Written by Rebel Girls, Questions for Rebel Girls is an inspiring non-fiction book for middle graders with more than 500 questions based on famous women’s work and life experiences in history. Ada Lovelace, Mae Jemison, Jill Tarter, Mary Edwards Walker, Marjane Satrapi, Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Gloria Estefan, Young Jean Lee, Frida Kahlo, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Grace O’Malley are among the many women featured in the book. The thoughtful questions in the book will help kids discover their interests, goals, personality, fears, tastes, future professions, among other aspects of their identity.

I could not put it down once I started reading and found myself answering the questions. The following are some of my favorite questions in quotations marks. The answers are my own.

“There are so many jobs and hobbies in the world! Which would you pick?”

My dream job is to become a famous Hispanic/Latinx author who inspires minorities to realize their dreams. My favorite hobbies are reading, exercising, watching the best TV shows and films, and traveling.

“What is the most interesting piece of art you’ve ever seen?”

OMG! Primavera (ca. 1480) by Sandro Botticelli is the most stunning and impactful piece of art I have ever seen. I stood there stunned as long as I could. I could stare at that work of art for hours.

“Go on an archeological dig in the desert or work in an arctic research lab?”

I wanted to change majors to archeology during college, and sometimes I dressed like an archeologist. Some people would shout at me, “Are you going on a safari?!!” So, yeah, I would prefer to go on an archeological dig.

“What is one thing you can do right here, right now, to help Earth?”

Recycle. Recycle. Recycle. It bothers me when people do not recycle.

“Librarian or dentist?”

Librarian!

“If you could design a house for yourself, what would it look like?”

I would build a cottage or Victorian mansion in the woods next to a lake where nobody could disturb me, and I could write stories that would make people laugh and cry. I would be able to hear the birds sing and look at the squirrels being crazy. It would be full of antiques and books. The kitchen would be huge, as I love to cook and bake. I could go on about this, but I need to stop.

“Do you believe in magic? Why or why not?”

Magic, of course, I believe! There is no Peter Pan or life without magic!

“What’s the most important part about being a good friend?”

Reciprocity and loyalty. 100%

“Imagine you are writing a book. What would the story be about? Would you put a character just like you in your story?”

I am writing more than one book, as my brain is an ingenious locomotive. Mostly, it is a secret what my stories are about. But, yes, I would put a character like me in my stories because I am fantastic. haha

“How do you use your education to feel powerful?”

I am a Hispanic woman with a master’s degree, and it shocks people! Enough said.

“Would you ever want to be a pirate? Why or why not?”

Don’t get me started on this, but one of the reasons is to make some of my ex-boyfriends walk the plank. I am sort of kidding, but not really.

This post is the most fun I have ever had writing a book review. I hope my presentation of examples from the book gave you an idea of how it works. Questions for Rebel Girls is the bomb! Schools and libraries must have copies of this self-discovery gem.

Publishing Year: 2021
Publisher: Rebel Girls
Ages: 6+
Lexile: 800L

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.