Looking for a YA series for a 12 year-old girl who's obsessed with Vampire Academy

[Laurie]

So I'm looking for a series for my niece, who's always been into reading. The last couple of years she loved those Goosebumps and American Chillers books. Then she moved onto Hunger Games, but now she's obsessed with The Vampire Academy series. She just read To Kill a Mockingbird for school and when I mentioned that it's a lot of people's favorite book ever she said "They obviously haven't read Vampire Academy." Ha, crazy child!

Anyway, I know she just read the Matched series too, but I'm not sure what she thought of it.

So any suggestions? Maybe Morganville Vampire series? Or Graceling? I don't think it has to have vampires in it. Just something engrossing, with good writing and maybe first-love emotions or a love triangle. A strong female character would be great too.

[Katie]

There is a series of books, Wicca/Sweep. The first one is Book of Shadows. It doesn't have vampires, but it has a strong female lead, and a love triangle. It also has magical elements that make up for the lack of vampires. I read them when I was just a bit older than her and loved them. Plus, if she likes the first one the series goes on for a while, 15 books I believe.

There is also The Awakening and The Struggle The Vampire diaries books, but those may be a touch too mature. My friend loved the House of Night books. Marked is the first. I found these a bit young, so they may be perfect for her age.

[Laurie]

Thanks, I'll check them out!

[Elena]

Graceling is a really good choice. I would also recommend the Hex Hall trilogy, Legend, Unearthly, Seraphina, and Unspoken. For starters. ;)

[Peter]

Tomorrow, When the War Began
This is the first book in a series of seven about how a bunch of teenagers cope, and fight back, when their country is invaded. Well written YA with strong female lead and realistic, sympathetic adolescent romance.

[Laurie]

Elena and Peter, thanks so much! You've given me a lot of choices.

[Wanda]

She may enjoy the Mortal Instruments Series. It is a series of 6 books (the last not yet out) written by Cassandra Clare.

[Sara]

When I was around your niece's age (about a decade ago) I read every Tamora Pierce book I could get my hands on. I think the Alanna series stuck with me the most, but all of them were good.