Stargirl
Jerry Spinelli
Random House, 2000
For ages 12 & up

Have you ever had to choose between your crush and your friends? Leo has to decide between Stargirl, the new kid at school who is not ashamed to be different in every way, and the entire student body. Who should he choose? He could try to transform Stargirl into a typical Mica High student or learn to accept her the way she is, even though no one else does. Who will win the battle for Leo's affections, changing his life forever?

The Year They Burned the Books
Nancy Garden
Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1999
For ages 13 & up

Jamie Crawford's close-knit community—and her life—is thrown into chaos when a new school board member attacks her school's policy on sex-ed, condom distribution, books on alternative lifestyles, and the school newspaper. From her inner struggle with identity to religion in school, censorship, and furious debate among her friends and family, Jamie faces a much stormier senior year of high school than she ever expected. Can Jamie and her best friend Terry bring positive awareness to their community, while finding themselves in the process?

Gaia Girls: Enter the Earth
Lee Welles
Daiseyworld Press, 2007
For ages 9 & up

Elizabeth Angier is looking forward to hanging out all summer with her best friend Rachael and enjoying life on her family farm. Her world is turned upside down when a major corporation starts buying up all of the land in her small town, forcing Rachael's parents to sell their farm and move to Florida. Elizabeth discovers the secrets of Mother Earth and learns that only she has the power to save her community. Will Elizabeth be able to control the power given to her and use it to help rather than destroy?

Reaching for Sun
Tracie Vaughn Zimmer
Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2007
Ages 8-12

Seventh grader Josie Wyatt is living with cerebral palsy (a brain disorder that affects the body's movement and motion control), a distant mother, and corporate developers inching in on her family's farmland. When Josie's new friend Jordan accepts her as she is, Josie begins to do the same, and they unite over their love of nature. Then, tragedy strikes Josie's family, forcing them to decide what is really important...

T-backs, T-shirts, COAT and Suit
E.L. Konigsburg
Aladdin, 2003
For ages 9-12

12-year-old Chloe is spending her first summer away from home with her Aunt Bernadette in Florida. Chloe's stepfather encourages her to "give the unexpected a chance," and Bernadette is surely the unexpected: she's a former hippie and activist, an expert swimming instructor who doesn't swim, and she has an almost eerie connection with her dog. Within days, Chloe is up to her ears in the unexpected, but things will only get more surprising as a local scandal erupts and Bernadette becomes the target of a modern-day witch hunt!

Amazing Women in American History
Sue Heinemann
The Stonesong Press, Inc., 1998
Ages 9-12

American women have invented, created, and fought for what they believed in for hundreds of years. Do you know what a flapper is or who THE influential woman of the 1930's was? Have you ever wondered what it was like for women living in the 1800's? Or who was the first female doctor, lawyer, religious leader, writer, sculptor or singer...find out in this book!

Freshwater Road
Denise Nicholas
Pocket Books, 2005
For ages 16 and up

Celeste Tyree goes to Pineyville, Mississippi to join the Freedom Summer campaign of 1964, which was aimed to register African American voters and to educate children about their ancestors. It is a long and difficult summer for Celeste, rattled with death and destruction. Celeste wonders if she will be able to finish what she went there to do and return to the safety of the north in one piece, where a piece of her own history is waiting for her...

In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson
By Bette Bao Lord
HarperCollins, 1984
For grades 3-7

1947 is proving to be a tough year for Shirley Temple Wong: her family has moved from China to America, she doesn't speak English, and the only place in her new home of Brooklyn, New York that doesn't feel foreign is the stickball field. Shirley becomes a stickball and baseball fanatic, devotedly following Jackie Robinson's debut season as the first black Major League Baseball player. Civil Rights pioneer Jackie Robinson has inspired millions...this book offers a glimpse at how he changed America in the eyes of one girl.

The Looking Glass Wars
Frank Beddor
Dial Books, 2006
For ages 14 and up

In this retelling of Alice in Wonderland, the truth is that Alyss (not Alice) Heart never fell down any rabbit hole. In fact, it is the other way around. Alyss is the princess of Wonderland and the key to its survival. Forced into hiding in 19th Century England after a surprise attack by her evil aunt Redd, Alyss meets author Lewis Carroll. He hears her tale of a world where caterpillars can see the future and imagination can be a very powerful weapon, but then gets it all wrong. This action-packed book follows Alyss on her magical journey to save Wonderland and herself.

