Summary: In today’s article, I have handpicked 20 of the best books for teenage girls, covering everything from romance and adventure to mystery and self-discovery. Here are the top 3:
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
Books for teenage girls offer more than just stories—they inspire, comfort, and help navigate the challenges of growing up. Whether it’s self-discovery, romance, or adventure, these books provide connection and escape, reminding readers they’re not alone in their journey.
TOP 20: Best Books for Teenage Girls
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
- The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
- One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
- A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
- Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
- Divergent by Veronica Roth
- Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
- Cinder by Marissa Meyer
- The Selection by Kiera Cass
- The Maze Runner by James Dashner
- Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
- Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
- The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
- Graceling by Kristin Cashore
- Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
1. The Hate U Give
- Author: Angie Thomas
- About: Starr Carter, a 16-year-old African American girl, witnesses the fatal police shooting of her childhood friend, Khalil. The event propels her into activism as she grapples with the complexities of race, identity, and justice.
- Style of Writing: Conversational and authentic, capturing the vernacular of its characters.
- Length: Approximately 100,000 words.
- Year Written: 2017
- Emotional Impact: Profoundly moving; leaves a lasting impression by addressing timely social issues.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; accessible language with mature themes.
- Why Read It: Offers a compelling exploration of systemic racism and the power of one's voice in effecting change.
2. The Book Thief
- Author: Markus Zusak
- About: Set in Nazi Germany, young Liesel Meminger finds solace in stealing books and sharing them with others, while the narrative is uniquely presented from Death's perspective.
- Style of Writing: Lyrical and poetic, with a unique narrative voice.
- Length: Approximately 118,000 words.
- Year Written: 2005
- Emotional Impact: Deeply affecting; evokes a range of emotions from sorrow to hope.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; some complex themes and narrative structure.
- Why Read It: Provides a poignant look at humanity during one of history's darkest times, emphasizing the power of words and stories.
3. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
- Author: Jenny Han
- About: Lara Jean Covey's secret love letters are accidentally sent to her past crushes, leading to unexpected romantic adventures and personal growth.
- Style of Writing: Lighthearted and engaging, with a conversational tone.
- Length: Approximately 80,000 words.
- Year Written: 2014
- Emotional Impact: Heartwarming and relatable; leaves readers with a sense of nostalgia and joy.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; straightforward language suitable for a wide audience.
- Why Read It: Captures the intricacies of teenage love and family dynamics in a charming and relatable way.
4. The Summer I Turned Pretty
- Author: Jenny Han
- About: Every summer, Belly visits Cousins Beach with her mother and brother, reuniting with two brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah, leading to love, heartbreak, and self-discovery.
- Style of Writing: Simple, emotional, and nostalgic, with a dreamy summer atmosphere.
- Length: Approximately 65,000 words.
- Year Written: 2009
- Emotional Impact: Light and bittersweet; evokes feelings of first love and growing up.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; perfect for casual readers.
- Why Read It: A perfect summer read, capturing the magic and nostalgia of young love and family traditions.
5. One of Us Is Lying
- Author: Karen M. McManus
- About: Five high school students walk into detention, but only four walk out alive. A mystery unfolds as each student becomes a suspect in the murder.
- Style of Writing: Fast-paced, suspenseful, and engaging, with alternating points of view.
- Length: Approximately 92,000 words.
- Year Written: 2017
- Emotional Impact: Keeps readers on edge with its twists and turns.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; straightforward but requires attention to detail.
- Why Read It: A thrilling mystery with complex characters and an intriguing plot.
6. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
- Author: Holly Jackson
- About: High school senior Pip investigates a five-year-old murder case in her town for a school project, uncovering secrets that some people want to stay buried.
- Style of Writing: Suspenseful, fast-paced, and immersive with mixed media elements (interviews, notes, etc.).
- Length: Approximately 92,000 words.
- Year Written: 2019
- Emotional Impact: Engaging and tense, with a satisfying yet chilling resolution.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; accessible but requires attention to detail.
- Why Read It: A compelling whodunit mystery with strong female lead and plenty of twists.
7. Eleanor & Park
- Author: Rainbow Rowell
- About: Two outcast teens, Eleanor and Park, bond over music and comic books, navigating first love and difficult family situations.
- Style of Writing: Poetic, raw, and emotionally intense.
- Length: Approximately 78,000 words.
- Year Written: 2012
- Emotional Impact: Deeply moving; explores themes of love, abuse, and acceptance.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; emotionally heavy but easy to read.
- Why Read It: A unique and heartfelt romance that feels real and unforgettable.
8. The Fault in Our Stars
- Author: John Green
- About: Hazel and Gus, two teenagers with cancer, embark on a journey filled with love, humor, and heartbreak as they search for answers from a reclusive author.
- Style of Writing: Witty, poignant, and deeply introspective.
- Length: Approximately 75,000 words.
- Year Written: 2012
- Emotional Impact: Heartbreaking yet uplifting; leaves a lasting impression.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; simple yet profound language.
- Why Read It: A powerful exploration of love, loss, and living life to the fullest.
9. Divergent
- Author: Veronica Roth
- About: In a dystopian future, society is divided into factions based on personality traits. Tris must navigate a dangerous initiation while uncovering a deadly conspiracy.
- Style of Writing: Action-packed, straightforward, and intense.
- Length: Approximately 105,000 words.
- Year Written: 2011
- Emotional Impact: Exciting and thrilling; keeps readers engaged from start to finish.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; fast-paced with some complex world-building.
- Why Read It: A gripping dystopian adventure with a strong female lead and high stakes.
10. Speak
- Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
- About: After a traumatic event, high school freshman Melinda stops speaking, struggling to find her voice and reclaim her power.
