60 Best Books For Teen Girls
Teenage years are a time of self-discovery, growth, and exploration.
Books play a crucial role in this journey, offering insight, empathy, and entertainment. For teen girls, in particular, finding the right books can be transformative.
Whether they’re looking for relatable stories, strong female protagonists, or simply an escape from reality, there’s a book out there for every young reader.
In this list, we’ve compiled some of the best books for all you teen girls out there, spanning various genres and themes, to cater to diverse tastes and interests.
Let’s explore them one at a time.
60 Best Books For Teen Girls
1. “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott
This beloved novel, set during the American Civil War, follows the lives of the four March sisters – Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy.
Each sister has a distinct personality and aspirations, from domestic pursuits to literary ambitions.
The story explores themes of love, duty, and sisterhood as the girls transition from childhood to womanhood in a time of societal upheaval.
2. “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins
This dystopian series begins in a nation known as Panem, where a girl named Katniss Everdeen volunteers to participate in the Hunger Games to save her sister.
The Games are a televised event where participants must fight to the death. The series is a commentary on society, class, and government, focusing on themes of survival, authoritarianism, and rebellion.
3. “Anne of Green Gables” by L.M. Montgomery
This classic novel tells the story of Anne Shirley, an imaginative and fiery redhead who is mistakenly sent to live with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, siblings who wanted to adopt a boy to help with their farm in Avonlea.
Anne’s adventures and mishaps, as well as her growth and education, make this book a heartwarming tale about finding one’s place in the world.
4. “Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling
A globally celebrated series, it begins with the story of a young boy, Harry Potter, who discovers he is a wizard on his 11th birthday.
As he attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry learns about his past, his connection to the dark wizard Voldemort, and faces various challenges and adventures.
The series is renowned for its themes of friendship, bravery, and the struggle between good and evil.
5. “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee
Set in the 1930s in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, this novel is narrated by Scout Finch, who lives with her brother Jem and their widowed father, Atticus, a lawyer.
The story deals with serious issues such as racial injustice and moral growth when Atticus defends a black man accused of raping a white woman.
6. “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green
This contemporary novel follows Hazel Grace Lancaster, a 16-year-old cancer patient who reluctantly attends a cancer patient support group. There she meets and falls in love with Augustus Waters, a former basketball player and amputee. The book beautifully explores themes of love, loss, and the human condition.
7. “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
A classic novel of manners, it tells the story of Elizabeth Bennet and her four sisters, who must marry well to ensure their family’s financial security.
Elizabeth’s sharp wit and independent spirit clash with the aloof Mr. Darcy, leading to one of the most famous courtships in literary history. The novel satirizes the societal norms of marriage and class in 19th-century England.
8. “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas
This contemporary novel focuses on Starr Carter, a 16-year-old African American girl who witnesses the shooting of her unarmed best friend Khalil by a police officer.
The book deals with the aftermath of this event, exploring themes of racism, police violence, and activism in modern society.
9. “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank
This poignant diary was written by Anne Frank, a Jewish girl hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam during World War II.
The diary offers a raw and remarkable insight into her life and thoughts during this period, and remains a powerful reminder of the horrors of war and the resilience of the human spirit.
10. “Speak” by Laurie Halse Anderson
This powerful novel tells the story of Melinda Sordino, a high school freshman who becomes ostracized by her peers after calling the police during a summer party.
The novel gradually reveals that Melinda was raped, and her journey is one of struggling with this trauma and finding her voice to speak out about it.
The book is acclaimed for its realistic portrayal of teenage issues and emotional depth.
11. “Emma” by Jane Austen
This novel features the young, beautiful, witty, and somewhat spoiled Emma Woodhouse, who enjoys matchmaking, but often misreads relationships and feelings, leading to comic misunderstandings.
Set in a small village in early 19th century England, it’s a lively comedy of manners that explores the concerns and difficulties of genteel women living in Georgian-Regency England.
12. “Eleanor & Park” by Rainbow Rowell
Set in 1986, this young adult novel tells the story of two sixteen-year-olds — Eleanor, a chubby redhead who is the target of bullying, and Park, a half-Korean boy.
They slowly bond over comic books and mixtapes of ’80s music, leading to a tender but intense love story. It’s a narrative about first love, acceptance, and the power of connection.
13. “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky
Written in the form of letters to an anonymous friend, this novel follows introverted teenager Charlie as he navigates the complex world of high school.
Dealing with themes like introversion, teenage sexuality, and mental health, it’s a powerful coming-of-age story that resonates with many adolescents.
14. “I Capture the Castle” by Dodie Smith
Narrated by 17-year-old Cassandra Mortmain, this novel captures her family’s eccentric life living in a decaying English castle.
