Nightbirds

Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with the weight of social expectations or feeling like their true self must be hidden to fit in. This lush, Jazz Age inspired fantasy follows four girls with illegal magical abilities who are used as pawns by the city elite. It explores deep themes of female autonomy, the dismantling of patriarchal systems, and the power of finding a chosen family. While the setting is magical, the emotional core is highly relatable for high schoolers navigating the transition to adulthood. It handles mature themes of systemic exploitation and religious extremism with a sophisticated, feminist lens. It is an ideal choice for older teens who enjoy high-stakes political intrigue and stories about girls reclaiming their own narratives from those who would exploit them.