Stories that inspire adventure, leadership, courage & sisterhood.
There’s something special about finding a book that fits right into troop life—whether it tells the story of Juliette Gordon Low, follows girls on their own scouting adventures, or inspires them to try something new, dream bigger and make a difference.
I’ve rounded up 10 books that pair perfectly with the Girl Scout experience, with picks for girls and troop leaders alike. You’ll find Girl Scout history, mysteries and troop adventures alongside stories about STEM, courage, leadership and taking action. And because a good book can be more than just a read-aloud, I’ve included badge connections and activity ideas to help bring the stories into your troop.
With Juliette Gordon Low’s birthday on October 31, this is an especially fun list to pull out in the fall—but these are books worth keeping on your troop bookshelf all year long. And if you’d rather have the whole list in one place, there’s a free printable version (plus a few bonus activities!) waiting for you at the bottom of the post.
A quick note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting Badge Buddy and the free resources I create for troop leaders!
Girl Scout Spirit Book Picks
BADGE BUDDY JGL BIRTHDAY PICK!
Here Come the Girl Scouts!
by Shana Corey
Why It Connects:
Meet Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low and discover how her adventurous spirit and big ideas led to the founding of Girl Scouts.
Badge Tie-Ins:
Daisy: Good Neighbor
Brownie: Girl Scout Way
Junior: Girl Scout Way
Path to the Stars: My Journey from Girl Scout to Rocket Scientist
by Sylvia Acevedo
Why It Connects:
Follow Sylvia Acevedo’s journey from Girl Scout to rocket scientist, engineer and CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA—a story of curiosity, determination and dreaming big.
Badge Tie-Ins:
Daisy: Space Science Explorer
Brownie: My Best Self
Junior: STEM Career Exploration
BADGE BUDDY JGL BIRTHDAY PICK!
Who Was Juliette Gordon Low?
by Dana Meachen Rau
Why It Connects:
Go beyond the basics of Juliette Gordon Low’s story with an accessible chapter-book biography that explores the determination and vision behind the founding of Girl Scouts.
Badge Tie-Ins:
Daisy: Good Neighbor
Brownie: Girl Scout Way or Celebrating Community
Junior: Take Action Project
The Giggling Ghost Girl Scout Mystery
by Carole Marsh
Why It Connects:
Girl Scouts, Savannah and a mystery! Follow the clues while discovering Juliette Gordon Low, Girl Scout history and the city where it all began.
Badge Tie-Ins:
Daisy: Good Neighbor
Brownie: Girl Scout Way
Junior: Detective
Mouse Scouts
by Sarah Dillard
Why It Connects:
A tiny troop earns badges, learns new skills and helps others in this playful chapter-book series about friendship, teamwork and troop life.
Badge Tie-Ins:
Daisy: Considerate & Caring
Brownie: Making Friends
Junior: Girl Scout Way
First Girl Scout: The Life of Juliette Gordon Low
by Ginger Wadsworth
Why It Connects:
Go deeper into Juliette Gordon Low’s life and discover how her adventurous spirit and belief in girls helped shape the Girl Scout movement.
Badge Tie-Ins:
Daisy: Good Neighbor
Brownie: Girl Scout Way
Junior: Independence
TROOP LEADER PICK!
Troop 6000: The Girl Scout Troop That Began in a Shelter and Inspired the World
by Nikita Stewart
Why It Connects:
The remarkable true story of a Girl Scout troop that began in a New York City homeless shelter—and the power of sisterhood and community.
Leader Themes:
Take Action Project
Community Service
Inclusion & Belonging
Fearless: Growth Mindset Short Stories for Girls
by Toby Sparrow
Why It Connects:
Short stories about girls taking on challenges, learning from mistakes and discovering the power of “yet.”
Badge Tie-Ins:
Daisy: Courageous & Strong
Brownie: My Best Self
Junior: Practice with Purpose
TROOP LEADER PICK!
Intrepid Girls: The Complicated History of the Girl Scouts of the USA
by Amy Erdman Farrell
Why It Connects:
A thought-provoking look at more than a century of Girl Scout history—celebrating its impact while exploring the more complicated parts of its past.
Leader Themes:
Girl Scout History
Traditions
Leadership
It’s Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired & Get Going!
by Chelsea Clinton
Why It Connects:
Big issues become approachable as girls explore topics like poverty, equality and climate change—and discover ways they can make a difference.
Badge Tie-Ins:
Daisy: Eco Learner
Brownie: Eco Friend
Junior: Agent of Change / Take Action Project
Want the Whole List + Bonus Activities?
Save yourself from bookmarking 10 different books. Get the complete Girl Scout Spirit Book + Badge Pairing Guide in one easy-to-save printable—plus bonus activities to turn a great book into an easy troop meeting.
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