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Quick answer: The best books for 14 year old girls are bingeable young adult novels: Six of Crows, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, The Hate U Give, Red Queen, The Cruel Prince, One of Us Is Lying, Scythe and Clap When You Land. They span fantasy, mystery and contemporary fiction, with a classic or two to stretch her reading.
Fourteen usually means starting high school, and reading tastes grow up quickly. Many 14-year-old girls discover reading communities like BookTok, fall hard for fantasy series and want mysteries with real twists. They’re also ready for books that tackle justice, identity and grief. This list focuses on widely loved YA titles that fit 14-year-olds well, with notes on content so parents can make informed choices. Most kick off a series or lead naturally to more books by the same author.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Genre |
|---|---|---|
| Six of Crows | Leigh Bardugo | Fantasy heist |
| A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder | Holly Jackson | Mystery |
| The Hate U Give | Angie Thomas | Contemporary |
| Red Queen | Victoria Aveyard | Fantasy |
| The Cruel Prince | Holly Black | Faerie fantasy |
| Children of Blood and Bone | Tomi Adeyemi | West African fantasy |
| Fangirl | Rainbow Rowell | Contemporary |
| One of Us Is Lying | Karen M. McManus | Thriller |
| The Fault in Our Stars | John Green | Contemporary |
| Throne of Glass | Sarah J. Maas | Fantasy |
| Scythe | Neal Shusterman | Science fiction |
| Pride and Prejudice | Jane Austen | Classic |
| Clap When You Land | Elizabeth Acevedo | Verse novel |
| Divine Rivals | Rebecca Ross | Fantasy romance |
| We Were Liars | E. Lockhart | Psychological suspense |
1. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker assembles six outcasts for an impossible heist in the city of Ketterdam. The banter, found family and multiple viewpoints have made it one of the most beloved YA fantasies ever. There’s violence and dark backstories, so it’s best for mature 14-year-olds.
2. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
For her senior project, Pip reopens a closed murder case in her small English town, convinced the accused boy was innocent. Told partly through interview transcripts and notes, it’s a twisty, addictive mystery and now a TV series.
3. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Starr moves between her poor neighborhood and her wealthy private school, until she witnesses police shoot her unarmed childhood friend. It’s a powerful, funny and honest novel about speaking up. It includes strong language and is best for 14 and up.
4. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
In Mare Barrow’s world, people with silver blood have powers and those with red blood serve them. When Mare reveals a power of her own in front of the royal court, she’s forced into a deadly game of deception. Expect twists and betrayals.
5. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Jude is a mortal girl raised in the High Court of Faerie, where she’s despised. She chooses power over fear, and plots against the cruel Prince Cardan. Dark, clever and romantic, it’s a huge favorite among teen fantasy readers.
6. Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
In Orïsha, magic has been stolen and the maji brutally oppressed. Zélie sets out with a rogue princess to bring it back. Inspired by West African mythology, it’s epic, action-packed and emotionally intense.
7. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Cath writes fan fiction and is starting college without her twin sister for the first time. It’s funny and tender about anxiety, family and finding your place, and it speaks directly to fandom-loving teens.
8. One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
Five students walk into detention; only four walk out alive. Each has a secret, and each is a suspect. Think The Breakfast Club as a murder mystery. It’s fast, twisty and a great pick for reluctant readers.
9. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Hazel and Augustus meet at a cancer support group and fall in love, with wit, honesty and heartbreak. It’s one of the defining YA novels of its generation. Keep tissues nearby.
10. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Celaena Sardothien, an assassin freed from a prison mine, must win a competition to become the king’s champion. The first book is a great 14+ fantasy; later books get longer and more mature. See our Sarah J. Maas reading order.
11. Scythe by Neal Shusterman
In a future without death, scythes are chosen to “glean” people to control the population. Teens Citra and Rowan are apprenticed to one, and only one will be chosen. It’s thought-provoking, dark and a Printz Honor book.
12. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy misjudge each other spectacularly in Austen’s witty romance. At 14, many girls are ready for the language and love the humor. Pair it with a film adaptation afterward.
13. Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
Camino in the Dominican Republic and Yahaira in New York lose their father in a plane crash, and then discover each other. Told in alternating verse, it’s emotional, fast-reading and beautifully written.
14. Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
Iris becomes a war correspondent while her rival Roman competes for the same job, and their letters, sent through magical typewriters, reveal more than they intend. It’s a romantic, emotional fantasy with a slow-burn love story.
15. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
Every summer, Cadence and her cousins gather on their wealthy family’s private island. After an accident she can’t remember, she pieces together what happened. The famous twist makes it a book teens push on each other.
Tips for Choosing Books for a 14 Year Old Girl
- Ask what’s trending. Friends and BookTok strongly shape what 14-year-olds want to read.
- Check content with tools like Common Sense Media. It helps with language, romance and violence.
- Respect her taste. Romance and fantasy readers often become lifelong readers.
- Offer audiobooks. Busy high school schedules make listening easier.
- Mix in a classic. Austen and Brontë can feel fresh at this age.
More: books for 14 year old boys and our 13 year old girls list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Six of Crows appropriate for a 14 year old?
It’s published for ages 14 and up. It includes violence and references to past trauma but no explicit content.
Is Throne of Glass okay for 14 year olds?
The first book generally is. Later books in the series become more mature, so many parents preview them.
What are good mystery books for 14 year old girls?
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, One of Us Is Lying, The Inheritance Games and We Were Liars are top picks.
Featured image: Photo by Shane Ryan Herilalaina on Unsplash