Angry Girls Will Get Us Through

by Rebecca Traister, Ruby Shamir (Adapter)

In her first book for young readers, New York Times bestselling author and New York magazine writer-at-large Rebecca Traister draws material from her award-winning books and articles to show girls their anger has the power to be a force of change, just like for many trailblazers before them.

From an early age, young girls are taught anger isn’t an emotion they should express. They’re told—either implicitly or explicitly—to spend their lives keeping their fury locked inside for the benefit of others. But partly, Traister argues, that’s because the anger of women and girls has been a crucial catalyst for change, putting in motion some of the most defining social and political movements in our nation’s history. And it’s that anger that will blaze the path forward for the future.

Traister chronicles a concise history from the colonial era to the Women’s March of 2016 demonstrating how women’s rage has forged coalitions and created political change through movements for women’s and civil rights and more, and how the past decade has created an inflection point for women and girls who have yet to experience rights equal to men’s in the United States.

Genres: Nonfiction, Feminism, History, Audiobook

240 pages, Hardcover

Published February 17, 2026

About the author

Rebecca Traister writes about politics and gender for Salon, and has contributed to the New York Observer, Elle, the New York Times, Vogue, the Nation and other publications. She lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband.

Reviews

[OutlawPoet · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I saw a complaint that this was political and...um, yes? What book did you think you were reading?

This a very thorough history of women who got angry and made a difference - and it's very, very relevant given today's cultural backsliding into some very dark times. The book is sad, enraging, and inspirational.

The author doesn't sugarcoat the history, either. Some of our women who made history had their own demons (racism being a big one), and the author is very honest about that.

The history is comprehensive and includes some women I'd never heard of.

I will say that the writing was just a touch dry and scholarly. There were times I wanted to move beyond the facts and to feel like I was living in those moments, for good or bad.

But it really is a great book and one that every woman and girl should read.

[Emily | emilyisbookedup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before reading this book, I looked at the reviews because I’m really picky about nonfiction and I wanted to make sure it would keep my interest. After finishing, I think there are some really weird reviews here.

One complaint that stuck out to me is that the book is too political. Feminism IS political. Human rights - women’s rights - are political. This is a book about the fight for women’s equality and how anger has hurt and helped us. It’s not really fair to rate a book negatively because you don’t agree with said politics that were made perfectly clear in the synopsis. If your chosen political party is not in favor of the common sense idea that women are equal as human beings to men, then I think your issue is not actually with this book.

I felt like this was a really comprehensive historical account of the fight for women’s rights in the United States, and I think it’s perfect for teen readers (and everyone else). Of course there is always more history where that came from, but this is less than 250 pages and the author did a great job of covering tons of women and the inequality they face, including racial inequality and lack of representation.

As an angry woman who just gets angrier by the day in this country, I relate to this book. We are too much and never enough. We can’t be soft because they won’t take us seriously, but anger and strength threatens the fragile masculinity of the patriarchy. Obviously all readers are entitled to their own opinion, but this book is important and I hope the odd reviews don’t stop other women from picking this up.

[Ashlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure what to really think of this book. On one hand, it's a nonfiction book about women who are angry and made a difference in the world one way or another. On the other hand, it was a lot more political than what I was expecting, especially for a young adult book. Sure, I figured it would have some politics because it's about history, but I don't think I was expecting it to have things be so opinionated. If you are looking for a young adult nonfiction book about strong women in history, then definitely check this one out.


I received this book for free via the publisher, which does not affect my review.

[Megan Gallardo · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's the white girl manifesto of the (mostly) white women who helped "push for change" while not spending more time mentioning more Black icons or hispanic, middle-eastern, asian women that I know have also contributed to pushing for change in history.

So, I finished this book out of pure spite and I guess it served its purpose to "get through" the book. Never again.

[Crystal Palmisano-Dillard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oooo I loved that.

This book is empowering, validating, encouraging, and a reminder that I’m not alone and may of us are in it for the long haul to do work toward the betterment of the U.S.

If you’ve ever found yourself filled with rage read this. And then don’t forget to let it out.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the advanced copy of this book.

