Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls
100 Real Life Tales of Black Girl Magic
This book includes a collection of short one-page biographies about a wide range of people, who match the respective title, along with a drawing of the person and a quote by the person. The portrayed people include well known people, as well as people probably unheard of by most readers. The stories are all chosen to encourage young readers to stand up for what they believe in and to dare to be different.
Keywords/Themes
Courage, Empowerment, Breaking stereotypes, Overcoming Adversity, Self-Confidence and Non-Conformity, Identity, Role Models, Activism, Inspiration, Diversity, Perseverance and Compassion.
Book Review & Recommended Use in Classroom
The books each bring a collection of 1-page short biographies about a wide range of people who match the respective title together with a painted picture of the person plus a quote of something this person said. The stories highlight a mix of famous personalities and lesser-known individuals, many of whom readers might not have heard of before.The stories are all chosen to encourage young readers to stand up for what they believe in and to be different.
The texts are written in rather simple English. Therefore, they could probably be read by most class 8 pupils. However, for weaker students they can also be useful in class 9 or 10. They could also be used as a door opener for further research into the people’s lives.
(Ulrike, April 2025)
Sensitive Content
None
About the Editors
Lily Workneh is an Ethiopian American journalist and media executive who has built her career around uplifting underrepresented voices and shaping inclusive narratives. Raised in South Florida, she developed an early interest in storytelling that centered equity and culture. Over the years, she has held prominent editorial roles, including as Editor-in-Chief of Blavity and Shadow & Act, and later as Chief Content Officer at Rebel Girls. Her work reflects a commitment to racial justice, education, and gender liberation, with a strong focus on empowering marginalized communities through storytelling.
Source: https://www.lillyworkneh.com/
Elena Favilli (born August 3, 1982, in Montevarchi, Tuscany) is an Italian‑American author, media entrepreneur, and speaker who co‑founded Rebel Girls in 2016. She holds a master’s in semiotics from the University of Bologna and studied digital journalism at UC Berkeley, before working as a journalist for outlets like The Guardian, McSweeney’s, Vogue, and Il Post. Favilli gained recognition for launching the “Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls” series—bestselling children’s books, podcasts, and apps featuring real‑life women role models—which sold millions of copies in over 50 languages and earned awards including Webby and Apple Design Awards. As CEO and Chief Creative Officer, she continues to expand the Rebel Girls brand from her base in Brooklyn, championing empowering storytelling and representation.
