A list of picture books featuring American women in service to their country curated by author Beth Anderson.
The Children’s Book Review
I’m celebrating the release of Cloaked in Courage: Uncovering Deborah Sampson, Patriot Soldier by sharing a bit about Sampson’s story and some of her sisters who served the nation in unique ways throughout United States history in the armed services.
Meet Deborah Sampson – American Revolution
I’m excited to share my new release about Deborah Sampson, a woman who served in the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War…for seventeen months…dressed as a man! I was fascinated with her story and how her early challenges built a strength inside and out that would serve her in the future. Always pursuing excellence, she discovered her capableness as she broke gender barriers. Hers is an amazing story of what one person did with “a chance”!
Cloaked in Courage: Uncovering Deborah Sampson, Patriot Soldier
Written by Beth Anderson
Illustrated by Anne Lambelet
Ages 7+ | 48 Pages
Publisher: Astra Books for Young Readers/Calkins Creek | ISBN-13: 9781635926101
Publisher’s Book Summary: The remarkable story of Deborah Sampson, a woman who fought in the American Revolution disguised as a man—and who ends up finding her true identity and purpose in life.
Deborah Sampson didn’t like being told what to do, especially by the King of England. Fiercely independent, 18-year-old Deborah enlists as Robert Shurtliff in George Washington’s Continental Army to fight for her country’s independence. But being a soldier is hard, dangerous work. Can she fight for her country and keep her identity a secret? Can she also discover who she really is and find her true purpose? This unbelievable story from American history about a woman with a rebel spirit will inspire and enlighten young readers.
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Meet Harriet Tubman – Civil War
Nurse and spy for the Union during the Civil War, Harriet Tubman also led troops. Like Deborah Sampson, Harriet Tubman fought for decades to be paid for her service, but while Sampson ultimately won her military pension, the government never gave Tubman one. Books for children on Harriet Tubman range from picture books and early readers to graphic format and middle grade. Here are two of my favorites that share many ways she served the cause of freedom.
Before She Was Harriet
Written by Lesa Cline-Ransome
Illustrated by James E. Ransome
Ages 4+ | 32 Pages
Publisher: Holiday House | ISBN-13: 9780823420476
This beautiful picture book is creative, lyrical, and uses a fascinating reverse timeline. Working backward from old age, readers see the many roles that Tubman played, in the end, finding a girl in slavery who would grow to be a truly amazing historical figure. The sparse text leaves room for thought and opportunities to soak up the illustrations.
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She Persisted: Harriet Tubman
Written by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Illustrated by Gillian Flint
Ages 4+ | 32 Pages
Publisher: Holiday House | ISBN-13: 9780823420476
For children reading independently, here’s a chapter book on Harriet Tubman by another stellar author. The engaging text and occasional illustrations cover the highlights of Harriet Tubman’s life, then invite readers to make connections to themselves.
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Meet Grace Banker – WWI
Grace Banker and Her Hello Girls Answer the Call: The Heroic Story of WWI Telephone Operators
Written by Claudia Friddell
Illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley
Ages 7+ | 40 Pages
Publisher: Calkins Creek | ISBN-13: 9781684373505
Young Grace Banker answered the call for women to serve in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. As chief operator, she commanded the group of women who moved along with the troops through France, relaying combat orders from headquarters to the front lines. Despite the danger, they carried on through bombings and a fire. This surprising and engaging story about the vital link that women played in fighting WWI was new to me!
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Meet Elizebeth Friedman – WWI, WWII
Code Breaker, Spy Hunter: How Elizebeth Friedman Changed the Course of Two World Wars
Written by Laurie Wallmark
Illustrated by Brooke Smart
Ages 7+ | 48 Pages
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers | ISBN-13: 9781419739637
Elizabeth, who loved codes and was skilled in languages, became one of the country’s first codebreakers for the U.S. military during World War I. Kids interested in the clandestine world, codes, and cyphers will enjoy this story. She worked for the Coast Guard to catch smugglers. In World War II, she worked for what would become the CIA and later for the U.S. Postal Service. Elizebeth’s work was top secret, so it took a long time before she received credit for the incredible service she had provided. The back matter includes an activity to “Crack the Code!”
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Meet Grace Hopper – WWII and Beyond
Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code
Written by Laurie Wallmark
Illustrated by Katy Wu
Ages 5+ | 40 Pages
Publisher: Union Square Kids | ISBN-13: 9781454920007
This is another great story of an American woman by Laurie Wallmark. The opening spread of this book, which comes before the title page, provides a quick peek at all this woman-we-should-know-about did. The curious seven-year-old who dissected the family’s clocks to see how they work loved math and science…and adventure! Grace, responsible for finding the first computer “bug,” literally revolutionized computer programming in her career in the U.S. Navy. She definitely deserves her nickname, “Amazing Grace”! A fascinating read!
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Meet Tammy Duckworth – Iraq War
A Life of Service: Tammy Duckworth
Written by Christina Soontornvat
Illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
Ages 5+ | 48 Pages
Publisher: Candlewick | ISBN-13: 9781536222050
Here’s a terrific book that just came out about Senator Tammy Duckworth. It’s extra special that both author and illustrator are Thai, like the Senator. Not only is it a story of a woman in the armed services, it shares her early years growing up in Thailand, the perspective she has as an immigrant, and how her struggles have allowed her to recognize the challenges others face. Don’t miss this powerful story!
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And here’s a link to a previous post with stories about women during the American Revolution, including Revolutionary Prudence Wright. Though not officially employed in government service, Prudence Wright and the “Minute Women” of Pepperell, MA, were paid for the service they rendered—the capture of a Tory spy! Check out her story and more!
About Beth Anderson
Beth Anderson, a former educator, has always marveled at the power of books. Driven by curiosity and a love for words, she writes untold tales, hoping to inspire kids to laugh, ponder, and question. She’s the award-winning author of FRANZ’S PHANTASMAGORICAL MACHINE, REVOLUTIONARY PRUDENCE WRIGHT, TAD LINCOLN’S RESTLESS WRIGGLE, “SMELLY” KELLY AND HIS SUPER SENSES, LIZZIE DEMANDS A SEAT!, AN INCONVENIENT ALPHABET, and her latest book, CLOAKED IN COURAGE: UNCOVERING DEBORAH SAMPSON, PATRIOT SOLDIER. Beth has more historical picture books on the way.
For more information, visit https://bethandersonwriter.com/.
The booklist 7 Great Books Celebrating American Women in Service to Country was curated by Beth Anderson. Follow along with our articles and reviews tagged with American History, Books About Revolutions, Revolutionary War Tales, and Women’s History.
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