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Books with Strong Female Characters

If you think "girl books" are just about princesses, romance, gossipy schoolgirls, and vampires, think again. There are plenty of great books featuring strong female main characters in compelling stories that are sure to appeal to boys as well as girls. We've selected a pile of books with universal appeal for kids of different ages and tastes, from best-selling picture books to young adult novels in just about every genre: adventure, fantasy, sci-fi, historical fiction, and family and school dramas. Check 'em out! And for more strong women, check out these movies with strong female characters.

Browse Books with Strong Female Characters

The Only Fish in the Sea Book Poster Image

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The Only Fish in the Sea

age 3+

Strong, spunky girl takes lead in quirky rescue tale.

By Philip C. Stead

(2017)

(2017)

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Princesses Wear Pants Book Poster Image

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Princesses Wear Pants

age 3+

Spunky tale of active princess dressed to get the job done.

By Savannah Guthrie, Allison Oppenheim

(2017)

(2017)

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Eloise Book Poster Image

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Eloise

age 4+

Spirited Eloise delights her young readers.

By Kay Thompson

(2003)

(1955)

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Lottie Paris Lives Here Book Poster Image

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Lottie Paris Lives Here

age 4+

A spunky girl explores the wonders of her everyday world.

By Angela Johnson

(2011)

(2011)

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Malala's Magic Pencil Book Poster Image

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Malala's Magic Pencil

age 5+

Nobel winner tells what inspired activism in relatable tale.

By Malala Yousafzai

(2017)

(2017)

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The Princess in Black Book Poster Image

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The Princess in Black

age 5+

Fun tale of monster-fighting princess who leads double life.

By Shannon Hale, Dean Hale

(2014)

(2014)

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Dory Fantasmagory Book Poster Image

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Dory Fantasmagory

age 6+

Funny, relatable tale of 6-year-old with wild imagination.

By Abby Hanlon

(2014)

(2014)

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Goldie Blox Rules the School!: GoldieBlox, Book 1 Book Poster Image

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Goldie Blox Rules the School!: GoldieBlox, Book 1

age 6+

Cheery, messy fun in freewheeling female engineer series.

By Stacy McAnulty

(2017)

(2017)

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Matilda Book Poster Image

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Matilda

age 6+

Kid genius gets revenge on stupid, mean adults.

By Roald Dahl

(2005)

(2005)

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Nancy Clancy, Super Sleuth Book Poster Image

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Nancy Clancy, Super Sleuth

age 7+

Chapter book mystery promises more fun for Fancy Nancy fans.

By Jane O'Connor

(2012)

(2012)

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Skunked!: Calpurnia Tate, Girl Vet, Book 1 Book Poster Image

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Skunked!: Calpurnia Tate, Girl Vet, Book 1

age 7+

Laughs, science in new Callie series for younger readers.

By Jacqueline Kelly

(2016)

(2016)

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Zita the Spacegirl Book Poster Image

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Zita the Spacegirl

age 7+

Brave girl seeks missing friend in exciting graphic novel.

By Ben Hatke

(2011)

(2011)

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The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle Book Poster Image

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The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle

age 8+

Girl bikes across the U.S. in quirky road-trip adventure.

By Christina Uss

(2018)

(2018)

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Coraline Book Poster Image

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Coraline

age 8+

Strange, surreal tale sure to creep kids out.

By Neil Gaiman

(2004)

(2004)

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The Detective's Assistant Book Poster Image

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The Detective's Assistant

age 8+

Action-packed female detective story champions smarts.

By Kate Hannigan

(2015)

(2015)

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Escape from Aleppo Book Poster Image

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Escape from Aleppo

age 8+

Gripping, moving tale of Syrian teen fleeing war-torn city.

By N. H. Senzai

(2018)

(2018)

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Frazzled: Everyday Disasters and Impending Doom Book Poster Image

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Frazzled: Everyday Disasters and Impending Doom

age 8+

Girl conquers middle school worries in fun graphic novel.

By Booki Vivat

(2016)

(2016)

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Gabby Garcia's Ultimate Playbook: Gabby Garcia, Book 1 Book Poster Image

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Gabby Garcia's Ultimate Playbook: Gabby Garcia, Book 1

age 8+

Goal-focused Latina scores big hit in series opener.

By Iva-Marie Palmer

(2017)

(2017)

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Gabriela: American Girl: Girl of the Year, 2017, Book 1 Book Poster Image

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Gabriela: American Girl: Girl of the Year, 2017, Book 1

age 8+

Fun American Girl Doll story about finding your voice.