The story focuses on her personal development, her family’s financial struggles, and her romantic entanglements in 1930s England. It’s praised for its vivid characters and descriptive narration.
15. “Matilda” by Roald Dahl
This children’s novel tells the story of Matilda Wormwood, a gifted girl with neglectful and abusive parents and a tyrannical school principal, Miss Trunchbull.
Matilda discovers she has the power of telekinesis and uses it to stand up to the adults in her life. It’s a story about intelligence, friendship, and standing up against injustice.
16. “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak
Set in Nazi Germany, this novel is narrated by Death and follows the life of Liesel Meminger, a young girl who finds solace by stealing books and sharing them with others.
Amidst bombings and the horrors of WWII, Liesel’s story is one of survival, the power of words, and the endurance of the human spirit.
17. “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle
This science fiction and fantasy novel follows young Meg Murry, her brilliant brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin O’Keefe as they embark on a journey through space and time to save Meg’s father from the evil forces that hold him prisoner on another planet. It explores themes of good vs. evil, love, and the power of individuality.
18. “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë
This novel tells the story of Jane Eyre, an orphaned girl who endures a miserable childhood, to become a governess at Thornfield Hall.
She falls in love with Mr. Rochester, the troubled master of the house, but discovers a secret that could ruin their chance at happiness. It’s a powerful exploration of morality, social class, sexuality, and feminism in Victorian England.
19. “Looking for Alaska” by John Green
The novel is about Miles “Pudge” Halter, who enrolls in a boarding school to seek what the poet François Rabelais called the “Great Perhaps”. There he meets Alaska Young, and is drawn into her world.
It’s a story filled with themes of life and death, the labyrinth of suffering, and the journey towards self-discovery.
20. “The Giver” by Lois Lowry
Set in a seemingly utopian society that has eliminated pain and strife by converting to “Sameness”, a plan that has also eradicated emotional depth from their lives.
Twelve-year-old Jonas is selected to inherit the position of Receiver of Memories, the person who stores all the past memories of the time before Sameness.
As he begins to absorb the memories of his predecessors, Jonas discovers the dark and deadly truths of his community’s secret past.
The novel explores themes of freedom, choice, and the complex nature of human emotions.
21. “Little Fires Everywhere” by Celeste Ng
This novel explores the weighty themes of motherhood, family dynamics, and identity through the intertwined lives of the Richardson family and Mia Warren, an enigmatic artist and single mother, in the progressive suburb of Shaker Heights, Ohio.
It delves into the complexities of privilege, race, and the moral dilemmas that arise when rules clash with the messiness of human emotions.
22. “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda” by Becky Albertalli
This is a coming-of-age novel about Simon Spier, a closeted gay high school student who prefers to save his drama for the school musical.
However, when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight.
It’s a warm, witty, and insightful exploration of identity, friendship, and the journey to self-acceptance.
23. “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath
A semi-autobiographical novel that follows the descent of Esther Greenwood, a talented young woman, into mental illness.
Set in the 1950s, the story parallels Plath’s own experiences and provides a stark examination of mental health, societal expectations, and the pressure on women to conform to specific roles.
24. “Cinder” by Marissa Meyer
This book is a futuristic retelling of the classic Cinderella fairy tale, set in a world where Earth is plagued by a deadly pandemic and intergalactic tension.
Cinder, a gifted mechanic and cyborg, becomes entangled in a struggle against political intrigue, prejudice, and a deadly plague.
The novel blends science fiction with the familiar elements of the fairy tale.
25. “Paper Towns” by John Green
The story follows Quentin “Q” Jacobsen and his search for Margo Roth Spiegelman, his mysterious neighbor and childhood crush, who disappears after a night of revenge pranks.
Q’s quest leads him to understand the realities versus the perceptions of the people around him, and the complex nature of identity.
26. “The Princess Diaries” by Meg Cabot
This series chronicles the life of Mia Thermopolis, a teenage girl living in New York City who discovers she is the heir to the throne of a small European principality, Genovia.
The books explore her adjustment to royal life, high school dramas, and the responsibilities that come with her newfound status.
27. “Before I Fall” by Lauren Oliver
The novel revolves around Samantha Kingston, a high school senior who dies in a car crash but keeps reliving the day of her death over and over again.
Through this experience, she examines her life and actions and the impact she has on those around her, ultimately discovering the value of everything she is about to lose.
28. “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë
Set on the Yorkshire moors, this novel is a tale of love and revenge between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, an orphan brought to Wuthering Heights as a child.
The book explores themes of passion, the nature of love, and the destructiveness of jealousy.
29. “Divergent” series by Veronica Roth
This dystopian series is set in a future society divided into five factions based on human virtues. Tris Prior, the protagonist, must navigate this society after discovering she is Divergent, meaning she doesn’t fit into any one faction, and uncovers dark secrets about her seemingly perfect society. The series explores themes of identity, conformity, and choice.
