These books fit into other genres too... but they are definitely for us "Chicks"!
And Then Everything Unraveled by Jennifer Sturman
Genre: Mystery and romance
Summary: Delia's mom is considered dead when her ship mysteriously disappears off the coast of Antarctica. So, she goes to live with her aunt in New York City. Delia doesn't believe her mom is dead, so she tries to find out the truth. Meanwhile, she is enrolled in a posh private school and has to get used to "life" in a new place.
Review: I loved this book... I like the romance and the mystery. I can't wait to read the sequel! I give this book a 4.5 out of 5.
Genre: Mystery and romance
Summary: Delia's mom is considered dead when her ship mysteriously disappears off the coast of Antarctica. So, she goes to live with her aunt in New York City. Delia doesn't believe her mom is dead, so she tries to find out the truth. Meanwhile, she is enrolled in a posh private school and has to get used to "life" in a new place.
Review: I loved this book... I like the romance and the mystery. I can't wait to read the sequel! I give this book a 4.5 out of 5.
The Girls by Amy Goldman Koss
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Girl/friendship drama, and bullying
Summary: This story is told from the perspective of six girls. Candace is the "ring leader" and everyone wants to be her friend - and they pretty much do whatever she does. Candace decides that she no longer likes one of the girls and the drama begins!
Review: I give this a 5 out of 5! Sometimes it was hard to remember who was talking for the chapter, but I think it's a realistic look into the difficult and frustrating world of being a middle school girl! Popularity and friendship is not an easy thing to navigate...
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Girl/friendship drama, and bullying
Summary: This story is told from the perspective of six girls. Candace is the "ring leader" and everyone wants to be her friend - and they pretty much do whatever she does. Candace decides that she no longer likes one of the girls and the drama begins!
Review: I give this a 5 out of 5! Sometimes it was hard to remember who was talking for the chapter, but I think it's a realistic look into the difficult and frustrating world of being a middle school girl! Popularity and friendship is not an easy thing to navigate...
My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison
Genre: Fantasy/Fairy Tale, Romance - definitely Chick-Lit!!
Summary: Savannah needs to find the perfect prom date after her sister steals her boyfriend! Her Fair Godmother steps in to help, but Savannah ends up in the Middle Ages along with a boy who wants to be that perfect date. This books is funny!
Review: 4.5 out of 5 - I love dating aspect of this story and there are some pretty funny parts!! This is a great book if you like fairy tales but don't want it to be "cheesy".
Genre: Fantasy/Fairy Tale, Romance - definitely Chick-Lit!!
Summary: Savannah needs to find the perfect prom date after her sister steals her boyfriend! Her Fair Godmother steps in to help, but Savannah ends up in the Middle Ages along with a boy who wants to be that perfect date. This books is funny!
Review: 4.5 out of 5 - I love dating aspect of this story and there are some pretty funny parts!! This is a great book if you like fairy tales but don't want it to be "cheesy".
Does My Head Look Big in This? By Randa Abdel-Fattah
Genre: Realistic Fiction and “Chick-lit”
Summary: Amal is a Muslim who lives in Australia. She decides she wants to wear her head scarf full time and this book is about that decision and the problems she encounters (sometimes in her own head).
Review: 5 out of 5! If you have ever made a decision that will make you stand out – or you are about to make that kind of decision – then this book is for you… even if it’s not a religious decision!
Genre: Realistic Fiction and “Chick-lit”
Summary: Amal is a Muslim who lives in Australia. She decides she wants to wear her head scarf full time and this book is about that decision and the problems she encounters (sometimes in her own head).
Review: 5 out of 5! If you have ever made a decision that will make you stand out – or you are about to make that kind of decision – then this book is for you… even if it’s not a religious decision!
The Ruling Class by Francine Pascal
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Chick-Lit, and dealing with bullies
Summary: Jeanette Sue is the rulin Queen Bee in an ultra-rich Dallas high school. Myrna desperately wants to be part of the clique but has no clue that she is their pawn and Twyla Gay just wants to make it through high school unscathed. However, that doesn't happen and this book is about taking down the bully.
