FALMOUTH — Three girls stood at the head of the line behind Eight Cousins bookstore Thursday morning, clutching copies of “She Persisted,” a new children’s book by Chelsea Clinton.

Maya Holzman, 12, and Sydney Holzman, 13, both of Brookline, and Mia Bartlett, 13, of West Roxbury, got in line at 7:45 a.m. for Clinton’s 10:30 a.m. book signing.

For Bartlett, reading the book, which tells the story of 13 inspirational American women, was motivational.

“I thought it was really good for kids and inspiring young girls to know they can do whatever they want,” she said.

Sydney Holzman, who said she looks up to Chelsea Clinton’s mother, Hillary Clinton, former U.S. secretary of state and 2016 Democratic nominee for president, said she has an idea of what she wants to do when she grows up.

“I really want to be the president one day, so she really inspires me,” she said.

The younger Clinton, 37, decided to write “She Persisted,” which was published in May, after Senate Republicans invoked a rule to silence Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., while she delivered a speech criticizing then-nominee for Attorney General Jeff Sessions in February. “Nevertheless, she persisted” became a rallying cry for Democrats after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell used the phrase in a statement defending his decision to stop Warren’s speech.

Photos: Chelsea Clinton book signing

Video: Chelsea Clinton signs her books in Falmouth

The picture book focuses on the lives of persistent women in American history, such as Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, Ruby Bridges and Sally Ride. It also includes a cameo by the elder Clinton.

Tressie Fretschl, 21, of Bourne, said even though the book is meant for kids, she’d recommend it to her adult friends.

“I thought it was very inspiring,” she said, as she stood in line waiting to get her copy signed by Chelsea Clinton.

Fretschl said she’s met Hillary Clinton a few times, including while she worked on the Clinton campaign in New Hampshire. Though she said she’s unhappy with President Donald Trump, she’s encouraged by the activism taking place in the country.

“I think it’s both terrifying and, completely on the other side, I think it’s inspiring and empowering,” she said. “People are getting educated and getting out there.”

When Thomas McManamon, 37, of Falmouth, read the book, he had his three daughters in mind, he said, holding his youngest outside the book shop.

“I think anything that pushes them to be the best they can is an awesome, incredible thing,” he said.

After Chelsea Clinton signed her book and Bartlett exited the shop, she said the experience was well worth the wait.

“Meeting her was really exciting, and she was really nice,” she said.

— Follow Madeleine List: @madeleine_list.