30. “The Sun Is Also a Star” by Nicola Yoon
This novel tells the story of Natasha, a girl 12 hours away from being deported to Jamaica, and Daniel, a Korean-American boy struggling to live up to his parents’ expectations.
It is a love story that explores questions of fate, existence, and the universe, as their paths cross in New York City.
31. “Everything, Everything” by Nicola Yoon
This novel tells the story of Maddy, a teenager with a rare condition that makes her allergic to the outside world, and Olly, the boy who moves in next door.
Their budding romance pushes Maddy to explore the outside world, challenging the limitations of her illness and her protective mother’s rules. It’s a story about risk, first love, and the desire to experience life.
32. “Throne of Glass” series by Sarah J. Maas
This fantasy series follows the journey of Celaena Sardothien, a skilled assassin in a corrupt kingdom. Each book unravels more about Celaena’s mysterious past and the dark forces shaping her world.
It’s a tale filled with magic, adventure, and a strong female lead navigating through complex moral and political landscapes.
33. “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton
Written when the author was just 16, this novel is a raw and honest portrayal of life for a group of teenagers growing up on the wrong side of the tracks. It explores themes of class conflict, brotherhood, and the struggle to find one’s place in the world.
34. “Red Queen” series by Victoria Aveyard
Set in a world where society is divided by blood—red for commoners and silver for elites with superhuman abilities. Mare Barrow, a Red, discovers she possesses a deadly power of her own, a rare occurrence that threatens the Silver’s hold on power.
The series blends fantasy and dystopia, exploring themes of power, revolution, and betrayal.
35. “The Selection” series by Kiera Cass
This series is set in a dystopian world where a young woman is chosen to participate in a competition to win the heart of the prince and become the nation’s next queen. It combines elements of romance, social hierarchy, and political intrigue, as the protagonist America Singer navigates the challenges of the Selection.
36. “Shadow and Bone” series by Leigh Bardugo
Set in the Grishaverse, a world inspired by Tsarist Russia, where magic and science merge. The story follows Alina Starkov, a soldier who discovers she has a unique power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free from the darkness.
The series is known for its complex characters and rich world-building.
37. “City of Bones” by Cassandra Clare
The first book in the “The Mortal Instruments” series, it introduces Clary Fray who discovers she is a Shadowhunter, a being who hunts demons. As she delves deeper into this hidden world, she uncovers truths about her past and battles a host of otherworldly creatures.
The series is filled with action, romance, and supernatural lore.
38. “We Were Liars” by E. Lockhart
A gripping novel about the wealthy, seemingly perfect Sinclair family, and the tragedy that befalls them one summer.
The story is told from the perspective of Cadence, who struggles to remember the details of the accident that happened during her fifteenth summer on the family’s private island.
39. “The Poet X” by Elizabeth Acevedo
Written in verse, this novel follows Xiomara Batista, a young girl in Harlem who feels unheard and unable to hide in her body.
She begins to find her voice and power through slam poetry, navigating her family’s expectations, religion, and her own burgeoning sense of self.
40. “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” by Ransom Riggs
This novel blends fantasy and horror elements with vintage photography to tell the story of Jacob Portman, a teenager who discovers the ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.
As Jacob explores the abandoned bedrooms and hallways, he realizes that the children were more than just peculiar, and they may still be alive.
41. “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Set in the 1980s, this novel follows two Mexican-American boys, Aristotle “Ari” Mendoza and Dante Quintana, as they form an unbreakable bond.
The story delicately explores themes of identity, ethnicity, and the complexities of family and friendship in the journey to self-acceptance and love.
42. “Fangirl” by Rainbow Rowell
This contemporary novel is about Cath, a fanfiction writer struggling with her first year of college while worrying about her twin sister, Wren.
The book realistically portrays issues of social anxiety, family dynamics, and the transition from adolescence to adulthood, all within the context of fan culture.
43. “The Maze Runner” series by James Dashner
This series begins with a group of teenagers, including the protagonist Thomas, who find themselves trapped in a massive maze with no memory of the outside world.
The story unfolds as they try to escape, uncovering disturbing truths about their world and themselves. It’s a fast-paced series with elements of mystery, science fiction, and adventure.
44. “Legend” series by Marie Lu
Set in a dystopian, militarized future, the series is a tale of two highly capable teenagers from opposite ends of the social spectrum: Day, a notorious criminal, and June, an elite military prodigy.
Their paths cross and intertwine as they uncover the dark secrets of their totalitarian government, leading to conflict and romance.