Cinderella (As If You Didn't Already Know the Story)
By Barbara Ensor
Schwartz & Wade, 2006
For grades 9-12

Once upon a time, there was a girl called Cinderella, who got stuck with two ugly stepsisters, a wicked stepmother, and a whole lot of housework. With the help of a fairy godmother, a glass slipper, and a handsome prince, the tale ends in happily ever after. Sound familiar? Well, in this version, Cinderella tells her side of the story. The facts are the same, but Cinderella's sassy take on her dad's remarriage, her new sisters' diva-like demands, and a marriage proposal from a guy she has known for all of one night make this book a fun new spin on an old classic.

Biker Girl
Story and art by Misako Rocks!
Hyperion Books, 2006
For all ages

"Just listen to that feeling. The bike will tell you what to do."
Seventeen-year-old Aki is cleaning out her family's garage when she finds an old, mysterious bike. Powerfully drawn to it, Aki touches the handlebars and is transformed from a bookish high school student into a sassy, pro biker! Join Aki as she uses the bike's fantastical powers to solve a murder mystery and form a special connection to her family's history. The cool illustrations in this graphic novel will transport you into Aki's magical world!

The Beast of Noor
By Janet Lee Carey
Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2006
For grades 6-9

"Do not wander in the deeps, where the Shriker's shadow creeps. When he rises from beneath, beware the sharpness of his teeth."
The people of the land of Noor have been terrorized by a beast called the Shriker for more than three hundred years. Siblings Miles and Hanna Ferrell become determined to break the curse of the Shriker when its terror reaches a new level. Knowing that it was their ancestor who created the curse of the beast, Miles and Hanna set out to restore peace to their village...and tolearn the surprising truth about Shriker.

The Geography of Girlhood
By Kirsten Smith
Little, Brown and Company, 2006
For grades 8 and up

Ninth-grader Penny Morrow feels isolated in every sense of the word: she's growing up on an island and her family is going through some serious changes, all while she's navigating the rocky terrain of high school friendships and romance (and sometimes a lack of both!). This book is a unique compilation of poems that tell Penny's story while portraying the beautiful images of the geography that influences her life?the ocean and the bay surrounding her island; the peaks and valleys of growing up...

Listen!
By Stephanie S. Tolan
HarperCollins Publishers, 2006
For grades 4-8

Charley's mother died two years ago, her father works 80 hours a week, her best friend is away at tennis camp, and she must hike miles everyday to regain strength in her leg that was injured in a car accident. For this twelve-year-old, the summer is looking pretty bleak and lonely. Then Charley meets a mysterious dog on one of her hikes and forms an almost psychic connection that just might help Charley see silence and solitude in a new light.
P.S. Check out some of author Stephanie S. Tolan's other books, like Newberry Honor winner Surviving the Applewhites!

Stormwitch
By Susan Vaught
Bloomsbury USA, 2005
For grades 6-10

Ruba Cleo has just moved to the United States from Haiti after her beloved grandmother Ba died in a terrible storm. Not only is Ruba faced with a new culture, but her new home is Mississippi at the height of the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s. Meanwhile, a giant hurricane is brewing off the coast. When Ruba senses great battles ahead, she's grateful that her Ba taught her the magic and warrior spirit of their Amazon ancestors...until she realizes the greatest battle of all will be the joining of cultures old and new.

Estrella's Quinceañera
By Malín Alegría
Simon & Schuster, 2006
For grades 5-10

Estrella Alvarez is about to face something she's been dreading for years: her quinceañera - the traditional Mexican party thrown for a girl when she turns 15. Estrella finally feels like she fits in at the mostly white private school she attends on scholarship, so wearing a poofy, ugly dress in a banquet hall packed with her embarassing family and friends from the barrio (and a mariachi band!) is NOT exactly her idea of fun. Quince or no quince, she must find a way have pride in her heritage and find a balance among the million different directions she's being pulled by family, friends, boys, her school and her neighborhood!

