You're interested in women's history? If your story is like that of many others, your interest began with a special book you read as a young reader. Or, perhaps you feel that you would have become interested earlier, if you'd just found the right book to introduce the topic to you. Either way, it's only natural to consider buying a book as a gift for a special young reader in your life -- a daughter, niece, granddaughter, friend. There are choices beyond books, too. Here are some considerations to help you select a gift to pique her interest or to feed her on-going interest in women's lives and women's history.

Pick age appropriate books and toys
There are good women's history books now available for just about every age range. For books, the age range is based on both expected reading level and the kinds of interests girls have at those ages. (I read Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter when I was 10, but I sure didn't understand a lot of the story!) If the gift recipient is much above or below grade level in reading, the length of the book and the topic are especially important considerations.

Pick a topic based on her interests
It's a common mistake in buying gift books to simply pick topics that interested you as a child, or that you believe she should know more about. But unless she's already interested in the topic, those strategies won't work. Think about what she already reads a lot about. Science fiction? Find a biography of a woman astronaut. Playing with dolls? Try a book or doll from the American Dolls collection. Crafts or cooking? Try the Pastimes collection.

• History Mysteries
• American Girl Pastimes Books

Children Love Series
Girls (and boys, for that matter) usually love books or other toys in a series. Finding another book in a much-beloved series is a great way to say "I pay attention to who you are and what you like." Introducing a child to a new series is like opening a doorway into a new world. Children need these series as a way to explore more deeply a set of characters, a style or writing or a specific world, and to find a kind of stability in a changing and sometimes insecure world.

• History Mysteries: Boxed Sets

Dolls and Accessories
Most girls love playing with dolls, but some dolls encourage self-respect and creativity more than others do. While playing with Barbie isn't going to necessarily scar a girl for life (many feminists had Barbie collections when they were young) the American Girl Collection is probably preferable as a women's history gift for girls in the preteen years. The American Girl dolls and accompanying books help girls understand their own heritage and that of others while promoting problem-solving, compassion and courage.

• Top 10 Picks for Collectible Barbie Dolls - Women in History