Best Books for Teenage Girls. To temper their raging hormones and skyrocketing emotions, adolescents need adventure and adrenaline, and a great deal of thrill to satisfy their appetites. And what better way to calm those teenage tempests than to forget the world by losing themselves in a good book?
You’ll never run out of movies to watch, but nothing compares to the experience of reading a good book. Teenagers have varied tastes and preferences like any other person, and they are more intelligent and perceptive than most. In order to hone their infinite potential and enthusiastic nature, they need to read material that captures their imaginations and takes them on grand escapades. We’ve selected just the right kind of books in diverse genres for teens to check out!
Teen Fiction Books You Should Read
The teen years are the formative years in a person’s life. With proper exposure and a nudge in the right direction, these teens grow up to do incredible things that shake the world. Teen girls, especially, have the potential to be braver, kinder, fiercer, and stronger than their opposing gender. Reading about heroines who conquer their fears and enemies can give them the motivation and inspiration to do great things.
What Type of Books Should Teenagers Read?
The honest answer is, whatever they want! As long as it isn’t detrimental in any way or isn’t solely focused upon sexual gratification. Logically, speaking, teenagers should read the type of books aimed at their age group. Such books are categorized under ‘Young Adult Fiction’.
What is Young Adult Fiction?
More commonly known as YA, Young Adult fiction targets readers between the ages of 12-18, children and adults.
Brief History
The term ‘young adult’ was first coined in 1802 by a writer called Sarah Trimmer. The Outsiders, a book written in 1967 by a young adult, can be credited for defining this type of fiction in modern terms. The demand for young adult fiction increased in the 1970s and 1980s, with many of the books featuring darker themes that resonated with the demographic.
Current Popularity
There are hundreds of monthly book subscription boxes that are made up of book merchandise such as bookmarks, pillow covers, totes, button badges, etc. centered around YA novels. Not only that, but almost every library in the world also has a separate Young Adult books section!
Themes in YA Fiction
YA fiction generally explores the following themes:
- Adolescent angst
- Friendship and love
- Alienation and identity
- Fulfillment of potential
Genres in YA
Young Adult fiction typically ‘genre-blends,’ meaning a YA book is a mix of several different genres. YA books can be contemporary fiction, fantasy, romance, mystery/horror, and historical fiction, to name a few.
Diversity in YA fiction
Since readers have become hyper-sensitive to the lack of diversity, the YA market has seen improvement in that area. According to a survey, about 1/4 of the young adult books published in 2017 featured main characters who were from minority groups.
YALSA
YALSA is the abbreviation for The Young Adult Library Services Association. It was established in 1957 and is a community whose aim is to improve library services for teenagers. YALSA gives a number of awards to authors and works of fiction, which contribute significantly to teen literature like the Alex Awards, Edwards Award, the Printz Award, etc.
How Did We Decide
We’ve picked one book from several of the genres that come under YA fiction. These books have highly positive ratings and reviews on Goodreads, the largest book database on the internet! The books are rated out of 5.
16- Stalking Jack the Ripper
15- Coraline
14- My Lady Jane
13- The Bear and the Nightingale
12- Love from A-Z
11- Wolf by Wolf
10- Pride and Prejudice
9- Anne of the Green Gables
8- The Hobbit
7- Howl’s Moving Castle
6- The Illuminae Files
5- The Hunger Games
4- The Hate You Give
3- The Lunar Chronicles
2- Six of Crows
1- Harry Potter
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↓ 16 – Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco (Mystery)
Stalking Jack the Ripper is a murder mystery/historical fiction book that came out in 2016. It became a hit instantly and led to three more sequels!
Summary: Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose is a budding forensic student, defying social expectations. She finds herself embroiled in the horrifying mystery of the Ripper murders.
Goodreads Rating: 4.00
Why We Picked It:
- The book presents an interesting take on Jack the Ripper, the notorious serial killer responsible for the brutal murders of several female victims in 1888, in London.
- It’s a murder mystery, which means you’ll be gripping the edge of your seat the whole time!
