My mom is my biggest hero. From supporting me (most of the time) to always being there to talk when something was on my mind, my mom has shaped me into who I am today. She is caring, strong, and everything I could ever ask for in a mother. Although I try to let my mom know how much she means to me whenever possible, this month is especially important.

March is Women’s History Month. It serves as a time to reflect on the influential women throughout history and their tremendous impacts on our lives, which continue to be felt today. Through the magic of movies, television, and writing, we can see and hear their stories over and over, inspiring the next generation of women. And through the power of Learnalytics, we have the unique ability to see what students are reading and taking quizzes on in Renaissance Accelerated Reader^® and Renaissance Accelerated Reader 360^®, giving us a window into the stories inspiring students nationwide.

Below are just a few of the most popular books on inspirational women that are popular with K–12 students:

1. Mighty Jackie: The Strike-Out Queen – Marissa Moss

Jackie Mitchell’s father told her she could be good at anything if she worked hard enough. For Jackie, that was baseball. Marissa Moss tells the true story of Jackie Mitchell, the girl who struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig back-to-back in front of a stunned Tennessee crowd. This is a great read for students who are interested in sports!

2. Grace for President – Kelly DiPucchio & LeUyen Pham

“Where are the girls?”

When Grace finds out there has never been a female U.S. president, she immediately declares that she’ll be the first. To kickoff her political career, Grace enters her school’s mock election, which is a close, tough race. Appealing to all grades, Grace for President serves as a basic introduction to politics and the electoral college, and it may even inspire a future politician in your classroom!

3. Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving – Laurie Halse Anderson

What’s your favorite Thanksgiving dish? Turkey? Stuffing? Green beans? All of the above? Either way, you might want to thank Sarah Josepha Hale. Sarah famously petitioned to make Thanksgiving a national holiday in the United States during the 1800s and continuously fought for years to make it a national holiday, finally persuading President Lincoln in 1863. Your students will get a kick out of this relatively unknown, yet important, part of history.

+ Bonus: Did you know Sarah was also a strong supporter of education for women? During her life, she encouraged women to enter the teaching and medical fields.

4. The Breadwinner – Deborah Ellis

When the Taliban hauled away Parvana’s father, her family was shaken. Parvana decided to disguise herself as a boy and become the breadwinner for her mother and younger siblings. Set in Afghanistan during the Taliban’s early regime, The Breadwinner reveals the tough realities for women. As a possible introduction to the Middle East, mid- and upper-grade students will pick up on the stark differences from their lives.

5. Who Was Helen Keller? – Gare Thompson

Helen Keller was born blind and deaf, but that didn’t stop her. With the help of a wonderful teacher, Helen learned to read, write, and do so much more. Serving as a great introduction to Helen Keller, Who Was Helen Keller showcases Helen’s determination and what we can accomplish if we put our minds to it. Students will enjoy reading Helen’s story with this strong entry in the Who Was… series.

Strong women are all around us. Throughout history, a profound number of women have made our lives better today. Whether they’re someone close to us or famous, March is a time to reflect on the achievements of women worldwide and aim for a better future.

Interested in more ideas for Women’s History Month? Check out some of the top books students are reading nationwide in this year’s What Kids Are Reading report.