All Made Up: A Girl's Guide to Seeing Through Celebrity Hype...and Celebrating Beauty
By Audrey Brashich
Walker Books for Young Readers
For ages 10-15 or grades 4-10

The media sends us so many messages that it's often pretty tough to decipher what's real and what's a glamorized illusion. Reading All Made Up is like putting on a pair of X-ray vision glasses that help you see the truth! Author Audrey Brashich reveals the hidden downfalls of being a celebrity, the tricks of the trade that hide "imperfections," how boys respond to the media, and how it all affects girls. The book includes lots of feedback from real girls and offers cool tips on how to celebrate what's truly beautiful in your life!

Nothing But the Truth (and a few white lies)
By Justina Chen Headley
Little, Brown and Company
For grades 9-12

Meet Patty Ho, a half-Taiwanese and half-Caucasian high school freshman who lives with her demanding mother and near-perfect older brother. Patty's about to escape ninth grade and her school's racist bully when she learns two truths: she's receiving an "Incomplete" in freshman English and her mother is making her go to math camp for a whole month of her summer vacation! Patty will learn more truths about herself when she least expects it, making her realize that two halves can equal much more than a whole.

A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie "Peanut" Johnson
By Michelle Y. Green
Dial Books for Young Readers, 2002
For ages 9-12

During the hot South Carolina summers of her childhood in the 1940?s, Mamie "Peanut" Johnson's uncle helps her unleash the pitches that would make her a sports hero for African Americans and women everywhere. Inspired by Jackie Robinson, Mamie tried out for the men-only, all-white Police Athletic League and went on to become one of only three women to play in the national Negro Leagues. Mamie's amazing true story will inspire you to strike out the barriers in your own life!

Adventurous Women: Eight True Stories About Women Who Made a Difference
By Penny Colman
Henry Holt, 2006
For grades 6-9

These eight women profiled by Penny Colman mastered the art of being strong, smart, and bold! Colman gives us the dirt on Mary Gibson Henry, a botanist and plant hunter; puts a freeze frame on Louise Boyd, an Artic explorer; and makes waves about Katharine Wormeley, a Civil War superintendent on hospital transport ships (and more!). There are also lots of cool photos that help tell these stories!

Jessica Weiner

Jessica Weiner was so sick of the word "fat" that she wrote a whole book about it! Read about Jess' inspiration for her book, Do I Look Fat in This? Life Doesn't Begin Five Pounds from Now, and then get great advice about how to boost your self-esteem!

• Meet Jess!

The Legend of Buddy Bush
By Sheila P. Moses
Simon & Schuster, 2005
For ages 12 and up

Pattie Mae Sheals is so excited when her Uncle "Buddy" Bush comes down from Harlem. With her own dream of moving to Harlem, Pattie can't help but admire him. Smart and handsome, Buddy injects a sense of excitement into quiet Reheboth Road with his different outlook on life and Southern ways. But the day Buddy refuses to follow a certain North Carolina 'custom' is when everything in Pattie Mae's life changes forever...

Remember: The Journey to School Integration
By Toni Morrison
Houghton Mifflin, 2004
For all ages

On May 17, 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court ended segregation in public schools. Despite this landmark decision, many people were against it. Some white parents were so angry that they kept their children at home during the school year. Using a collection of historical photographs, poet, novelist and professor Toni Morrison writes a story reflecting the feelings the students might have felt during this difficult time in history.

Beacon Street Girls: Worst Enemies/Best Friends
By Annie Bryant
B*tween Productions, 2005
For ages 9-13

Yikes! As if being the new girl isn't bad enough... Charlotte just made the biggest cafeteria blunder in the history of Abigail Adams Junior High. There's no way that Katani, Avery and Maeve will want anything to do with her now... or will they?

• Talk About It! The New Girl
• First Impressions
• A Rule You Would Change

Meet the Phonees (Penelope Fritter: Super-Sitter)
By Jessica Wollman
Aladdin, 2005
For ages 8-12

Penelope Fritter feels invisible next to her brother, Chip Fritter. Chip is so popular that the school even renames Pumpkin Fest, the fall celebration, in his honor! But Penelope is a super-sitter with super powers. Will Penelope decide to use those powers? Will she have to use them on the Phonees? She knows she must avoid anything strawberry or things could get out of control (strawberry makes her powers kick in)!