45. “With the Fire on High” by Elizabeth Acevedo
The novel follows Emoni Santiago, a teen mom with a talent for cooking, as she balances the challenges of high school and motherhood with her dream of becoming a chef.
It’s a vibrant and inspiring story about passion, perseverance, and the struggles of young adulthood.
46. “They Both Die at the End” by Adam Silvera
Set in a world where people get a phone call on the day they will die, the story follows Mateo and Rufus, two teens who meet through an app called Last Friend on their End Day.
The book is a poignant exploration of living life to the fullest, friendship, and what it means to leave a mark on the world.
47. “The Sky Is Everywhere” by Jandy Nelson
This novel tells the story of Lennie, a teenager dealing with the sudden death of her sister.
As she navigates through her grief, she finds herself torn between two boys, one of whom was her sister’s boyfriend. The book beautifully captures the turbulence of first love and the profound impact of loss.
48. “Delirium” series by Lauren Oliver
In this dystopian world, love is considered a dangerous disease and everyone must undergo a procedure to be cured of it.
The protagonist, Lena, looks forward to the cure until she falls in love, which leads her to question everything she has been taught. The series explores themes of freedom, control, and the essence of human emotion.
49. “Graceling” by Kristin Cashore
This fantasy novel is set in a world where some individuals, known as Gracelings, are born with exceptional skills. Katsa, the protagonist, has the grace of killing and is used as a tool by her uncle, the king.
Her journey to independence and understanding of her own power is intertwined with a larger political conspiracy and a battle against a tyrannical king.
50. “I Am Malala” by Malala Yousafzai
This memoir by the youngest Nobel Prize laureate, Malala Yousafzai, recounts her advocacy for girls’ education in Pakistan and her survival after being shot by the Taliban.
It’s an inspiring story of courage, resilience, and the fight for education in the face of extremism and violence.
51. “Uglies” by Scott Westerfeld
This dystopian novel is set in a future society where everyone undergoes an operation at age sixteen to become “pretty” according to a universal standard.
The story follows Tally Youngblood, who eagerly awaits her transformation until she encounters a group of rebels who challenge her beliefs about beauty and the world she lives in.
The novel explores themes of conformity, beauty standards, and individuality.
52. “Salt to the Sea” by Ruta Sepetys
This historical novel is centered around the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff, a German military transport ship, during World War II.
The narrative is told from the perspective of four different young people, each with their own secrets and stories, highlighting the human impact of this tragic event, often overlooked in history.
53. “Stargirl” by Jerry Spinelli
This young adult novel tells the story of Stargirl Caraway, a free-spirited and nonconformist student who challenges the social norms of Mica High School. Her uniqueness initially captivates her classmates but soon leads to ostracism.
The book deals with themes of individuality, popularity, and the courage to be oneself.
54. “The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks” by E. Lockhart
Frankie, a sophomore at an elite boarding school, becomes determined to infiltrate an all-male secret society. The novel humorously and intelligently explores gender politics, power dynamics, and the nature of institutions and rebellion.
55. “Ella Enchanted” by Gail Carson Levine
A reimagining of the Cinderella fairy tale, this story follows Ella, who is cursed with the “gift” of obedience. Determined to break the curse, Ella embarks on a quest for freedom and self-determination, turning the traditional damsel-in-distress narrative on its head.
56. “The Miseducation of Cameron Post” by Emily M. Danforth
This novel explores the life of Cameron Post, a girl who grapples with her identity as a lesbian in a conservative Montana town.
After being sent to a conversion therapy center, Cameron faces the challenges of self-acceptance and finding her place in a world that doesn’t accept her.
57. “On the Come Up” by Angie Thomas
This book tells the story of Bri, a sixteen-year-old aspiring rapper, striving to make it big while grappling with poverty, violence, and the complexities of her family life.
The novel explores themes of ambition, identity, and the power of music as a form of expression.
58. “Akata Witch” by Nnedi Okorafor
Set in Nigeria, this fantasy novel follows Sunny, a young girl with albinism who discovers she has magical powers and belongs to the Leopard People, a secret society of magic practitioners.
The book is rich in African mythology and culture, offering a unique perspective on the fantasy genre.
59. “The Astonishing Color of After” by Emily X.R. Pan
This magical realist novel follows Leigh, a girl who is convinced her mother turned into a bird when she committed suicide.
Leigh’s journey to find the bird leads her to Taiwan and into a world of family secrets, art, and love.
The book delves into themes of grief, mental health, and the complexity of family relationships.
60. “Sadie” by Courtney Summers
This gripping novel alternates between the perspective of Sadie, a girl seeking revenge for her sister’s murder, and a true-crime podcast tracking Sadie’s journey.
The story is a harrowing exploration of love, loss, and the determination to find justice, highlighting the impact of violence and the power of resilience.
