10 Books for Every Female Young Adult
10. Dork Diaries
Rachel Renee Russell released the first Dork Diaries book titled “Tales From a Not-So-Fabulous Life” in June 2009. In the height of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid popularity, this series was a breakthrough for young girls looking for a character to relate to.
The main character, Nikki Maxwell, is the new girl at school and turns to her diary to navigate it all. From best friends, mean girls, and new crushes, this coming of age series is perfect for new and old fans. New editions are still being released today.
9. The Line Tender
Kate Allen released her debut novel titled The Line Tender. Different from the Dork Diaries, this book takes more of a serious tone but still has light humor along the way.
Lucy is the daughter of a marine biologist mother and rescue diver father. Her mom passed away when she was seven and her father started immersing himself in his work.
When working on a summer project with her best friend Fred, Lucy’s life changes forever. As she learns more about sharks and her mothers research, she also learns more about the people around her.
8. One of Us Is Lying
One of Us Is Lying was written by Karen M. McManus and was released in May of 2017. It follows Bronwyn, Addy, Nate, and Cooper as they are suspects in the murder of Simon Kelleher.
Simon ran a blog that was famous for exposing the secrets of the students at Bayview High School. Each of the suspects have a secret that Simon knew about and was prepared to post on his blog. They also all were in the science lab for detention and witnessed him dying.
If you follow along, you might just figure it out. I highly recommend reading this before watching the new series on Peacock.
7. Elenor and Park
Published in 2012, Rainbow Rowell released her first young adult novel titled Elenor and Park. This book is also a multi-perspective story, similar to One of Us Is Lying. However, instead of four people it’s only two.
Living in Omaha, Nebraska in 1986, Elenor sees herself as an outcast. From being a little chubby and having bright red curly hair, Elenor typically sits by herself on the bus. When she meets Park, a half-Korean boy on the bus, the two start to bond over music and comic books.
They help each other out with their insecurities and eventually spark up a love story.
6. One of Us Is Next
The sequel to One of Us Is Lying, One of Us Is Next was released in 2020. A year after all the events of the Simon chaos, Bayview is still settling down. Like before, the book follows multiple characters point-of-view, Maeve, Knox and Phoebe.
One day, all the students receive a text about a new game. If they are chose, they have to pick between Truth or Dare. Truth: a secret about you is revealed. Dare: You have to perform a humiliating challenge.
After one major secret is revealed, Brandon decided to perform the dare but it was not successful. He ended up taking his life. With another mystery on their hands, the students of Bayview team up with local lawyers and news outlets to help stop the game and figure out how Brandon died.
5. Maze Runner Series
In the era of dystopian novels, the first Maze Runner book was released in 2009 and was written by James Dashner. In full honesty, I only read these books because Dylan O’Brian was staring in the movies.
A group of teenagers are placed in something they call the “Glade.” It is surrounded by four doors and leads to “the Maze”. The Maze opens every morning and closes every night.
New members are placed in the Glade every month and nobody knows why. Thomas is one of the new members and he thinks the answer lays beyond the Maze.
Follow these characters along as they create bonds through adversity and figure out why they’re in the Glade and who is controlling them.
4. Turtles All The Way Down
John Green published Turtles All The Way Down in 2017 as his fifth solo novel. It is currently in production for becoming a movie.
It follows 16-year-old Aza Holms and her struggles with OCD and anxiety. After her fathers passing, she throws herself into looking for a fugitive billionaire. It turns out to be her neighbors father and she befriends him along the way.
While her neighbor, Davis Pickett Jr., and her search for his father, they both learn that it is okay not to be okay.
3. The Summer I Turned Pretty Series
Jenny Han is famous for her “To All The Boy I’ve Loved Before” series but my personal favorite from her is “The Summer I Turned Pretty”. The first book was released in 2009.
It follows young Belly through her summers in the town Cousins. She shares a summer house with her mom’s best friend and her two boys. Along with her brother, the kids have always had the most amazing time.
Belly has had a crush on the oldest boy, Conrad since she was little. This summer is different because she is now done with puberty. However, when Conrads mom starts acting different, everyone starts to worry.
Through the three books there is young love, family drama, and everything else to make it the perfect rom-com. It is set to be a TV series coming out in 2022.
2. The Hunger Games Series
Published in 2009, Suzanne Collins changed the game for young adult books. The Hunger Games take place in the dystopian future and told from the perspective of 16 year-old, Katniss Everdeen.
To discourage rebellion from the districts, the capital hosts an annual hunger games. This is an event where two people from each of the 12 districts are chosen and must fight each other to the death.
When she volunteers to take place for her sister, Katniss’s journey begins. Following her throughout the books, she learns that you can not always trust the people in charge and even the young can make a difference.
- The Fault In Our Stars
At the top of my list for every book that young girls should read, is Fault In Our Stars. When I was in middle school I read this book for the first time and it quickly became my instant favorite. After being adapted into a movie, it became lots of peoples favorites as well.
Written by John Green, the book follows 16-year-old Hazel Grace Lancaster and her experience with lung cancer. After refusing to join a support group for years, she finally goes and bumps into Augustus Waters.
The two quickly become friends and start a slow-burn romance. In true John Green fashion, the ending is a twist that nobody saw coming in the beginning.
