Best YA Books for Girls (2026): 5 Picks Compared

A teen reader who has just finished a series needs the next book to fit, and the best ya books for girls are the ones whose listings match that reader. We compared listed reading age, grade level, page count, series position and what each description says.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	The Naturals by Barnes	9.7/10	Buy
2	Caraval by Garber	9.7/10	Buy
3	If He Had Been with Me by Nowlin	9.6/10	Buy
4	The Upside of Falling by Light	9.6/10	Buy
5	A Thousand Boy Kisses by Cole	9.5/10	Buy

1

The Naturals by Barnes

Jennifer Lynn Barnes·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A teen with a gift for reading people is recruited by the FBI to help solve cold cases, a fit for mystery readers who want a long set.

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Pros

• Grade level 9 and up and a reading age of 14 years and up fit a teen reader
• One boxed set includes The Naturals, Killer Instinct, All In, Bad Blood and the novella Twelve
• A team of gifted teens drives the mystery, per the description

Cons

• The description mentions murder and lethal danger, so check the content first
• The novella Twelve is printed inside Bad Blood, so check what each book includes
• At 1680 pages, the set is a big commitment for a reader who wants something short

2

Caraval by Garber

Stephanie Garber·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Two sisters are pulled into a mysterious performance game, a fit for fantasy readers who like magic and competition.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 4 is clearly marked, so the series has a clear starting point
• A stated reading age of 13 to 18 years covers the teen range
• A magic competition with a sister bond at its center, per the description

Cons

• Grade level 7 to 9 sits below the stated reading age, so check the level
• The description mentions a kidnapping and danger, so check the content first
• Part of a series, so the next books are needed to continue the story

3

If He Had Been with Me by Nowlin

Laura Nowlin·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Two former close friends face what might have been, a fit for readers who like emotional stories about first love.

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Pros

• Grade level 8 to 12 and a reading age of 14 to 18 years fit a teen reader
• A single 400-page volume, listed as a 2019 reissue
• The description focuses on first love and regret

Cons

• Romance and heartbreak are central, so preview it for a younger reader
• The listing carries publisher marketing, including comparisons to other authors
• No series position is stated, so a reader cannot tell whether more books follow

4

The Upside of Falling by Light

Alex Light·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A girl who invents a boyfriend and a school football captain who plays along start a fake relationship, a fit for teen romance readers.

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Pros

• Grade level 9 to 12 and a reading age of 14 years and up suit a teen reader
• A single 288-page volume with a March 16, 2021 publication date
• The premise is stated plainly in the description, so readers know what to expect

Cons

• Romance and a painful past are central, so check the content for a younger reader
• No series position is stated, so a reader cannot tell whether more books follow
• A contemporary romance is a narrower pick for a reader who wants fantasy

5

A Thousand Boy Kisses by Cole

Tillie Cole·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Two childhood friends reunite in a small Georgia town after a silence neither can explain, a fit for romance readers who like long-held bonds.

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Pros

• Grade level 9 to 12 places it in high school reading
• The listing says it includes a bonus epilogue
• 320 pages in one volume

Cons

• Reading age 17 and up is marked as from customers, while grade level is 9 to 12, so the marks disagree
• Romance is the whole premise, with heartache central, so check for a younger reader
• Part of a two-book series, so a fan will want Book 2

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More picks to compare

• The Downstairs Girl by LeeFor teen readers who like historical social drama with a 17-year-old heroine.Check on Amazon
• Heart of Mist by ScheuererFor teen fantasy fans; the description mentions a death and self-medicating with alcohol.Check on Amazon
• The Truth About Horses by CashmanFor horse-story fans aged 13 and up; the description mentions tragedy and loss.Check on Amazon
• The Music of Us by AlexandreaTeen readers who enjoy summer romance, first love, and a small-town cat café setting.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 16 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for a teen reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or grade level. Every pick lists both, and the reading age for A Thousand Boy Kisses is marked as from customers. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best ya books for girls

Match the reading age and grade level

The Upside of Falling lists grade 9 to 12 and a reading age of 14 years and up, so the marks agree. Caraval lists 13 to 18 years but grade 7 to 9, so check it against your reader. Readers coming from younger books can compare with middle grade books.

Check the series position and format

The Naturals is sold as a boxed set, while Caraval is Book 1 of 4, so a reader who wants the story in order should start there. For more teen picks, see Best Books for Teen Girls.

Before you buy

• Check the edition and publication date: Caraval is a 2018 reprint, and The Upside of Falling lists March 16, 2021.
• For a series, confirm the series position: Caraval is Book 1 of 4 and A Thousand Boy Kisses is Book 1 of 2.
• Compare the reading age with your reader, and read the description for mature themes before you order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should a reader start a series?

Start with Book 1. Caraval is listed as Book 1 of 4, and A Thousand Boy Kisses as Book 1 of 2.

What age does The Naturals suit?

The listing gives grade 9 and up and a reading age of 14 years and up. The description mentions murder, so preview it for a younger reader.

Which edition should a reader buy?

Caraval is listed as a 2018 reprint and If He Had Been with Me as a 2019 reissue, each with its publication date on the listing.

Still deciding? Our top pickThe Naturals by Barnes

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Related lists

See every Young Adult list and all Kids and Teens lists.

More lists: best YA books for boys, best graphic novels for girls and best books for girls.