By Teresa E. Harris

(2017)

(2017)

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Guardians of the Taiga: Wild Rescuers, Book 1 Book Poster Image

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Guardians of the Taiga: Wild Rescuers, Book 1

age 8+

Minecraft wolf-girl heroine shines in exciting book debut.

By StacyPlays

(2018)

(2018)

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The Islands of Chaldea Book Poster Image

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The Islands of Chaldea

age 8+

Captivating fantasy has strong heroine with magical powers.

By Diana Wynne Jones

(2014)

(2014)

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May B. Book Poster Image

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May B.

age 8+

Riveting and moving account of girl's struggle for survival.

By Caroline Starr Rose

(2012)

(2012)

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Prairie Evers Book Poster Image

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Prairie Evers

age 8+

Great novel about a girl, her chickens, and her best friend.

By Ellen Airgood

(2012)

(2012)

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Ronia, the Robber's Daughter Book Poster Image

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Ronia, the Robber's Daughter

age 8+

Enchanting fantasy boasts spirited heroine, loving family.

By Astrid Lindgren

(2016)

(1985)

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Spirit Week Showdown: Magnificent Mya Tibbs, Book 1 Book Poster Image

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Spirit Week Showdown: Magnificent Mya Tibbs, Book 1

age 8+

Layered, fun romp focuses on friendship and trust.

By Crystal Allen

(2016)

(2015)

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Stef Soto, Taco Queen Book Poster Image

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Stef Soto, Taco Queen

age 8+

Warm, funny tale of family, tacos, and middle school.

By Jennifer Torres

(2017)

(2017)

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Tua and the Elephant Book Poster Image

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Tua and the Elephant

age 8+

Fun, exciting tale of Thai girl who rescues an elephant.

By R.P. Harris

(2012)

(2012)

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All's Faire in Middle School Book Poster Image

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All's Faire in Middle School

age 9+

Fun graphic novel about Ren Faire girl has great messages.

By Victoria Jamieson

(2017)

(2017)

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Breadcrumbs Book Poster Image

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Breadcrumbs

age 9+

Brilliant tale of girl's enchanted-woods search for friend.

By Anne Ursu

(2011)

(2011)

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Destiny, Rewritten Book Poster Image

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Destiny, Rewritten

age 9+

Utterly charming tale of Berkeley girl in search of father.

By Kathryn Fitzmaurice

(2013)

(2013)

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Gertie's Leap to Greatness Book Poster Image

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Gertie's Leap to Greatness

age 9+

Spunky 5th-grader learns life lessons in warmhearted tale.

By Kate Beasley

(2016)

(2016)

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Harriet the Spy Book Poster Image

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Harriet the Spy

age 9+

Great young sleuth helps kids be true to themselves.

By Louise Fitzhugh

(2003)

(1964)

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Inkheart Book Poster Image

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Inkheart

age 9+

Lengthy but rich fantasy great for book-loving tweens.

By Cornelia Funke

(2005)

(2004)

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Keeper of the Lost Cities, Book 1 Book Poster Image

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Keeper of the Lost Cities, Book 1

age 9+

Super-imaginative adventures of girl whisked to elf world.

By Shannon Messenger

(2012)

(2012)

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The Luck Uglies Book Poster Image

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The Luck Uglies

age 9+

Strong heroine faces monsters and mayhem in fun fantasy.

By Paul Durham

(2014)

(2014)

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The Mad Wolf's Daughter Book Poster Image

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The Mad Wolf's Daughter

age 9+

Mighty tween heroine rocks fun, thrilling medieval tale.

By Diane Magras

(2018)

(2018)

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The Mighty Miss Malone Book Poster Image

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The Mighty Miss Malone

age 9+

Unforgettable 12-year-old girl battles the Great Depression.

By Christopher Paul Curtis

(2012)

(2012)

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Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow Book Poster Image

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Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow

age 9+

First-rate, spellbinding story of misfit girl who's magic.

By Jessica Townsend

(2017)

(2017)

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Rules Book Poster Image

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Rules

age 9+

Newbery honoree about life with an autistic sib.

By Cynthia Lord

(2007)

(2006)

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The Secret Garden Book Poster Image

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The Secret Garden

age 9+

Beautiful classic filled with magic and realism.

By Frances Hodgson Burnett

(2004)

(1911)

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Sophia's War: A Tale of the Revolution Book Poster Image

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Sophia's War: A Tale of the Revolution

age 9+

Girl becomes spy in absorbing American Revolution tale.