- Style of Writing: Minimalistic, powerful, and emotionally raw.
- Length: Approximately 47,000 words.
- Year Written: 1999
- Emotional Impact: Deeply affecting; highlights the importance of speaking up.
- Difficulty Level: Easy to read but emotionally heavy.
- Why Read It: An essential book about trauma, healing, and self-expression.
11. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
- Author: Stephen Chbosky
- About: Shy and introverted Charlie navigates his freshman year of high school, discovering friendship, love, and personal growth.
- Style of Writing: Introspective, diary-style, and deeply personal.
- Length: Approximately 62,000 words.
- Year Written: 1999
- Emotional Impact: Thought-provoking and relatable; deals with mental health and self-discovery.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; simple language but deep themes.
- Why Read It: A coming-of-age classic that resonates with young readers.
12. Cinder
- Author: Marissa Meyer
- About: A futuristic retelling of Cinderella featuring a cyborg mechanic in a world on the brink of war.
- Style of Writing: Fast-paced, descriptive, and engaging.
- Length: Approximately 97,000 words.
- Year Written: 2012
- Emotional Impact: Fun and immersive; mixes fairy tales with sci-fi elements.
- Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate; some sci-fi world-building.
- Why Read It: A fresh, unique take on a classic fairy tale with a strong heroine.
13. The Selection
- Author: Kiera Cass
- About: In a dystopian world, 35 girls compete for the heart of a prince in a reality-TV-style competition.
- Style of Writing: Light, romantic, and easy to read.
- Length: Approximately 80,000 words.
- Year Written: 2012
- Emotional Impact: Fun and addictive; a mix of romance and competition.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; simple and engaging storytelling.
- Why Read It: A blend of The Bachelor and The Hunger Games, perfect for romance lovers.
14. The Maze Runner
- Author: James Dashner
- About: A group of boys wakes up in a mysterious maze with no memory of their past, forced to solve its secrets to escape.
- Style of Writing: Fast-paced and action-driven.
- Length: Approximately 101,000 words.
- Year Written: 2009
- Emotional Impact: Suspenseful and intense, keeps readers on edge.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; easy to read but complex plot twists.
- Why Read It: A thrilling dystopian mystery filled with adventure and suspense.
15. Anna and the French Kiss
- Author: Stephanie Perkins
- About: An American girl is sent to boarding school in Paris, where she navigates love, friendship, and cultural differences.
- Style of Writing: Lighthearted, charming, and romantic.
- Length: Approximately 84,000 words.
- Year Written: 2010
- Emotional Impact: Feel-good and sweet; captures young love beautifully.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; perfect for romance lovers.
- Why Read It: A dreamy, romantic escape set in Paris.
16. Thirteen Reasons Why
- Author: Jay Asher
- About: Clay Jensen receives a set of tapes recorded by his classmate Hannah, who died by suicide, explaining the thirteen reasons behind her decision.
- Style of Writing: Suspenseful and emotional, alternating between Clay’s perspective and Hannah’s tapes.
- Length: Approximately 62,000 words.
- Year Written: 2007
- Emotional Impact: Heart-wrenching and intense, leaving a deep impression on readers.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; easy to read but emotionally heavy.
- Why Read It: A powerful and eye-opening look at the effects of bullying, mental health, and suicide.
17. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
- Author: Ann Brashares
- About: Four best friends share a magical pair of jeans that fits each of them perfectly, despite their different body types, keeping them connected through a summer apart.
- Style of Writing: Warm, heartfelt, and character-driven.
- Length: Approximately 75,000 words.
- Year Written: 2001
- Emotional Impact: Nostalgic and uplifting; celebrates friendship and personal growth.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; accessible for all readers.
- Why Read It: A feel-good, relatable story about the power of lifelong friendship.
18. Graceling
- Author: Kristin Cashore
- About: In a world where some people are born with extreme skills, Katsa, a girl Graced with the ability to kill, must uncover a hidden conspiracy.
- Style of Writing: Lush, descriptive, and immersive fantasy.
- Length: Approximately 115,000 words.
- Year Written: 2008
- Emotional Impact: Empowering and thrilling; features a strong, independent heroine.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; rich world-building but easy to follow.
- Why Read It: A fantasy novel with a fearless female lead and an engaging plot.
19. Stargirl
- Author: Jerry Spinelli
- About: A free-spirited and eccentric girl named Stargirl challenges the norms of high school, inspiring some and alienating others.
- Style of Writing: Poetic, simple, and deeply meaningful.
- Length: Approximately 45,000 words.
- Year Written: 2000
- Emotional Impact: Thought-provoking and inspiring; encourages individuality.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; great for readers of all levels.
- Why Read It: A beautiful message about being true to yourself and embracing uniqueness.
20. The Hunger Games
- Author: Suzanne Collins
- About: In a dystopian future, teenagers are forced to compete in a brutal televised battle for survival. Katniss Everdeen must use her wits and strength to survive.
- Style of Writing: Fast-paced, action-driven, and suspenseful.
- Length: Approximately 99,000 words.
- Year Written: 2008
- Emotional Impact: Intense and gripping; explores survival, morality, and resistance.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; fast-paced but easy to follow.
- Why Read It: A thrilling dystopian novel with a fierce female protagonist and a gripping storyline.
Conclusion
Books have a way of pulling us into new worlds, helping us see things from different perspectives, and making us feel understood. The Hate U Give, The Book Thief, and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before are, in my opinion, must-reads for teenage girls. Each one offers something unique—whether it’s a powerful story about speaking up, a deeply emotional historical journey, or a fun and relatable romance. No matter what kind of story you’re looking for, I truly believe there’s something on this list that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. So grab a book, get comfy, and enjoy the adventure!
