Because I Was a Girl - by Melissa de la Cruz (Hardcover)

About the Book

Edited by a #1 "New York Times"-bestselling author, this is an inspiring collection of true stories by girls and women, ages 10 to 80, about the obstacles, challenges, and opportunities they've faced because of their gender. Illustrations.

Book Synopsis

Because I Was a Girl is an inspiring collection of true stories by women and girls about the obstacles, challenges, and opportunities they've faced...because of their gender. Edited by #1 New York Times-bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz, the book is the perfect gift for girls of all ages to celebrate the accomplishments of these women and girls who overcame adversity with their limitless potential.

The collection includes writings from an impressive array of girls and women who are trailblazers in their fields, including bestselling authors Victoria Aveyard, Libba Bray, and Margaret Stohl; industry pioneers like Dolores Huerta, Trish McEvoy, and Holly Knight; renowned chef Katie Button; aerospace and mechanical engineer Emily Calandrelli; and many more.

Because I Was a Girl features powerful stories from:

Elizabeth Acevedo
Katrina Adams
Victoria Aveyard
Bonnie Bartlett
Brenda Bowen
Libba Bray
Katie Button
Emily Calandrelli
Babette Davis
Williabell Jones Davis
Melissa de la Cruz
Abby Falik
Jena Friedman
Joan Hanawi
Jane Hawley
Tina Hay
Jody Houser
Dolores Huerta
Zareen Jaffery
Anjanette Johnston
Mattie Johnston
Holly Knight
Jill Lorie
Zoey Luna
Trish McEvoy
Loretta Miranda
Gloria Molina
Susan Morrison
Anna Ponder
Margaret Semrud-Clikeman
Rebecca Soffer
Cheri Steinkellner
Margaret Stohl
Noor Tagouri
Tillie Walden
Quvenzhane Wallis
Francesca Zambello
Lenore Zion

Review Quotes

A 2019 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List Pick

"This anthology represents a culturally diverse group of women who disclose how they found the inner strength and courage to excel, oftentimes breaking new ground in fields where women are not welcome...An inspiring collection and an encouragement to young girls from all walks of life."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"In this timely collection of first-person essays, thirty-eight women of different races, ethnicities, backgrounds, and ages reflect upon their experiences growing up and how each of them found their place in the world...for anyone seeking inspirational stories of success through perseverance." --VOYA Magazine (starred review)

"Thoughtful, encouraging, and honest, this compilation should inspire readers looking for guidance in charting the directions their own lives take." --Booklist

About the Author

Melissa de la Cruz is the #1 New York Times, #1 Publisher's Weekly and #1 Indie Bound bestselling author of many critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for readers of all ages, and edited the inspiring anthology of true stories, Because I Was a Girl. She grew up in Manila and moved to San Francisco with her family, where she graduated high school salutatorian from The Convent of the Sacred Heart. At Columbia University, she majored in art history and English. Melissa lives in Los Angeles and Palm Springs with her husband and daughter.