Girls Read

Alternatives to the gossip novels:

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter.  New! 

On the surface, Cammie Morgan looks like a typical prep school girl.  But the Gallagher Academy is really a front for an elite, secret spy school for girls.  Students are trained in covert operations and speak 14 languages.  When Cammie falls for a local boy, it is hard to keep her talents and mission undercover.

Never Mind!: A Twin Novel by Avi and Rachel Vail. 

The story of twins is told in alternating chapters by two authors.  Meg is the popular twin and  her brother, Edward, is not.  Meg can be a little condescending and Edward loves to irk his sister to keep the image she has of him.  But things get out of hand when he tries to impersonate the hunky lead in a rock group at a big party for his sister's friend. He can't sing.  And a record producer will be coming after hearing the hype.  Lots of hilarious predicaments.  A delicious read.

How to Be Popular by Meg Cabot. 

Stephanie Landry has been the butt of jokes since she spilled a red Super Big Gulp on a popular girl years earlier. When she discovers an old book on How to Be Popular, she follows it faithfully.  Will it make a difference?  Meg Cabot shines again in this fun story.

Define Normal by Julie Anne Peters

Antonia Dillon is shocked to discover she is peer counseling Jazz Luther, whose purple hair, pierced eyebrow, and black lips do not make her exactly normal in Antonia's conservative eyes.  The girls struggle with how they can help each other when they seem so different.

Avalon High by Meg Cabot.  

Being the new girl in school is often difficult. But when newly arrived Ellie meets Will, the connection is instant.  Why do they feel they've met before?  And when Will's life is in danger, Ellie displays unique abilities to help. Another fun Meg Cabot novel !

One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies by Sonya Sones  

The book opens with teen Ruby Milliken being blasted from Boston to LA in the coach section of a "monstrous steel pterodactyl." Her mother has died recently but Ruby still e-mails her defunct AOL account.  Now she is being sent to live with her long absent father, a famous movie star.  The clever free verse dialogue grabs the reader from the first entry, and doesn't let go, as Ruby vents about her new world.

The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen.    

Sarah Dessen's  novel introduces us to Macy Queen whose Dad has recently died.  By trying to appear normal, Macy has not let herself grieve.  One night she is thrust into helping a chaotic crew of caterers at her mother's business party. Soon Macy decides to work for the company run by an unconventional family.  This honest and forthright family shows Macy how to feel again.  The characters are fully realized and endearing.  A real winner.

Ashley Hannigan's boyfriend is a loser, her part-time job is awful, and she could care less about the prom.  She only joins the prom planning committee to get out of her many detentions and to help her friend, Natalia.  But when the prom money gets stolen, everyone gets into the act to help, including her eccentric family.  For mature readers.

Criss Cross by Lynne Ray Perkins.    

A group of childhood friends meet in Lenny's dad's pickup truck every Saturday night to listen to a radio show called Criss Cross.  Their lives also criss cross as they try to connect with each other and the people of their town.  Newbery winner.

Other titles you'll love:

  What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones (mature)
  All American Girl by Meg Cabot
  Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
  If We Kiss by Rachel Vail
  Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen
  Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen
 Just Listen  by Sarah Dessen (mature)
 Jinx by Meg Cabot   
  Heaven Looks a Lot Like the Mall by Wendy Mass (mature) New!