Review: I give this book a 4 out of 5. The book is a bit awkward and there a few cuss words. I kept reading because I wanted to make sure the good guys won, but it's not that easy. You will find Myrna painful, but you will cheer for Twyla Gay!
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Chick-Lit, and dealing with bullies
Summary: Jeanette Sue is the rulin Queen Bee in an ultra-rich Dallas high school. Myrna desperately wants to be part of the clique but has no clue that she is their pawn and Twyla Gay just wants to make it through high school unscathed. However, that doesn't happen and this book is about taking down the bully.
Review: I give this book a 4 out of 5. The book is a bit awkward and there a few cuss words. I kept reading because I wanted to make sure the good guys won, but it's not that easy. You will find Myrna painful, but you will cheer for Twyla Gay!
Elisabeth: The Princess Bride (The Royal Diaries) by Barry Denenberg
Genre: Historical Fiction, romance, and realistic fiction
Summary: Elisabeth lives in Bavaria and becomes engaged to the Emperor of Austria. This book is her diary of the events leading up to her marriage and a what her life was like after marrying.
Review: I loved this book! It makes history so much more interesting and easier to remember!! Five out five!!
Genre: Historical Fiction, romance, and realistic fiction
Summary: Elisabeth lives in Bavaria and becomes engaged to the Emperor of Austria. This book is her diary of the events leading up to her marriage and a what her life was like after marrying.
Review: I loved this book! It makes history so much more interesting and easier to remember!! Five out five!!
Turtle In Paradise by Jennifer Holm
Genre: Historical Fiction and realistic Fiction
Summary: Turtle moves to Key West during the 1930’s and spends time with her cousins. They go on crazy day to day adventures as Turtle waits for her mom join her!
Review: This is a sweet story and I give it a 4 out of 5! It’s a great book for girls and it flows well.
Genre: Historical Fiction and realistic Fiction
Summary: Turtle moves to Key West during the 1930’s and spends time with her cousins. They go on crazy day to day adventures as Turtle waits for her mom join her!
Review: This is a sweet story and I give it a 4 out of 5! It’s a great book for girls and it flows well.
Cinderella Cleaners: Rock and Role by Maya Gold
Genre: Chick-Lit and realistic, I guess...
Summary: This is one of many Cinderella Cleaners stories. In this book, Diana might get a chance to be in a music video for her favorite singer. She also kinda likes Will...
Review: 4 out of 5 - It's a cute book!
Genre: Chick-Lit and realistic, I guess...
Summary: This is one of many Cinderella Cleaners stories. In this book, Diana might get a chance to be in a music video for her favorite singer. She also kinda likes Will...
Review: 4 out of 5 - It's a cute book!
What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
Genre: Realistic Fiction and Chick-Lit
Summary: Maclean has spent the last two years running from the pain of her parent's divorce. However, everything changes when she makes friends, real friends.
Review: 4 out of 5! At first I was disappointed because there was no big secret (like Sarah Dessen usually has in her books) and it is 400 page book... But by page 150, I was hooked and couldn't put it down. It's a sweet story and I think you will like it too!
Genre: Realistic Fiction and Chick-Lit
Summary: Maclean has spent the last two years running from the pain of her parent's divorce. However, everything changes when she makes friends, real friends.
Review: 4 out of 5! At first I was disappointed because there was no big secret (like Sarah Dessen usually has in her books) and it is 400 page book... But by page 150, I was hooked and couldn't put it down. It's a sweet story and I think you will like it too!
Lucky by Rachel Vail
Genre: Realistic Fiction and chick lit
Summary: Phoebe is used to leading the charmed life... She and her friends are planning a very expensive 8th grade graduation party. But a financial scandal threatens her family's security - and Phoebe's social status. How does she deal with all of this??
Review: I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars... I thought it was pretty good and surprising in some parts! This is part of a trilogy and I can't wait for the other two books to be released!
Genre: Realistic Fiction and chick lit
Summary: Phoebe is used to leading the charmed life... She and her friends are planning a very expensive 8th grade graduation party. But a financial scandal threatens her family's security - and Phoebe's social status. How does she deal with all of this??
Review: I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars... I thought it was pretty good and surprising in some parts! This is part of a trilogy and I can't wait for the other two books to be released!
