The Best Girl Squads in Contemporary YA
Girl squads are all the rage these days and here at Quirk we couldn’t be happier. There’s nothing more fulfilling than the intense bond of female friendship. We’ve rounded up a few of the best groups in contemporary literature for all your patriarchy dismantling needs.
(Image by Eli Wharris)
The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour
Bev, Meg, and Alexa make up The Disenchantments – lovingly hailed as “the worst all-girl band in America.” And they’re on a mission to show America everything they’ve got. With the help of Bev’s best friend Colby, these recent high school graduates embark on a weeklong tour of the Pacific Northwest, playing any venue that will take them and diving deep into the question of “what’s next?” – for the band, for their friendship, and for their individual lives.
Local Girls by Caroline Zancan
Maggie, Lindsey, and Nina have been friends their whole lives. Local Girls looks back on the night they meet a revered celebrity – the night they swear they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. But as the night goes on, they collectively discover other moments that are sure to dictate the direction of “the rest of their lives” and what that phrase really means. Their flawed yet incredibly strong friendship is beautifully and, more importantly, honestly crafted, proving that heartache doesn’t need to be romantic to hurt.
Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy
Willowdean, Millie, Hannah, and Amanda are here to disrupt the hell out of the Texas pageantry circuit. They’re ridiculed by narrow-minded neighbors who think what they’re doing is a joke or a ploy for attention, but these girls stand strong. Because they’re not just gunning for the prize. They’re out to show their town that there’s more than one way to be beautiful.
Vivian Apple at the End of the World by Katie Coyle
Is it possible to have a squad of two? It is when you’re Vivian Apple and Harpreet Janda. Pitting themselves against the megalomaniac Church of America, Vivian and Harp seek to expose the force behind the manufactured Rapture – all while equipped with nothing more than a sledgehammer and a full tank of gas. It’s no wonder Rolling Stone listed Vivian among the best YA novels. These women are rock stars.
