This post is sponsored by the Johnson County Library.
If your teenage daughter is anything like mine, getting them to branch out and read new book genres can be a challenge. I hit a wall last year and reached out to middle school educator friends and other moms of teen girls to find out what books they recommended to help her get out of her reading rut. My daughter still loves to re-read her favorites but she’s finally venturing out into new literary territory!
How To Use This Guide
- For standalone novels I’ve linked directly to the book where you’ll find a great summary and reviews by other Johnson County Library patrons. You can place a hold and designate which Library you’d like to pick it up at or click “for later’ and start a “to be read” list on your Library account.
- For books in a series I’ve linked directly to the author so you can see all the books in the series and see what other books they’ve written. Often if your kid likes one of their books they’ll like others too.
Mom Pro Tips
- Read these books too! I finally got my daughter to read books in the YA romance category by reading them first and then sending it to her e-reader. The temptation of a fresh book right there ready to be read is too strong for her to resist.
- I didn’t break down the list by recommended age/grade because many kids read above their level. If you have questions about the content of a book check out Common Sense Media reviews. They break down things like violence, sex, language, and also highlight positive themes.
- Use the Libby app to get e-books and audio books sent straight to a device! Perfect when they want the next book in a series RIGHT NOW!
Coming of Age Books
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.
- Dumplin’ Series by Julie Murphy also includes Puddin’, and Pumpkin.
- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.
- Out of My Mind Series by Sharon Draper also includes Out of My Heart, and Out of My Dreams.
- The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Series by Ann Brashares also includes The Second Summer of the Sisterhood, Girls in Pants, and Forever in Blue.
Dystopian Books
- The Caraval Series by Stephanie Garber also includes Legendary, and Finale.
- Divergent Series by Veronica Roth also includes Insurgent, and Allegiant as well as Four, a novella.
- The Giver by Lois Lowery and follow up books Gathering Blue, Son, and Messenger.
- The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins also includes Catching Fire, Mockingjay, and prequels The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and Sunrise on the Reaping.
- The Selection Series by Kiera Cass also includes The Elite, The One, The Heir, and The Crown.
Fantasy and Science Fiction Books
- Heartless by Marissa Meyer.
- Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger includes 11 books and counting!
- Legacy of Orisha Series by Tomi Adeyemi includes Children of Blood and Bone, Children of Virtue and Vengeance, and Children of Anguish and Anarchy.
- The Lunar Chronicles Series by Marissa Meyer includes Cinder, Scarlett, Cress, Winter, and various novellas.
- The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare includes City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass, City of Fallen Angels, City of Lost Souls, and City of Heavenly Fire.
- Shadow and Bone Series by Leigh Bardugo also includes Siege and Storm, and Ruin and Rising.
- Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas includes 8 books.
Mystery/Thriller Books
- Enola Holmes Series by Nancy Springer has nine books so far.
- A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Series by Holly Jackson also includes Good Girl, Bad Blood, and As Good As Dead.
- The Naturals Series and The Inheritance Games Trilogy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.
- One of Us is Lying Series by Karen McManus also includes One of Us is Next, and One of Us is Back.
- Truly Devious Series by Maureen Johnson also includes The Vanishing Stair, The Hand on the Wall, The Box in the Woods, and Nine Liars.
Romance Books
- Dimple and Rishi Series by Sandhya Menon also includes There’s Something About Sweetie, and 10 Things I Hate About Pinky.
- Dungeons and Drama and Dating and Dragons by Kristy Boyce.
- Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert.
- Julieta and the Romeos by Maria E. Andreu.
- Simon Vs. the Homo Sapians Agenda Series and other queer romance stories by Becky Albertalli.
- The Summer I Turned Pretty Series and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Series by Jenny Han.
- Twelfth Night by Alexene Follmuth.
- While You Were Dreaming by Alisha Rai.