Research for the Social Improvement and General Betterment (Popularity Papers) by Amy Ignatow
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Chick-Lit, Graphic Novel
Summary: Julie and Lydia have been best friends forever and they want to become popular. They've decided to do research to figure out what it takes to be popular. They write and draw their observations in this book.
Review: Very cute! 4.5 out of 5... It's nice to have alternatives to "Wimpy Kid" books!!
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Chick-Lit, Graphic Novel
Summary: Julie and Lydia have been best friends forever and they want to become popular. They've decided to do research to figure out what it takes to be popular. They write and draw their observations in this book.
Review: Very cute! 4.5 out of 5... It's nice to have alternatives to "Wimpy Kid" books!!
Side Effects by Amy Goldman Koss
Genre: Realistic fiction and definitely a great book for girls!
Summary: Izzy is going about her life - the usual, friends... brothers... school. But it all changes in an instant when she is diagnosed with lymphoma. Izzy shares her journey using sarcasm and humor.
Review: I give this book a 5 out of 5! I love how she tells the story - it's believable! It really makes you see what it is like to live with cancer - and how your friends react.
Genre: Realistic fiction and definitely a great book for girls!
Summary: Izzy is going about her life - the usual, friends... brothers... school. But it all changes in an instant when she is diagnosed with lymphoma. Izzy shares her journey using sarcasm and humor.
Review: I give this book a 5 out of 5! I love how she tells the story - it's believable! It really makes you see what it is like to live with cancer - and how your friends react.
On the Runway #1: Premiere by Melody Carlson
Genre: Sisters, fame, and realistic fiction
Summary: Erin and Paige are sisters… but completely opposites! Paige wants to be famous and Erin just wants to be a photographer. A near disaster turns into the opportunity of a lifetime and the sisters end up with their own TV show! How will they deal with the fame?
Review: Five out of five! I was hooked and I couldn’t wait to read the sequels!!
Genre: Sisters, fame, and realistic fiction
Summary: Erin and Paige are sisters… but completely opposites! Paige wants to be famous and Erin just wants to be a photographer. A near disaster turns into the opportunity of a lifetime and the sisters end up with their own TV show! How will they deal with the fame?
Review: Five out of five! I was hooked and I couldn’t wait to read the sequels!!
11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass
Genre: Friendship and fantasy (I hate labeling it this... because it sounds so weird and it's not!)
Summary: Amanda and Leo share a birthday and they have celebrated together every year. However, this year, they are growing apart. At the end of the day, Amanda is glad to have her birthday behind her... or is it?
Review: 5 out of 5! I. Love. This. Book.... Mrs Hagan loves this book! You will love this book!
Genre: Friendship and fantasy (I hate labeling it this... because it sounds so weird and it's not!)
Summary: Amanda and Leo share a birthday and they have celebrated together every year. However, this year, they are growing apart. At the end of the day, Amanda is glad to have her birthday behind her... or is it?
Review: 5 out of 5! I. Love. This. Book.... Mrs Hagan loves this book! You will love this book!
Define “Normal” by Julie Anne Peters
Genre: Realistic fiction and friendship
Summary: Sometimes two very unlikely people become friends. And sometimes the person you least expect to understand your circumstances does.
Review: Five out of Five – I love that this book is all about not judging people!
Genre: Realistic fiction and friendship
Summary: Sometimes two very unlikely people become friends. And sometimes the person you least expect to understand your circumstances does.
Review: Five out of Five – I love that this book is all about not judging people!
Same Difference by Siobhan Vivian
Genre: Realistic Fiction and Friendship
Summary: Emily goes to summer camp for high school students who are interested in art. Emily has to deal with making new friends, figuring out who she wants to be, and how her old life fits into her current life.
Review: This is a great book about growing up and following your own interests. The characters are realistic and fit the story line. I give it four out of five stars because it took a little while to get into the book.
If you like this book, you might also enjoy Ten Things I Hate About Me by Randa Abel-Fattah
Genre: Realistic Fiction and Friendship
Summary: Emily goes to summer camp for high school students who are interested in art. Emily has to deal with making new friends, figuring out who she wants to be, and how her old life fits into her current life.
