March Is Women’s History Month!

1,600+ Womens History Month Stock Illustrations, Royalty-Free Vector Graphics & Clip Art - iStock | National womens history month, Womens history month vector, Womens history month bannerMarch is Women’s History Month!

Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed, authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as Women’s History Week. In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress designated the month of March as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating March as Women’s History Month. These proclamations celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields.

Below are some books, eBooks and audiobooks available at CA Library that recognize and celebrate the achievements of women in American History — search the CA Library catalog for the complete collection (Women > United States > History).

And for even more eBooks and audiobooks, check out the Women’s History Collection in the Sora digital reading app!

Amazons, abolitionists, and activists : a graphic history of women's fight for their rights Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists: A Graphic History of Women’s Fight for Their Rights by Mikki Kendall — The ongoing struggle for women’s rights has spanned human history, touching nearly every culture on Earth, and encompassing a wide range of issues. This is a fun and fascinating graphic novel–style primer that covers the key figures and events that have advanced women’s rights from antiquity to the modern era. “An incredibly comprehensive resource for readers seeking a look at women’s history that diverges from what is typically taught in school” (Library Journal).

Astronauts : women on the final frontier Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier by Jim Ottaviani — The trail-blazing women of Group 9, NASA’s first mixed gender class, had the challenging task of convincing the powers that be that a woman’s place is in space, but they discovered that NASA had plenty to learn about how to make space travel possible for everyone. “Fans of Ottaviani’s T-Minus: The Race to the Moon, as well as those interested in science or space travel, will eagerly gravitate to this title” (School Library Journal).

Atomic women : the untold stories of the scientists who helped create the nuclear bomb Atomic Women: The Untold Stories of the Scientists Who Helped Create the Nuclear Bomb by Roseanne Montillo — Bomb meets Code Girls in this nonfiction narrative about the little-known female scientists who were critical to the invention of the atomic bomb during World War II. Montillo explores not just the critical steps toward the creation of a successful nuclear bomb, but also the moral implications of such an invention. “This woman-centered narrative fills a major gap in the popular understanding of how the atomic bomb came to be” (Publisher Weekly).

Code girls : the true story of the American women who secretly broke codes in World War II Code Girls: The True Story of the American Women Who Secretly Broke Codes in World War II by Liza Mundy — A young readers’ adaptation of Mundy’s bestseller Code Girls that chronicles the remarkable true story of the talented young American women who were recruited by the U.S. Army and Navy to crack German and Japanese military codes during World War II. “Well-integrated black-and-white period photographs and the additions of a timeline, glossary, and further reading in the backmatter round out this adaptation” (Kirkus Reviews). Get the Audiobook

Gender inequality in sports : from Title IX to world titles Gender Inequality In Sports: From Title IX To World Titles by Kirstin Cronn-Mills — Fifty years ago, President Richard Nixon signed Title IX into law, making it illegal for federally funded education programs to discriminate based on sex. Title IX set into motion a massive boom in girls and women’s sports teams, from kindergarten to the collegiate level. This comprehensive look at gender inequality in sports details the continued struggle against unequal pay, discrimination, and sexism despite Title IX. “Necessary reading, particularly for those who think the battle is won and done” (Kirkus Reviews). Get the eBook

Our brave foremothers : celebrating 100 black, brown, Asian, & indigenous women who changed the course of history Our Brave Foremothers: Celebrating 100 Black, Brown, Asian, and Indigenous Women Who Changed the Course of History by Rozella Kennedy — Celebrating women of color who changed the course of U.S. history, this collection includes contributions by both famous and little-known names with prompts for you to connect your life to theirs to understand their influence and the power of their stories. “Activists, artists, athletes, and scientists all receive long overdue recognition in this attractive volume” (Booklist).

The radium girls : the scary but true story of the poison that made people glow in the dark The Radium Girls: The Scary but True Story of the Poison that Made People Glow in the Dark by Kate Moore — Adapted for younger readers, a narrative account of the true story of the young women who were dangerously exposed to Marie and Pierre Curie’s newly discovered element details their courageous struggle for justice and role in establishing life-saving regulations and preventing nuclear war. “News clippings and period photos enhance the thoroughly sourced text, but it’s Moore’s personal, captivating prose that renders this shining piece of history unforgettable” (Booklist). Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook

She votes : how U.S. women won suffrage, and what happened next She Votes: How U.S. Women Won Suffrage, and What Happened Next by Bridget Quinn — An intersectional story of the women who won suffrage, and those who have continued to raise their voices for equality ever since. From the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation to the first woman to wear pants on the Senate floor, author Bridget Quinn shines a spotlight on the women who broke down barriers. “Colorful, attention-grabbing illustrations in a diverse array of styles enhance Quinn’s snappy prose on nearly every page. This soaring movement history has something for neophytes and experts alike” (Publishers Weekly).

