Science Fiction Stories for Teenage Girls?

Sooner Boomer asks: "Not having met 'Mrs. Boomer' yet, I'm buying Christmas gifts for my nieces and nephews. Whether genetics or just good luck, almost all of the young 'uns are girls. I've been slowly introducing them to the classics of science fiction: Heinlein ('Podkayne of Mars', _'Starship Troopers', etc.), Asimov short stories, Ann McAffrey (the Dragonrider books), Alan Dean Foster (the Flynx books and others), Douglas Adams and Terry Prachett, some Neil Gaiman (Stardust, Good Omens), as well as the mandatory Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. This is just a partial list, but what would Slashdot consider to be good (or even essential) science fiction for teen and pre-teen girls?"

David Webber

[nhstar]

I'd have to recommend the Honor Harrington Series. It's easy enough reading to be entertaining, and the story's compelling enough to bring you back for more. There's a good number of books in the series (On Basilisk Station being the first) and the main character through all but the latest is a very strong female lead.

The books tend to be a little formulaic, but still very enjoyable.

Recommendations

[meara]

Speaking as a former teenage girl...

The Meri by Maya Bohnhoff

Mary Stewart's Merlin Trilogy (start with The Crystal Cave)

Mercedes Lackey's Heralds of Valdemar series (start with Magic's Pawn or Arrows of the Queen)

David Eddings's Belgariad and Mallorean (start with Pawn of Prophecy)

Mary Herbert's Dark Horse trilogy (start with Dark Horse)

Trudi Canavan's Black Magician Trilogy (start with Magician's Guild)

Piers Anthony's Incarnations of Immortality Series (start with On a Pale Horse)

Piers Anthony's Apprentice Adept Series (start with Split Infinity)

Why Science Fiction?

[trs9000]

Have they asked for science fiction? (Disregard if so). Or shown any interest in reading it, in the least? It seems clear you are into it, and that's pretty awesome. But maybe you should aim to buy something that your nieces and nephews really enjoy. Something you know they will enjoy, based on their tastes, not yours. Not something that will collect dust on their shelves. You don't want to be the weird uncle (I'm assuming you're male due to the nature of your question) who always gives dopy books none of them like.

Probabilistically, what are the odds that they are all interested in sci-fi/fantasy? Nothing is "essential" as you put it, it's all a matter of taste. I read some growing up, but disliked a lot of it. So even if they are studious or like to read (an assumption right there, maybe a CD is what they would really appreciate) the topics could be as far ranging as biography, architecture, 18th century literature.

Giving the same genre across the board doesn't speak to any of them personally, and showcases what you think they should be interested in, not what they actually seek out themselves.

And, I believe, the season of giving is about selflessness and doing for others. Perhaps, rethink your strategy?

And if not, all these other suggestions here are good too.

... for Teenage Girls?

[XoXus]

Why would this automatically be different to SciFi stories for Teenage Boys?

What is that supposed to mean?

[Anonymous Coward]

Just because I'm a teenage _girl_ I'm supposed to have some strange taste in books? Why not mention their personalities, what kind of characters appeal to them, how hard (or soft) they like their science fiction?

I'm partial to Knight and Polk but I've only encountered them in short stories so far...

Re:Not to troll the question... but...

[Anonymous Coward]

You're talking about heartless gifts. Continuing that reasoning we can conclude it's inappropriate to give a gift certificate for a specific store because it robs the recipient of choice on the path to joy.

Sometimes I give gifts that I hope will cause the person to remember me when they use it in whatever manner they do. Sometimes I give gifts to introduce the recipient to an idea or subject they might not otherwise stumble upon.

Mostly I give gifts because I feel like it, and the rule isn't that you give the bestest gift they could ever hope for, the rule is you give a gift if you feel like it. "If I feel like it" leaves most people a lot of leeway.

Re:Why Science Fiction?

[Halfbaked Plan]

One of the things that 'giving a gift' can represent is giving someone else something that you like in hopes that they may like it as well. It's a concept called 'sharing.'

Re:Nicholas Fisk

[Somegeek]

Here's a second vote for the Riddlemaster of Hed series. Can't believe it's not more well known.

What my actual, real-life girlfriend read as a kid

[Anonymous Coward]

Yes, I've got a girlfriend, who, growing up, loved Orson Scott Card way more than I do, and Madaline L'Engel (or however you spell her name), and the old Heinlein with their female protagonists. She loves Phillip Pullman, and Ursula K. LeGuin, and Margret Atwood, too.

I guess the more important question is, what do your nieces love? Why not mix it up with a little Jane Austin, or some Isak Dinesen? Or get 'em some poetry- Emily Dickinson or Edna St. Vincent Millay? (Or get some cool non-fiction...)

I'm cheating by just listing female authors- of course, they may just as well love books by men.

There's plenty of really wonderful stuff out there, and as the kindly nerd uncle, you have the opportunity to expand their horizons in all kinds of directions.

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