Sometimes, when we finish a good TV show, we wish we had more content with similar vibes. What makes a good show is its characters and everything they have to offer to the plot. If you’re looking for a good book to fill that craving, look at these book recommendations for young adult audiences based on some of our favorite BIPOC TV show characters.
Devi Vishwakumar – The Marvelous Mirza Girls by Sheba Karim
Devi Vishwakumar from Never Have I Ever is a self-assured, intelligent, and driven girl ready to make her mark on the world. She jumps head-first into problems and thinks as she goes. She loves a good romance and a good story to go with it. Devi is a sex-positive feminist icon who is ready to get with her girls and make sure they live the best teenage lives they possibly can. Even when her life gets messy, she always finds a way to escape whatever she’s stuck in.
The Marvelous Mirza Girls by Sheba Karim follows Noreen as she takes a gap year trip with her mom to New Delhi. After losing her aunt and a post-senior-year slump, Noreen needs a break from everything to regain her voice. This seems possible after she meets Kabir, who shows her all the wonders that can be found in India. Enjoying Bollywood celebrities, karaoke parties, and Sufi saints, Noreen discovers different ways to make a home. When a family scandal erupts, the two must test the strength of their relationship as they challenge the boundaries of love and what it means to stand together even in the worst times.
Ginny Miller – Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
Ginny Miller from Ginny and Georgia is a bold, emotional, and confident girl who can think quickly on her feet when a situation calls for it. She’s good at keeping a secret and is working on being aware of her emotions as her life comes crashing down. Even at the worst, she keeps her head high and sticks by the people she loves. Ginny is the person you want by you when you need an alibi or a shoulder to cry on.
Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulleyn tells 18-year-old Daunis Fontaine’s story as her life turns into chaos amid a family tragedy. As she tries to control her life, the FBI changes its course after Daunis witnesses a murder dealing with a lethal new drug. Going undercover and drawing on her chemistry and Ojibwe traditional medicine knowledge, she goes in with more clarity than she’ll be left with. Exposed secrets and old scars will leave her in the middle of this investigation with one question: Is she ready to tear apart her own world to protect her community?
Victor Salazar – Jay’s Gay Agenda by Jason June
Victor Salazar from Love, Victor is a sweet, witty, and lovable boy who cares about the people around him. He is always considerate of his family and friends’ feelings, even concerning his personal life. He grows to be unapologetic about his identity and learns to understand that he is loved unconditionally by many people. With a sound support system, he can get through anything while helping others through whatever they are going through.
Jay’s Gay Agenda by Jason June follows Jay Collier as he navigates his place in a small Washington town. While his friends talk about the heterosexual hookups, he’s still working on his to-do list of firsts — AKA his Gay Agenda. Starting his new senior year at a new high school in Seattle, he finds a thriving LGBTQ+ community that he could only dream of back at his school. Battling his old life and his new one while also going deep into figuring out his identity, Jay finds life to be a bit messier than he anticipated. Will he be able to handle it all, or will it come crashing down during the process?
Kitty Covey – XOXO by Axie Oh
Kitty Covey from XO, Kitty is a one-of-a-kind kid who is ready to take on the world. She is fun, confident, and unapologetic about who she is. She acts secretly, with the best intentions, and is loud about the results. Kitty cares about the people in her life and is willing to do what she needs to ensure they live exhilarating lives. She is a romantic with a pure heart who loves a good spectacle. Even if it’s not her film, she becomes the main character and reminds audiences that life can be a little brighter even during bad times.
XOXO by Axie Oh follows Jenny, a classically trained cellist with no time to put fun over her practice. But when Jaewoo arrives and gives her an unforgettable evening before his flight to Seoul, Jenny’s life takes a big turn. An ocean may part them, but not for long. As her grandmother grows ill, Jenny and her mom must move to Seoul to take care of her, and when she’s accepted into an elite arts academy, she finds herself face-to-face with Jaewoo again. The only problem? He’s a K-pop idol who is forbidden from dating anyone. Is she willing to risk both of their work for the relationship of her dreams, or will she give up love for the sake of their music?
Tabitha Haworthe – The Blonde Dies First by Joelle Wellington
Tabitha Haworthe from Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin will always be our final girl. Her cinephile nature keeps the group alive because she understands what it takes to be the final girl alive in a horror movie. She is quick on her feet, analytical, and always ready to quote a film. Anyone stuck in a horror movie situation would want her by their side because even in the darkest of times, she is prepared to stick by anyone’s side unless she already figured out they’re the killer.
The Blonde Dies First by Joelle Wellington follows Devon, who tries to make the Best Summer Ever before her twin sister leaves for college a year early. But when the Best Summer Ever includes a Ouija board, the fun gets put aside for the sake of survival. Being hunted by a demon is one thing, but being hunted by one that follows slasher movie rules is something Devon feels they may be able to conquer. Surviving this demon means playing by the rules, but will they be able to work together enough to survive the summer?
We fall in love with TV characters for a reason. They hold characteristics and traits that we can resonate with to help us better understand the life we’re living in. If you enjoyed any of these characters on screen, you will love these book recommendations and all they have to offer.
For more book recommendations with BIPOC characters, click here.
For book-to-screen adaptation recommendations, check out our Book to Screen Adaptations for Your Viewing and Reading Pleasure bookshelf on Bookshop.org.
