daisy reading list

Girl Scout Daisy Reading List

Christy Girl Scouts 344 Comments

I’ve been working hard on meeting plans this year. We will be earning each of the Daisy Petals and completing the Welcome to the Flower Garden Journey. One of the requirements of each badge is to read and discuss a story that relates to a theme.

A couple of my personal goals for the year are to introduce my girls to the stories of strong women throughout history, and to promote diversity and inclusiveness by featuring authors and characters from different backgrounds and communities.

I found a couple of suggested book lists that were disappointing in their lack of diversity, so I decided to come up with my own. I reached out to friends and other Girl Scout leaders, talked to librarians, and scoured the internet for suggestions.

I separated the list into themes based on each Petal, and also included lists for the STEM and Flower Garden Journeys. I hope to eventually add lists for the Between Earth and Sky and 3 Cheers for Animals Journeys.

This is by no means a conclusive list, but I think it’s a good start. I hope other leaders will find it useful, and I welcome any suggestions or additions in the comments.

Lupe: Honest and Fair

The Emperors New Clothes by Sindy McKay

The classic story of a vain ruler whose unwillingness to admit the truth led him to look like a fool.

The Boy Who Cried Wolf by Barbara Hennessey

Another classic, about a boy who lost the trust of his community by lying too much.

Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie by Laura Rankin

Ruthie finds something she wants, but it isn’t hers. She thinks maybe a simple little lie will solve her problem, but will it?

Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx by Jonah Winter

The story of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s childhood, with beautiful garden imagery that ties in with ongoing Daisy themes.

This edition includes both English and Spanish text.

The Honest-to-Goodness Truth by Patricia C. McKissack

Libby’s vow to only speak the truth backfires on her when she gets a little too honest with people.

Sunny: Friendly and Helpful

Best Friends for Frances by Russell Hoban

Francis and her little sister Gloria learn all about friendship, and prove that girls can do anything boys can do.

One Bright Ring by Gretchen Geser

A little girls sees someone drop something very important, and tries to help return it. But things keep getting in her way…

The Very Helpful Hedgehog by Rosie Wellesley

Isaac the Hedgehog likes to be alone. But when he has a problem he can’t solve himself, he learns how helpful being a friend can be.

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

Unhei is self-conscious about her name and wants to choose a new one. One of her classmates helps her realize the name she already has is perfect.

The Gardener by Sarah Stewart

Lydia Grace Finch goes to live with her uncle in the city during the Great Depression. While there, she writes a series of letters home describing her innocent attempts to brighten her new community and make her uncle smile.

Zinni: Considerate and Caring

A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Phillip C. Stead

Amos works at a zoo, where he is a good friend to the animals. But when he’s too sick to come in one day, it’s the animal’s turn to come help him.

Do Unto Otters by Laurie Keller

Mr. Rabbit’s new neighbors are Otters, and he worries about how they will get along. But Mr. Owl offers him some wise advice.

Chik Chak Shabatt by Mara Rockliff

Every week, Goldie Simcha hosts Shabbat dinner for her neighbors. But when she’s too sick to cook, her community comes together with a unique meal of their own.

Beatrice’s Goat by Page McBrier

The true story of how a family in Africa benefited from a donation from Heifer International.

The Wednesday Surprise by Eve Bunting

Anna’s dad gets a very special birthday gift when Grandma reveals that Anna has helped her learn to read.

Tula: Courageous and Strong

Ruby Bridges Goes to School: My True Story by Ruby Bridges

The autobiography of Ruby Bridges, who became the first African American girl to integrate an all-white school in New Orleans in 1960.

My Brave Year of Firsts by Jamie Lee Curtis

Frankie is trying a lot of new things–some big, some small–and learning how to be brave every day.

The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter by Arielle North Olson

Based on the true story of a girl who kept her father’s lighthouse running through a storm while he was stranded on the mainland.

The Quickest Kid in Clarksville by Pat Zietlow Miller

Alta is the Quickest Kid in Clarksville, just like her hero Wilma Rudolph–the first American woman to win 3 Gold Medals in one Olympic Games. What will happen when a new kid in town challenges her to a race?

Monster Trouble by Lane Fredrickson

Winifred Schnitzel isn’t afraid of monsters, but she wishes they would let her sleep. Her clever traps don’t work, so what’s a girl to do?

When We Were Alone by David Alexander Robertson

A little girl learns about the shameful history of the Canadian Indian Residential School System–and the resilience of indigenous children–as she gardens with her Grandmother.

The Legendary Miss Lena Horne by Carole Boston Weatherford

Lena Horne was the first ever African American actress to receive a studio contract from MGM.

Stepping Stones by Margriet Ruurs, Falah Rahim and Nizar Ali Badr

A story of the Syrian refugee crisis, told through the stone artwork of Syrian artist Nizar Ali Badr.

This edition includes both English and Arabic text.

The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch

Elizabeth is no damsel in distress. When her prince is kidnapped by a dragon, she sets off to rescue him herself.

Mari: Responsible for What I Say and Do

Clean Your Room, Harvey Moon! by Pat Cummings

Harvey can’t watch any more TV until his room is clean. But is his method of cleaning up to mom’s standards?

Frank and Ernest by Alexandra Day

A bear and an elephant learn to run a diner.

I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has made a career out of disagreeing with inequality and injustice.

Hungry Johnny by Cheryl Kay Minnema

Johnny can’t wait to dig into his community’s traditional Ojibwe feast, but he has to be patient and respectful before he can eat.