📝 Short Summary
This nonfiction book explores the history of women’s anger and activism in the United States, showing how generations of women have used their voices, resistance, and strength to challenge injustice and fight for equality. It walks through key moments in history and reminds readers that anger has often been the force behind real change.

Review
This was one of those books that quietly hits you and stays with you long after you finish it. I have never really read anything focused on feminism before, so going into this, I didn’t know what to expect. What I found was a powerful, honest, and eye opening history lesson that made me understand how and why we are where we are today.

The way this book walks through history and shows the role women played in fighting for their rights was incredibly impactful. It made me realize that so many things we have today were never freely given. They were fought for, often by women who were dismissed, ignored, or told to stay quiet. This book makes it clear that women’s anger was never something to be ashamed of. It was necessary. It was powerful. And it was often the catalyst for real change in politics, labor movements, civil rights, and social progress.

What really stood out to me was how accessible and understandable everything was. It never felt overwhelming or preachy. Instead, it felt like someone was finally explaining the bigger picture in a way that made sense. It connected the past to the present in a way that made everything feel real and relevant. It helped me understand not just what happened, but why it mattered and why it still matters now.

This book also made me reflect on how women have been taught to suppress their anger, to stay quiet, and to accept things as they are. But this book challenges that idea completely. It reminds women that anger can be clarity. It can be a strength. It can be the beginning of change.

For me personally, this was a meaningful and important read. It gave me knowledge, perspective, and a deeper understanding of the struggles and strengths of the women who came before us. It made me see things differently, and that alone makes it worth reading.

This is not just a history book. It is a reminder of resilience, courage, and the power of women standing together.

✅ Would I Recommend It?
Yes. Especially if you have never read anything about feminism before. This is a great starting point that helps you understand the history, the fight, and why women’s voices still matter today.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚Angry Girls Will Get Us Through
✍🏻Rebecca Traister
Blurb:
In her first book for young readers, New York Times bestselling author and New York magazine writer-at-large Rebecca Traister draws material from her award-winning books and articles to show girls their anger has the power to be a force of change, just like for many trailblazers before them.

From an early age, young girls are taught anger isn’t an emotion they should express. They’re told—either implicitly or explicitly—to spend their lives keeping their fury locked inside for the benefit of others. But partly, Traister argues, that’s because the anger of women and girls has been a crucial catalyst for change, putting in motion some of the most defining social and political movements in our nation’s history. And it’s that anger that will blaze the path forward for the future.

Traister chronicles a concise history from the colonial era to the Women’s March of 2016 demonstrating how women’s rage has forged coalitions and created political change through movements for women’s and civil rights and more, and how the past decade has created an inflection point for women and girls who have yet to experience rights equal to men’s in the United States.
My Thoughts:
Angry Girls Will Get Us Through is a look at how women's anger throughout history has viewed and utilized. This nonfiction book explores the history of women’s anger and activism in the United States, showing how generations of women have used their voices, resistance, and strength to challenge injustice and fight for equality. It walks through key moments in history and reminds readers that anger has often been the force behind real change.This book also made me reflect on how women have been taught to suppress their anger, to stay quiet, and to accept things as they are. But this book challenges that idea completely. It reminds women that anger can be clarity. It can be a strength. It can be the beginning of change. This book is full of facts and events in which "angry girls" made a difference throughout history. I believe this will be beneficial to any young girls. It can help them not feel as alone with these feelings of rage, not only for women being mistreated but also for people of color..
Thanks NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers and Author Rebecca Traister for the complimentary copy of "Angry Girls Will Get Us Through" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#Simon&SchusterBooksforYoungReaders
#RebeccaTraister
#AngryGirlsWillGetUsThrough
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Hope Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid, wide-angle primer, just not the vivid, story-driven feminism I wanted.

Rebecca Traister’s Angry Girls Will Get Us Through (adapted for young readers by Ruby Shamir) is, first and foremost, a thorough introduction to U.S. women’s activism, the kind of “how we got here” overview that’s genuinely useful if you want the big historical throughline of organizing, backlash, progress, and persistence. The framing is clear. Girls are taught to swallow their anger, and this book argues that anger, when channeled, has long been a force for change.

