Sasha Smart: Short Stories for Girls by Shermaine Perry-Knights highlights values and skills that will empower girls. Sasha is a young pre-teen who stars in each loosely connected story. Sasha enjoys music, dancing, Star Wars, and science. Most of the action occurs in school, and several of Sasha's peers reoccur throughout the book. Many of the stories take place in her science class, which helps to reinforce the idea that girls can love science too. Values such as bravery, being true to yourself, and perseverance are demonstrated in each quick, engaging chapter. At the end of the story section, a word wall activity is included. Instructions are given to complete this challenge independently or in a school setting.

Shermaine Perry-Knights encourages young girls to be independent thinkers and stand up for what is right in Sasha Smart: Short Stories for Girls. The chapters are brief and can be read in a non-linear fashion. One of the chapters includes some interesting information that celebrates different cultures and countries. I found the chapters on bouncing back after a mistake and friends finding a way to support each other especially meaningful and unique. Each chapter includes two full-page color illustrations by Oleksandr Zinchenko. Sasha has long, flowing brown hair and wears a shirt declaring that science is like magic but real. What a great promo for science! Sasha Smart: Short Stories for Girls would be an excellent title to use in a STEM curriculum. Young readers will gain much insight into becoming a well-rounded individual.

Sasha Smart, a girl with many interests, is not your typical protagonist. Her passion for spaceships, Star Wars, Darth Vader, and her love for science sets her apart. Yet, despite her unique interests, Sasha often finds herself the target of ridicule from some of her friends, a situation many young girls can relate to. This relatability reassures parents that their children are not alone in facing such challenges and provides a sense of understanding and support. Sasha Smart: Short Stories for Girls by Shermaine Perry-Knights delves into Sasha's explorations of different world cultures and lessons on friendship. In the chapter titled The Power of Kindness, Sasha demonstrates her strength by standing up for her friend Saira, who wears a hijab. In an act of defiance against bullying, Sasha intervenes when other girls attempt to ridicule Saira and remove her hijab, educating them about the impact of their actions on the feelings of others.

Sasha Smart: Short Stories for Girls is a book that will captivate girls aged eight to twelve, especially those interested in science. Sasha, a compelling role model, demonstrates how to handle everyday challenges such as bullying, cultural differences, academic setbacks, and peer pressure. This book is a valuable resource for any counselor's office, school, or home library. Shermaine Perry-Knights, an experienced author who deeply understands young girls' challenges, has provided relatable and practical lessons, equipping young girls with the tools they need to navigate life's challenges. She includes additional instructions on building a word wall for kids and teachers, a good educational resource. Teachers can gain valuable teaching insights from her Cone of Experience diagram, which provides differentiated lessons and a QR code for her other books, ensuring they feel equipped to guide their students.