↓ 15 – Coraline by Neil Gaiman (Dark Fantasy, Horror)
Summary: Coraline Jones is a curious eleven-year-old who moves into a new house with her parents. Ignored by both, she starts exploring her surroundings, which leads her to a small doorway. The doorway opens into an ‘other’ world, where everything is not as amazing as it seems.
Goodreads Rating: 4.06
Why We Picked It:
- The book features a head-strong and brave protagonist, and it’s dark and scary enough to even make adults quiver in their boots! The novella was published in 2003 and won many awards, including the Hugo Award for Best Novella.
- The film adaptation is just as creepy and horrifying as the book. It’s one of Gaiman’s best books.
↓ 14 – My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows (Comedy)
This series mixes the genres of historical fiction and comedy. The first book came out in 2016, and the third one in 2020.
Summary: Each of the three books in The Lady Janies series features a protagonist by the name of ‘Jane.’ The books are standalones, with the stories wrapping up in each book.
Goodreads Rating: 4.07
Why We Picked It: The books are hilarious, with a considerably less depressing and more fun take on historical events. The writers took liberties while being respectful of actual events.
↓ 13 – The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden (Mythology)
The Bear and the Nightingale is the first book in the Winternight Trilogy, based on Russian mythology and folklore.
Summary: Vasilisa Petrovna can communicate with mythological creatures. She encounters the Winter King, who warns her of the coming dangers. Vasya uses her strange powers to stop the horrifying fairytales she heard as a child come alive.
Goodreads Rating: 4.11
Why We Picked It:
- It’s an incredible mix of historical events and mythology.
- The reader is instantly transported into the Russian countryside; the frigid surroundings are described so vividly.
- The story is lead by an inspiring and courageous protagonist, making it a treat to read.
↓ 12 – Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali (Contemporary)
An adorable book that features Muslim protagonists and their struggles, Love from A to Z came out in 2019 and melted the hearts of many.
Summary: Zayneb’s angry with the world for how it treats people like she and Adam is suffering from multiple sclerosis. Their paths cross in Doha, changing their lives forever.
Goodreads Rating: 4.13
Why We Picked It:
- The Muslim representation in this book is amazing.
- The love story is realistic without undermining the struggles faced by the characters.
↓ 11 – Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin (Historical Fiction)
Summary: What if Hitler had survived? This alternate take on reality features assassins, horrifying science experiments, people with mutant powers, and motor-cycle racing competitions across countries!
Goodreads Rating: 4.24
Why We Picked It:
- The book is ironically underrated because it’s super unique in its plot and world-building.
- It’s an award-winning series, with a sequel and novella prequel.
↓ 10 – Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (Romance, Classic)
Pride and Prejudice, published in 1813, is Jane Austen’s most famous book. Besides TV and film adaptations, there are even book retellings, Pride and Prejudice, and Zombies, being one of them!
Summary: The book is about the lives of the Bennet sisters while criticizing the expectations placed upon women in the 18th-century society.
Goodreads Rating: 4.26
Why We Picked It:
- Hello? It’s Pride and Prejudice, one of the most beloved classics in the world!
- Readers have found the book relatable in all ages, picking apart its themes and the characters within.
- Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy have remained everyone’s favorite couple to this day.
↓ 9 – Anne of the Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (Coming-of-age, Classic)
Another beloved classic, Anne of Green Gables has been a reader-favorite for over a century. The Canadian coming-of-age novel has been adapted repeatedly, the most recent adaptation being Anne with an E, a Canadian TV series. The book has eight sequels.
Summary: Eleven-year-old orphan Anne Shirley arrives at Green Gables in Avonlea, only to discover that the siblings who adopted her, the Cuthberts, had asked for a boy. The book follows Anne’s acceptance into society and her growth from a child to an ambitious young woman.
Goodreads Rating: 4.26
Why We Picked It:
- It’s a timeless classic, perfect for children between the ages of 13-16.
- The story is bittersweet and full of nostalgia, while Anne’s positive outlook towards everything is endearing.
↓ 8 – The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (Action-adventure, Classic)
J.R.R. Tolkien’s books are a literary treasure that every teenager should immerse themselves in before going to college. His Middle-Earth books have a loyal fan-base from around the globe, with their numbers only increasing with time.