Where the book really succeeds is in its scope and accessibility. It reads like a guided tour through key moments, ideas, and movements, and it’s structured to help readers connect patterns across time, what keeps repeating, what shifts, and why collective action matters. It’s easy to see why reviewers have described it as a strong primer on the history of women’s activism in the United States.

That strength is also where my main hesitation sits. This book feels more like a textbook than a tapestry. Instead of unfolding as a living, breathing history powered by individual women and girls you come to know, it often reads like a well-organized lecture. The information is solid and thoughtfully presented, but the emotional electricity implied by the title, “angry girls,” doesn’t consistently make it onto the page. I kept wishing for more scenes, more voices, and more storytelling, and less summary.

Overall, this is a four-star read for being an excellent, well-researched on-ramp to the history of women’s movements in the U.S., especially for younger readers or classroom use. I’m holding back a star because, for me, it makes feminism feel a little too dry, when it should feel alive, urgent, and still unfolding.

[Rachel Doubek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rebecca Traister’s "Angry Girls Will Get Us Through" is her Young Adult adaptation of her earlier work "Good and Mad". I found this version extremely well done, and it never felt like a traditional YA book.

The book is divided into three sections: historical feminist figures before 1920, the period from 1920 (when women won the right to vote) to 2016, and the years after 2016. Even as someone who feels familiar with feminist history, I learned a great deal. The first section was the most enlightening for me because it covered stories and figures I had not encountered before. The other two sections were less enjoyable only because they covered eras I already know well and am living through.

The book’s central argument is that women’s rage has consistently fueled social change. At the same time, there has been a systemic effort to persuade women and people of color to suppress their anger, which ultimately limits their ability to create lasting progress. I do not think I have highlighted a book this much in years. Traister’s writing is sharp, thoughtful, and deeply motivating, and I highly recommend this book.

Although parts of the final section are difficult to read, Traister ends on a hopeful note. Rage can motivate us and point us toward possibility and change. We must be willing to tap into that anger to move forward.

[Tara Donaldson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly I want to thank NetGalley, the authors and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

Overall this book was great to me. I loved the mix of history and direct narrative to inspire the current / future generations to continue the fight. The constant reminders that none of the victories that women have in the United States came quickly or without many banning together to fight oppressive voices.

One of the most striking parts of the book for me was calling out the learned behaviors to minimize our anger as women & be silent in the face of troubling issues. The authors ability to encourage everyone but especially young girls to do even more with their voices and ignore the habits of self silence seen in previous generations really stood out .

I also really enjoyed the continuous reminder that unity is the best way to achieve change. In such a high tension time and with many different outlets pushing divisive rhetoric I think many people but especially young people need to remember that to seek change we as a society have to band together to change the systems that effect us all .

I look forward to sharing this book with the young readers in my life and inspiring minds to seek change .

[Kiera Beddes · Rating 4 out of 5]

In her first book for young adults, Traister draws on material from her other books for adults (Good and Mad, All the Single Ladies and Big Girls Don’t Cry), as well as her magazine articles, to illustrate how historic and revolutionary change has always depended on women’s anger. Rage at injustice is deeply patriotic, and it is not only for wealthy white men. Traister takes the reader on a quick journey of women’s fury throughout American History from the colonial period to the election of 2016, and beyond.

This is the feminist history lesson I wish I’d had sooner! I think Traister does a good job of providing context without getting too bogged down by the details, thus keeping the reader engaged. I loved how the author traces the cyclical patterns of progress and backlash, ultimately helping readers find a constructive place for their own rage regarding current events. If I were still teaching, I would definitely consider using this as a mentor text for literary criticism. That being said, I think it will definitely appeal to adults more than kids, but could be perfect for the right young reader.

It could also be paired well with Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're angry and feel like hope has been lost, this book is for you. Thank you Rebecca Traister, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, & NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of Angry Girls Will Get Us Through. I also plan on picking up Traister's adult books as well.

I typically do not read nonfiction, but knowing how lost I was feeling with the current state of the world, I figured it wouldn't hurt. I know this is a book for young readers, but people young and old should pick it up. I was reminded of so many stories I learned in school and learned more details than I remember being taught. At a time where our history is being challenged and attempts to rewrite it - it's even more important to learn from the past.

