Girls to the Front: 40 Asian ­American Women Who Blazed a Trail

Gr 3-7–Forty Asian American women are profiled in this illuminating, attractively designed collection. Subjects run the gamut from artists, activists, and journalists to scientists, athletes, politicians, and multi-hyphenates. Each single-page profile is accompanied by a stunning illustrated portrait set against a colorful, doodle-adorned background that gives the slightly awkward text fresh, tween-friendly appeal. Young readers will be excited to see familiar faces (musician H.E.R., Olympic athletes Chloe Kim and Suni Lee) while learning about lesser-known, yet equally impactful, pioneers (desegregation activist Mary Tape’s work was a predecessor to the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education; Dorothy Toy thrived as half of the successful Asian American vaudeville duo “Toy and Wing”). The entries pack a great deal of information into a single page, necessitating rather small text. Though the book lacks a bibliography, students could use this as an internet alternative when picking subjects for further research. Back matter includes a list of “Other Notable Women” with birth and death years, and vocations; a glossary of the terms bolded throughout the book; and a profile and fact list about the author/illustrator herself.