Looking for a heartfelt collection of YA books about girls in science and technology? As an award-winning author and longtime blogger about issue-driven YA fiction, I know the statistics about how fewer young women choose STEM-related careers than boys.
STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, is the field where women thrive in lucrative and interesting careers like medicine, biotechnology, astronomy, and computer programming. Why don’t more girls go into these fields? Maybe there aren’t enough YA novels where girls see themselves in these characters. I actually had a hard time finding novels where a high school protagonist is an aspiring robotics engineer, chemist, or other STEM-associated field. Still, there are a few, and I’ve included some college graduate students as well.
Here are several of my favorite novels in this category. Discover your next great read for International Day of Women and Girls in Science in this roundup. I promise you’ll find something new to love.
The Future Unborn by Khristina Chess
STEM Field
Robotics, MIT
What it’s about
A brilliant robotics student faces an unplanned pregnancy as she prepares her MIT college applications
Why I Love It - Book Review
“There is no place for the word twerking anywhere on your college application. Ever.” ― Khristina Chess, quote from The Future Unborn
What if helping someone you love means giving up all of your dreams?
Ignore the cover. Trust the story. The Future Unborn is an unexpected novel that balances humor, STEM, love, high-stakes ambition, and a pregnancy test in a deeply compelling narrative.
Kansas Jones has it all: class president, varsity swim team, straight-A student, a future at MIT.
Then one misstep results in an unplanned pregnancy—threatening all her hopes and dreams.
Kansas thinks twelve weeks is plenty of time to act, but with finals, college applications, and the R2-RoboCon competition piling up, the clock is ticking faster than she ever imagined.
When a family tragedy shifts her perspective, she finds herself facing a tough choice that no blueprint can solve.
What makes The Future Unborn so special is the blend of lighthearted banter, robotics team collaboration, a sweet romance, and the a gut-wrenching decision that’s as hopeful as it is heartbreaking. If you love thought-provoking novels, you won’t want to miss this YA book about young women in STEM. Think Juno meets The Love Hypothesis.
Tweet Cute by Emma Lord
STEM Field
Apps, software programming, technology
What it’s about
A girl and a boy become embroiled in a Twitter feud that begins with snarky Tweets but quickly escalates into a viral sensation.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“It's weird, how you have no idea how far you've come until suddenly you can't find the way back.” ― Emma Lord from Tweet Cute
Tweet Cute is a sweet YA romance told in alternating viewpoints of two teens who are engaged in a Twitter war for their family businesses. In a case of hidden identities, Pepper and Jack also are involved in a secret budding relationship through an app that conceals their identity from one another. What could possibly go wrong?
Plenty!
I loved all of the food in the book, and the world from Pepper's point of view felt very real to me. She has never left beyond the general radius of her NY apartment, and the adventure of getting on a train for her college interview seemed big and important. I could also get a real sense of Jack's neighborhood and the deli and its patrons. Both teens had very rich character development.
As a romantic novel, I had bigger expectations when the couple finally got together. It didn't feel quite as satisfying in that aspect as it might have been. Still, a can’t-put-down great read, and I definitely recommend it as a binge-worthy YA book about young women in STEM!
Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson
STEM Field
Chemistry, MIT
What it’s about
A top student and runner aspires to attend MIT, but faces several personal challenges and family responsibilities.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“A teacher (a good teacher) is composed of molecules of education and intelligence, bonded together by patience and passion.” ― Laurie Halse Anderson, quote from Catalyst
Kate Malone is another hopeful MIT applicant. A smart math and science nerd, she is regimented about organizing all aspects of her life. In fact, she is so confident that MIT will accept her that she has not applied to any other colleges.
Things don’t go as planned. Worse, things change at home that force Kate to adapt in ways she never expected.
While Catalyst wasn’t my favorite Laurie Halse Anderson novel, it does fit this list for YA featuring young women in STEM and is definitely worth reading. Check it out!
Laurie Halse Anderson is another author on my list of Best YA Authors to Binge on Kindle Unlimited.
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
STEM Field
Physics
What it’s about
A theoretical physicist moonlights as a “fake girlfriend” for a side hustle that lands her in trouble with a professional rival.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“Physics is like sex: it may yield practical results, but often that’s not why we do it.” ― Ali Hazelwood from Love, Theoretically
Love, Theoretically isn't the delightful gold standard that The Love Hypothesis is, but this book definitely answers my question: do I love this author?
