Cheetah Girls, The

Deborah Gregory's Cheetah Girls was ahead of its time in centering a diverse, multicultural ensemble of girls chasing creative ambition in New York City — that core is still genuinely appealing. The late-1990s cultural references and slang have dated, and the fashion-pop-culture focus won't land for every reader, but the friendship dynamics and aspirational energy hold up well. A good pick for girls in the 10-to-14 range who like music and friendships more than adventure plots.