What is the recommended reading order for She Persisted?

Because the books are individual biographies, there is no chronological plot. We recommend starting with the picture books for younger kids, and then progressing to the chapter book biographies for readers ages 6 to 9.

Who writes the She Persisted books?

Chelsea Clinton writes the core picture books, while the chapter books are written by a rotating roster of celebrated authors, including Meg Medina, Andrea Davis Pinkney, and Renée Watson, with introductions by Clinton.

Is Stella Batts part of the She Persisted series?

No. Stella Batts Something Blue is a fiction book by Courtney Sheinmel from an unrelated series. It is occasionally misgrouped with She Persisted because Sheinmel also wrote the biography She Persisted: Helen Keller.

When was She Persisted: Ella Fitzgerald published?

The book was published on April 4, 2023. Some catalogs list a date of 2002, which is an error due to database overlap with other biographies of Ella Fitzgerald.

Are the She Persisted chapter books suitable for independent reading?

Yes, they are specifically formatted as transitional chapter books for children ages 6 to 9, featuring simple vocabulary, short chapters, and black-and-white illustrations.

She Persisted Books in Order

How to Read the She Persisted Series

The She Persisted series, created by Chelsea Clinton and illustrated by Alexandra Boiger (for the picture books) and Gillian Flint (for the chapter books), is a wonderful collection of biographical stories designed to inspire young readers. Because these books are biographical profiles of real historical and contemporary women, there is no overarching plot continuity. This means you do not have to read them in a strict chronological or publication order to understand the stories.

However, the series is divided into two distinct formats that cater to different age groups and reading levels. Here is the recommended path for navigating the series:

Step 1: Start with the Core Picture Books

For younger readers, toddlers, or as read-aloud books, start with the core picture books written by Chelsea Clinton. These books introduce thirteen women at a time, grouped by a common theme (such as American history, global history, sports, or science). They are perfect for introducing the concept of persistence and providing a broad overview of female trailblazers.

Step 2: Graduate to the Chapter Book Biographies

For early readers (ages 6–9) who are ready for longer texts, transition to the chapter books. Each of these books is a standalone biography focusing deeply on one specific woman's life, achievements, and the obstacles she overcame. They are co-authored by various acclaimed children's authors, feature black-and-white illustrations, and include an introduction by Chelsea Clinton along with practical suggestions for how kids can make a difference in their own communities.

Publication Order of the She Persisted Series

If you prefer to collect and read the books in the order they were published, the sequence is listed below. Note that the series expanded rapidly starting in 2021 when the chapter book format was introduced.

The Core Picture Books

She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World (2017)
She Persisted Around the World: 13 Women Who Changed History (2018)
She Persisted in Sports: American Olympians Who Changed the Game (2020)
She Persisted in Science: Brilliant Women Who Made a Difference (2022)

The Chapter Book Biographies

The chapter books are written by a diverse group of authors, each bringing unique storytelling styles to these historical figures. While the database lists some entries with incorrect details, here is the corrected order of publication for the primary titles:

She Persisted: Harriet Tubman by Andrea Davis Pinkney (2021)
She Persisted: Claudette Colvin by Lesa Cline-Ransome (2021)
She Persisted: Sally Ride by Atia Abawi (2021)
She Persisted: Virginia Apgar by Sayantani DasGupta (2021)
She Persisted: Nellie Bly by Michelle Knudsen (2021)
She Persisted: Sonia Sotomayor by Meg Medina (2021)
She Persisted: Florence Griffith Joyner by Rita Williams-Garcia (2021)
She Persisted: Ruby Bridges by Kekla Magoon (2021)
She Persisted: Clara Lemlich by Deborah Heiligman (2021)
She Persisted: Margaret Chase Smith by Lynn Plourde (2021)
She Persisted: Maria Tallchief by Christine Day (2021)
She Persisted: Helen Keller by Courtney Sheinmel (2021)
She Persisted: Oprah Winfrey by Renée Watson (2021)
She Persisted: Wangari Maathai by Eucabeth Odhiambo (2022)
She Persisted: Temple Grandin by Lyn Miller-Lachmann (2022)
She Persisted: Patsy Mink by Bette Lao (2022)
She Persisted: Malala Yousafzai by Aisha Saeed (2022)
She Persisted: Diana Taurasi by Monica Brown (2022)
She Persisted: Wilma Mankiller by Traci Sorell (2022)
She Persisted: Maya Lin by Grace Lin (2022)
She Persisted: Rosalind Franklin by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (2022)
She Persisted: Dorothy Height by Kelly Starling Lyons (2023)
She Persisted: Florence Nightingale by Sheela Chari (2023)
She Persisted: Pura Belpré by Marilisa Jiménez Garcia (2023)
She Persisted: Ella Fitzgerald by Andrea Davis Pinkney (2023)
She Persisted: Simone Biles by Kekla Magoon (2023)

Understanding Database Mismatches

When looking up the series in retail or library catalogs, you may run into a couple of common data discrepancies:

Stella Batts Something Blue: This 2014 book by Courtney Sheinmel is sometimes mistakenly grouped with this series. It is actually part of Sheinmel's standalone fiction series, Stella Batts, and has no relation to the biographical She Persisted universe, despite the author later contributing the Helen Keller biography to the project.
Ella Fitzgerald Publication Date: Some records list a publication year of 2002 for the Ella Fitzgerald entry. The actual biography, She Persisted: Ella Fitzgerald, written by Andrea Davis Pinkney, was released on April 4, 2023. The 2002 date is a clerical error mapping to an unrelated biography of the singer.

Thematic Reading Recommendations

Since the books are standalone profiles, another engaging way to explore the series is by grouping them thematically based on what your young reader is currently interested in:

Civil Rights & Activism

Harriet Tubman (Abolitionist and Underground Railroad conductor)
Claudette Colvin (Pioneering civil rights activist)
Ruby Bridges (First African American child to desegregate an all-white elementary school)
Dorothy Height (Women's rights and civil rights administrator)

Science & Medicine

Sally Ride (First American woman in space)
Virginia Apgar (Obstetrical anesthesiologist who developed the Apgar score)
Rosalind Franklin (Chemist who contributed to understanding DNA structure)
Temple Grandin (Animal behaviorist and autism spokesperson)

Sports Legends

Florence Griffith Joyner (Track and field Olympic champion)
Diana Taurasi (WNBA basketball superstar)
Simone Biles (Highly decorated artistic gymnast)

Arts & Literature

Maria Tallchief (America's first major Native American prima ballerina)
Pura Belpré (First Latina librarian in New York City and storyteller)
Ella Fitzgerald (Renowned jazz singer)

What to Know Before You Start

The She Persisted series is an ongoing educational effort designed to introduce children to diverse historical role models. The picture books offer quick, lyrical snapshots of resilience, making them perfect bedtime or classroom read-alouds. The chapter books expand these brief snapshots into 80-page chapter narratives with timelines, bibliographies, and practical action items, encouraging young readers to apply the lessons of persistence in their own schools and neighborhoods.