I left feeling more hopeful & rejuvenated in the current process the US is in. I was reminded that hope is what fuels anger and I want to thank Traister for that. I also requested that Angry Girls Will Get Us Through was added into my local library systems because that hope needs to be shared. I plan on purchasing and adding it to some Free Little Libraries in my community to also hopefully spark some hope.

[Kelly {SpaceOnTheBookcase] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angry Girls Will Get Us Through by Rebecca Traister looks at women's history and provides a brief foundation into women who have gotten angry over time and the impact that anger has had on the world.

From Abigail Adams to Kamala Harris, this book doesn't only look at the impact of women's anger but also how competing advocacy work has both harmed and helped the movement. I appreciated that the author delved into the differences in race and how anger is perceived and also how advocacy wasn't always as women centered as it should have been throughout time.

This book spans a large period of time so much of the information is easy to consume, with the hope that it sparks readers to look for more. It also ends during current times which made the book feel relevant.

This is a nonfiction and does come across a little dry, which may be a struggle for some readers to stick with.

Thank you Simon Kids for the gifted copy.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Traister has taken the ideas from her adult book, Good and Mad, and adapted them for a younger audience. This is definitely a teen book, not middle grade, and it really feels like essential reading. Traister examines women's anger as a catalyst for activism and change, first giving readers examples from further back in history. Women's anger changed labor laws, got women the vote, fed the civil rights era, and while there have been some setbacks in recent years, women's anger will continue to push us forward. Her examination of current events with what happened in the last several elections, is not anything that I and my friends have not acknowledged ourselves, but I think it's crucial to communicate with teens, especially young women, that their anger can be a catalyst for change. Review from e-galley.

[Sacha · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

This is a readable, audience aware text that provides a lot of useful information and maybe even a sense of hope at a time when we need it...badly. I really enjoy this author (not just as a writer but as a podcaster, commentator, etc.), so I look forward to having an opportunity to introduce students and young readers to this thinker in a format that is palatable for them.

Traister creates a manageable history of, well, "angry" girls leading all the way up into modern times. It's an informative text, and a call to action, too.

I enjoyed the read and recommend it for any and all interested parties.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Mia Sage (fantasyfairyreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this short, quick read about how our past women ancestors have pushed for change in the United States. This was easy to digest and gave well-written and concise true examples of the struggles women have shown resilience through protesting and through action. I read this at the perfect time as a goal of mine this year is to read more non-fiction and really expand my knowledge of our country’s and world’s history.

Rebecca Traister presents the duality of how men are traditionally allowed to show these harsh, powerful emotions and people see this as a positive strength towards their person but when women say and do the same things, we are seen as no longer feminine and lose our validity.

Angry Girls Will Get Us Through is an important, introductory summarization of women’s rights for any young person whether it be boy or girl in middle school or high school to dip their toes in this subject which is so often forgotten as you don’t know what you have until it’s gone or how hard it took to get where we are today in women’s rights. The book cover is super eye catching too!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Brooke DeBoest · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers the history of women's' anger and how it has been used over centuries in America. While overall, I appreciated the historical aspect of the book, I was wanting more. As it is geared toward a YA audience, I was looking for some sort of "next steps" type section with very specific ways youth could become involved in politics or activism, but other than "be angry", I didn't really get it. I also wished to have more details on some of the women mentioned as they seemed to be portrayed as only angry women and nothing more.

I do think this would gain interest in a high school library as more and more young adults are looking at ways to make the world better; however, again, I hoped for a little more.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC!

[Mystyc Metrik · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting read that explores the intricate relationship between women and anger, and how women's anger is not interpreted in the same way as men's. It was broken up into three time periods, with particular analysis being placed on recent events of the nation's more divisive elections and how some of it may be a direct response to women's anger. While the anger was a catalyst for some of the changes that benefited women in the past, it may be reflected differently in the political realm. It's too easy to relegate an angry woman to the sidelines, which minimizes her impact. There needs to be a careful balance between maintaining the anger and public appearances. It was certainly thought-provoking, and I definitely learned a few things!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gets a 4 star from me. I liked it, and I thought it did a great job of taking us through US History and how women have used their anger to fight. It covered a lot of ground, but I feel like it rushed through the 1800s - 2016 so we could spend more time on modern day. And while I appreciated that she had many great points, I think there was a lot more we could have covered historically.

