Girl Power! Teen Books Featuring Strong Females

As this is Women's History Month, I thought I would share some teen books featuring strong female characters.  Here are a few of my favorites . . . .

The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley
Aerin, with the guidance of the wizard Luthe and the help of the Blue Sword, wins the birthright due her as the daughter of the Damarian king and a witchwoman of the mysterious, demon-haunted North.

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins
Seventeen-year-old Harper Price's charmed life is turned upside down when she discovers she's been given magical powers in order to protect her school nemesis David Stark, who's an Oracle.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore
In a world where some people are born with a unique and sometimes uncanny gift, Katsa was certainly no exception. At an early age, she demonstrated an uncomfortable gift for killing. This makes her the perfect tool for her uncle, King Randa. Katsa detests being used and decides to stand against the injustice surrounding her.

Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith
During World War II, a light-skinned African American girl "passes" for white in order to join the Women Airforce Service Pilots.

The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton
In a world where Beauty is a commodity only a few control, one Belle will learn the dark secrets behind her powers, and rise up to change the world.


More Books --
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
All the Rage by Courtney Summers
The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa tahir
Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza
Furyborn by Claire Legrand
Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan
Girls With Sharp Sticks by Suzanne Young
Heartless by Marissa Meyer
The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz
The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge
Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee
Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton
Scythe by Neal Shusterman
Sky Without Stars by Jessica Brody
Slayer by Kiersten White
Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin
The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through April 3, 2020.

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

Harper Price is the acknowledge queen of her school.  She's president of the SGA, soon to be homecoming queen, and in line to be valedictorian.

Then the night of the homecoming dance, she's attacked in the bathroom while refreshing her lip gloss.  All of a sudden, she has an amazing ability to fight.  She's been imbued with the powers of a Paladin.

Now, she has to balance school, her boyfriend, and cotillion with trying to save the life of her nemesis, David Stark. 

He's the Oracle and she's sworn to protect him . . . .



This is a great opener to a teen fantasy series by Rachel Hawkins.  It's a nice twist on the "chosen one" story line -- focusing on the one protecting him more than the actual chosen one.  I would recommend this book for those who enjoy fantasy or adventure novels.

Best Books of 2018 - Teen Books

This week, I am sharing some of the best teen books from 2018.  Here are a few of my favorites . . . .

What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera
Arthur is only in New York for the summer, but if Broadway has taught him anything, it's that the universe can deliver romance when you least expect it--like meeting Ben at the post office.

Layover by Amy Andelson & Emily Meyer
During a layover at LAX, Flynn, her older stepbrother Amos, and their sister Poppy decide to ditch their family Christmas vacation in Bora Bora, where their parents plan to announce their divorce, and the three siblings instead spend three days in Los Angeles.

Fruits Basket Another, v. 1 by Natsuki Takaya
Sawa Mitoma, a nervous, skittish girl who prefers minimal human interaction, has just started high school, and it's already not going well... until she meets the "it" boys--the "prince-like" Mutsuki and the sharp-tongued Hajime. But little does she know, they're Sohmas?! It's Fruits Basket... again!

Save the Date by Morgan Matson
When seventeen-year-old Charlie Grant's four older siblings reunite for a wedding, she is determined they will have a perfect weekend before the family home is sold, but last-minute disasters abound.

Royals by Rachel Hawkins
When Daisy's older sister gets engaged to the Crown Prince of Scotland, Daisy makes the royal rule-book all her own.


More Best Teen Books --
#MurderTrending by Gretchen McNeil
The Belles by Dhonielle J. Clayton
The Button War by Avi
The Cheerleaders by Karta Thomas
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Down and Across by Arvin Ahmadi
Everless by Sara Holland
A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhathena
Gunslinger Girl by Lyndsay Ely
Light Years by Kass Morgan
Meet Cute by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl
Ship It by Britta Lundin
That's Not What Happened by Kody Keplinger

Check these and more books out on display at the Arnold Branch through January 18, 2019.

Royals by Rachel Hawkins

Daisy has never wanted to be in the spotlight.  She leaves that to her older sister Ellie.

However, when Ellie becomes engaged to the prince of Scotland, Daisy's life turns upside down.

When Daisy's ex-boyfriend gives an interview about Daisy to the tabloids, she is summoned to Scotland for the summer so the palace can control her image.

The only problem is that the prince's brother and his friends keep getting her thrust into the spotlight over and over and over.

This was a fun, light-hearted story that was quick and easy to read.  It's perfect for those who enjoy learning about the British royals.  I would recommend this to fans of romance, gossip, and all things Scottish.

Could You Survive These Schools?

There are a lot of stories for teens set in school.  However, do you think you could survive at one of these high schools?

Vampire High by Douglas Rees
When his family moves from California to New Sodom, Massachusetts and Cody enters Vlad Dracul Magnet School, many things seem strange, from the dark-haired, pale-skinned, supernaturally strong students to Charon, the wolf who guides him around campus on the first day.

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
A high school freshman discovers the devastating consequences of refusing to join in the school's annual fund raising drive and arousing the wrath of the school bullies.

Jumped by Rita Garcia-Williams
The lives of Leticia, Dominique, and Trina are irrevocably intertwined through the course of one day in an urban high school after Leticia overhears Dominique's plans to beat up Trina and must decide whether or not to get involved.

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Witch Sophie Mercer, having been sent to a reform school by her father after a prom night spell went horribly wrong, learns her roommate, who is the only vampire on campus, is the suspect in a series of attacks on students and sets out to find the real culprit.

Trapped by Michael Northrop
Seven high school students are stranded at their New England high school during a week-long blizzard that shuts down the power and heat, freezes the pipes, and leaves them wondering if they will survive.

More School Stories --
Avalon High by Meg Cabot
Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst
Jake, Reinvented by Gordon Korman
Prom Dates from Hell by Rosemary Clement-Moore
Rikers High by Paul Volponi
The Taking of Room 114: A Hostage Drama in Poems by Mel Glenn