Five 5-Star Worthy Reads for Teen Girls
Clean recommendations for the Christian teenager
As an enthusiastic clean book advocate, I've struggled to find books that don't have any hidden agendas like LGBTQ+ or sexual content. Or f-bombs for that matter.
The titles listed below are ones I read in 2024 that don't have any agendas, at all. These five are similar in that they deal with love, courage, and self discovery. AND everybody got rated with five stars from me! There's a historical fiction, a classic, an autobiography, a realistic fiction, and a self help. Basically, there's one for everyone!
I hope you can connect with a story or two. These all resonated with me long after I read "The End" and I hope they do the same for you!
With that in mind, let's get started!
The historical fiction:
This Light Between Us by Andrew Fukada
Synopsis:
“A story of World War II about the unlikeliest of pen pals--a Japanese American boy and a French Jewish girl--as they fight to maintain hope in a time of war.
In 1935, ten-year-old Alex Maki from Bainbridge Island, Washington is disgusted when he's forced to become pen pals with Charlie Levy of Paris, France--a girl. He thought she was a boy. In spite of Alex's reluctance, their letters continue to fly across the Atlantic--and along with them the shared hopes and dreams of friendship. Until the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the growing Nazi persecution of Jews force them to confront the darkest aspects of human nature.
From the desolation of an internment camp on the plains of Manzanar to the horrors of Auschwitz and the devastation of European battlefields, the only thing they can hold onto are the memories of their letters. But nothing can dispel the light between them.”
My thoughts:
All I can say is WOW. This is a gut-wrenching, breathtaking, saddening, drive-you-mad, heart-twisting, eye-opening, and awe-inspiring tale. I needed a whole week to recover from this book, and my throat was so constricted with the raw emotions Andrew Fukada infused in this novel. This has to be one of the best WWII historical fictions ever written (this coming from the girl who used to only read WWII historical fictions 🤪). If you decide to pick up this book, beware. You’ll need tissues to sob into, an empty schedule (you’ll find you won’t be able to put Alex and Charlie’s story down!), and a cozy chair to catch you whenever the plot twists twist you in a tizzy.
Content concerns:
Other than some profanity (same to a little more than what’s used in an Avenger movie along with multiple uses of God's name being taken in vain) and violence (descriptions of battles, men wounded/dying/dead, and hand-to-hand combat), this is a pretty clean book.
The classic:
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Synopsis:
There isn't a good summary of Persuasion to be found anywhere. Sure, I could write my own but wouldn’t it be more fun to take the unconventional approach and describe this book using my favorite quotes...from the book?
“There could have been no two hearts so open, no tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison.”
"I do not think I ever opened a book in my life which had not something to say upon woman's inconstancy. Songs and proverbs, all talk of woman's fickleness. But perhaps you will say, these were all written by men."
“All the privilege I claim for my own sex (it is not a very enviable one: you need not covet it), is that of loving longest, when existence or when hope is gone!”
"She hoped to be wise and reasonable in time; but alas! Alas! She must confess to herself that she was not wise yet."
“You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope...I have loved none but you.”
My thoughts:
Intriguing, am I right? Persuasion is a great book to pick up when you want a break from today's YA genre or when you need a good, pine-y (not the tree!) romance novel with English gentlemen and ladies.
Content concerns:
Absolutely nothing. Jane Austen is a great clean author!
The autobiography:
Bridge to the Sun by Gwen Teraski
Synopsis:
"Bridge to the Sun is a beautiful, tender, and moving love story-the true report of an international and interracial marriage of a Japanese diplomat and an American girl from the mountains of Tennessee. They were married in 1931, just as tension between their two countries was mounting, and their constant dream was of a “rainbow across the Pacific,” a bridge of peace between Japan and the United States. In the following ten years, Mr. Terasaki’s service with the Japanese Foreign Office took them to Japan, China (where their daughter Mariko was born), Cuba, and Washington, where they were living at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Mrs. Terasaki describes with rare perception and fine humor her months of internment with the Japanese diplomatic corps at Hot Springs and White Sulphur Springs, the long voyage back to Japan via Africa on the famed exchange ship Gripsholm, and the struggle of the war years in Japan which were marked with illness and near starvation. After the surrender, Mr. Terasaki, a courageous and brilliant man who had dedicated his life and health to avert the war, was appointed liaison between the Emperor and General MacArthur, and in this capacity, he played a vital part in the post-war relations between the two countries."
