10 Books for Girls Struggling With Growing Pains

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, by Judy Blume
I mean, Judy Blume is the master of growing pains, right? Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret highlights the hardship of going from 11 years old to 12 years old with Margaret Simon right at the helm. She’s in a new place, she has to make new friends, and all she wants is someone to talk to about growing up. Every girl (young and old, if I’m being honest) can relate to Margaret and her worries and fears.

Olive’s Ocean, by Kevin Henkes
It’s nearly impossible to enter adolescence gracefully, especially when there are so many uncontrollable factors. In Olive’s Ocean, Martha Boyle has no idea what’s going on in her world after a classmate dies tragically and connections between the two girls start popping up, despite them not having been friends. Kids will fall in love with Martha’s character. She is larger-than-life and doesn’t talk down to readers, making her a worthwhile hero for any girl experiencing growing pains.

The Hundred Dresses, by Eleanor Estes
Bullying is something too many of us have experienced, and in The Hundred Dresses, young girls get an up close look at characters experiencing it, characters doling it out, and characters who are caught in the crossfire. A girl named Wanda is teased after she wears the same faded dress to school everyday, despite telling her classmates she has a hundred beautiful dresses at home. One girl named Peggy begins to tease her daily and Peggy’s best friend Maddie joins in, even though she knows it’s not the best idea. The story is full of compassion and love and can help any girl who is experiencing bullying and teasing, no matter what side of it she’s on.

The Judy Moody series, by Megan McDonald
The name of the Judy Moody series says it all, right? Growing up makes for moody kids. Judy Moody is a character who reminds the world it’s okay to have bad days and bad attitudes and that you can actually flourish despite them. Save these for when your growing girl has a particularly hard day as a reminder that those days happen and you just have to own them.

Harriet the Spy, by Louise Fitzhugh
Learning the consequences of your actions? That’s hard for anyone to deal with, especially a young kid. In Harriet the Spy, Harriet writes down everything in her notebook, but when she loses it and it ends up in the wrong hands, she has to swallow her pride and realize what she’s done. Harriet’s been a well-loved heroine for years, but she is timeless and her personality and light are a must for kids to witness.

Ramona Quimby, Age 8, by Beverly Cleary
You know what’s tough? Being 8 years old. (Of course, it’s also magic.) Ramona Quimby, Age 8 tells the story of Ramona, one of the most beloved characters in all of literature, and the trials and tribulations she faces in her eighth year of life. She’s expected to grow up, to help around the house, and to deal with massive changes like Mom going back to work so Dad can finish school. Of course it’s a lot to take in, but this book will give strength and motivation to those who are beginning to think that growing up is a whole lot of work.

The Littlest Bigfoot, by Jennifer Weiner
The Littlest Bigfoot is a sweet story about friendship and finding your place in the world—pretty perfect reading for those suffering from growing pains, right? There’s a touch of fantasy in this book, which features a lonely girl named Alice finding a friend in Millie, a Bigfoot, but the roots of the story are still very down to earth and relatable. It’s hard to overcome prejudices, it’s hard to make friends, and it’s hard to trust yourself to make the right decision. Beautiful, lovely, and fun to read, this new title will become a classic, I’m sure of it.

Because of Winn-Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo
Opal, the heroine in Because of Winn-Dixie, has been motherless since her mom left her when she was 3 years old. But discovering a dog at the supermarket gives her not only the courage to ask her father about her mom, but helps her make friends and learn what love really is. Dogs are balms to the soul, especially when you’re in the throes of growing up and feeling uncertain, and Opal discovers that in this classic story.

A Handful of Stars, by Cynthia Lord
More true friendship is found in A Handful of Stars when a girl named Lily connects with a girl named Salma, the daughter of migrant workers. Both of them are grieving over tragedies in their lives, and together they learn to persevere, let go of the past, and help push each other out of their comfort zones. Growing up is a whole lot of getting out of your comfort zone and this book illustrates the importance of it beautifully.