Rosemary McCarney, President and CEO of Plan International Canada, has followed up the her popular picture book Every Day is Malala Day with a book for middle grade readers, also inspired by her international development work. Working with Plan, Rosemary helped craft its Because I am a Girl global initiative to end gender inequality, promote girls' rights, and lift millions of girls out of poverty, and helped lead the charge for the United Nations to declare October 11th the "International Day of the Girl" - a day each year to recognize and advocate for girls' rights globally. This book illustrates the Because I am a Girl call to change by telling the stories of individual girls throughout the world. They tell us: "Because I am a girl, I eat if there is food left over when everyone is done" and "I am the poorest of the poor." The later stories are about hope, with chapters like "Because I am a girl, I will share what I know" and " I am the heart of my community" and "I can change the world." Illustrated with Plan's amazing photographs and including "Did You Know" fact sections.

Rosemary McCarney est la présidente et la directrice générale de Plan Canada, l'une des organisations internationales de développement les plus importantes au Canada. Après avoir travaillé pour la Banque mondiale, l'Agence canadienne de développement international, l'ONU et Street Kids International, Rosemary a entamé son rôle à Plan Canada où elle a mené les campagnes pour la Journée internationale de la fille et Parce que je suis une fille. Elle habite à Toronto avec sa famille.

Rosemary McCarney is president and CEO of Toronto-based Plan Canada, one of the largest international development agencies in Canada. After working with organizations like the World Bank, Canadian International Development Agency, the UN, and Street Kids International, she moved to Plan Canada, where she led the initiative for the International Day of the Girl and spearheads the Because I am a Girl campaign. Rosemary lives in Toronto with her family.

Rosemary McCarney's profile page

Jen Albaugh is a former elementary school teacher and librarian currently working as a freelance writer and editor in Toronto who is greatly inspired by the work of Plan and the Because I am a Girl initiative.

Jen Albaugh's profile page

Founded in 1937, Plan is one of the world’s oldest and largest international development agencies, working in partnership with millions of people around the world to end global poverty. Not for profit, independent and inclusive of all faiths and cultures, Plan has only one agenda: to improve the lives of children. Because I am a Girl is Plan’s global initiative to end gender inequality, promote girls’ rights and lift millions of girls – and everyone around them – out of poverty.

Plan International's profile page

• Short-listed, Rocky Mountain Book Award
• Short-listed, Green Earth Book Award - Children's Non-Fiction
• Short-listed, IPPY Awards 2015 - Bronze Medal (Multicultural Non-Fiction Juvenile/Young Adult)
• Commended, Bank Street College's "Best Children's Books of the Year" (Information Book - Biography & Memoir)
• Commended, Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books for Kids & Teens (Spring 2015)
• Short-listed, Amelia Bloomer Top 10 Feminist Books for Young Readers

Together with Plan International, Rosemary McCarney and Jen Albaugh deliver an informative and thought-provoking look at the lives of eight young girls around the world that will warm your heart while stirring up concern.... Readers will be inspired to have a positive impact on the world around them, to stand up for what is right and have a voice.

ETFO Voice

"...upbeat and empowering."

Quill and Quire

At times heartbreaking, but, ultimately, hopeful, this book is well suited to middle school readers.

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"Because I Am a Girl" allows middle grade students to meet many other girls who have faced incredible obstacles to work for change and education and a promising future.

Midwest Book Review

A clear call for change as well as a chorus of affirmation that change is possible.

Kirkus Reviews

The title says it all; this matter-of-fact collection of biographies of girls around the world shines a light on third-world problems and the brave girls and other folks who are trying to find the solutions....Overall, this book would be a great fit for both school and public libraries.

Kutztown University Book Review

Young readers may overall appreciate the spirit of the book’s overall optimistic outlook and the initiative’s driving principle that girls can change the world.

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

This beautifully photographed book should adorn the shelves of every classroom and library and should be shared with children in the junior and middle grades throughout the world to increase awareness of the Because I am a Girl movement.

Canadian Children's Book News