Why Mo’ne Davis’ new book will be an essential read for girls everywhere

Next March, HarperCollins Children’s Books will release Mo’ne Davis: Remember My Name, a memoir by 13-year-old Little League baseball phenom Mo’ne Davis.

Davis became a worldwide sensation this past summer after as the first female pitcher in Little League World Series history to win a game. Davis was one of only two girls to compete in this year’s LLWS, and only the 18th girl to ever take the field in the competition’s 67-year history. She followed up her performance by becoming the first LLWS player to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated during the competition, and even stopped by The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. She’s since appeared in a short film, directed by Spike Lee, called I Throw Like a Girl. She also threw out the ceremonial first pitch during game four of this year’s Major League World Series, donated the Taney Dragons jersey she wore during her 4-0 shutout victory to baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., and last month, was named one of TIME magazine’s “25 Most Influential Teens of 2014.”

The question of whether or not Davis ever plays professional sports aside, she will go down as a trailblazer and inspiration to all girls who dare to challenge gender norms.

“When I joined an all-boys baseball team, my mom wasn’t too happy,” Davis said Monday in a press release about the new book. “I proved to her (and to me) that I could do anything I set my mind to. I’m just a girl that likes to play sports, and I’m excited to share my story with everyone . . . I hope it encourages people to take a chance and play the sports they want to play and not just the ones people expect them to play.”

Davis’ accomplishments — even at her young age — will inspire countless girls all over the world. In recent years, girls have taken on the very concept of gender-specific sports, with some finding real success. From Mary Kate Smith, the homecoming queen/football star from Mississippi, to Shelby Osbourne, the college football-bound defensive back from Lafayette, Indiana, girls are tearing down gender stereotypes left and right.

In time, Davis’ star will fade and the media attention will subside. Aside from the book and an upcoming appearance at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, her life has returned to that of an average, 13-year-old girl. She spends her days in the classroom and evenings doing homework. That’s part of what makes her so special: her relatability. Her life and her story represent every girl everywhere with a dream.

In a way, Davis will be indirectly responsible for future gains in women’s rights and gender equality, both inside and out of the world of sports. Davis joins an elite crowd of female pioneers ranging from Joan of Arc to Billie Jean King, and will forever inspire girls to take a chance by stepping outside clearly marked gender norms.

We are beyond excited for the release of Mo’ne Davis: Remember My Name, and we can only hope that the world will, in fact, remember her name, accomplishments, and legacy. Upon its release, we’re confident that the book will be a must-read for girls everywhere, and provide them with the inspiration they need to follow their dreams.

[Image via]