Yes, yes I do!
I didn't love her second book, Love on the Brain at all, so this was a real question. However, this third return, Love, Theoretically brings two characters with great chemistry, great banter, a great science problem, a solid conflict, and a great overall story.
Elsie and Jack are fun couple to watch, especially as Elsie grows as a character and discovers what she really wants... honestly.
Although not technically “YA,” this novel is a great story about smart women in technology.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
STEM Field
Chemistry
What it’s about
A female chemist struggles to make her way in a male-dominated STEM environment and finds herself in funny situations, as well as academic and workplace sexual harassment.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“Because while stupid people may not know they’re stupid because they’re stupid, surely unattractive people must know they’re unattractive because of mirrors.” ― Bonnie Garmus, quote from Lessons in Chemistry
Lessons in Chemistry is one of the best books I've read in a while. It made me laugh out loud on many occasions. Elizabeth Zott has a direct and no nonsense practicality about her that is so lovable. Her dog, six thirty, makes a delightful sidekick. That she teaches him almost 1,000 words (and the author gives him a point of view) is beyond wonderful.
Elizabeth's struggles for equality in a male-dominated world were poignant and emotional. She demonstrated great restraint and composure when it wasn't deserved. I felt grateful to women of her generation for the opportunities I enjoy today in the technology workplace.
Since Elizabeth Zott is an adult, this book does not technically fit my list of YA books featuring young women and girls in STEM. Still, it’s an inspiring, page-turning, and important book about women in this field and the challenges faced historically to make progress in this area.
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
STEM Field
Biology research (pancreatic cancer)
What it’s about
A “fake dating” situation between a grad student and faculty member turns into true love.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“Everyone likes tall, broody, sullen hunks with genius IQs.” ― Ali Hazelwood, quote from The Love Hypothesis
Eleven stars! I laughed out loud, so many times, reading this STEM romance book. The voice of the main character, Olive Smith, was so much fun. The scenarios that she finds herself in during her fake-dating relationship are hilarious.
I loved Adam, too, and how he was bemused by the situation and played along with all the shenanigans.
In the end, there is real depth here. Olive faces serious professional issues in the academic workplace, including sexual harassment. Adam is articulate and direct about what it means to be a good professional mentor and why he strives to do so.
Since Olive and Adam are adults (with adult sexual relationships - be warned), this one also goes beyond YA books featuring young women and girls in STEM, too. However, I’ve included it because 1) it’s very, very STEM, 2) it’s wildly popular and awesome, and 3) you will love it. I promise! Ali Hazelwood inspires women in the technology field. Her other novels are great, too, but start with The Love Hypothesis.
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
STEM Field
Neuroscience
What it’s about
Two scientists share a coveted project and manage to fall in love.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a community of women trying to mind their own business must be in want of a random man’s opinion.” ― Ali Hazelwood from Love on the Brain
In this nerdy romance, Bee and Levi are scientists working together on a project for NASA. He's an engineer and she's the neuroscientist. Bee has lots of quirky and adorable qualities, but I missed the laugh-out-loud humor I found in The Love Hypothesis. These characters came across as a bit flat.
Still, it's a good romance for fans of Lessons in Chemistry. I rooted for Bee and Levi to work out their issues and fall in love. I thought the roommate's surprise romance felt bolted on rather than fully integrated and seemed like an unnecessary distraction from the main story line.
Other Inspiring YA Books Featuring Young Women in STEM
If you are looking for other inspiring YA books featuring young women and girls in STEM, check out the STEM Book Lists on Goodreads. You might also be interested in my post, Other Good Reads, which lists other reviews of Binge-Worthy YA Books So Addicting You Can’t Stop Reading.
Author bio
Khristina Chess is an award-winning author of a dozen young adult novels, including The Cutting Edge of Friendship, The Delinquent Hero, and Junior Missing. Hollow Beauty, her book about eating disorders, was named a finalist in the Next Generation India Book Awards. She tackles tough teen topics and writes binge-worthy books across multiple genres, including contemporary, thriller, mystery, and adventure.
In a recent interview from her alma mater, she described how her experience in the creative writing program prepared her for success.