And while she does bring up the anger of black and brown women, I feel like she could have done more to showcase that.

I think this book has a lot of potential and can be inspiring, but I would have liked to go deeper into the history rather than deep-dive into modern-day politics.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of facts and events in which "angry girls" made a difference throughout history. I believe this will be beneficial to any young girls. It can help them not feel as alone with these feelings of rage, not only for women being mistreated but also for people of color. I found this nonfiction book to put this phrase into perspective. I learned about incredible women who made a difference that I had never heard of. We need more books like this discussing hard topics for the new generation. I would recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rebecca Traister, and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Risa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really nice compilation of history throughout the years that show the fight women have been fighting to the present day, and how even though progress has been made, there is still so much more to be done. I appreciate how the writing was set to be easy for the younger reader to understand. I do wish there was a bit more depth to some of the topics and women discussed. I also wish there had been some discussion on how, as a young woman, to become more involved politically or with activism.

Overall, a great read and a good starting point for the young reader that wants to gain some insight into how the anger of women from the past has changed the landscape for women of today, and the fight we must continue to make progress.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for an opportunity to read an ARC!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

While this is definitely a very thorough, well-researched and well-written timeline of feminism and female leadership in the United States, I did feel it missed the mark a little bit in terms of being geared toward kids and teens. I found the writing informative, but a bit dry in terms of readability. Having said that, I really appreciated how educational it was and I didn't dislike it- I just don't know that it would be a big draw for its target audience.

[Christel Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book isn’t just about the history of women’s rights. It’s highly biased and political. There’s so much research that I enjoyed. I just wish it had been less opinionated. The anger dripping off of each page was great. When I look at the history of women and how they have been treated from the past to present, I get angry. The book definitely delivers there.

I’m going neutral here. There was a lot of great with some things I didn’t like.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I reflect back on my own lifetime, I am grateful for all the positive changes in women's lives but am saddened and angry about recent events that are taking us backwards. Rebecca Traister offers hope that women can come together and use their anger to stop this disturbing trend. We can be inspired by those who have come before us. She points out that it's not healthy to hold our anger in, and I definitely agree. This book needs to be in the hands of teen girls. Thanks to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers and the author for a copy to read and review.

[Merkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angry Girls Will Get Us Through is a look at how women's anger throughout history has viewed and utilized. While relatively short, I think the book accomplished what it needed to. I definitely wish for more depth in some areas. There was a lot throughout that I could identify with or that strongly resonated with me. This was a great informative read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Important content— but the attributions of quotes are sorely lacking— there is no Notes section, and only a “selected” bibliography. (“You can find my full list of sources in my adult books”—!!)

I don’t understand why Traister (or her adaptor or publisher) decided it was okay to take shortcuts on this young adult adaptation when she was so meticulous with her notes in her adult titles. Teen audiences deserve the same level of professionalism.

[Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read, especially during the current political climate and the uncertainty of women’s rights. I really appreciate the hopeful tones towards the end. Majority of the book is basically about the history of women’s rights, and then towards the end it shifts to a call to action because the fight for equal rights is still ongoing.

This ARC was won in a Goodreads giveaway

[Briann · Rating 4 out of 5]

As somebody who has taken history from a feminist perspective and history of feminist thought classes, there was very little in this book that surprised me. It read like a book on the history of feminism and feminist movements in the United States. It was a nice refresher for me, though not what I was expecting. I was expecting ANGER and RAGE, as implied by the title. I expected to see impassioned speeches, powerful protests, and emotion-filled spectacles. Instead, I got a very factual description of history.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the premise of this book a lot, and the information it gives is invaluable. However, I have a brain that is resistant to listening to anything that slightly resembles a history lesson, and this ended up feeling like a long history lesson. The book itself is great but for my personally it had trouble holding the attention of my brain.

[Alexandria Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This felt powerful and very relevant 🖤

It dives into anger, community, and how collective voices can actually create change.
Not a light read, but an important one.

It makes you think and reflect, which I appreciated.