Review: This is a great book about growing up and following your own interests. The characters are realistic and fit the story line. I give it four out of five stars because it took a little while to get into the book.
If you like this book, you might also enjoy Ten Things I Hate About Me by Randa Abel-Fattah
Purge by Sarah Darer Littman
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary: Janie hates throwing up, but she still binges and then throws up several times a day. She ends up in a recovery program and must discover the underlying reasons for her bulimia. But in the middle of all this, she has to survive the conflicts between the Barfers and the Starvers and the new friendships...
Review: This was a really good book! I love how you can identify with Janie and you can't believe the actions she takes - and you can't believe what the others girls do! I give this a four out of five! (I'm a tough critic!)
I'm having a hard time coming up with books like this one. It gets pretty deep into issues and the topic is pretty intense!
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary: Janie hates throwing up, but she still binges and then throws up several times a day. She ends up in a recovery program and must discover the underlying reasons for her bulimia. But in the middle of all this, she has to survive the conflicts between the Barfers and the Starvers and the new friendships...
Review: This was a really good book! I love how you can identify with Janie and you can't believe the actions she takes - and you can't believe what the others girls do! I give this a four out of five! (I'm a tough critic!)
I'm having a hard time coming up with books like this one. It gets pretty deep into issues and the topic is pretty intense!
The Year My Sister Got Lucky by Aimee Friedman
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary: Katie and Michaela move from New York City to a small town in upstate New York. As you can imagine, the two places are completely opposite! One of the sisters makes the adjustment easily and the other struggles a bit. As time goes on, Katie wonders if she even knows her sister anymore!
Review: Great book! I give it a 4 out of 5... This book definitely touches on some mature topics!!
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary: Katie and Michaela move from New York City to a small town in upstate New York. As you can imagine, the two places are completely opposite! One of the sisters makes the adjustment easily and the other struggles a bit. As time goes on, Katie wonders if she even knows her sister anymore!
Review: Great book! I give it a 4 out of 5... This book definitely touches on some mature topics!!
Ten Things I Hate About Me by Randa Abdel-Fattah
Genre: Realistic Fiction and Friendship ("Chick-Lit")
Summary: Jamie/Jamilah has to figure out if she wants to keep her Lebanese-Muslim background hidden or if she wants to keep working at being invisible.
Review: I really like this book because I can totally relate to Jamie. She struggles at home with her overprotective dad and she struggles at school to not be teased. Her "balancing act" seems so common to middle schoolers! There never is a ton of action, but the book moves pretty quickly. I give it a four out of five stars for being pretty good!
Genre: Realistic Fiction and Friendship ("Chick-Lit")
Summary: Jamie/Jamilah has to figure out if she wants to keep her Lebanese-Muslim background hidden or if she wants to keep working at being invisible.
Review: I really like this book because I can totally relate to Jamie. She struggles at home with her overprotective dad and she struggles at school to not be teased. Her "balancing act" seems so common to middle schoolers! There never is a ton of action, but the book moves pretty quickly. I give it a four out of five stars for being pretty good!
Perfect by Natasha Friend
Genre: Realistic fiction, friendship, and chick-lit
Summary: Isabelle Lee is in an eating disorder group therapy and becomes friends with the most popular girl in school. But Isabelle must figure out if this new popularity is worth it and how to deal with her family's issues.
Review: Natasha Friend does a great job of putting you in the characters' shoes. You can easily feel the struggles of Isabelle. I also like how she identifies how impossible it is to be perfect in this crazy world! This is a great book if you like to get inside a character's head and really feel what she feels. I give this book a five out of five! (But I think it's definitely "chick lit")
If you like this book... You will also like Natasha Friends' other books Bounce and Lush. You will also like Purge by Sarah Litman
Genre: Realistic fiction, friendship, and chick-lit
Summary: Isabelle Lee is in an eating disorder group therapy and becomes friends with the most popular girl in school. But Isabelle must figure out if this new popularity is worth it and how to deal with her family's issues.