By Avi

(2012)

(2012)

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The Spindlers Book Poster Image

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The Spindlers

age 9+

Fantastic, creepy tale for tweens features fierce big sis.

By Lauren Oliver

(2012)

(2012)

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Stella by Starlight Book Poster Image

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Stella by Starlight

age 9+

Compelling, nuanced tale of loving family under segregation.

By Sharon M. Draper

(2014)

(2015)

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The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle Book Poster Image

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The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

age 9+

Brilliant high-seas adventure is a classic.

By Avi

(2009)

(1990)

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Urban Outlaws Book Poster Image

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Urban Outlaws

age 9+

Fun, tech-savvy start to orphaned spy kids series.

By Peter Jay Black

(2014)

(2014)

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Virals: Book 1 Book Poster Image

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Virals: Book 1

age 9+

Exciting story of murder-solving heroine with superpowers.

By Kathy Reichs

(2011)

(2010)

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Wildwood: The Wildwood Chronicles, Book 1 Book Poster Image

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Wildwood: The Wildwood Chronicles, Book 1

age 9+

Exciting enchanted forest adventure to save baby brother.

By Colin Meloy

(2011)

(2011)

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The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate Book Poster Image

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The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

age 10+

Newbery Honor book about a smart Southern tomboy in 1899.

By Jacqueline Kelly

(2010)

(2009)

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The Glass Town Game Book Poster Image

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The Glass Town Game

age 10+

Fairyland author channels Brontë kids in wild fantasy tale.

By Catherynne M. Valente

(2017)

(2017)

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The Golden Compass: His Dark Materials, Book 1 Book Poster Image

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The Golden Compass: His Dark Materials, Book 1

age 10+

Nail-biting, violent fantasy has elements of mystery.

By Philip Pullman

(2005)

(1998)

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Hattie Big Sky Book Poster Image

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Hattie Big Sky

age 10+

Teen girl homesteads alone in Newbery Honor book.

By Kirby Larson

(2011)

(2006)

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Island of the Blue Dolphins Book Poster Image

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Island of the Blue Dolphins

age 10+

Smart girl learns to survive alone in compelling adventure.

By Scott O'Dell

(2003)

(1960)

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Lumberjanes, Vol 1: Beware the Kitten Holy Book Poster Image

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Lumberjanes, Vol 1: Beware the Kitten Holy

age 10+

Wacky, action-packed camp adventures promote girl power.

By Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, Shannon Watters

(2016)

(2015)

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Pashmina Book Poster Image

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Pashmina

age 10+

Big-hearted graphic novel explores Indian culture.

By Nidhi Chanani

(2017)

(2017)

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The Scavengers Book Poster Image

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The Scavengers

age 10+

Tough tween girl fights to save family in bleak future.

By Michael Perry

(2014)

(2014)

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Turtle in Paradise Book Poster Image

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Turtle in Paradise

age 10+

Depression-era story teaches history, meaning of family.

By Jennifer Holm

(2011)

(2010)

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The Voyage of Lucy P. Simmons Book Poster Image

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The Voyage of Lucy P. Simmons

age 10+

Brave heroine faces danger with help of magic and friends.

By Barbara Mariconda

(2012)

(2012)

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When Mischief Came to Town Book Poster Image

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When Mischief Came to Town

age 10+

Girl shakes up Danish island in heartfelt outsider tale.

By Katrina Nannestad

(2016)

(2016)

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The Apothecary Book Poster Image

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The Apothecary

age 11+

Cold War kids use magic to save world in brilliant novel.

By Maile Meloy

(2011)

(2011)

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The Breadwinner, Book 1 Book Poster Image

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The Breadwinner, Book 1

age 11+

Harsh but hopeful story about brave girl defying Taliban.

By Deborah Ellis

(2017)

(2017)

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The Green Bicycle Book Poster Image

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The Green Bicycle

age 11+

Funny, poignant, cheer-worthy tale of spirited Saudi girl.

By Haifaa al Mansour

(2015)

(2015)

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Homecoming Book Poster Image

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Homecoming

age 11+

Classic novel of four brave children looking for a home.

By Cynthia Voigt

(2003)

(1981)

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The Red Pencil Book Poster Image

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The Red Pencil

age 11+

Moving verse tale of girl's experience in Darfur genocide.

By Andrea Davis Pinkney

(2014)

(2014)

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Dust Girl: The American Fairy Trilogy, Book 1 Book Poster Image

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Dust Girl: The American Fairy Trilogy, Book 1

age 12+

Intricate historical novel contrasts Dust Bowl, fairy world.

