Awards

• Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year

Overview

In December 2015, the Pentagon changed a rule to allow American women to serve for the first time ever in front-line ground combat troops. Women have fulfilled many military roles throughout history, including nursing; driving ambulances; handling administrative duties; working as mechanics; and serving in the WASPs, WACs, WAVES, and SPARS. More recently women are flying jets, conducting surveillance, commanding naval ships, and now fighting on the front lines. Yet no matter their official title, they have faced devastating discrimination—from lack of advancement, economic inequity, and inadequate veteran support, to sexual harassment and rape. Meet the women who have served their country courageously and who are standing up for fairness in the US military.

Full Product Details

9781541528123

Table of Contents

Reviews

Women have been involved in war since the third century--as queens defending their nation, as loyal warriors wanting to protect their home from invasion. Women in early America pretended to be men to fight in both the American Revolution and the Civil War. Slow progress has been made in the American military itself: at first accepted only as nurses and clerks, women were finally allowed into combat in 2016. Readers will learn how women fought to be included in this final facet of war. In addition, the book does not shy away from addressing segregation and racial tensions, LGBTQIA issues, and the sexual harassment and assault that are ongoing problems and challenges in the military. Furthermore, it gently reminds everyone that women make up a huge section of the veteran population and should be treated with respect, just like their male counterparts. Included in the back matter are a wealth of print and digital resources that will allow curious readers to do more extensive research. --Booklist --Journal This insightful look at women serving in all branches of the United States military reveals great obstacles that have been overcome and those that remain. Beginning with a brief historical overview, the book explains that women have served in combat roles for millennia, but it was not until 2016 that the Department of Defense removed all barriers to service for American women, including combat. Nonetheless, objections persist: Women are minorities in all branches of the U.S. military and are frequently subjected to sexism, sexual harassment, and violence. Women may also face additional layers of racial and sexual orientation discrimination. Female combat veterans face the same problems as their male counterparts, such as PTSD, accessing adequate care from the Veterans Administration, homelessness, and suicide. Despite these obstacles, the book emphasizes the positive, as thousands of women volunteer for military service, and many pursue lifelong careers. Through interviews with women from all military branches, Goldsmith (Pandemic, 2018, etc.) profiles the tremendous variety of jobs they do. Many describe the personal satisfaction and career advantages they have gained through military service. References to #MeToo and well-known veterans such as Tammie Jo Shults and Sen. Tammy Duckworth make this a timely offering. Photographs (many in full color) showing servicewomen of varying ages and ethnicities, infographics, and sidebars enhance the lively and accessible text. A thorough account of interest to report writers as well as young women considering a military career. --Kirkus Reviews --Journal

Women have been involved in war since the third century--as queens defending their nation, as loyal warriors wanting to protect their home from invasion. Women in early America pretended to be men to fight in both the American Revolution and the Civil War. Slow progress has been made in the American military itself: at first accepted only as nurses and clerks, women were finally allowed into combat in 2016. Readers will learn how women fought to be included in this final facet of war. In addition, the book does not shy away from addressing segregation and racial tensions, LGBTQIA issues, and the sexual harassment and assault that are ongoing problems and challenges in the military. Furthermore, it gently reminds everyone that women make up a huge section of the veteran population and should be treated with respect, just like their male counterparts. Included in the back matter are a wealth of print and digital resources that will allow curious readers to do more extensive research.--Booklist -- Journal This insightful look at women serving in all branches of the United States military reveals great obstacles that have been overcome and those that remain. Beginning with a brief historical overview, the book explains that women have served in combat roles for millennia, but it was not until 2016 that the Department of Defense removed all barriers to service for American women, including combat. Nonetheless, objections persist: Women are minorities in all branches of the U.S. military and are frequently subjected to sexism, sexual harassment, and violence. Women may also face additional layers of racial and sexual orientation discrimination. Female combat veterans face the same problems as their male counterparts, such as PTSD, accessing adequate care from the Veterans Administration, homelessness, and suicide. Despite these obstacles, the book emphasizes the positive, as thousands of women volunteer for military service, and many pursue lifelong careers. Through interviews with women from all military branches, Goldsmith (Pandemic, 2018, etc.) profiles the tremendous variety of jobs they do. Many describe the personal satisfaction and career advantages they have gained through military service. References to #MeToo and well-known veterans such as Tammie Jo Shults and Sen. Tammy Duckworth make this a timely offering. Photographs (many in full color) showing servicewomen of varying ages and ethnicities, infographics, and sidebars enhance the lively and accessible text. A thorough account of interest to report writers as well as young women considering a military career.--Kirkus Reviews -- Journal

This insightful look at women serving in all branches of the United States military reveals great obstacles that have been overcome and those that remain. Beginning with a brief historical overview, the book explains that women have served in combat roles for millennia, but it was not until 2016 that the Department of Defense removed all barriers to service for American women, including combat. Nonetheless, objections persist: Women are minorities in all branches of the U.S. military and are frequently subjected to sexism, sexual harassment, and violence. Women may also face additional layers of racial and sexual orientation discrimination. Female combat veterans face the same problems as their male counterparts, such as PTSD, accessing adequate care from the Veterans Administration, homelessness, and suicide. Despite these obstacles, the book emphasizes the positive, as thousands of women volunteer for military service, and many pursue lifelong careers. Through interviews with women from all military branches, Goldsmith (Pandemic, 2018, etc.) profiles the tremendous variety of jobs they do. Many describe the personal satisfaction and career advantages they have gained through military service. References to #MeToo and well-known veterans such as Tammie Jo Shults and Sen. Tammy Duckworth make this a timely offering. Photographs (many in full color) showing servicewomen of varying ages and ethnicities, infographics, and sidebars enhance the lively and accessible text. A thorough account of interest to report writers as well as young women considering a military career. --Kirkus Reviews --Journal

[G]ently reminds everyone that women make up a huge section of the veteran population and should be treated with respect, just like their male counterparts. --Booklist -- (1/24/2019 12:00:00 AM) A thorough account of interest to report writers as well as young women considering a military career. --Kirkus Reviews -- (11/7/2018 12:00:00 AM)

Author Information

Connie Goldsmith is a registered nurse with a bachelor of science degree in nursing and a master of public administration degree in health care. She has written numerous books for YA readers and nearly two hundred magazine articles. Her recent books include Kiyo Sato: From a WWII Japanese Internment Camp to a Life of Service (2020), a Junior Library Guild selection; Running on Empty: Sleeplessness in American Teens (2021); Understanding Coronaviruses: SARS, MERS, and the COVID-19 Pandemic (2021); and Bombs Over Bikini: The World's First Nuclear Disaster (2014), a Junior Library Guild selection, a Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year, an Association of Children's Librarians of Northern California Distinguished Book, and an SCBWI Crystal Kite Winner. She lives in Sacramento, California. Visit her website at http://www.conniegoldsmith.com/.

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