10 Young Adult Novels That Women of All Ages Should Read
Photo by Issam Hajri
There’s something about seeing the world through young eyes, filled with desire and innocence, that reminds us of the girl that lives inside all of our hearts. Young adult novels are a special genre that offered us understanding and articulation of our reality when we were young — and as adults, they give us new and fresh eyes to see the world as we used to. Full of innocence and possibility, before the troubles, fear, and pain we’ve picked up as we’ve gotten older clouded our view.
We have gathered a list of some of the best young adult novels with female leads that we hope you’ll soon be lost inside.
01 | Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
For the “manic pixie” in all of us, Stargirl is about both the beauty and the hardships of living with our uniquenesses.
02 | Because of Winn-Dixie by Katie DiCamillo
A beautiful tale of a young woman and her connection with a scruffy dog with whom she encounters the beauty of the world and the people around her.
03 | Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott with Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis
A heartbreaking but beautiful tale of two teenagers falling in love while struggling with an illness that forces them to stay five feet apart.
04 | The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
A touching and breathtaking story about an orphaned girl with a love for books during occupied Europe in WWII.
05 | The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
A tragic and beautiful tale of love in the midst of a teen dealing with mortality and meaning.
06 | A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
The classic and beloved book that weaves a girl’s coming of age story into a grand tale of traveling through time to rescue the ones she loves most dearly.
07 | Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
A coming-of-age story of a young black girl discovering dignity and strength in the face of racism and difficulty during the depression.
08 | Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
A story of a girl who watches the world through her window due to a medical condition that keeps her inside and separated from the outside world.
09 | Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Bouley
A mystery and coming of age story of a girl desiring to start a new life and become a new person in the midst of an unraveling and suspenseful conspiracy.
10 | Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
A fairy tale following a heroine determined to break a curse in a magical and far off land.