is a sweet story about Faizah, who worries about her older sister Asiya getting bullied for her Hijab.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Betty Smith’s best-known novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, is somewhat autobiographical. Its heroine, Francie Nolan, is real and relatable, and her girlhood is anything but easy. The coming-of-age novel touchingly depicts childhood and young adulthood in early 1900s Brooklyn.  

More to the Story by Hena Khan

Prolific author Hena Khan shares the adventures of four close Pakistani American sisters in Atlanta, Georgia, reminiscent of Little Women. There’s a cute new neighbor Ali (Laurie), and the best news is—not a spoiler—Bisma (Beth) doesn’t die in this version!

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

This fantasy for all ages by Madeleine L’Engle has much more than science or fantasy: add religion, philosophy, mathematics, satire, and allegory. Add a lot of suspense and you’ll wonder why this award-winning book had such trouble finding a publisher!

Not Quite Snow by Ashley Franklin

This book is timely because of the racist backlash Halle Bailey endured against the new Little Mermaid. Some of Tameika’s classmates say she is “too brown” to play a princess. Will she listen to them or prove them wrong?