This book explores the challenges faced by five fictionalized girls from diverse countries—Afghanistan, France, Kenya, Mexico, and Nepal—as they navigate childhood into adulthood. The girls share their experiences and perspectives on what it means to be a girl in their respective countries, ranging from period poverty and the shame that comes with having your period, body shaming, gender inequality and barriers to education, child marriage and genital mutilation, and street harassment and femicide. A critical analysis of the issues and possible reactionary culture shifts are discussed.

The text requires readers to approach the topics with empathy, maturity, and sensitivity towards the unique struggles faced by each girl. This resource serves as an inspiration of hope, highlighting the ongoing global advocacy and actions towards achieving gender equality. Vibrantly coloured illustrations and capitalized type give the book an appealing scrapbook feel. Names of activists and associations, along with books and film, are provided for further investigation.

Cautions / Content Warnings: Some of the content could be triggering.
Other End Matter: Suggested resources including associations, activists, books, and film
Images: Colour illustrations, maps
Bibliography: No
Index: Yes

Evaluator: Lisa S., High School Librarian, BC Books for Schools

Alice Dussutour is a French illustrator and author. Her work is colorful, feminist and joyful. After studying art direction for five years, she developed her passion for illustration and published her first book, Naître fille, the original French version of Born A Girl, in 2022. Alice lives in Paris.

Alice Dussutour's profile page

David Warriner grew up in the UK and escaped to Quebec right after graduating from Oxford. A professional translator for nearly two decades, David nurtures a healthy passion for Quebec fiction and has translated a range of fiction, nonfiction, and children’s fiction titles by Quebec authors for British and Canadian publishers. He lives in Penticton, British Columbia.

David Warriner's profile page

★“Engaging artwork belies the series content of the book, a look at five contemporary misogynistic cultural practices…Each character does stand up for herself and finds support through other women. This informative and inspiring offering should help teens assert their rights.”

Booklist, starred review

“These topics, while uncomfortable, are necessary for today’s youth to know of…Difficult but necessary, this work is both triggering and empowering.”

School Library Journal (SLJ)

“Saturated, vibrantly colored illustrations highlight the girls and symbolic items in their life. The book celebrates those who are working for change from within their cultures. Celebrates girls’ resilience, courage, and initiative.”

Kirkus Reviews

“[Explores] important issues that everyone, regardless of gender, should be familiar with. The experiences of each girl and the barriers the girls face can seem insurmountable, but the critical analysis and cultural change that is needed, or is already happening, found at the end of each story provides inspiration and hope and drives home the message that change and work toward gender equality are everyone’s responsibility. Highly Recommended.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“Inspiring…Young teenagers, parents, teachers, and so many others, of both genders, could benefit from reading this book and then by using the knowledge from these powerful sad stories to go forward and make changes to help empower women and girls worldwide. This book could be a great way to start a discussion in a book club about gender equality.”

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)

“Celebrates the courage and resilience of [the] girls who are working to create change in their communities…This book is highly recommended for public and school library collections.”

Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Canadian Children’s Book News