Summary: Despite disliking the idea of adventures, Bilbo Baggins is thrust into the middle of a grand one when a clever wizard arrives at his doorstep. Together with a company of dwarves, Bilbo sets out on an epic quest to battle and dragon and steal some treasure.
Goodreads Rating: 4.27
Why We Picked It:
- The book was adapted into a series of three films. If you’ve seen the films, you might want to give the book a try.
- Tolkien’s Middle-Earth is a world crafted with painstaking detail and depth. The Hobbit is a good stepping stone into the world before reading the Lord of the Rings and other works.
↓ 7 – Howl’s Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones (Juvenile, Classic)
The book was published in 1986, but achieved success years after. It won literary awards and has two sequels.
Summary: Sophie Hatter is turned into an old woman by a witch’s curse. In order to find a cure, she seeks the infamous wizard Howl and his moving castle.
Goodreads Rating: 4.27
Why We Picked It:
- It’s a book full of whimsy and charm.
- The characters are endearing, with the chemistry between Howl and Sophie an attractive aspect.
- The Studio Ghibli adaptation of the book is brilliant.
↓ 6 – The Illuminae Files by Amie Kauffman and Jay Kristoff (Science-fiction)
Summary: Hundreds of years into the future, two big corporations are at war. Innocent people are killed and thousands more about to be. A group of teenagers attempts to fight back.
Goodreads Rating: 4.43
Why We Picked It:
- It’s full of blood-pumping, adrenaline-inducing action.
- It’s funny.
- The format of the book is quirky: a collection of interviews and transcripts.
↓ 5 – The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Dystopia)
Summary: Katniss Everdeen, the female tribute from District 12, prepares to fight in the 74ht Hunger Games, a cruel punishment devised by the Capitol in retaliation of the districts’ rebellion almost a century ago. She ends up becoming a symbol of hope and resistance for the people.
Goodreads Rating: 4.48
Why We Picked It: The trilogy is credited for kickstarting the dystopian genre in YA. With dozens of books that have come out every year since this series ended, none have surpassed its brilliance.
↓ 4 – The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas (Diversity)
The Hate You Give received critical acclaim upon its release in 2017. It remained a best seller for 50 weeks on the New York Times list!
Summary: After her best friend is murdered by a white police officer, Starr Carter goes public, speaking out against the injustice.
Goodreads Rating: 4.52
Why We Picked It: The book is heart-wrenching and real in its portrayal of the injustices faced by the black community. In a time where the need for diversity is stronger than ever, this is the perfect book to read and show support.
↓ 3 – The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer (Fairytale Retelling)
Summary: Set into a futuristic world, where the Moon has been colonized, the Lunar Chronicles takes several fairytales and breathes new life into them. Every book features a different protagonist, but the main characters appear in all books, and each book is connected.
Goodreads Rating: 4.7
Why We Picked It: Fairytales hold an irresistible appeal to many, and their retellings put a unique spin on the original elements. The Lunar Chronicles is hailed as the best YA series to adapt fairytales into its story. You’ll find nods to Cinderella, Snow White, Red Riding Hood, and Rapunzel, among others.
↓ 2 – Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (Crime)
The Six of Crows duology is one of the most trending YA series of this decade.
Summary: Kaz Brekker, the leader of the notorious band of criminals called ‘The Crows,’ attempts to pull off an impossible heist while battling his traumatic past.
Goodreads Rating: 4.74
Why We Picked It:
- This series is one part of Bardugo’s Grisha universe. The crime-ridden world of Ketterdam is deliciously enticing.
- The camaraderie and banter between the characters are delightful.
↓ 1 – The Harry Potter Series by J.K Rowling (Fantasy)
The Harry Potter series is a modern classic, spanning seven books, several novellas, and eight films. It’s adored by children, adolescents, and adults alike.
Summary: The books follow Harry Potter as he enrolls in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, spending the next seven years learning about magic and preparing to fight his mortal enemy, Lord Voldemort.
Goodreads Rating: 4.74
Why We Picked It: Do we seriously need to elaborate on this?
not to bad but couldn’t find any in my school library
Too bad! Try finding out their ebook versions maybe.