By Sarah Zettel

(2012)

(2012)

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The Epic Crush of Genie Lo Book Poster Image

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The Epic Crush of Genie Lo

age 12+

Gripping fantasy with strong characters, humor, adventure.

By F.C. Yee

(2017)

(2017)

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The Hired Girl Book Poster Image

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The Hired Girl

age 12+

Absorbing tale of feisty, sweet teen will hook girls.

By Laura Amy Schlitz

(2015)

(2015)

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The Hunger Games, Book 1 Book Poster Image

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The Hunger Games, Book 1

age 12+

Exciting, provocative tale of lethal reality show.

By Suzanne Collins

(2008)

(2008)

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I Am Still Alive Book Poster Image

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I Am Still Alive

age 12+

Teen survives alone in the wilderness in gripping thriller.

By Kate Alice Marshall

(2018)

(2018)

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Legend, Book 1 Book Poster Image

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Legend, Book 1

age 12+

Stylish dystopian thriller in a not-so-future Los Angeles.

By Marie Lu

(2012)

(2011)

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Outrun the Moon Book Poster Image

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Outrun the Moon

age 12+

Chinese-American girl fights bias in compelling 1906 tale.

By Stacey Lee

(2016)

(2016)

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Rook Book Poster Image

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Rook

age 12+

Dynamite heroine in romantic dystopian-future swashbuckler.

By Sharon Cameron

(2015)

(2015)

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Seraphina Book Poster Image

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Seraphina

age 12+

Richly conceived dragon fantasy with stellar young heroine.

By Rachel Hartman

(2012)

(2012)

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Tokyo Heist Book Poster Image

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Tokyo Heist

age 12+

Manga, art, and life lessons in top-notch mystery adventure.

By Diana Renn

(2012)

(2012)

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The Valiant Book Poster Image

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The Valiant

age 12+

Female gladiator brings it in violent, exciting tale.

By Lesley Livingston

(2017)

(2017)

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Wonder Woman: Warbringer: DC Icons Series Book Poster Image

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Wonder Woman: Warbringer: DC Icons Series

age 12+

Modern, diverse characters + super action = huge win.

By Leigh Bardugo

(2017)

(2017)

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The Book Thief Book Poster Image

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The Book Thief

age 13+

Powerful testament to humanity in Nazi Germany.

By Markus Zusak

(2006)

(2006)

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A Girl Named Digit Book Poster Image

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A Girl Named Digit

age 13+

Fun story of math whiz girl who fights crime, finds romance.

By Annabel Monaghan

(2012)

(2012)

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Fallout: Lois Lane, Book 1 Book Poster Image

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Fallout: Lois Lane, Book 1

age 13+

Comics reporter updated as teen in fun, slick mystery.

By Gwenda Bond

(2015)

(2015)

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Flame in the Mist Book Poster Image

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Flame in the Mist

age 13+

Riveting Mulan-themed adventure set in feudal Japan.

By Renee Ahdieh

(2017)

(2017)

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Girl in the Blue Coat Book Poster Image

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Girl in the Blue Coat

age 13+

Extraordinary tale of Dutch teens resisting the Nazis.

By Monica Hesse

(2016)

(2016)

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Jane Eyre Book Poster Image

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Jane Eyre

age 13+

Strength of character triumphs in Bronte's masterpiece.

By Charlotte Bronte

(2011)

(1900)

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The Librarian of Auschwitz Book Poster Image

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The Librarian of Auschwitz

age 13+

Unforgettable story of a teen heroine of the Holocaust.

By Antonio Iturbe

(2017)

(2017)

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The Poet X Book Poster Image

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The Poet X

age 13+

Powerful, haunting story of finding your voice and power.

By Elizabeth Acevedo

(2018)

(2018)

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Spill Zone: The Spill Zone, Book 1 Book Poster Image

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Spill Zone: The Spill Zone, Book 1

age 13+

Strong female hero drives exciting sci-fi horror thriller.

By Scott Westerfeld

(2017)

(2017)

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Warcross, Book 1 Book Poster Image

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Warcross, Book 1

age 13+

Winning teen girl drives cyberpunk virtual reality thriller.

By Marie Lu

(2017)

(2017)

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Where I Live Book Poster Image

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Where I Live

age 14+

Uplifting story of fearless, homeless teen in high school.

By Brenda Rufener

(2018)

(2018)

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