Ed Butts’ She Dared, about women in Canadian history who defied society’s norms, is full of great tales. Butts (whose books for adult audiences include Bandits and Privateers and Pirates and Outlaws of Canada) understands that stories are even more entertaining when scandals and scoundrels are involved. Thus, She Dared includes accounts of Ontario-born Cassie Chadwick, the swindler who posed as Andrew Carnegie’s illegitimate daughter, and “mobster princess” Florence Lassandro, a bootlegger who was the only woman ever hanged in Alberta. Butts is very careful, of course, to make clear that these women were not admirable – only very interesting.

Less infamous but equally fascinating stories include that of Dr. James Miranda Barry, the army surgeon who lived and worked as a man for over 50 years, and Mary Ann Shadd, the abolitionist and educator who became the first black female lawyer in North America.

Unfortunately, the book’s design doesn’t quite convey just how interesting these stories actually are. Black-and-white illustrations by Heather Collins (Rain Tonight: A Story of Hurricane Hazel) inspire an old-fashioned textbook feel that says “school” rather than “fun.” The cover illustration, of stagecoach robber Pearl Hart, evokes a Wild West atmosphere that won’t necessarily appeal to many girls. That’s too bad, because the very readable text, combined with the captivating subject matter, makes this a great choice for reluctant readers.