Coretta Scott by Ntozake Shange

The wife of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was herself a powerful leader in the Civil Rights Movement.

Gloria: Respect for Myself and Others

Churchill’s Tale of Tails by Anca Sandu

Churchill loses his tail and learns an important lesson about friendship.

Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes

Chrysanthemum’s classmates make fun of her name.

Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman

Grace wants to play Peter Pan in the school play.

Stand Straight, Ella Kate by Kate Klise

The true story of Ella Kate Ewing, a giant who lived in the late 1800s.

I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont

I funny story about a little girl who’s happy to be herself.

The Colors of Us by Karen Katz

Lena and her mother explore all the beautiful colors of people’s skin.

There is a Bird On Your Head! by Mo Willems

Elephant has a bird on his head, and Piggie tries to help.

Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall

Red is a blue crayon who got mislabeled.

Gerri: Respect for Authority

Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann

Officer Buckle and his police dog Gloria teach children safety tips.

Rescue Bunnies by Doreen Cronin

Newbie is training to be a Rescue Bunny. Will she pass the test?

Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen

There is a lion in the library. Will he follow the rules? Or will he have a very good reason for breaking them?

One Word from Sophia by Jim Averbeck

Sophia tries everything to get what she wants, but it turns out all she needed was one word.

The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist by Cynthia Levinson

Audrey Faye Hendricks is the youngest known child to be arrested during civil rights protests in Birmingham Alabama in the 1960s.

Clover: Use Resources Wisely

Me…Jane by Patrick McDonnell

As a young girl, Jane Goodall dreamed of “a life living with and helping all animals.”

My Forever Dress by Harriet Ziefert

A grandmother makes a special dress that grows with her granddaughter.

I had a Favorite Dress by Boni Ashburn

A young girl’s treasured dress transforms over the years until all that’s left is a cherished memory.

Rachel Carson and her Book that Changed the World by Lori Lawlor

Rachel Carson is the environmentalist who wrote “Silent Spring,” which opened the world’s eyes to the impact humans have on the environment.

Rainbow Weaver/Tejedora Del Arcoiris by Linda Elovitz

Ixchel wants to learn to weave, but doesn’t have enough thread to practice with, until she finds a unique and resourceful solution.

This edition includes both English and Spanish text.

Rosie: Make the World a Better Place

Nora’s Duck by Satomi Ichikawa

Nora finds a sick duck and brings it to a doctor who shows her how to he cares for animals.

The House that Jane Built: A Story about Jane Addams by Tanya Lee Stone

The story of how Jane Addams founded Hull House to help underserved members of her community.

Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai

Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai’s first children’s book, about the dreams she had as a young girl in Pakistan.

Tillie the Terrible Swede by Sue Stauffacher

Tillie Anderson was an award-winning cyclist at a time when women didn’t even wear pants, much less ride bikes.

Frederick by Leo Lionni

Frederick the mouse does not collect food for the Winter. But what he does provide is perhaps more important.

You Forgot your Skirt, Amelia Bloomer by Shana Corey

The inventor of “bloomers” got women out of dangerous and uncomfortable clothing and launched a social revolution through fashion.

Vi: Be a Sister to Every Girl Scout

Everybody Cooks Rice by Nora Dooley

An exploration of cultural differences and similarities told through the ways we all cook rice.

Princess Grace by Mary Hoffman

Grace learns that there are princesses all around the world, and there’s more to them than pretty dresses and tiaras.

Here Come the Girl Scouts by Shana Corey

The story go Juliette Gordon Low and the founding of Girl Scouts.

Four Feet, Two Sandals by Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra Mohammed

Two young girls in a refugee camp bond over a pair of sandals.

The Other Side by Jacquelline Woodson

Two girls from opposite sides of a segregated town form a friendship while sitting together on a fence.

Welcome to the Daisy Flower Garden Journey

A Handful of Seeds by Monica Hughes

Concepcion honors her grandmother’s legacy by growing a garden.

Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney

The true story of Alice Rumphius, the Lupine Lady, who wanted to make the world a better place by spreading something beautiful.

The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest by Lynne Cherry

A lovely story about the importance of preserving the rain forests.

City Green by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan

Marcy has a plan to help beautify a vacant lot in her neighborhood.

The Curious Garden by Peter Brown

Liam starts to tend a tiny garden in a gray town, and something curious happens.

STEM Journey

Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty

Ada is a classmate of popular characters Rosie Revere and Iggy Peck. She has a lot of questions, and answers them with science.

Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors? by Tanya Lee Stone

The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell, the first female doctor.

Ada’s Ideas by Fiona Robinson

The story of Ada Byron Lovelace, the world’s first computer programmer.

Ada Lovelace: Poet of Science by Diane Stanley

Another biography of Ada Lovelace and how she envisioned our digital world 100 years before it existed.

Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty

Rosie Revere is a young engineer who learns that sometimes failure is the first step toward success.

11 Experiments that Failed by Jenny Offill

A book of science experiments that…probably won’t turn out well, but will help you learn something anyway.

PHEW! I hope this list helps inspire some Petal and Journey projects. I would love to hear your feedback, suggestions, or additional ideas in the comments. Thank you for reading!

Sources:
The Ames Free Library
A Mighty Girl Books
Colours of Us
Edutopia

Please note that this list contains affiliate links. Any proceeds will benefit my Daisy troop.