Down a Dark Hall
By Lois Duncan
Little, Brown, & Co., 1974
For ages 12 and up

When her parents decide to go to Europe, 14-year-old Kit Gordy is sent to the Blackwood School for Girls. But this boarding school is not what it seems, with its dark hallways and gray walls. Kit promises her mom that she would try her best to be happy here, but she wonders whether she can keep this promise. She can practically feel the evil all around her and, at night, in her dreams, is when the real terror begins

A Dance of Sisters
By Tracey Porter
HarperTrophy, 2005
For ages 9-12

Delia Ferri and her sister, Pearl, have drifted apart. Delia is absorbed in the ballet world and Pearl is fixated on witchcraft. Delia cannot remember her mother and Pearl fights more and more with their father. As Delia dedicates an increasing amount of time to ballet, she loses a drastic amount of weight and pulls away from everything that was once important to her. Will Pearl and Delia reconnect before it's too late?

Isabel of the Whales
By Hester Velmans
(Delacorte Press, 2005)
For ages 9 - 12

Eleven-year old Isabel has always known she was special, but she could never explain why. Then one day she goes on a whale-watching trip with her class and whales surround the boat. When Isabel falls overboard, she realizes something strange is happening. Not only can she can breathe underwater, she can also understand the whales' songs. Isabel discovers she is a mermaid, chosen to live among the whales and teach them about the human world. Together, Isabel and the whales share many adventures, but she wonders if she'll ever get to see her friends and family again.

•  Meet the author!
•  Go on your own underwater adventure!

Melanie in Manhattan
By Carol Weston
(Knopf Books, 2005)
For ages 9 - 12

At the end of fifth grade, a cute boy in math class started IMing me. An annoying new girl, Suze the Ooze, tried to take over my best friend. Miguel, my sort-of boyfriend, stopped answering my e-mails. I was worried, but next thing you know, visitors arrived from abroad, and it was my job to show off my hometown: New York City. I learned lots about the Big Apple, but I also learned this: It's harder than you think to like two guys at one time!

•  Meet the author and check out her advice book, For Girls Only!

Doormat
By Kelly McWilliams
(Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2004)
For ages 11 and up

When Jaime's best friend, Melanie, thinks she's pregnant, everything changes. Melissa, who is popular and talented, wants Jaime's help, but refuses to tell her who the would-be father is. Jaime wants to help, but doesn't want to be the same old reliable doormat. Things get even more complicated. Jaime gets a part in the school play, develops a new friendship with Zach, and realizes it's time to put the old doormat idea away, once and for all.

•  Try the Peer Pressure activity.

Bras & Broomsticks
By Sarah Mlynowski
(Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2005)
For ages 12 and up

Imagine you're 14 and starting your new high school. Except that your bff has already ditched you for the cooler kids and your younger sister has more curves than you do. Wouldn't it be great if you could just cast a spell and life would be perfect? This book is about Rachel Weinstein, who thinks she's found the perfect solution to her troubles, and her dad's marriage to the Soon-To-Be-Step-Monster, when her younger sis discovers she's inherited their mom's powers as a witch. Now all Rachel has to do is convince younger sis and total goody-goody Miri into casting a few harmless spells and hope that nothing goes wrong.

•  Meet the author!

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
By Ann Brashares
Random House, 2001

It's summer and Carmen, Lena, Tibby and Bridget will be apart for the first time since birth (their mothers met in a prenatal aerobics class). Before they go their separate ways, they try on one pair of jeans that seems to magically fit all four girls perfectly! As a way of keeping in touch, they each wear the jeans for a week and mail them off to the next person. The jeans always arrive on days when the girls need each other the most.

•  Write a movie or book review on the Girls Inc. message boards.
•  What qualities do you value in a friend? Try the Circle of Friends activity!
•  What does author Ann Brashares think of the movie? Read our interview and find out!

Eager
By Helen Fox
(Wendy Lamb Books, 2004)
For ages 9-12

Imagine a life where your house watches you, knows your secrets, and talks to you. And your closest friend can be - a machine?