My thoughts:
I went into Bridge to the Sun thinking I would not enjoy it very much but I was wrong! This is an extraordinary autobiography that offers a unique point of view on life before, during, and after WWII. An American woman and a Japanese man marrying in the early to mid 1900s was not a common occurrence and the fact that they were able to stay together even when the Japanese joined the war is incredible. From privileged young family to scrabbling to survive in harsh conditions, the journey of the Terasakis is amazing. I highly recommend this for an unusual and special viewpoint on what life was like during WWII.
Content concerns:
I didn’t have any concerns about content but just because of the length of the book and some heavy topics dealt, I wouldn’t hand this to anyone younger than fourteen. I personally think older teens would enjoy it more than younger ones.
The realistic fiction:
Under the Magnolias, by T. I. Lowe
Synopsis:
"Magnolia, South Carolina, 1980
Austin Foster is barely a teenager when her mama dies giving birth to twins, leaving her to pick up the pieces while holding her six siblings together and doing her best to stop her daddy from retreating into his personal darkness.
Scratching out a living on the family's tobacco farm is as tough as it gets. When a few random acts of kindness help to ease the Fosters' hardships, Austin finds herself relying upon some of Magnolia's most colorful citizens for friendship and more. But it's next to impossible to hide the truth about the goings-on at Nolia Farms, and Austin's desperate attempts to save face all but break her.
Just when it seems she might have something more waiting for her--with the son of a wealthy local family who she's crushed on for years--her father makes a choice that will crack wide-open the family's secrets and lead to a public reckoning. There are consequences for loving a boy like Vance Cumberland, but there is also freedom in the truth.
T. I. Lowe's gritty yet tender and uplifting tale reminds us that a great story can break your heart . . . then heal it in the best possible way."
My thoughts:
This is a deep novel that deals with some heavy topics (see content concerns below). It speaks life and love, family and loyalty, and faith and God. Our lovely main character Austin is in desperate need of a mother and it shows in how she handles the situations life throws at her. Her story broke my heart but the ending fixed it right up! I’ve already read this book twice and plan on re-binging this year! So incredibly well-written and casted!
Content concerns:
There’s heavy notes of neglect, self harm, suicide, and death of a parent. Because of this, I wouldn’t hand this book to anyone younger than fourteen.
The self help:
A Teen's Guide to the 5 Love Languages, by Gary Chapman
Synopsis:
"The secret to great relationships—just for teens #1 New York Times bestselling book The 5 Love Languages® has sold over 10 million copies, helping countless relationships thrive. Simply put, it works. But do the five love languages work for teens, for their relationships with parents, siblings, friends, teachers, coaches, and significant others? Yes! Introducing A Teen’s Guide to the 5 Love Languages, the first-ever edition written just to teens, for teens, and with a teen's world in mind. It guides emerging adults in discovering and understanding their own love languages as well as how to best express love to others."
My thoughts:
What a great book! This is for any and all teens wishing to understand themselves better and improve their relationships. The 5 love languages is a simple way to learn how to love those closest to you in an effective and fruitful way. Dr. Chapman and Ms. Drygas’ writing reflect biblical standards in a subtle manner.
I feel like ALL teens should read this book as an Adulting 101. It's so practical, useful, and will help teenagers avoid years of tension between themselves and their friends and family.
Content concerns:
None.
And that’s it! Five whole reads for you to add to your TBR list! Not bad, huh? I hope this article saved you hours of research because five CLEAN and terrifically well-written books were reviewed and are now waiting to be cracked open!
Don't wait, check them out and let me know what you think of them!
Until next time, my reader friend,
Nicole
P.S.
Don’t see a book on this list that you think should be there? Comment below to let me know your picks!
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This is exactly what I needed!! Thank you!
Bridge to the Sun looks good! I haven’t heard of it before. 🖤