I have read many books about women pioneers that have been written for children through adolescence this year. Courageous Women Rebels was interesting but not particularly engrossing. Part of it, is that in several of the women chosen for this book has been written about elsewhere. There are more feminists than Gloria Steinman, other abolitionists than Sojourner Truth, animal-rights activists than Temple Gradin. I would have liked to have seen this book go broader and deeper and educate and introduce us to the many, many proud misfits that have fought for freedom and equality.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book.

Courageous Women Rebels by Joy Crysdale is a great tribute to these powerful women. They stood up and started something when they saw a need that needed to be done. They took that first step, they banged on the door, they rattled windows, and they got noticed. Things got done! Unfortunately for one, it was hundreds of years later, she was ahead of her times and she was beheaded for thinking women were equal to men! Another was bombed for trying to stop the hatred in Africa. But so much good has come from the stand they have taken. Bravo women! Equal rights, not to be fired for being gay in the service, animal rights, women's rights, India it's own country, no more apartheid, and so much more. Good book with lots of history on this wonderfully brave women. Thanks NetGalley for letting me read this book!

This is a wonderful nonfiction book that highlights ten women who are role models for females everywhere. There stories are relatively short so younger readers will not be overwhelmed, yet there is enough information to tell their stories. The women range in the time they lived, where they lived, their age and what they were fighting for. Of the ten women, I had only heard of four of them. I think that is very important to note that these women are not well known, but should be. The issues dealt with concern equality for women, fighting for rights of LGBT persons in the military, rights to a safe and proper school (in Canada!), standing up to the government for forced sterilization, peace instead of participation in war, humane treatment of farm animals, and the fight against apartheid. Not only did these women fight for what they believed in, but they did it using peaceful means and at risk of being harassed, ostracized and even jailed. These women will be an inspiration to anyone who reads their stories. This book is a great jumping off point for the study of women where further research could follow. I hope there will be another book showcasing some other strong female role models. A book that needs to be in all school libraries.

We have all heard of some of the women written about in this book, such as Sojouner Truth and Gloria Steinem but who, at least in the U.S., has heard of Michelle Douglas or Shannen Koostachin? (I would expect any Canadians reading this to know the answer, so you can put your hands down)

My point is that the author chose really well known women and women that I have never heard of who are just as important and should be learned about. I had heard of Nelson Mandela, of course, but never Ruth First, who also worked to over come Apartheid in South Africa and was assassinated for doing so.

We all know who Mahatma Gandhi was but who knew of Sarojini Naidu, worked along side him to achieve Indian Independence.

Leilani Muir was sterilized at 14 because of laws in place that said that people who were fearless minded should not be allowed to breed. There was nothing wrong with her and she successfully sued to stop this treatment in Canada.

My point is that these are not the unusual women that you read about, and that is good, because it shows that any woman can be of note. Of the two women I mentioned above, both are contemporary. Michelle sued the Canadian army on a civil rights charge when she was fired for being a lesbian and won. Shannen was 14 when she started fighting with the Canadian government to provide better education for First Nation People's.

I highly recommend this book for libraries and classrooms because it is not enough to know the names of some women who fought for freedoms, but to know as many as possible.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review