Gavin Bell and his sister, Fleur, come from a middle-class family. Their much-loved, old-fashioned robot, Grumps, is running down and can't be repaired, so an experimental new robot, EGR3, arrives to help Grumps out. EGR3, known as Eager, learns from his experiences and feels emotions as a child would. When the BDC4 robots begin to behave suspiciously, Eager and the Bells are drawn into a great adventure. As Eager's extraordinary abilities are tested to the limit, he tries to answer the question: What does it mean to be alive?

Because of Winn Dixie
By Kate Dicamillo
(Candlewick Press, 2001)
For ages 9-12

Because of Winn-Dixie is the story of a lonely young girl who adopts an orphaned dog, Winn-Dixie (named after the supermarket where she found him). Her special companion helps her make friends in a small Florida town where she knows no one. The bond between Opal and Winn-Dixie brings together the townspeople and helps her own troubled relationship with her father.

Read the book and see the movie! It opens February 18th in theaters nationwide.

For Girls Only
By Carol Weston
(HarperTrophy, 2004)
For ages 10 and up

Sometimes a girl just needs a few words of wisdom, and this book is chock full of them. For Girls Only combines real tips and advice with over 500 inspirational quotes from celebs and historical figures. Whether you're fighting with your best friend or wondering how to conquer a nasty rumor at school, this book could provide the perfect pep talk.

The Misfits
By James Howe
(Aladdin Books, 2003)
Ages 10-14

No Name-Calling Week (January 24-28) was inspired by this story about best friends trying to survive seventh grade in the face of all too frequent taunts based on their weight, height, intelligence, and sexual orientation. Motivated by the injustices they see all around them, the "Gang of Five" creates a new political party during student council elections and runs on a platform aimed at wiping out name-calling of all kinds. You'll have to read this page-turner to find out what happens!

Madam President: The Extraordinary, True (and Evolving) Story of Women in Politics
By Catherine Thimmesh
(Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004)
For ages 10 and up

For over 200 years, the United States has never had a female president, but does that mean women haven't been involved at all? Definitely not! From a First Lady who secretly assumed several Presidential duties to a mom who convinced her son to pass the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote, women have played a larger role in this country than you can imagine. Women have also been the leaders of other countries, such as Pakistan, England and Iceland. This book shows how one girl uses fun facts and surprising stories like these to prove to her family and friends that any girl can grow up to be the first Madam President.

Number the Stars
By Lois Lowry
(Laurel Leaf Books, 1998)
For ages 9-12

Annemarie Johansen and her best fried, Ellen Rosen, live in Nazi-occupied Denmark during World War II. Together, they help each other deal with everything from soldiers marching through their town to Annemarie's annoying little sister. When Ellen and her family are put in danger, Annemarie must find the courage to save her best friend's life. Inspired by one of the author's own best friends, this story is a suspenseful tale of bravery and true friendship.

Face your fears and take our Risk-Taker quiz

Where I'd Like to Be
By Frances O'Roark Dowell
(Atheneum, 2003)
For ages 9-12

A ghost saved 12-year old Maddie's life when she was a baby, her Granny Lane claims, and so Maddie must always remember that she is special. But it's hard to feel special when you've spent your life being shuttled from one foster home to another. She retreats to her "book of houses", where she collects pictures of homes in which she longs to live. When a new girl, Murphy, shows up at the East Tennessee Children's Home armed with magical tales, Maddie is enchanted. She shares her beloved scrapbook with Murphy, never anticipating that this one gesture would challenge her very idea of what home, and family, are all about.

Find out cool stuff about your family

Cool Women
By Dawn Chipman, Mari Forence and Naomi Wax
(17th Street Press, 2001)
For ages 9-12

Cool Women tells the story of powerful female icons from ancient times to the present day. Some are fictional like Xenia, warrior princess. Most are real like Madame Curie, the Nobel Prize winning chemist to whom we owe the ability to fight cancer. A few are even mythical figures like the powerful Egyptian Goddess Isis and the fierce Amazon warriors of ancient Greek legend.

The women featured have accomplishments all over the map, and have lived all over the globe. Now that's something a strong, smart and bold girl can understand!