Review: Natasha Friend does a great job of putting you in the characters' shoes. You can easily feel the struggles of Isabelle. I also like how she identifies how impossible it is to be perfect in this crazy world! This is a great book if you like to get inside a character's head and really feel what she feels. I give this book a five out of five! (But I think it's definitely "chick lit")
If you like this book... You will also like Natasha Friends' other books Bounce and Lush. You will also like Purge by Sarah Litman
Blind Sided by Patricia Cummings
Genre: Realistic fiction and friendship
Summary: Natalie is fourteen and her world is rocked when she learns that she is about to go blind! Now she must leave everything that is familiar and go to a special school that teaches her how to be blind! (Imagine everything she has to learn!!) What will happen to her friendships back home? Will she fit in? Will she really go blind? These are the questions that must get answered!
Rating: I give this book a 4.25 out of 5. Sometimes it doesn't move fast enough for me!! But it's really good and you can really empathize with Natalie.
Genre: Realistic fiction and friendship
Summary: Natalie is fourteen and her world is rocked when she learns that she is about to go blind! Now she must leave everything that is familiar and go to a special school that teaches her how to be blind! (Imagine everything she has to learn!!) What will happen to her friendships back home? Will she fit in? Will she really go blind? These are the questions that must get answered!
Rating: I give this book a 4.25 out of 5. Sometimes it doesn't move fast enough for me!! But it's really good and you can really empathize with Natalie.
Gossip Times Three by Amy Koss
Genre: Friendship and realistic fiction
Summary: Three best friends. Best friends since the beginning of time. Three unseparable friends. One boy. What do you do when your best friend suddenly likes the boy you have liked forever?
Review: I give this book a 4 out of 5. I liked it, I thought it was really great, but some parts were a bit confusing - so pay attention!! The ending pulls it all together...
Genre: Friendship and realistic fiction
Summary: Three best friends. Best friends since the beginning of time. Three unseparable friends. One boy. What do you do when your best friend suddenly likes the boy you have liked forever?
Review: I give this book a 4 out of 5. I liked it, I thought it was really great, but some parts were a bit confusing - so pay attention!! The ending pulls it all together...
Lush by Natasha Friend
Genre: Realistic fiction
Summary: Sam's dad is a drunk and this makes everything so much harder. You don't want to have friends over, you are afraid to tell your parents things, and you want to protect your younger brother. But when Sam realizes things need to stop, she starts writing notes to someone she thinks is anonymous.
Review: I give this book a 4 out of 5. I wanted it to be like Perfect, and it's not... but it's still a good book to read!
Genre: Realistic fiction
Summary: Sam's dad is a drunk and this makes everything so much harder. You don't want to have friends over, you are afraid to tell your parents things, and you want to protect your younger brother. But when Sam realizes things need to stop, she starts writing notes to someone she thinks is anonymous.
Review: I give this book a 4 out of 5. I wanted it to be like Perfect, and it's not... but it's still a good book to read!
Under the Banyan Tree ~ Toni De Palma
Genre: Realistic fiction and most likely for girls...
Summary: A girl runs away from home and ends up working at an old hotel that needs to be saved from money problems. Things don't go as planned and this might not end up being her new home.
Review: This book is pretty good and the ending is a bit surprising. I wish the story moved a little faster, but... I give this a 3 out of 5. I am not sure what it reminds me of... what does it remind you of?
Genre: Realistic fiction and most likely for girls...
Summary: A girl runs away from home and ends up working at an old hotel that needs to be saved from money problems. Things don't go as planned and this might not end up being her new home.
Review: This book is pretty good and the ending is a bit surprising. I wish the story moved a little faster, but... I give this a 3 out of 5. I am not sure what it reminds me of... what does it remind you of?
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
Genre: Friendship and realistic fiction
Summary: Four friends have been together since before they were born! This summer, they are going their separate ways to pursue separate adventures. But a special pair of jeans will unite them all with new bonds!
Review: This book is awesome! I give it a 5 out of 5!! I read this a few years ago and I couldn't wait to read the sequels!
Genre: Friendship and realistic fiction
Summary: Four friends have been together since before they were born! This summer, they are going their separate ways to pursue separate adventures. But a special pair of jeans will unite them all with new bonds!
Review: This book is awesome! I give it a 5 out of 5!! I read this a few years ago and I couldn't wait to read the sequels!