Best Christian Fiction for Teenage Girls? Try the Addie Brown Series
5 minute read
With all the world’s distractions, just seeing a teenager reading a book can feel like a miracle. But to read one that feels ‘safe’, with a Christian worldview, that isn’t so cheesy you’ll get an eye roll for even suggesting it? Not possible, right? Well, here are 9 reasons your teen should meet Addie Brown.
1) She feels like a real teenager
Having moved from small town Wisconsin to London after losing her mum, the problems 12-year-old Addie faces and how she feels about them are relatable. She makes bloopers, she worries about fitting in, and her friendships are often messy. With a gently funny voice and imaginative take on the everyday things of life, she’s a character you’ll warm to right from the start. The first couple of paragraphs of The Girl on the Tube may help demonstrate what I mean:
Grey pleated skirt.
Navy blazer.
Crisp white shirt.
Green striped necktie. A tie!
I cannot believe I have to wear this getup. Every. Single. Day. This country is weird.
If it wasn’t for the frizzy brown hair, I’d hardly recognize the girl in the mirror. I grab my brush and tug through my untamable mop.
“You ready?” Dad hollers from the kitchen.
“Almost!”
I give up. There’s no fixing it. I find a hairband and twist and pull until my hair submits into a ponytail, then I slip my feet into my brand-new Mary Janes that Dad bought me earlier this week. Here in England, you can’t wear any old shoes to school like you can in America, here you have to wear school approved shoes. Why this style of shiny black shoe with a strap jutting across the middle got the name Mary Janes I’ll never know, but I decide my right shoe will be Mary and my left shoe will be Jane.
I love how Addie names her shoes!
If you want more of a feel for Addie's voice before buying the book, read the first chapter of The Girl on the Tube here
Explore the Addie Brown Series
2) Big feelings and themes without feeling heavy
The second reason your teen should meet Addie: she has big feelings, but they’re handled in a way that won’t feel heavy. Issues such as the loss of a parent, navigating new friendships, new family dynamics, divorce and dealing with a new culture are woven throughout the books. Addie’s quirky, honest narration style give the book a real page-turning quality!
Rachel Allord talks more about the big themes in the book in her video on why she wrote the series.
3) An exciting read
The London setting (and a trip back to Wisconsin and Chicago in book 2) makes the stories feel fresh and adventurous. Navigating the Underground and the bustle of the big city, combined with the mystery of the lady in the green hat, adds to the excitement of the books.
4) Great for reluctant teen readers
She’s great for kids who aren’t avid readers. The chapters are short; the narration flows easily, and the books are visually appealing (note the coloured page edges!) We know not to judge a book by its cover, but a good one definitely helps!
5) Faith is in the background without it feeling forced
Addie’s Aunt Becky sends her a package and writes that she’s praying for her, and this is one of the more explicit references in the book, although Addie does try a little prayer for herself at the end of The Girl and the Green Hat. Addie is still very much figuring life out for herself - including faith!
To get a feel for The Girl and The Green Hat, read the first couple of chapters for free.
Shop The Girl and the Green Hat.
6) Christian themes without feeling preachy
The books model empathy, patience and compassion in a way that feels natural rather than preachy. The development of Addie’s friendship with Victoria, for example, helps teens see there could be other reasons for the icy front she puts on.
7) Will help your teen feel less alone
Instead of stressing over peoples’ polished Instagram profiles and feeling like they need to act like they have it ‘all together’, they can walk next to Addie, who, like them, is very much still working life out.
To explore some great Christian teenage resources, view this selection.
8) A realistic character
The Addie Brown books don’t present teenagers as perfect. Addie makes mistakes, acts impulsively and sometimes hurts others. But the stories also gently explore conviction, honesty and the courage it takes to make things right.
9) There’s more to come
If, wonderfully, your teen reads the books and enjoys them, there’s another book in the series to come! Addie can keep being a positive influence in your teen’s life as she experiences another year; with all the ups, downs and adventures the teenage years can bring.
So, if you’re looking for Christian fiction your teenager will genuinely enjoy—and characters they’ll recognise themselves in—The Addie Brown books are a wonderful place to start. While my own daughter is too young for this series now, it'll be a top recommendation when she hits her teenage years. I loved these books, and I hope your teen will too.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age are the Addie Brown books for?
Christian tweens and teens who are looking for fiction that is feels honest, funny, emotionally real and faith-aware without being preachy.
Are the Addie Brown books Christian?
They’re written from a Christian worldview, and the content is subtly Christian without it feeling forced.
Is Addie Brown suitable for reluctant readers?
Yes. The chapters are short, the narration style is easy to read and the topic is engaging.
What themes are covered in the Addie Brown series?
Themes include identity, loss, change, growing up, cross-cultural experience, messy friendships, coming-of-age, adventure, mystery, starting a new school, family dynamics.
Watch the author introduce The Girl on the Tube
Watch author Rachel Allord introduce The Girl and the Green Hat
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