Discover other inspiring women in history!

Boy Meets Boy
By David Levithan
(Knopf Books, 2003)
For ages 12 and up

This is the story of Paul, a sophomore at a high school like no other: the cheerleaders ride Harleys, the homecoming queen used to be a guy named Daryl (she now prefers Infinite Darlene), and the gay-straight alliance was formed to help the straight kids learn how to dance.

When Paul meets Noah, he thinks he's found the one his heart is made for. Until he blows it. The school bookie says the odds are 12 to 1 against getting Noah back, but Paul's not giving up.

Get to the heart of crushes!

Trickster's Choice
(Random House, 2003)
For ages 10-13

16-year-old Aly dreams of working for the Tortallian intelligence. When her parents forbid it, she sails off in a rebellious rage only to find herself captured by pirates and sold as a slave. Making a deal with Kyprioth, a local Trickster god, in exchange for her freedom, Aly must protect the rightful heir to the Rajmuat throne until the autumn equinox.

What a Friend! Friendship Tips from 2 GRRLS
(Scholastic, 2000)
For ages 9-12

There's nothing like a true friend, but being buds isn't always easy. Every girl needs friendship survival skills-you know, hints on how to make and keep friends who will be with you through thick and thin. Learn more about our latest book feature!

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
By Judy Blume
(Laurel Leaf, 1991)
For ages 9-12

When Margaret Simon's family moves to the suburbs, she has to adjust to a whole different life. As if being eleven-going-on-twelve isn't hard enough! Margaret is dying to fit in with her new friends-Nancy, Gretchen, and Janie. They form a secret club to talk about private stuff like boys, bras and first periods. But there are some things about growing up that are hard to talk about, even with your best friends. So Margaret finds someone else to talk to...

The Skin I'm In
By Sharon G. Flake
(Jump at the Sun, 2000)
For ages 9-12

Did you know that February is Black History Month? We've chosen a special book that celebrates diversity and pride.

Maleeka Madison is burdened with low self-esteem that many black girls face when they are darker skinned. When she lays eyes on her new teacher, Miss Saunders, she encounters someone who, she feels, is worse off than her. Miss Saunders has a rare skin condition, but she's tough enough to stand up to all the snickers and jokes from her students. The life lessons Maleeka learns from Miss Saunders extend far beyond the classroom.

Before We Were Free
By Julia Alvarez
(Random House, 2002)
For ages 10-14

Anita de la Torre never questioned her freedom living in the Dominican Republic. But by her 12th birthday in 1960, most of her relatives have emigrated to the United States, her Tío Toni has disappeared without a trace, and the government's secret police terrorize her remaining family because of their suspected opposition of el Trujillo's dictatorship.

Using the strength and courage of her family, Anita must overcome her fears and fly to freedom, leaving all that she once knew behind.

The Ramona Collection, Volume 2
By Beverly Cleary
(Harper Collins, 2002)
For ages 8-11

Ramona Quimby, Age 8 ranks among the best selling children's books of all time. Now you can read about even more of Ramona's adventures in this four-volume set that includes Ramona and Her Father, Ramona and Her Mother, Ramona's World and Ramona Forever.

From dealing with her father losing his job to welcoming a new addition to the family, Ramona wins over readers and proves why she is one of literature's favorite strong, smart and bold characters!

All-American Girl
By Meg Cabot
(Harper Collins, 2002)
For grades 5-10

Samantha Madison is just your average disenfranchised sophomore gal living in D.C. when, in an idle moment sandwiched between cookie-buying and CD-perusing, she puts a stop to an attempt on the life of the president. Before she can say ?MTV2? she's appointed Teen Ambassador to the U.N. and has caught the eye of the very cute First Son?

Girl Coming In for a Landing-- a novel in poems
By April Halprin Wayland, Illustrated by Elaine Clayton
(Knopf, 2002)

From friends to first dates, school dances to family fights, this inspiring book captures the highs and lows of teen life with refreshing honesty and humor.

MTV News correspondent SuChin Pak is proud to call herself a bookworm! Find out why reading is so important to SuChin and get the scoop on which books top her all-time favorites list!