Smithsonian American women : women's history from the National Collection Smithsonian American Women: Remarkable Objects and Stories of Strength, Ingenuity, and Vision from the National Collection — An inspiring and surprising celebration of U.S. women’s history told through Smithsonian artifacts illustrating women’s participation in science, art, music, sports, fashion, business, religion, entertainment, military, politics, activism, and more. “This is a well-put together, well-designed book, so stuffed with information that readers will be tempted to consume it, all at once or in chunks” (Booklist).

Wise gals : the spies who built the CIA and changed the future of espionage Wise Gals: The Spies Who Built the CIA and Changed the Future of Espionage by Nathalia Holt — The never-before-told story of a small cadre of influential female spies in the precarious early days of the CIA — women who helped create the template for cutting-edge espionage (and blazed new paths for equality in the workplace) in the treacherous post-WWII era. “Like Holt’s Rise of the Rocket Girls, this is solid source material for teens researching overlooked history” (Booklist). Get the Audiobook

Most Popular Audiobooks For The Week of 2/26

One of the features of the Sora digital reading app is the ability to sort collections by popularity, and not just popularity within our school library, but across all libraries that use Sora. Here are the top 10 most popular audiobooks available in three library collections:

Canandaigua Academy Library (YA Titles)

  1. Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
  2. A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder (Book 1) by Holly Jackson
  3. The Summer I Turned Pretty (Book 1) by Jenny Han
  4. If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin
  5. Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle, Book 1) by Christopher Paolini
  6. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
  7. Red Queen (Book 1) by Victoria Aveyard
  8. Shatter Me (Book 1) by Tahereh Mafi
  9. The Giver by Lois Lowry
  10. NEW! The Boys In The Boat by Daniel James Brown

Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES (All Titles)A Court of Thorns and Roses

  1. A Court of Thorns and Roses (Book 1) by Sarah J. Maas
  2. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (Hunger Games, Book 0) by Suzanne Collins
  3. Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone (Book 1) by J.K. Rowling
  4. All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
  5. The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson, Book 1) by Rick Riordan
  6. Educated by Tara Westover
  7. No Brainer (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 18) by Jeff Kinney
  8. A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder (Book 1) by Holly Jackson
  9. Red Rising (Book 1) by Pierce Brown
  10. Dare To Lead by Brene Brown

OWWL (Wood Library) (YA Titles)

  1. A Court of Thorns and Roses (Book 1) by Sarah J. Maas
  2. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (Hunger Games, Book 0) by Suzanne Collins
  3. Throne of Glass (Book 1) by Sarah J. Maas
  4. Divine Rivals (Book 1) by Rebecca Ross
  5. Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire (Book 4) by J.K. Rowling
  6. Check and Mate by Ali Hazelwood
  7. A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder (Book 1) by Holly Jackson
  8. The Summer I Turned Pretty (Book 1) by Jenny Han
  9. The Inheritance Games (Book 1) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
  10. Once Upon A Broken Heart (Book 1) by Stephanie Garber

NOTE: Only one book from each series is included in the top 10 lists.

New Audiobooks In Sora!

Take a look at the CA Library collection in your Sora account — you’ll find thousands of eBooks and audiobooks across many different genres, including:

…and more! You can also browse the latest audiobooks in Sora, including these new titles:

Bless the Blood: A Cancer MemoirBless The Blood: A Cancer Memoir by Walela Nehanda — When Walela is diagnosed at twenty-three with advanced stage blood cancer, they’re suddenly thrust into the unsympathetic world of tubes and pills, doctors who don’t use their correct pronouns, and hordes of “well-meaning” but patronizing people as Walela fundraises for surgeries online. “Shatters mirrors and windows to reveal the jagged shards of self-determination: gently volatile and absolutely crucial” (Kirkus Reviews).


