Girl Genius: Bold Breakthroughs from Women in Science

Scientists who innovated, invented, and used their ingenuity to create a better world are profiled in this book. You'll likely not have heard of most of these brilliant women; it's far from the usual suspects. And this book also differs from the many other entries in the "strong women" genre because it speaks directly to the reader—each profile contains not just a biography but a lesson, like "Be curious and ask a lot of questions" and "Mix art and science." 8-12 is around the right age range here, but it could go a bit younger for a strong reader or dedicated scientist.