Dear Medusa: (A Novel in Verse)Dear Medusa by Olivia Cole — This searing and intimate novel in verse follows a sixteen-year-old girl coping with sexual abuse as she grapples with how to reclaim her story, her anger, and her body in a world that seems determined to punish her for the sin of surviving. “Cole’s prose is beautiful, thought-provoking, and filled with emotion . . . this novel is one that readers won’t put down willingly” (School Library Journal).


Extra Life (Young Readers Adaptation): The Astonishing Story of How We Doubled Our LifespanExtra Life: The Astonishing Story of How We Doubled Our Lifespan by Steven Johnson — A young readers adaptation of Steven Johnson’s Extra Life, the story of how humans have doubled our lifespan in less than a century — and what to do with the extra life we now have. “Johnson offers readers a highlights reel of scientific advances that have worked to reduce mortality rates . . . A refreshing change of pace for readers weary of hearing that things are just getting worse” (Kirkus Reviews).


The Girl, The Ring, & The Baseball BatThe Girl, The Ring & The Baseball Bat by Camille Gomera-Tavarez — Armed with talismans, including an enchanted jacket that gets people to do anything, a baseball bat that fixes anything it breaks and a manifestation stone that makes anyone fall in love, Rosie, her older sister Caro and Zeke find their lives intertwined in magical and hilarious ways. “Gomera-Tavarez crafts a spell-binding tale that delves into Latin American culture, intergenerational trauma, and sexuality” (Publishers Weekly).


Gloria Buenrostro Is Not My GirlfriendGloria Buenrostro Is Not My Girlfriend by Brandon Hoàng — As one of only two Asian Americans in his school and often left out, Gary jumps at the chance of breaking into the school’s popular clique by befriending the most beautiful girl in school, but as he comes closer to achieving his goal, Gary also risks losing the only person who sees the real him. “In this sweetly rendered debut, Hoàng employs well-paced plot points and dynamic character development that coalesce into an amicable tale” (Publishers Weekly).


Heartless Hunter: The Crimson Moth Duology, Book 1Heartless Hunter (Crimson Moth, Book 1) by Kristen Ciccarelli — In a world where witches face persecution, Rune leads a double life, masquerading as a socialite during the day and transforming into the vigilante known as the Crimson Moth by night, and forms a complicated alliance with the witch hunter Gideon Sharpe, blurring the lines between love and danger. “Fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope will not be able to put this book down . . . Ciccarelli creates a world that will immediately immerse readers” (School Libary Journal).


Just Say YesJust Say Yes by Goldy Moldavsky — Jimena Ramos had no idea she was undocumented. Now she’s seventeen, and she needs to figure out a way to stay in New York City, the only home she can remember. There’s only one possibility that will get her a green card quickly enough: Jimena is going to find an American to marry her. “Set in the early 2000s, this book is a sweet, compelling read, full of nostalgia, romance, and humor” (Booklist).


A Spark in the CindersA Spark in the Cinders by Jenny Elder Moke — In a kingdom on the brink of ruin, one wicked stepsister will use her wits, cunning and fortitude (plus a little help from her fairy godparent) to embark on a dangerous quest for a magical relic that will save her people. “This unusual take on the Cinderella story will appeal to fans of the popular Twisted Tales series” (Booklist).


Where to Start: A Survival Guide to Anxiety, Depression, and Other Mental Health ChallengesWhere To Start: Where to Start: A Survival Guide to Anxiety, Depression, and Other Mental Health Challenges, from Mental Health America — A comforting and useful resource for anyone who’s struggling emotionally and looking for help, from the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness. “Readers will find an abundance of beneficial information . . . A valuable, comprehensive manual for navigating mental health struggles” (Kirkus Reviews).


Why We Read: On Bookworms, Libraries, and Just One More Page Before Lights OutWhy We Read: On Bookworms, Libraries and Just One More Page Before Lights Out by Shannon Reed — In this exploration of the joys of reading, a long-time teacher, lifelong reader, and The New Yorker contributor shares stories from her life, the ways in which books have impacted her students, and shows us how literature can transform us for the better. ” As a teacher, [Reed, currently a professor at the University of Pittsburgh] adamantly opposes assigned reading, which is sure to delight many of the (voluntary) readers of this book. Reed is good company, and her celebration of books, reading, and readers is a delight” (Booklist).